gmpullman I came across this print, looking for the paint color for Ohio Central locomotives, of all things, and thought of your project, Tom: Nice bit of artwork Cheers, Ed
I came across this print, looking for the paint color for Ohio Central locomotives, of all things, and thought of your project, Tom:
Nice bit of artwork
Cheers, Ed
That's a terrific-looking print, Ed!
It's too bad the Aerotrain turned out to be a short-lived experiment for the NYC. I've really warmed up to this funky-looking loco.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Using light weight bus bodies for railroad cars was probably the worst part of the whole thing. That funky loocking locomotive was pretty futuristic, but didn't lend itself to adjusting the size of the train based on demand (the talgo style coupling of the cars didn;t, either - same thing that doomed the early diesel passenger trains like M-10000 and the Flying Yankee.
More than anything, it was a design that put style over substance. Sure it looked neat, but it rode roughly and wasn't flexible enough. Somewhat underpowered, as well.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Your list of reasons for the failure of the Aerotrain, Randy, are identical to the ones that I've read by others. Another reason alluded to by your "flexiability" comment was the inconvenience of turning the train around for a return trip because the cars could not be easily uncoupled from the locomotive, or from one another. The "reversing process " had to be accomplished using either a balloon track...or a long wye.