I have the Fleischmann ICE2.. Damn Expensive for Carriages though.. But a Very nice Train and it runs very smooth and Fast..
I call my HO layout the Can-Am and it features the following railroads: VIA Rail Amtrak CP & CP Rail CN BC Rail My railroad is all about passenger rail with the freight added simply to provide a degree of realism to it all. Sorry about no pictures - I have not figured out how to download them yet as I am very new to this forum. Once I master the techniques, I will post a few. The passenger consists are (85' unless otherwise noted): VIA Rail - Con-Cor's Baggage (70') - Coach - Skydome - Diner - 10/6 bedroom - Park observation dome. VIA Rail - Con-Cor's Baggage (70') - Coach - Budd dome - Skydome - bedroom - Park observation dome. VIA Rail - Rivarossi - Baggage - Coach - Diner - Dome - Roomette - Tail car. VIA Rail - LifeLike RDC2 - RDC3 - RDC3 - RDC2 Amtrak - Walthers Trainline - Amfleet Coach Ph I - Coach Ph II - Coach Ph III - Food service car Ph III Amtrak - Walthers Trainline - Horizon Fleet Coach - Coach - Coach - Food service car - All phase III Amtrak - Walthers Trainline - Superliner I - Coach baggage - Coach - Diner - Sightseer Lounge - Sleeper - 60' Material handling car, U.S. Mail - All phase III Amtrak - Walthers Trainline - Superliner II - Coach baggage - Coach - Diner - Lounge - Sleeper - 1700 series Baggage car - All phase IV All of these consists are ready to go in their respective sidings at my Union Station with covered platforms. Each consist having it's own individual place to sit. (structures are Walthers Cornerstone series) Motive power for Amtrak's Amfleet and Horizon are EMD F40PH's (Trainline). For Amtrak's Superliner I, I use an AMD103P40 or P42 (Athearn) and for the Superliner II it is a "Dash" GE-8 40B (Trainline) or a P42 (Athearn). Power for the VIA Rail Con-Cor cars is provided by EMD F40PH's (Trainline) and for the Rivarossi Smoothsides, I use the EMD E-8 "A/A" by IHC. The LifeLike VIA Rail RDC's are all powered. Now for the added attraction. In the center of my layout runs a mountain line. It runs about 35 ft and features two LifeLike BC Rail RDC3's and two LifeLike VIA Rail RDC2's. At either end of this point-to-point run are depots with sidings to accommodate both consists. I also have two 4 x 8 ft wall displays chock full of passenger cars. One display contains the cars and locomotives from my former layout - PRR - NH - NYC - B&M along with individual "period" cars from railroads that I rode in my younger days: B&O - Jersey Central - Southern - NYC - PRR and NH. The other is nearly full of Canadian road names, featuring the "Canadian," first CP and then CP Rail. CN's "Continental" is also on display along with a consist of IHC 1930 smoothsides for VIA Rail and "period" cars for CP and CN. The motive power is there as well, with a great Rivarossi EMD E-8 "A/A" powering the Canadian Pacific's Canadian and CP Rail providing an Athearn F7A/B team for their version of the "Canadian" and the "Continental. " There's more - but I think the main attractions have been covered. Oh yes, before any of the "purists" jump my case about the motive power - I have to be a bit defensive here. The engines I wound up with were really all that I could find at affordable prices. So, I figure since it is my railroad and my imagination that is paramount - I can live with it! Finally, there is another 4 x 8 ft wall display with my freight car inventory along with their respective engines featuring PRR - NYC - NH and B&M. My layout and trainroom was constructed during an 18-month period in my unfinished basement. As with the guy who built a boat in his basement - that's what I wound up with, in that as the layout expanded, the need for a dedicated room developed. So, I finished the basement around the layout, drop ceiling included. Great way for a retiree to spend the time - let's not talk about the dollars! That's it. Siberianmo POST SCRIPT: My apologies to all - apparently my inability to READ is the reason why I posted this message on the "N Scale" forum! I'm an HO railroader and got caught up in the moment. Sorry - chalk it up to my "newness." [ 08. February 2005, 18:44: Message edited by: siberianmo ]
Be nice to see some pics when you figure it out. I'm planning on mainly CN and CP but also adding some others to the mix for variety.
