My Galveston layout is not up and running yet, so I can't claim I "am running" anything.
I plan to run the Santa Fe Texas Chief and the Santa Fe #5/6 mail and express (formerly named "The Ranger"), whixh actually ran into Galveston, and I have collected equipment for them.
Texas Chief all streamlined- RPO, baggage, divided (Jim Crow) coach, coach, lounge, diner, 1 or 2 sleepers.
#5/6 - RPO/ baggage, baggage, express box, express reeferse(s), heavyweight coaches, heavyweight sleeper. (All stops accommodation, no dining or lounge service)
My dream railroad would also have included the Santa Fe California Special/Texan which had mixed equipment- some heavyweight, some streamlined. It did not go to Galveston, and I don't have staging for it, but I have collected the cars...
My proto"twist" train- which am halfway considering- is the Texas Mexican Limited which ran from Corpus Christi to Laredo in the late 1980s... time traveled back to the mid 1950s. The Tex Mex Ltd had heavywt ex-PRR coaches, one streamlined coach and sgtreamlined lounge, and used a baywindow caboose to handle baggage!
To backdate it, I would pull it with TexMex F7s- they had one pair in the 1950s, and the 1980s passenger car scheme was based on the 1950s F7 scheme. For baggage-- TexMex had a surplus troop sleeper then used for MOW. So my train would be loosely based on real stuff- that never happened to be all together at the same time. I have the cars. I don't have the decals...
twhite I'm kinda/sorta hoping that Walthers might do that, myself (especially the ex-C&O dome observation that Rio Grande turned a mid-train car for their "Royal Gorge.") But everything aside, since my Yuba River Sub itself is a kind of 'fooby' layout (Rio Grande through the SIERRA, LOL?), I can kinda/sorta 'make do' without too much embarrassment. But it would sure be nice to get some really authentic Rio Grande passenger cars without breaking the bank or wondering if those expensive brass imports will short out on any kind of radius under 40". Tom
I'm kinda/sorta hoping that Walthers might do that, myself (especially the ex-C&O dome observation that Rio Grande turned a mid-train car for their "Royal Gorge.") But everything aside, since my Yuba River Sub itself is a kind of 'fooby' layout (Rio Grande through the SIERRA, LOL?), I can kinda/sorta 'make do' without too much embarrassment.
But it would sure be nice to get some really authentic Rio Grande passenger cars without breaking the bank or wondering if those expensive brass imports will short out on any kind of radius under 40".
Tom
The dome-chair car intended for the C&O but purhased x3 by the D&RGW is IMO, the holy grail of all D&RGW passenger cars to acquire - well, and also the Wilson McCarthy. Back in 1985, when Palace Car Company announced P-S Prospector brass passenger cars, I pre-ordered 3 of them - and put a deposit on them. By the time they finally shipped, I had moved away from Houston and apparantly the one car I was shipped was sent back. A couple years later I was in Rochester NY and was able to order the de-skirted PS combine for $120. But I lost out on my pre-orderes of the dome-chair and the Wilson McCarthy Business car. Now-a-days when those show up on fleabay, they usually fetch a price in the $200-300 range or more if they are custom painted.
The problem with the dome-chair cars is that in original configuration they had no rear vestibule for mid-train use I believe - they were modified at Burnham shops IIRC after it was delivered to the D&RGW. It looks like getting accurate D&RGW passenger cars without a complete scratchbuild or spending a fortune is up to companies like Walthers.
At least if you are protolancing, then you can exercise some license. Years I remember reading an MR article about a guy named Lee something, last name escapes me, who did a freelance D&RGW as if it had extended the Craig Branch westward to connect to the Pacific but at the time he used all D&RGW EQ. It was an awesome layout. He has since switched to a full freelance fantasy RR and at that point I lost all interest in what he did.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 So far I have resisted buying the Walthers foobies, but right now there are too many "correct" pieces of rolling stock I need to collect to spend my limited dollars on to spend it on foobies right now. Hopefully by the time I get around to giving serious consideration to foobie passenger cars, Walthers will have produced a few new ones which actually match!
