Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

WHAT PASSENGER TRAIN DID OR WOULD LIKED TO MODEL

2485 views
50 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
WHAT PASSENGER TRAIN DID OR WOULD LIKED TO MODEL
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:07 PM
What passenger train did or would you like to model. On my HO scale Eastern Railroad. I model the Super Chief. I did not set out to model it, but thats how it ended up. The name of my train is the Silver Champion. Name after my two favorite trains
ACL's Champion and Seaboard's Silver Metoer
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Robe Valley, Wa.
  • 719 posts
Posted by GN-Rick on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:13 PM
I have modeled the Great Northern's 1950 'International' streamliner which
operated between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. A good layout sized train (5
cars). I want to model both the Empire Builder (1955) and the Western Star/
Fast Mail combination also from the 50s. And I'll throw the Cascadian in for
good measure.[:D]
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:17 PM
I have two in progress at the moment:

One is New Jersey Transit typical Raritan Valley Line (ex-CNJ) commuter train like I used to see at Whitehouse Station, NJ, near my parents current home. A Walthers F40PH, three Walthers Horizon/Comet coaches and a Walthers Horizon/Comet cab car are awaiting detailing and remedial decalling and painting. One more coach would make it prototype length.

The second is the mid-90's version of Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis-Kansas City trains. An Athearn P42, three Walthers Horizon coaches, a Walthers Horizon food service/first class coach and a Walthers MHC are factory painted in the three-stripe scheme and await detailing and remedial painting. Not much extra work needed here to model a prototypical length train of correct equipment right out of the box!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:24 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by SILVERCHAMPION
[bor would you like to model.


The Q's CZ but the train left the station a long time ago.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:32 PM
I've got R-17 subway cars and a PCC trolley. I'm modelling a subway, not necessarily with any particular prototype, though. The R-17's are New York City, mid 20th century, and the PCC's were used all over the place at the same time.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Middle o' Nowhere, MO
  • 1,108 posts
Posted by palallin on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:33 PM
I'm collecting cars and parts to model Frisco's #11 and #12, east- and west-bound competitors to the self-propelled gas-engined cars of the '40s. Born of a company director's bias toward steam, each was made up of only a baggage-mail and a coach (with an extra mail on some east-bound runs) that were pulled by the 180-class rebuilt and modernized 4-4-0s. Despite their throw-back nature, the trains were so successful that they outgrew their format, releasing the 4-4-0s for duty on locals on the Oklahoma grain portions of the railroad.

To date, I have an old PC Models baggage-mail (steel sides) that desperately needs rebuilding, a PC Models coach (card sides) that remains unbuilt, and a boiler-with-attachments-and-appliances and tender for the 4-4-0.

Since I am working on the layout right now, these models will remain at rest for a while yet.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,261 posts
Posted by emdgp92 on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:34 PM
I'd like to do the full Broadway Limited (either PRR or Amtrak) but I can't run passenger trains that long. So, I'm content to run the "Off-Broadway," which is a F40PH and 3 Heritage cars.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:50 PM
I would like to run the streamlined NYC 20th Century. Does not fit with my layout, but it does fit with the era, at least... [;)]

Andrew
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Friday, October 7, 2005 2:55 PM
I am in the midst of modeling the consolidated Super Chief/El Cap as it was in the late 50s in HO. I just got my air, signal, and steam lines in so it will be a good weekend.
Smitty
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: NYC
  • 385 posts
Posted by whitman500 on Friday, October 7, 2005 3:11 PM
I want to model the NP's North Coast Limited, mainly because I really like the two-tone green color scheme. However, I haven't starting assembling it yet as I am waiting for BLI to release the NP F7 and for the Walthers' streamlined NP cars that are coming out this Fall.
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Langley AFB, VA
  • 390 posts
Posted by Meyblc on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:07 PM
I would love to see someone release the Flying Yankee. The real one is being restored right now by the Hobo RR in New Hampshire. The Flying Yankee ran for the Boston & Maine RR for something like 22 years. It was / is a 3 car Pioneer Zephyr set. From what I hear, there were only 2 built by Budd. The first one went to Burlington, the second one went to the Boston & Maine.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:12 PM
I'd like to have a transit system for my freelanced city, supposedly equivalent to that of Nashville[;)], named Everettsville. Pro'lly only be a couple of F40PH's and several double-decker transit cars...the one's Kato released recently.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
  • 5,199 posts
Posted by bogp40 on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:18 PM
The B&O's Capital Limited and PereMarquete's/ C&O "Chessie"
With all the prototypical B&O releases lately, I may be getting close to some real B&O passenger.
Bob K>

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 110 posts
Posted by halifaxcn on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:22 PM
VIA's Ocean between Montreal & Halifax Nova Scotia. Time frame early to mid 1990's.

