After a recent visit to D.C. and riding on the Metro a idea popped into my head, is it possible to have a model metro or even any other third rail trains run realisticaly?
Chris
I think the available models are close to zero, but that doesn't prevent modelling it. It's an interesting system that I've ridden myself.
The issue of modelling third rail? No question, it's completely possible. In fact, if you look at photos of really old layouts (say 1940s) you'll even see that many of them ARE third rail powered. That's how many in O did it, so early HO modellers often used the same system.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The LION does not know of any Washington DC type equipment available. Perhaps there is, but it will be about $400.00/car.
LION does build NYCT now that there are Proto1000 plastic subway cars available. He does have third rail along his entire layout, and I am thinking about making it more realistic in the future.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I model the ficticious Moose Bay Transit Authority subway system. It too is based on the Proto 1000 subway cars which come from the New York City system. They are older models from the Transition Era. Although Walthers has a number of these sets available, claiming to be different models of cars, they are all the same plastic shell but with different paint jobs.
I do not model a third rail. I put DCC decoders into the powered units, and run them off 2-rail just like the rest of my trains. A company called Images Replicas makes a third rail model kit. I've never actually seen one, but the rest of their products (subway entrances, car end-gates) are all pretty nice models.
Since most of my subway line is below ground, I don't worry much about details like the third rail.
If you were a motorman on the MBTA, this is what you would see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5OvZtI-QU&feature=related
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I like the DC Metro. It is a nice clean well run system. I do not know anyone who makes their equipment in HO.
I.too, have the NYCT subway on my layout.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Didn't Walthers make the DC (Bart) cars back in the early 90's?
I found these undecorated kits on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Walthers-Rapid-Transit-BART-Powered-Dummy-Mid-Train-Metro-Set-HO-SCALE-2-Unbuilt-/370591844666?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5648fec93a
Check with Microscale for decals if they're not included in the kit. It's probably going to take time to find more care to make a longer train.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
My recent MR thread -- 1950s Subway and Motive Power-- is a good idea of planning for doable operations. Check out all the links (including) HO Subway Station (loads of pictures) and Island Modelworks for what's around in shells for motive power kit-bashes.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
modelmaker51 Didn't Walthers make the DC (Bart) cars back in the early 90's? I found these undecorated kits on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Walthers-Rapid-Transit-BART-Powered-Dummy-Mid-Train-Metro-Set-HO-SCALE-2-Unbuilt-/370591844666?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5648fec93a Check with Microscale for decals if they're not included in the kit. It's probably going to take time to find more care to make a longer train.
These are significantly different than the cars WMATA uses. They have doors over the trucks and a center door too.
Walthers did offer WMATA equipment at one point. Like a lot of stuff, it wasn't particularly accurate. Given the very specific nature of them, I doubt they'll ever get another run.
One of my three "I won the lottery" dream plans is a layout depicting Crystal City to Lorton, with the Metro tracks through Alexandria. This is something I've looked in to myself, to indulge curiosity.
I have to add:
[quote user="Phoebe Vet"] is a nice clean well run system. [/quote]
This made me chuckle. For instance, the other day it surfaced that WMATA may not have an accurate count on how many employees they have. How is that even possible.