So far I have resisted buying the Walthers foobies, but right now there are too many "correct" pieces of rolling stock I need to collect to spend my limited dollars on to spend it on foobies right now. Hopefully by the time I get around to giving serious consideration to foobie passenger cars, Walthers will have produced a few new ones which actually match!
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
@bigpianoguy
I was thinking of doing the same thing. I'm thinking of having a trainyard inside a large building
Mr. LMD, Owner, founder
The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad
There's no schedule yet as I'm just getting set up in a new location; but it will include a partially-enclosed multi-track yard, which I hope will allow me to run all my major consists at various times. It will also provide a good storage for the other lines not running at the moment.
It would be rude if I do not post.
I am currently bidding on some passenger cars to make my fleet of passenger trains.
I originally spent a week last Summer planning my dream passenger train fleet if you would call it that.
My dream passenger fleet consist of one distance and one commuter passenger trains named The Illinoisian and the The Central.
The Central is going to be pulled by my RI 4-8-4. The cars will consist of 3-4 coaches, 2 sleepers, 1 baggage, and one diner car.
The Illinoisian is going to be pulled by my 4-6-0. The cars will consist of 4 coaches and 2 business cars for passengers or business partners to have meetings, ect.
@tstage
Understandable and I will do that in the future.
Mr. LMD I'm sorry @tstage I just wanted to make sure the right person who I'm talking to find my response a lot easier.
I'm sorry @tstage
I just wanted to make sure the right person who I'm talking to find my response a lot easier.
It's not a problem, LMD, and no apology needed. If you want you can still use the quote feature but edit out all the superlative comments.
Again, it was just a suggestion...
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
@Texas Zepher
The only I seen the UP 844 is in videos, Extreme Trains and Tracks Ahead, and that gave me the idea to give my RI 4-8-4 an auxilary tender as well.
@Motley
That's one mighty locomotive in your picture. I'm doing N scale and my train pulled by my Rock Island 4-8-4 wouldn't look good with an extra tender, but I will love it.
Speaking of the UP 844 tender. I just shot a few new pics of that. And the two new Heritage Fleet cars. The Colorado Eagle & Willie James.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
riogrande5761 The brass train we tried to run was a set of C&NW heavy weight passenger cars, fully painted and finished - gorgeous cars. They would not run on my 30-inch curves - I think the truck side frames hit the models metal underbody and shorted or something. I've heard other complaining bitterly about the Division Point Prospector cars - beautiful models but can't run them.
The brass train we tried to run was a set of C&NW heavy weight passenger cars, fully painted and finished - gorgeous cars. They would not run on my 30-inch curves - I think the truck side frames hit the models metal underbody and shorted or something. I've heard other complaining bitterly about the Division Point Prospector cars - beautiful models but can't run them.
riogrande5761 Mr. LMD: riogrande5761: Unfortunately speculators are monopolizing the market for BLI passenger cars for the past year or two. I believe the market has been flooded with Union Pacific everywhere just as well. No, actually the problem with the BLI CZ cars right now is speculators have bought up a lot of what was on the market and is now asking prices around 2 times the Retail price. The original MSRP price was $64.xx to 69.xx and now you see these listed on fleabay for $99 to $16x prices.
Mr. LMD: riogrande5761: Unfortunately speculators are monopolizing the market for BLI passenger cars for the past year or two. I believe the market has been flooded with Union Pacific everywhere just as well.
riogrande5761: Unfortunately speculators are monopolizing the market for BLI passenger cars for the past year or two.
Unfortunately speculators are monopolizing the market for BLI passenger cars for the past year or two.
I believe the market has been flooded with Union Pacific everywhere just as well.
