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Elevated Trains / Subways

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Troy, Ohio
  • 4 posts
Elevated Trains / Subways
Posted by REMLLOTS on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:12 AM
I want to do an Elevated / Subway Layout in HO guage (similar to Brooklyn, NY) and would like to know if anyone has done this so I can get some advice.
  • Member since
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  • 370 posts
Posted by artpeterson on Monday, February 18, 2008 9:36 AM
Hi - you probably should post your question in one of the "Model Railroader" forums, that way you'll be able to tap into the knowledge and expereience of more modelers.  I know that there have been both New York and Chicago "L" cars of various vintages (from wood-steel cars through contemporary cars) available in HO scale in the past, though I can't say what's out there being produced today.  If you wanted to go with a larger scale, MTH does a lot of New York and Chicago cars, again of many vintages from R-1s through current day stuff.  MTH is about to issue their CTA 6201-6470 type cars 1954, St. Louis Car Company) and from what I've heard from those that saw the prototypes, it should be a very good model.  Hope that helps somewhat, Art 
  • Member since
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  • From: NJ-NYC Area
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Posted by paulsafety on Monday, February 18, 2008 6:49 PM

A supplier of HO Elevated/Subway/Trolley/Commuter equipment is http://ihphobby.tripod.com/

Some articles from Model Railroader:

Born to raise L's - techniques for building El's
Model Railroader, October 1984 page 109

Triborough Rapid Transit Co., giant el interurban
Model Railroader, October 1978 page 116

Modeling elevated rapid transit lines
Model Railroader, October 1978 page 106

Farewell to the old el - lots of details on building an el
Model Railroader, April 1976 page 64

A web site titled "Modeling the New York City Subway" is available at http://www.monmouth.com/~patv/railroad.html

Another good resource on the web (New York City Model Transit Association):

http://mysite.verizon.net/sctransit/nycmta.htm

Hope this helps a little bit.

Paul F.

 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Troy, Ohio
  • 4 posts
Posted by REMLLOTS on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:03 PM

Art, Iappreciate your replay. I recently purchased 2 sets of PROTO 100 Subway Cars. The "REDBIRD" and a green set. I have been working with Ogauge and feel I have done as much as I want with that guage. Most of what I have is 027 from back in the early fifties. It also take up a lot of room. I was born in Brooklyn and live in Ohio and thought it would be neat to replacate a section of elevated trains, possibly even some subway. This is why I was looking for someone that may have experience with elevated HO tracks. I think I will take your advice.  Thanks  Bob

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
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Posted by tomikawaTT on Thursday, February 21, 2008 1:36 AM

Can't say about elevated structures - I rode the old Westchester Avenue Line every school day a half-century ago, but I've never been seriously tempted to model it.

For a current operating model subway, check in with Mister Beasley.  He can usually be found at the Beer Barn over on the Model Ralroader General Discussion forum.

Chuck

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Saturday, February 23, 2008 1:56 PM

No elevated, but I have a subway on my layout.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Chicago, Ill.
  • 2,843 posts
Posted by al-in-chgo on Saturday, March 1, 2008 12:34 AM
 Phoebe Vet wrote:

No elevated, but I have a subway on my layout.

Cool !

al-in-chgo
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Georgia
  • 300 posts
Posted by EmpireStateJR on Sunday, March 2, 2008 4:36 PM
The Chicago Transportation Museum has a detailed subway system on their three million dollar layout.  Being from Brooklyn and having rode the IRT and IND lines I bought a set of P-1000 redbirds and later the green P-1000 subway cars. I did build an elevated line and station using dowels and strip wood that I painted in a green color. I glued and tacked Atlas code 83 track directly to the stripwood. It operated fine and looked real good.  It was not museum quality but it did draw many compliments. I purchased the dowels and strip wood at Home Depot. Hope this helps. 

John R.

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