Amtrak began stopping at the newly-refurbished St.Paul Union Depot On May 7th, so for National Train Day on the 10th had an "open house" to celebrate that. We parked at the MN Transportation Museum's ex-GN Jackson St. Roundhouse about a mile north of SPUD; MTM was offering free (vintage) shuttle bus service to SPUD and back (and to and from the Twin City Model RR Museum at Bandana Square). We got at SPUD just as a very late Empire Builder pulled in. There were several Superliner cars on site to tour, and MTM brought GN "Hustle Muscle" 400 and a Soo caboose too. There were a number of things inside the station, including performances by the "Choo Choo Bob" Tv show folks for the kids.
I was persuaded by friends to go and have to say it was enjoyable! Lots of visitors with families came. There were food vendors, several model railroad layouts in operation of various scales, a couple of raill-wheel equipped CSX MOW trucks, memorabilia for sale, rail related exhibits, and of course the 1:1 display train from Amtrak. Imho, it was a special treat as typically we get the usual pair of Superliner cars coupled to a Genesis P40-something "mud missile".
This year we had an Amtrak "Pepsi Can hauling Amcan IIs, Viewliner Sleeping car, a gorgeous heavyweight observation car (Georgia #300) and the star of the show......the unique Seaboard Sun Lounge "Hollywood Beach"....the last of her kind! It was a thrill for me just to sit inside of it. Although the sun was out and conditions were not ideal for comparing Alclad2 metalizer finishes against prototype stainless steel (gray, overcast conditions are best), my wife and I took some photos of my Alclad2 swatches against the classic car since this was such a rare opportunity. We used her Apple Tablet since my camera was inside of my workpants at the time when they were in the washing machine! I posted detailed threads with more shots on the Yahoo Forums (PCL and ACL-SAL-SCL groups).
Overall, compared to previous shows, NTD in Tampa this year was excellent!
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
NittanyLion The whole thing is Amtrak's baby, so they're going to focus on Amtrak, which...it seems they do a pretty good job of.
The whole thing is Amtrak's baby, so they're going to focus on Amtrak, which...it seems they do a pretty good job of.
I see nothing wrong with that, but why not use the day to promote the hobby as well?
Joe Staten Island West
I think it would be a little difficult to set up a layout that would do everything you want it to do in the time and space limitations given to us on this day. Setting up for only five hours. You would need an enormus layout to convey it all. We did run equipment that the area viewers were familiar with. Amtrak passenger trains, Conrail freights and NYC passenger trains running through scenes that are similar to the actual ones. The Children enjoyed it and we talked with many people interested in model trains with N scale in particular.
In Tampa, I attended a National Train Day a few years ago at the local Tampa Railaroad Station. The station itself is not only beautifully restored but is still a functional place for Amtrak passengers. While there were some docents (guides) inside and the local club acted as hosts on a tour of Amtrak coaches, the inclusion of a Frank Sinatra sings-alike and expensive food trucks ($7.00 and > tacos, anyone?) made it less than fully enjoyable.This should be an education-centric event, with school districts sending their students there; with exhibits (multimedia) that tell the public the value and importance of railroads in our daily life; with notices in local media outlets about the event before it occurs, not after the fact. And please, setting up model railroad layouts in the train station may interest those of us in the hobby and little kids, but of what value are they in public awareness about the real railroad story- you know, the one where we get our coal-powered electric service from; the one which ships much of our exportable products to either coast, to be sold overseas and helps employ our neighbors; the one where we see our domestic oil gets shipped across country on a daily basis to keep things running; etc. There should be more of an "awareness message" to this event (at least, in my local area) than there seems to be.
Just saying...
Cedarwoodron
Got up to Amtrak's Rensselaer NY station about a quarter to seven. I set up my modules as well as some of my club's (The Olde Newburgh Model RR club) modules along with the Albany N-Trak clubs modules into a 20ft X 3ft layout. Everything ran well and we had a good time. The Amtrak People were very appreciative. We have done this show for several years now. It's always nice to set up and run some trains.
Got back from Penn Station. It was worth maybe an hour of time. Talked to the Bachmann rep and saw a cooking demo that was about it. Very disappointed Grand Central was much better last year. Had a nice ferry ride back to Staten Island though.
No complaints about driving here. I've got a quiet, smooth riding F-150, jump on the thruway, set the cruise control and relax.
You guys are complaining about not having a train station "close" to you. You guys are lucky, there is probably a active railroad within several hundred miles at most! I am stuck on an island in the middle of the pacific. The nearest active railroad is several thousand miles away. Which would require a 6 hour flight, and plane tickets are expensive. Heck, the nearest hobby shop that has reasonable prices and a good inventory of model railroad supplies and models is also a six hour flight. Be thankful you are at least close to a active railroad and all you have to do is jump in your car and drive.
During the summer of 2010 when I was working temp IT jobs in the Washington DC area, guess who i got to work for for a couple of months? Thats right, Amtrak! My brush with greatness was when I was in the executive offices at Union Sation in DC and road the elevator down with Amtrak's president. Cool. The best part for me was when I had to work on computers in the control offices and had to walk down the tracks along side the passenger trains to get to them. On of the offices was in the middle of the tracks with trains passing by on either side, like an island. It was one hot summer but fun being around the trains including MARC, Acela, and various Amtrak trains.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I'm going to be up at Amtraks Rensselaer NY station setting up and running a T-Trak layout tomorrow for a couple of hours. The layout will include my modules and the modules from the Albany area N-Trak club. It's a two hour drive for me to get there.
Every day is train day here. In fact, I hear one now. Our station has been turned into city offices now.
Robert H. Shilling II
I'm jealous of anyone that lives near an Amtrak station-or train station in general
I suppose that includes the Old Town Station of the Staten Island Railway
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
V8Vega There always is a big crowd at Los Angeles Union Station on National Train Day and this year their celebrating the stations 75 year birthday at the same time. Their going to have modular clubs layouts going along with all kinds of other attracxtions.
There always is a big crowd at Los Angeles Union Station on National Train Day and this year their celebrating the stations 75 year birthday at the same time. Their going to have modular clubs layouts going along with all kinds of other attracxtions.
I'm so jealous of those of you who live near a station that really celebrates it.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I have been to National Train Day in Charlotte. It consists of a couple of Piedmont Train Hosts handing out doughnuts, cake, and Amtrak schedules.
No, I'm not going.
Anyone else going I will be at Penn Station in New York City tomorrow?