No, actually the problem with the BLI CZ cars right now is speculators have bought up a lot of what was on the market and is now asking prices around 2 times the Retail price. The original MSRP price was $64.xx to 69.xx and now you see these listed on fleabay for $99 to $16x prices.
Mr. LMD Motley: UP 844 Steam Excursion train Your 4-8-4 look almost naked without the second tender.
Motley: UP 844 Steam Excursion train Your 4-8-4 look almost naked without the second tender.
UP 844 Steam Excursion train
Your 4-8-4 look almost naked without the second tender.
Mr. LMD @Texas Zepher WOW!! At first, I was wondering if you have a large amount of space, but knowing you describe your local club trains seem impressive and i would love to see them one day.
WOW!! At first, I was wondering if you have a large amount of space, but knowing you describe your local club trains seem impressive and i would love to see them one day.
And Oh I forgot Amtrak Trains....
I have 2-4 passenger trains per sessions, they consist on 1 or 2 coaches and a baggage or express car.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Mr. LMDPrototype modelers: Which railroad passenger train(s) are you modeling and how many do you have?
So let's start with the Santa Fe. Now I could not model all of these at the same time but as many trains are built from pooled equipment or hand me down equipment a special set of cars can create --Train #3 & 4 the California Limited, 1953Train #1 & 10 the Scout - 1948Train #1 & 2 the San Francisco Chief - 1954, 1964, and 1970Train #23 & 24 the Grand Canyon, 1949, 1954, 1968Also a 1971 version of #24 the last passenger train to run on the Santa Fe.The Fast Mail & Express (hmm don't remember the train number).Train #25 & 25 the ChiefTrain #17 & 18 the Super Chief 1955 - aka Walthers.Train #21 & 22 the El Capitan 1955.Train #67 & 68 the Wichita -> Pratt Mixed train daily.I am working toward a 1949 Heavyweight Chief (pulled by a Hudson).could probably make many more but haven't figured out the sets yet, especially the heavyweight ones.
Burlington - Texas Zephyr (less the E5 motive power).
Burlington & Rio Grande - California Zephyr
Rio Grande - Royal Gorge Yampa Valley Flyer Prospector
Milwaulkee - HIawatha 1950s both orange and yellow versions aka Walthers. - Hiawatha 1930s aka Fox Valley.Great Northern - Empire Builder 1950 (century), 1955 w/domes, 1969 big sky blue except for the SD40P locomotives. Western Star Badger & Gopher Red River
Burlington Northern - Empire Builder 1970
Northern Pacific - Mainstreeter Oriental Limited North Coast Limited Alaskan
New York Central - 20th Century Limited aka Walthers.
Freelance modelers: How many passenger trains are you running on your layout and if they have a catchy name, could you list them?
I think I kept BLI in business for a while. Not all the cars in the photo below are mine. I only have four Zephyr train sets. I got two of the Calfornia Zephyr sets undecorated and did two freelance trains. For example the baggage cars are Silver Moose and Silver Squirrel.
With my CPR/D&H based layout running between Albany NY & Montreal & my love of passenger trains, I will be having a CPR, a D&H,a VIA & an Amtrak passenger train running along the tracks.
Throw in the occasional railfan trip using steam from the local rnilway museum, there will be an abundance of passenger trains here.
Gordon
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
twhiteI'm from a little further south than Chico or Quincy, actually from Nevada City (yes, it's in California, LOL!) and grew up in the Yuba River area--North San Juan, Downieville, Sierra City, Sierraville--it's kind of my back yard, so to speak. Still spend a lot of time up there during the summers, especially around Sierra City and the Sierra Buttes. The Yuba River Sub is 'imagineered' through that country. You're right about the Rio Grande passenger cars--the locomotives are pretty easy, I've been able to get Rio Grande brass steam at pretty decent prices, usually from Caboose Hobbies in Denver. But the passenger cars are another matter entirely. I've had to 'make do' with cars decorated for Rio Grande from Walthers, and though they are FAR from accurate, I kinda/sorta get by with them. SP (which has trackage rights) is much easier, of course.