Same here. While growing up I never rode on a freight train. However, I did (and still do) ride a lot of passenger trains. I like to model memories.
Passenger Trains seem to cost a little more to Get then Freight... Still it is Great to see that they have some popularity.. What is the Longest Passenger train you have Run ??
In response to Magnat1978: My Canadian Pacific EMD's have a consist of 9 Maroon/silver (Beaver shield) Con-Cor 85' passenger cars (exception: baggage is 70') with a great Park observation dome at the rear. I only run this on special occassions - such as this coming April and the commeration of the initial running of the Canadian. Then they will be returned to the display case. Normally my passenger trains are comprised of 6 cars and a single locomotive for my 1990's setting. G'day! ==================== In response to Russell Straw: I ride those passenger trains whenever and wherever possible - time and wallet permitting! Love to ride the VIA Rail trains, especially those older Budd cars of the "Ocean" and "Canadian," wonderful nostalgia. Now that the "Ocean" is being changed over to the Renassiance equipment, they will lose me - I really didn't enjoy my experience with them - too "Euro" for what I was looking for and of course, no domes - no Park car and absolutely no real gathering places. Enough! Happy Railroading! ===================== In response to Joe Angelicchio: My layout is pretty much focused on the 1990's, in a fictional place where one could see VIA Rail, BC Rail and Amtrak all running their respective equipment. One day I hope to get the chance to ride the trains to northern Ontario before they too wind up as railroad history. Go VIA! ======================== I appreciate the comments and at the same time regret that I am responding with HO information on an N gauge forum! Siberianmo
I beg to differ with you ol' Mag. There are too many factors to truly argue this point(so this post is useless) ...but anyway, lets say you buy a Kato TGV six or eight car set (whatever the TGV sets come with) for what $200.00? Once you have that set, that train is done! No coupler conversions. How many cars for freight? 10-30-50-80? Most freights run with more than one engine. So let's say you run a 30 car freight, plus engines, plus coupler conversions, caboose, DCC? add decoders. Like I said, too many factors here but there is a benefit to buying the rest of those ICE carriages you seek. Once you have 7(?) carriages you are done. [ 09. February 2005, 18:49: Message edited by: Don Rickle ]
The last time our club had our NTRAK layout set up I wanted to see how much my Life Like E6s could pull. I hung almost every Santa Fe passenger car I had with me (both light weight and heavy) behind the two powered units and was up to about 30. It was a long snake for sure.
As my modeling interests continue to evolve my consists are changing. Used to run Milwaukee, NP and GN. Since changing modeling locals Now run the SP&S sections of the Empire Builder and North Coast Limited, and Mainstreeter and Fast Mail. Consist of the Streamliner, Trains 1 and 2 on the SP&S can be either 2 F-3s, or F-3/F-7, or E-7/F-3 for power, or pulled by 4-6-2 or 4-8-4 for steam. Typical car consist is an RPO, Bag/dorm, 2 day coaches, diner, and lounge/obs all in SP&S. Two sleepers in GN colors, and two sleepers in NP colors complete the average consist for trains 1 and 2. Trains 3-4 usually have a single Pacific or the lone E-7 with a RPO, up to three baggage/mail storage, either SP&S, GN or NP, a coach, and a cafe/obs. both SP&S. Between 4 to 6 cars max. Trains 5-6 usually gets a single or dual F-3s carries a single coach at the rear, and one RPO with 4 or 5 mail or express baggage or boxcars. Power can also be another Pacific or a Northern. The local is usually pulled by a single F-3 or F-7 or can be powered by 4-4-2 Atlantic. A local off the Oregon Trunk may be added powerd by a GN Pacific with a mix of GN and SP&S heavyweights. Current power for passenger on the SP&S consists of 1 F-7, 3 F-3s, and one E-7 that can be run either in the Empire Builder paint with SP&S lettering, or in the Maroon and Green SP&S four stripe scheme (two different painted units numbered as 750). Two RS-2's with steam generators, and one GP-9 with steam generator provide additional or backup power. Any steam unit can do passenger duties including the 2-8-0s. However two H-5 Pacifics, two E-1 Northerns, and one old Atlantic form the steam passenger roster. The Atlantic normally does way freight duties when not assigned to passenger service and both Northerns are now kicked back to fast freight and passenger protection duties. A complete GN set is in storage for either the 1947 Builder or more current dome equipped Builder. 3 F-7s and 2 E-7s provide power. A consist is also inhand to make up a Fast Mail for GN powered by a 3 unit F-7 set, also in storage. One complete NP NCL Limited with 4 F-7s sits in storage also. Both the Empire Builder and the NCL can be filled out to 18 car trains, with Great Domes for the Empire Builder.
