Curious if we have any interurban modelers in our midst here? I had started with a PE themed set up but not living anywhere close or having even seen any PE equipment in person, it was hard to feel out what I wanted. I am now restarting with a bit of North Shore and CA&E equipment. Leaning a bit more toward the Roar n Elgin as the 3rd rail set up is easier to model(with a fake 3rd rail) than functional overhead wiring for trolley poles. Although I do have enough poles for a small portable layout, so I might do both. I wish I could settle on one single prototype but both lines have pro's and con's to them modeling wise. Mikie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Not a modeler, more of a collector of the Pacific Electric Long Beach Twelve cars. I have 7 of them, all painted Suydam Models. About 20 years ago I saw photos of them and I decided back them to get a few. Found a guy in California who painted each of them for me. They're in the showcase of my train room. Never been run, but I don't care. Just a fan of that model..
Neal
I had both the powered and trailer LB 12 cars from Suydam at one time. Both were late runs done by Orion Models for Ed Suydam. I have moved more to the Chicago area for my interest era since I have seen real cars from that line and can explore the remains along the old routes. Pacific Electric is very far away from me, but still facinating and I might get back into collecting all the Orion built cars for PE at some point.
Could I tempt you with Oregon Electric:
Ed
I for one am looking forward to seeing your progress. While I'm not an interurban modeler, my grandparents lived in Wheaton, IL not far from the former CA&E which piqued my interest in that line. As a kid I would ride my bike down the Prairie Path to get to the C&NW tracks where I'd spend hours watching the trains. I remember spying the old CA&E platforms along the right-of-way.
'More Railroads You Can Model' has a cool layout design of the Roarin' Elgin.
I've given it some thought, as here in our small town we have this wich the last remaining segment of a huge system that once branched out from Milwaukee to points north, south and west:
https://www.tmer.org/milwaukee-streetcar-history/the-milwaukee-electric-railway-and-light-company
My You Tube
I live in a good area for exploring abandon right of ways for interurbans. Today I took my North Shore car to the custom painter and he handed me four Suydam Sacremento Northern cars, $75 each and to pay him when I can. Love great friends. None are painted, no boxes. Two are powered and 2 are trailers with one being the Bidwell Parlor observation. I also have 2 more CA&E cars purchased. The CA&E and North Shore cars will go into the proper paint schemes. The 4 SN cars will be in my freelance Wildcat Traction Co dark red with grey roof scheme.
Very slow progress and not much rolling stock and currently no overhead on any layout, but, yes, in HO, O, and G. The only fully operable interurban models at this time are one each of Bowser's old Jewett and Indiana Lightweight.
I do not model interurban , but I do have a steeetcar line in my city.
When I was young and living in Chicago area, I road on North Shore, CA&E, and South Shore.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I'm going to have a streetcar running through the centre of my layout. I found an old and somewhat beaten up brass street car on eBay. I ordered a NWSL drive for it as well as an automatic reversing circuit so it can run on its own all day long. The original motor takes up a huge amount of space inside the shell. The NWSL drive will fit below the floor so I can detail the interior and add some passengers.
I will also have a second trolley car on the layout but it will be converted into a diner with a scratch built kitchen/additional dining area attached to it.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!