You're right about the Rio Grande passenger cars--the locomotives are pretty easy, I've been able to get Rio Grande brass steam at pretty decent prices, usually from Caboose Hobbies in Denver. But the passenger cars are another matter entirely. I've had to 'make do' with cars decorated for Rio Grande from Walthers, and though they are FAR from accurate, I kinda/sorta get by with them. SP (which has trackage rights) is much easier, of course.
Tom,
Jim here - I grew up, well, from the 6th grade up well into college in the Davis and Sacramento area's between 1971 and 1983, so bit south of there! Of course this is why I have a major soft spot for Southern Pacific. I suppose it's just as well I didn't live in the area during the final fall of the SP in the 1990's when it was near the ragged end. I drove up to Chico with some friends from Sacramento State University once and went camping at lake Oroville, but mostly my experiences have been camping or back packing up near Lake Tahoe.
For brass steam, there have been some "relatively cheap" options but even at 400 or 500 for an older brass articulated, I still couldn't really afford that before I was having to pay for private school tuition for my teenage daughter! Passenger cars are an order of magnitude higher!
I do have a BLI California Zephyr 9-car set, but I hardly ever run it--it seemed a good idea at the time when I bought it (first run), but I actually find all that silver kind of boring. Which is odd, because Pullman Green and Rio Grande Gold don't bother me at all, LOL! I've been waiting for photos of the new Division Point 1946 "Prospector" (black and gold), but I know when it's released (if ever), it will be prohibitively expensive for me. So right now, it's Walthers Grande Gold and silver or nothing, sorry to say. Tom
I've been waiting for photos of the new Division Point 1946 "Prospector" (black and gold), but I know when it's released (if ever), it will be prohibitively expensive for me. So right now, it's Walthers Grande Gold and silver or nothing, sorry to say.
In some ways I see your point. On the one hand the BLI CZ is very handsome, but yes, certainly not colorful. The main thing that adds color is a set of D&RGW yellow/sliver diesels up front! So far I have resisted buying the Walthers foobies, but right now there are too many "correct" pieces of rolling stock I need to collect to spend my limited dollars on to spend it on foobies right now. Hopefully by the time I get around to giving serious consideration to foobie passenger cars, Walthers will have produced a few new ones which actually match!
Oh boy, tell me about it. I really want to get a set of the BLI zephyer cars. I've been keeping my eye on this set, but dang they want to kill you on the price. They've been on their for a few months.
I've been keeping my eye on this set, but dang they want to kill you on the price. They've been on their for a few months.
Yes, what $869 for 6 cars? Thats still arond $144 per car. I don't think I could even bring myself to buy them for $99 right now. Lets hope BLI offers another run. I was broke when they made the last run and still need to pick up the "silver colt" and "silver pine" to a full RGZ set. I already have 3 extra dome cars since I bought BLI CZ cars first to collect all of the Rio Grande Zephyr cars available, a total of 7, back when they were first out. I ordered them from my vendor at about $54-56 each. A year or so later I had the opportunity to buy 8 more "mixed" cars at about $37 each, for the purpose of building a complete 12 car California Zephyr that was made up of an even mix of WP/CB&Q/D&RGW cars. The person selling them had 3 more cars but they duplicated the D&RGW diner, observation and one other car.
depends on the type. I live in WA which is known for being wet and I built my layout in a shed that is not insulated or heated unless I turn the ceramic space heater on. I used a particle board called OSB (Oriented Strand Board) for my benchwork top and I have had no issues with it at all. OSB is used in sheeting houses and some times floors and stairs. It is made from large wood chips that were pressed into a board shape and adheared with a resin type glue. It is more waterproof than MDF (see below) but not 100% water proof. From the beginning I built the layout knowing that there would be some changes in the wood and I left small gaps not only in the top of the benchwork but also in every couple of rails to prevent warping. My track was laid last summer and I have run the layout through most of the summer and all of this winter with no problems.