John Moore: quote"The local is usually pulled by a single F-3 or F-7 or..." What do you use to provide heat/ power/ steam to cars? Steam generator car? (I understand F units except for FP did not have steam generator in "A" cab unit and required at least one "B" booster unit which had steam generator.)
Except in the model world. Many EMD F A units come with steam generators. I remember shaving them off my first Kato ones. Come to think of it, I shaved them all of my Dad's HO Athern A units too.
SP&S's F-3s were ordered with steam generators which were later increased in size. Same with the later (phase four) F-3s that could be mistaken for F-7s. A later addition of F-7s also came with steam generators. There were no passenger B units on the SP&S. SP&S's F units and the lone E-7 stayed in passenger service during thier SP&S lives. On a rare occassion it has been reported that the Alco FAs would see passenger service, and on that occassion one of the RS units or GPs would have to be added as steam power or a steam generator car borrowed from GN. GN and NP both played a roulete with F units. To the best of my knowledge only NP ordered FPs later, and not that many. Everything else was straight F unit from F-3 to F-9. Both roads switched units in and out of passenger/freight assignments frequently enough that keeping track is hard. Units would be shopped and have steam generators removed or added as the need arose due to wrecks, or otherwise. GN always had some steam generator cars due to the electric division in the Cascades and with the rather abrupt end of steam on the GN got caught short when they lost steam gen. equipped F's due to wrecks or mechanical issues. They built a small fleet of steam generator cars, some from boxcars, and had them at both ends of the system. SP&S purchased two of the old GN steam generator cars and stationed them on the west end of the system. Both SP&S and GN had road switchers with steam generators, GN having the unique NW5 and NW3 units with them, and some GP units and NP had a few. SP&S's unit were GP9s, RS-2s, and some RS-3. They had the smaller steam boilers from the first F-3s installed in them when they upgraded. Both NP and GN particularly liked the versatility of of being able to convert as needed from freight units, by regearing, adding or removing steam generators, and of course renumbering. Can't say what the other member of the family, CB&Q, did. They did have a rather large fleet of E units that the other did not. GN only had E-7As, and SP&S only had a lone E-7A. To the best of my recollection there were not that many FP designation units built, that is with the extra length for a steam generator compartment. Now FTs were another issue with a long and short B unit and should not be confused with later F units. GN did run a few FTs in passenger service in the very early years. In short though the use of only A units with steam generators and not FPs was prototype on the SP&S. The only B units on the SP&S were in the FA-1 and 2 sets. Three torpedo tubed GP-9s could be found in service on the varnish and on the occassional cold winter a GP-9 or RS unit would be added to the F units or E unit for the extra steam. One of the problems in modeling the NP for a time specific period was in figuring out which F unit was doing what. One month it was in black paint with no steam generator, next month it could be repainted into green, regeared, steam generator installed, and be in passenger service. [ 13. February 2005, 12:51: Message edited by: John Moore ]
I have been Informed that My Kato Shinkansen Series 500 will be Delivered in 12 days from now.. I will post Pics when it comes in..
Hey Mag! Here's a pic of my KATO 500 Nozomi full 16 car set. (Basic 7 car set, 5 car add on, and two 2 car add-on sets). This train is eight feet long.
Dammit Don.. Thats Huge !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the Basic Set comming soon... I would love to get the Full 16 Car Setup but that would be longer then my Whole Room.. Nscale_lover thats one nice Train you have there.
Now Mag, why would you want to mess around with dirty old freight trains when you can run that sheer elegance! Before we know it, you will be stringing catenary.
