New Aero Train

[jonadel]

Well, I don't know what the heck has gotten into me but all of a sudden I've made two train purchases in the last 3 days and I thought this was supposed to a cold weather hobby! Several months ago I had thought about buying the MTH Aero Train and yesterday I was at one of my favorite hobby shops and the Devil Made Me Do It, I just couldn't leave without that set under my arm, plus one more coach. There's just something different about that set that intrigues me, it's different than anything else I own. The station announcements are really interesting, again totally different and kind of fun.

I guess I'm going to blame this all on the weather, the temperature and humidity are about the same here today, almost tropical, a good reason to stay inside.

Jon



Pulling out


Going by the park heading out of town


PS--I think the Devil is going to force me to return to the shop and buy a few more coaches[}:)

At the station

[waltrapp]

Jon,

I agree - there's something intriguing about that bugger! A friend brought his over to run on my Christmas layout and the look and sounds were out of this world. Like you said, completely different than anything that I own too.

I really watch what I buy but if I do make another purchase, this is at the top of my list right now.

Nice pictures BTW. Well, actually, having that nice layout of yours helps! [^]

- walt

[spankybird]

Jon,

You know that train was tested here in Cleveland. Somewhere I have pics of it.

tom

[1Trainman]

Jon,

MTH put out some more coaches with different road numbers

[AlanRail]

I may have a long long wait But

I'd like the Rock Island versions either the Peoria Rocket or the Talgo Jet Rocket.

Both of MTH's models for NYC and PRR returned their AEROTRAINS in the first year of operation back to General Motors. However. Rock Island had as many as 6 running between Chicago and Peoria in 1965 when after 11 years they retired their engines.

So the true working AERO's were the Rock Island ones.



Rock Island...... Route of the Rockets

[Anonymous]

That is one great-looking train! I've always loved the Aerotrain. It may not have been the biggest success technologically, but who cares? It's the coolest thing on rails. Very nice layout, too, by the way!

I have a tinplate Aerotrain model made by the Japanese toy company Bandai in the 60's. It's metallic blue and very eyecatching. However, it's HO gauge. I wi***hey would have made that set in O.

[csxt30]

Golly !! Always liked the Aerotrain, & I think Varney made it back in the 60's in Ho. It really looks nice on a nice layout & I think I'm going to put it on my list now, too!! Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

I got the NYC version when it came out about two years ago.

The MTH Aerotrain has the best sound of any O-Gauge diesel locomotive, of any manufacture-Period. People are usually surprised when they hear just how good it is.

I found this very impressive, but unusual, given the fact that it is a Railking (as opposed to a Premier) model. It really makes it a pleasure to operate.

The only thing I really wish it had would be smoke...

[Anonymous]

I have the PRR version and LOVE it!

[model-railroad]

Jon:

Great photos! I am interested in several things on the MTH model, maybe you can help me.

First, does the red headlight come on in reverse?

How many lights are on the last car? I saw an old photo on this train and there were 2 red light centered under the window, I was wondering if there were any others.

Thank you.

Hank[:D]

[jonadel]

Hank--[#welcome][#welcome] to the forum, a fun place with an eclectic cast of characters. I'd almost forgotten about this post, thanks for bringing it up. I'm about to turn into a pumpkin for the night but I promise I will check on your questions first thing in the morning.

Jon[zzz][zzz]

[ChiefEagles]

This early??????????????? Ah too much wine. [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AlanRail

I may have a long long wait But

I'd like the Rock Island versions either the Peoria Rocket or the Talgo Jet Rocket.

Both of MTH's models for NYC and PRR returned their AEROTRAINS in the first year of operation back to General Motors. However. Rock Island had as many as 6 running between Chicago and Peoria in 1965 when after 11 years they retired their engines.

So the true working AERO's were the Rock Island ones.