Another form of particle board is MDF (meduim Density Fiberboard) which is basicly sawdust mixed with a resin and pressed into a common board shape. This stuff is everywhere any more and it is also very durable. Most of your Walmart furnature, Ikea, and even professional office furnature is made with this stuff, kitchen cabinets have some parts made with it as well and it holds up to just about anything but water. Water will make it all swell up and deform. It also does not like having screws or nails near the edges so it does not make the best building material for model layouts.
Massey
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
@twhite
I guess particleboard is out of the question lol
Mr. LMD Is cork a good material to use to use your trains on because i was watching john gray on youtube and he mention cork being used because his LARGE fleet of brass trains run silent.
Is cork a good material to use to use your trains on because i was watching john gray on youtube and he mention cork being used because his LARGE fleet of brass trains run silent.
Mr. LMD:
I don't know about cork being any more quiet than the roadbed that I use, which is the WS foam roadbed. It pretty much depends on the locomotive, in my case. I have a very large (50+) fleet of brass steam locos, and the more recent ones run very quietly on either cork or foam. Some of my older locomotives have a 'coffee-grinder' sound to them no matter what the roadbed material, but that's the older gear mechanisms and/or open-frame motors.
The layout I had before this one was laid with cork roadbed, and I've not noticed any difference between the cork and the foam. Reason this one isn't laid with cork is that it's in an uninsulated garage (the infamous "California Basement"), and seasonal temperature changes tend to dry the cork out pretty quick. Hence, the foam roadbed, which has proven more reliable for me.
LMD,
Just a suggestion. You don't have to include ALL the prior quotes in your responses. Only include the actual quote you are responding to and erase the rest. Otherwise, pages become
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Oh boy, tell me about it. I really want to get a set of the BLI zephyer cars.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320818875483
riogrande5761 Mr. LMD: I meant to say if you do not have a sturdy well built trackwork the brass train would derail often. I'm sorr for the exaggeration. Well, in my experience, and also what I've heard others say who have also tried to run brass passenger trains, you can have great track which has relatively generous curves and good geometry, and still have brass passenger cars not track well or derail. One of the biggest reasons for this is often brass passenger cars are built with a high degree of fidelity to the prototype, who's curves are FAR broader than model curves. Many typical model railroads have curves in the high twenties or low thirties radius and even at this, many brass passenger cars still won't run without some signitifcant modifications. Often truck details hang up or hit underbody details on the brass passenger cars causing them to derail. Often more attention is paid by the manufacturer to appearance and detail, and less to running qualities. So often, brass passenger cars will derail or not run well, even if you have generious curves and good smooth well laid track.
Mr. LMD: I meant to say if you do not have a sturdy well built trackwork the brass train would derail often. I'm sorr for the exaggeration.
I meant to say if you do not have a sturdy well built trackwork the brass train would derail often. I'm sorr for the exaggeration.
Well, in my experience, and also what I've heard others say who have also tried to run brass passenger trains, you can have great track which has relatively generous curves and good geometry, and still have brass passenger cars not track well or derail.
One of the biggest reasons for this is often brass passenger cars are built with a high degree of fidelity to the prototype, who's curves are FAR broader than model curves. Many typical model railroads have curves in the high twenties or low thirties radius and even at this, many brass passenger cars still won't run without some signitifcant modifications. Often truck details hang up or hit underbody details on the brass passenger cars causing them to derail. Often more attention is paid by the manufacturer to appearance and detail, and less to running qualities.
So often, brass passenger cars will derail or not run well, even if you have generious curves and good smooth well laid track.
riogrande5761 With all the Yuba this and that makes me think of northern California up near Quincy and Chico State University, where the WP ran partly. Are you from up that way? I had an old friend who lived up there and who's family had a cabin that way - but lost track of him years ago.
