Ok, I promised that I would post the video of my father's Aerotrain when I got it. Well, its a beauty, but its pretty big 26 meg. I've got it uploaded on google video, but it looses some video quality due to the fact that google stretches the video to fit its screen. As you can see in the video, my father's layout has a ton of track! I love it!
Pop's Aerotrain
any chance your Dad would consider adopting me?
Nice big layout.
Truly a beauty. I have one too. The city of las Vegas, UP.
There's something about this train It really catches non-train people's eyes.
Here's a shot of mine. It's one of the few non-postwar pieces I run. Cruise is wonderful on it too.
tmcc man wrote:The last car looks like the rear off of a Chevy Nomad.
If I remember correctly the Aerotrain was built by General Motors, which would explain the visual connections to the 50's era autos. My dad actually got to see one of these run when he was young. I think there was only a handfull of them actually made (like around 5 or so).
Frank53 wrote: any chance your Dad would consider adopting me?Nice big layout.
Not a chance! He's all mine, oh and my brother's; but my brother doesn't call, he doesn't write....LOL!
As for the layout, yeah that thing is big, and in the next couple of years when he retires he's going to begin the detail work on it. I can't wait!
msacco wrote: Truly a beauty. I have one too. The city of las Vegas, UP.There's something about this train It really catches non-train people's eyes.
Yeah, the Aero is a beauty, its the only diesel he runs on his layout, which is PRR. It definitely has a unique look to it, that's for sure. I didn't know that UP ran the Aero, very nice pic of yours there indeed.
ATSJer wrote: tmcc man wrote:The last car looks like the rear off of a Chevy Nomad.If I remember correctly the Aerotrain was built by General Motors, which would explain the visual connections to the 50's era autos. My dad actually got to see one of these run when he was young. I think there was only a handfull of them actually made (like around 5 or so).
I thought GM made them. I wasn't sure. I think it was about 3 that were made.
tmcc man wrote:I thought GM made them. I wasn't sure. I think it was about 3 that were made.
Thank you Harley Earl
Looks like only two were made, and they were leased to different railroads over the course of about 10 years. The signature Harley Earl look it hard to miss. One of these is on display out in St. Louis, hmmm, road trip anyone?
We need to take up a collection so the Aerotrain in St. Louis can be cleaned up, I think she deserves better than this.
St. Louis train collection
ATSJer wrote: tmcc man wrote:I thought GM made them. I wasn't sure. I think it was about 3 that were made. Thank you Harley EarlLooks like only two were made, and they were leased to different railroads over the course of about 10 years. The signature Harley Earl look it hard to miss. One of these is on display out in St. Louis, hmmm, road trip anyone?
Yes, only 2. I saw the other one in Green Bay, WI a few years ago. Thanks to Harley Earl, I've always been a huge fan of 1950's cars, and my layout is full of them.
COOL VIDEO nice train layout. Love the AERO.
laz57
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
ATSJer wrote: We need to take up a collection so the Aerotrain in St. Louis can be cleaned up, I think she deserves better than this.St. Louis train collection
She IS better than that: she has been painted, some replacement parts fabricated and installed, and wired for power to her lights.
cnw1995 wrote:Great video - what a wonderful sight - what was that train running in the foreground?
That's his PRR Pacific K4-S with a consist of Madisons, its one of my favs that he has.
palallin wrote:She IS better than that: she has been painted, some replacement parts fabricated and installed, and wired for power to her lights.
Well, that's great news, because she looks like crap in that pic. The Transpo museum needs to work on their website, 'cause it is seriously lacking, and if their collection is in better shape than what is pictured then they really do need to show it, 'cause I can't imagine the average person (non-train buff) going to far out of the way to see delapidated trains.
Nice layout! I like the way he has one rail climb over the other in the back. Any chance you have a top view of that layout?
Jim H
ATSJer wrote: Well, that's great news, because she looks like crap in that pic. The Transpo museum needs to work on their website, 'cause it is seriously lacking, and if their collection is in better shape than what is pictured then they really do need to show it, 'cause I can't imagine the average person (non-train buff) going to far out of the way to see delapidated trains.
I'll readily agree that their site isn't as good as it should be. Some of their pages actually do show the upgrades and restoration work, but they really are handicapped by the intended audience. Many average people do in fact come in for just that reason, mostly because they have no idea that the trains are delapidated. In any case, the upgrades take time, and, since the museum is the red-headed stepchild of the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation system, they get low priority for such things. It's a shame, but the museum is quite well attended.
jimhaleyscomet wrote: Nice layout! I like the way he has one rail climb over the other in the back. Any chance you have a top view of that layout?Jim H
Not yet, but I can get one. I'll email him and see if he has an aerial photo of it, or a layout diagram. If he does I will post it ASAP.
ATSjer,
Which Aero set is that? I have the MTH RailKing version consisting of the Edsel engine with 2 coaches and the Chevy Nomad observation. Maybe they made an add on?
Thanks,
Stack
Hey Stack, I think MTH is the only one who made the Aero, I could be mistaken, but I don't think there was another. I'll ask my father to find out for sure though.
All Aero sets had add-on cars. They're around 50 bucks each.
Mike s.
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