Regards
Frank San Severino CP-198 Amtrak NEC Attleboro, MA
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: US
  • 383 posts
Posted by CG9602 on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:51 PM
The CNW 400. Barring that, I could also model the Empire Builder, or the Olympian Hiawatha.
I'm in the process of assembling and painting the model WICT and WSOR passenger trains as well. Seems like I'm the only person who has modelled the WICT.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Whitby, ON
  • 2,594 posts
Posted by CP5415 on Friday, October 7, 2005 8:56 PM
If I had the space, The Canadian either CP or VIA would do. A 17 car train with 2 F40's up front running elephant style.

Right now, I'm modeling my version of D&H's Laurentian, a short GO transit consist primarily used for excursions & a couple of other intercity trains with VIA, CPR or Amtrak power.

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 9:00 PM
For me, hands down, an all-pullman Erie Limited from the early 30s. It was well-built, bulky where it needed to be and clean cut. Not to mention a sharp K-5 Pacific on the front.

Secondarily, I would like to model a lesser Erie express, the bright red interurban Jamestown, Westfield and Northwestern and possibly the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Express with Business car Javelyn?, Jacelyn? whatever....
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Mp 126 on the St. Louis District of NS's IL. Div.
  • 1,611 posts
Posted by icmr on Friday, October 7, 2005 9:03 PM
ILLINOIS CENTRAL.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: West Coast
  • 315 posts
Posted by countershot on Friday, October 7, 2005 10:06 PM
Amtrak cascades talgo cars that looks like this.......

http://community.webshots.com/album/337011280mnJplY http://photobucket.com/albums/c126/sd40-2/
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 10:09 PM
I'm modeling the B&O's Sand Patch Grade, and the passenger trains that ran over it in the 1950's:

The Capitol Limited
The Shenandoah
The Washington-Pittsburgh-Chicago Express
The Cleveland Night Express
The Ambassador
The Washingtonian (and the Daylight SpeedLiner that replaced it...)
The Columbain
Mail & Express Trains 31/32

And to use up excess equipment, a train that ran briefly in the late forties, which I am modeling as if it continued to exist:

Pittsburgh 79/Washington 80 (Renamed The Fort Pitt Limited/Blue Ridge Limited for my version; those names are both real and used during previous years by the B&O).

Most of the above trains can be done in eight cars or less and be realistic; because of my layout size, I've had to shoehorn in the Cap at nine cars, although 10 or 11 would be better. C'est la vie.

Greg
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Posted by Tracklayer on Friday, October 7, 2005 10:19 PM
I'd have to go with the Super Chief... There's just something about it and the 1950s era that strike my fancy. But then, I'm also a fan of the Union Pacific passenger trains of the 1950s as well.

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    July 2005
  • 93 posts
Posted by prospekt mira on Friday, October 7, 2005 10:54 PM
I do a short GO train since I ride it twice a day (Toronto to Newmarket) and we can see it go by from our back windows. The best part of it is that my 1 year old son recognizes it as Daddys coming home train and squeals in joy when I run mine in the basement.

Theres also a olive CN train, a couple of CP RDCs, a blue VIA consist and a PRR heavy weight consist. Obviously I haven't decided names for these trains and all that, nor a, I overburdened by prototypical operations.
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Saturday, October 8, 2005 11:56 AM
I want to get an IHC Canadian Pacific Hudson with their 8 car heavy weight CP passenger train. Plan on putting their interior kits and lighting in all the cars.(if IHC ever gets on the ball and makes more Hudsons, Their back ordered for the next year[V][:(])
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 8, 2005 11:57 AM
AMTRAK'S EMPIRE BUILDER[:D]
  • Member since
    August 2001
  • From: Nebraska
  • 1,280 posts
Posted by RedGrey62 on Saturday, October 8, 2005 1:05 PM
The Burlington Route's 1956 Denver Zephyr.

Rick
"...Mother Nature will always punish the incompetent and uninformed." Bill Barney from Thor's Legions
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
  • 2,377 posts
Posted by leighant on Saturday, October 8, 2005 2:54 PM
Oops- you asked the wrong question. Here goes my overbearing answer.