With all the Yuba this and that makes me think of northern California up near Quincy and Chico State University, where the WP ran partly. Are you from up that way? I had an old friend who lived up there and who's family had a cabin that way - but lost track of him years ago.
Rich:
I'm from a little further south than Chico or Quincy, actually from Nevada City (yes, it's in California, LOL!) and grew up in the Yuba River area--North San Juan, Downieville, Sierra City, Sierraville--it's kind of my back yard, so to speak. Still spend a lot of time up there during the summers, especially around Sierra City and the Sierra Buttes. The Yuba River Sub is 'imagineered' through that country.
I do have a BLI California Zephyr 9-car set, but I hardly ever run it--it seemed a good idea at the time when I bought it (first run), but I actually find all that silver kind of boring. Which is odd, because Pullman Green and Rio Grande Gold don't bother me at all, LOL!
Motley Mr. LMD: Your 4-8-4 look almost naked without the second tender. I know. I also got 2 of the new Walthers UP Heritage Fleet cars. I'll shoot another video with it.
Mr. LMD: Your 4-8-4 look almost naked without the second tender.
I know. I also got 2 of the new Walthers UP Heritage Fleet cars.
I'll shoot another video with it.
The U.P. 484 is different from the rest of the model 4-8-4, just like the N&W
Trynn_Allen2 No not really. Right now it's barely a plywood wonder. The tracks are mapped out, the majority of the track is down, I have about 1/3 of the buildings, and of the engines I need I have 2, with a 44 ton stand in for the third. I haven't built the HMCs that I need, nor have I built the GAs with side racks for the sugar beets. The quarry is an outlined hole with the tracks taped down in the approximate position (Gaffers tape is also good for temp track), the Del Monte plant is a foam block with tracks taped down. The only think for certain is the depot. Plainfield/Bancroft has it's siding and team track but no buildings, Coloma has two of the buildings and no team track yet. An virtually none of the scenery is in place. We've done three sessons, where the three other operators were trying to figure out the hen scratch. (Got to come up with a more coherent car card and waybill system). Basiclly I suffer from the same problem that the real P-line suffered from. Passing sidings not long enough for the through traffic, so they are either held in Portage or Plover, and with the exception of Montello, mostly seasonal traffic. So if I were to say do an early summer run we would be trying to figure out how to shoe horn in the thru coal train to the Portage, the Milk train, the lone doodlebugs, whatever scant traffic is heading for Montello, and the evening Reefer train from Madison to Green Bay (again to big for the sidings). I now have to figure out what is going to be an acceptable break from reality to justify Plainfield and Colma in the "off season".
No not really. Right now it's barely a plywood wonder. The tracks are mapped out, the majority of the track is down, I have about 1/3 of the buildings, and of the engines I need I have 2, with a 44 ton stand in for the third. I haven't built the HMCs that I need, nor have I built the GAs with side racks for the sugar beets. The quarry is an outlined hole with the tracks taped down in the approximate position (Gaffers tape is also good for temp track), the Del Monte plant is a foam block with tracks taped down. The only think for certain is the depot. Plainfield/Bancroft has it's siding and team track but no buildings, Coloma has two of the buildings and no team track yet. An virtually none of the scenery is in place. We've done three sessons, where the three other operators were trying to figure out the hen scratch. (Got to come up with a more coherent car card and waybill system).
Basiclly I suffer from the same problem that the real P-line suffered from. Passing sidings not long enough for the through traffic, so they are either held in Portage or Plover, and with the exception of Montello, mostly seasonal traffic. So if I were to say do an early summer run we would be trying to figure out how to shoe horn in the thru coal train to the Portage, the Milk train, the lone doodlebugs, whatever scant traffic is heading for Montello, and the evening Reefer train from Madison to Green Bay (again to big for the sidings). I now have to figure out what is going to be an acceptable break from reality to justify Plainfield and Colma in the "off season".
My layout is in that phase as well. Right now, I'm getting all of the rolling stock that I want to have on my layout.