Rock Island...... Route of the Rockets

Don't want to sound like nitpicking (and please don't take it that way), but you Aerotrain guys would probably be interested in knowing that there were only two trainsets ever built by GM. They were numbered GM1000 & GM1001. Three 1200 HP LWT-12 locomotives were built. These had a single powered truck in the front under the cab (away from the weight of the prime mover, which was behing the cab). The two trainsets plus 1 LWT-12 each were demonstrated under lease on the NYC (GM1000), PRR (GM1001) and UP (GM1000), and were returned to GM with no orders. The cars, built from bus bodies, rode like buses and were sparsely furnished like buses; thus they were not attractive to the traveling public (why pay rail fare to go Greyhound when you can just go Greyhound and pocket the difference??). The locomotives were chronically underpowered and suffered from lack of tractive effort as well (1 powered truck and only 1200 HP). UP used them for a few months on the Las Vegas Holiday special between LA and LV, where the so-called "ultra-lightweight" train's performance was so anemic that it couldn't make it up Cajon Pass without a helper.

After return to GM, in 1958 the two Aerotrain trainsets and LWT-12 units were unloaded at a fire sale price to Rock Island, who put them into commuter service between Chicago and Joliet. The two LWT-12 locomotive units were renumbered #2 and #3. An additional end coach was also sold to RI by GM. These trains were retired in 1966. The locomotives and a couple of the Aerotrain bus body cars wound up at at the National Railway Museum in Green Bay, and at the National Museum of Transport in St. Louis. The rest of the equipment was scrapped.

The third LWT-12 (RI #1) was purchased new (the ONLY Aerotrain equipment sold new) for use on the Jet Rocket. The Jet Rocket equipment consisted of four 3-unit articulated Talgo cars built by ACF under Spanish license in 1955 at Berwick PA. The Talgo was an ultralight tilt-body technology similar to the Acela and LRC ideas and (successful) modern Talgo sets that came along much later, claimed to allow faster speeds through curves. Four 3-unit articulated cars were purchased. The train was put into service twice daily between Chicago and Peoria and was such a dog that it only lasted in that role for slightly over a year, until 1957, when it was removed from service and a conventional trainset substituted. Among its obvious shortcomings--failure to trip block and crossing signals due to light weight and lack of wheel scrubbing because it used drum brakes, premature failure of the automotive-type brakes, and ride quality so bad that food service had to be shut down on the Peoria branch because the rough track was slinging coffee and cups (among other things) across the car as well as all over the pax. And the CCTV camera in the nose of the LWT-12 scared the pax so badly (crossings!!) that the TV monitor in the lounge car failed catastrophically under somewhat mysterious circumstances a few months after the train's inauguration and was never repaired. After retirement from intercity service, the #1 and the Talgo trainset were remodeled for commuter service and a fifth Talgo car (outfitted for commuter use) was added to the consist, after which it joined the two Aerotrains on the commute district. It was retired in 1965 and all equipment was scrapped.

While the LWT-12 locomotive purchased for the Jet Rocket (#1) was identical to the other two (#2 & #3 nee GM1000 & GM1001), the Jet Rocket Talgo equipment was substantially different externally from the Aerotrain cars in the following major and easily identifiable aspects: (1) different profile - the Talgo cars do not match the cross section of the LWT-12 and the Aerotrain bus bodies do; (2) the Talgo cars are three unit articulated sets, with 4 single axle bogies for 3 units (2 of which were on the center unit), while the bus bodies were separable, individual coupled units with two single-axle bogies per unit; (3) the bus bodies had the standard GM raked bus windows, while the Talgo's windows were rectangular; (4) the Talgo cars had 1 door per 3-unit articulated set (location varied by set), while the bus bodies had 1 door per unit.

The two Aerotrain sets were not used outside the commuter district (Joliet) and did not operate to Peoria.

While the Aerotrains and LWT-12's certainly epitomized mid-50's GM styling, they were unsuccessful in a very big way. They do, however, make unique and interesting models.

Great pix, BTW, Jon!

Hope this information is useful to you guys.

[jonadel]

Well, I didn't turn into a pumpkin but there was some reading I HAD to do for an upcoming project plus American Chopper. After a long afternoon of trying not to inhale insualation, standing on a ladder working over my head it is time for bed. The idea of wine does sound good though, too late.

Jon

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by drephpe
[
Don't want to sound like nitpicking (and please don't take it that way), but you Aerotrain guys would probably be interested in knowing that there were only two trainsets ever built by GM. Hope this information is useful to you guys.
[/quote

Thanks for the info on these. I was thrilled to see one displayed near Green Bay, WI a few years ago. I've always liked them...very "1950's car" looking, and I LOVE 50's cars! Joe

• Reply
• Edit