I like passenger trains too. My little 3 x 7' N scale layout of a Santa Fe secondary line in the Piney Woods of East Texas in the 1950s supports only a doodlebug (which is what the prototype ran in my period). I have collected most of the equipment though for 3 prototype Santa Fe trains that ran in the Houston area in the 1950s, and one “semi-prototype” passenger train. It is important to me to model the actual types of cars involved in the service of the train, not just a long train, and the distinctive look of different trains.

Santa Fe Texas Chief: (Galveston-Chicago) all streamlined stainless steel- baggage-RPO, full baggage, partitioned coach for intrastate passengers required by Texas segregation "separate but equal" law, two ordinary coaches, diner, dormitory-lounge and two sleepers.

Texas Chief at Houston Union Station 1973 Amtrak version
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/afr.jpg


Santa Fe California Special: (Houston-Temple-Clovis- connection to California) mixed between standard heavyweight and streamlined equipment. Baggage, heavyweight partition coach, regular heavyweight coach, lunch counter-diner, dormitory-lounge, heavyweight sleeper, semi-streamlined sleeper "Valley" series.

Santa Fe #5-6 (formerly named Ranger) (Galveston-Kansas City) (all heavyweight) Box express, occasional express reefer, 2 full baggage, RPO, 2 coaches, sleeper.

motive power, Santa Fe F7 A-B-B-A set, PA-PB-PA set, E8m A-B, DL-109 #50 w E7B (oddball but I've got a photo to prove it)

"Semi-prototype train". The Texas Mexican did not run passenger service in 1950s, but ran passenger train in 1980s with equipment that existed in 1950s, painted green-white-orange to match its one F7 A-A, and it often actually pulled an ex-Santa Fe sleeper as a private car.

Photo of Texas Mexican Express, 1987
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/agl.jpg

I am 90% done collecting and building these trains, but not the place to run them. These trains will take a room-size layout with 15 to 18" radius curves, and the schematic of the dream layout will be tailored for what I think will be an exciting passenger sequence similar to what actually took place at Houston. My version of Houston will be a through point on the Santa Fe rather than the end of a branch, and will have a Spanish mission style station.

Early in the morning, the Tex-Mex Express terminates at the big station, trailing a through Santa Fe sleeper from Laredo and Corpus Christi which is pulled off to make a Chicago connection.

A little later, the northbound Texas Chief comes in from Galveston. One baggage car from Galveston is switched out of the train and another baggage car and an RPO switched on. And the through sleeper off the Tex Mex is switched on.

WHILE the Texas Chief is in the depot, the Ranger comes in from the north. Most of the baggage and express cars are switched off. The Ranger stands in the depot while the Texas Chief departs northbound.

I will need two or three train lengths of double track north of the big city depot for this next part of the schedule. Every day on the prototype, the Texas Chief made a rolling meet with the California Special on double track as the Texas Chief left the city and the California Special came in. (Is this neat or what?) (Freight-only guys will say "what" I guess.)

The California Special comes into the depot and terminates alongside the Ranger. The Ranger waits for a few passengers from California to make cross-platform transfers before the Ranger departs for Galveston.

Then in the evening, the same interconnecting schedule happens in reverse except that the Ranger runs later after everything else. With these tight connections, with every passenger train having a slightly different consist every day based on through traffic and cars added for traffic variations, and all freight trains running as extras on a much looser schedule, it should make for an interesting layout. This is the kind of passenger I want to do.


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Downtown Portland Oregon
  • 1 posts
Posted by adron_bh on Thursday, October 27, 2005 7:12 PM
Anybody actually modeled THE Cascades Talgo trains? I'm working on an N-scale of that but think I am going to have to modify some existing early model Talgo's that don't have the fins... seems it might be some trouble... anybody that could point me in a good direction?
ABH
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Orem Ut
  • 304 posts
Posted by douginut on Thursday, October 27, 2005 8:18 PM
The CNS&M Electroliner. sad ever since receiving my deposit back from ConCor.

the 5000's of CTA

PE PCC's

my favorites

Doug, in Utah
Doug, in UtaH
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 27, 2005 8:32 PM
Seaboard's Silver Meteor and the Orange Blossum Special for sure

i was only a little kid then but there was a beautiful train that used to run thru Jacksonville and it was all purple . It was what really gave me the train flu at 5 or 6 years old. the day we were running along side of it on highway 17 toward Orange Park ill always remember that Might have been SAL ?? but that one is my top choice.

much thanks,John
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Eastern Massachusetts
  • 1,681 posts
Posted by railroadyoshi on Thursday, October 27, 2005 8:46 PM
As no/few manufacturers are producing MBTA cars and equipment anymore, I will have to do some work on my own to create MBTA consists for my railroad.
Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!