Tricked out Trains 2

The Virginia City Pullman  -  Here is the website 

For a "virtual tour"   Click on the picture below to get started:

Then click on red dot to enter the car and move your mouse around to see all the interior.

Pretty Amazing.

If you are really skillful you can go down the Hallway and into the Dining Room.

Tricked out Trains 1

I watched a good show on Travel Channel last night titled 'Tricked out Trains'.  They featured stories on several interesting Railroad cars.  I tried to take a few notes so that I could look them up later on the computer.  The first one is the "Central Coastal Flyer"  The Conductor is the owner and the man that refurbished the car.

 See their website - The Overland Trail  click here:

Interesting things

I like to post interesting comments from members and today I thought Scott Gould really
"hit it on the head" when he said the following in reference to Dennis Farrell's article:
'I really enjoyed your excellent, well-written article. One of the few things about discovering that we’re old is being able to share memories with others who had the same childhood experiences.  My favorite layout was at the Glibert Hall of Science in Chicago, where the whole window was filled with American Flyer trains.  I only saw it once, on a visit to Chicago, but it has stuck with me as if I saw it yesterday."

 How true,  I remember vividly  riding up 5 floors in an old elevator to the 5th floor of Jordan Marsh more than 60 years ago in Boston to see what I though had to be the greatest Lionel train display in the world. 

Here is another bit of info:  Tiny said that he just got his copy of Garden Railway Magazine and that Art has an article about the Maine Mall and also a picture of the Veterans out at Carl's.  That is great!  Congratulations Art.

And, also here is a video I will gladly pass along:  From Al a friend of Dennis who says   The video was apparantely made at Weaver.  The person doing the spray painting is Gary Hartmann at Weaver.

 How its Made on the Science channel on making train models

  Thanks everyone for sharing.

Thank you Guys!

That would be for the Newsletter which arrived yesterday.  It's always a pleasure to open up the mailbox and see the Ironhorse.  Nice job Art,we appreciate all the effort and the special articles from Jeff and Dennis were great!  We were lucky to grow up at a good time. I hope we are creating some nostalgic memories for little kids today when they visit our display.

Jan- Feb Newsletter is now on-line.

Budd Railcars in 1952

 
Tiny loves RDC cars, they are one of his favorite.  He sent me the link to a great video : 


Educational film released in 1952 by Marathon Newsreel Production in association with the Budd company. Shows the railcars being manufactured and in operation.

To view: Please click here:



Note:  Shows RDC cars on the East Coast as well as as interesting shot of the California Zephyr being passed by the "Zephyrette" RDC .

Tour of the ECLS G Scale Train Show

Recently published by  the USA Trains G Scale Group:  If you can't make it to next months ECLSTS then be sure to take a look at this video.  Starts out with a display that I love!  It has a lot of good features that I hope we can use at our own display this year.  That is followed by a look at NHGRS layout.  Shows all the vendors and major groups that exhibit.  I know Carl and some other MGRS members will be going.  Good luck guys and enjoy!    
Please click here to watch: 

Do they make these for G-scale track?

 These gadgets are made for O scale or 027 track.  I think Lionel calls theirs a 153C Contactor.    They are very handy to activate accessories when a train goes by.   I use them on my G scale track but it would be a lot easier if they made something similar that was made to fit on G scale track.    If anyone knows the answer please let me know. Thanks, John

Lots of automation

We don't usually feature O gauge layouts but here is a good one!   Lionel, 1950 theme with many automated accessories.   Enjoy, please click here:

In the News

Train accident in Leeds, Maine.    Channel 6 News Report click here:
also see Sun Journal Report click here:

Eaglewings Ironworks

I got a message from Denneth Lee who said he now has a bridge that is seven feet long.  It is made by Eaglewings Ironworks, same company that made the bridges he brought in last year.  This one is called a Curved Chord Truss Bridge.   I guess I better find a good place on our layout where we add that to the display.  Very impressive.  Thanks Tiny, that is a beauty!

Exciting times ahead!

.
  Important Announcement and Good News! Today we received the approval from the Maine Mall management team of plans proposing an expansion of the size of the layout and the addition of real waterfalls and pond as part of Maine Garden Railway Society 2013 Train Display.  Before we could ask the Board to consider details, we needed the Mall to approve the concept which we are happy to say was granted this morning.  The next step is to bring this before the Board of Directors for their  approval and a discussion of how best to proceed.  

  I liked the computer animation shown above.  However, it shows the dangers of what the word "waterfall" can conjure up in your mind.  We have to guard against disappointment when the mental image is compared to the result of what a garden pump can actually produce.   Still, we have hopes of using last years riser design to model 3 impressive waterfalls. The total vertical drop should be around 4 and a half feet.  Hopefully, we can combine them with Tiny's bridges from last year.  The last waterfall closest to the children we hope to save for Thomas and James to run underneath it!

Much more to come on this, as we look forward to lots of fun and excitement to this years display!

Augusta Train Show

Here is an update from the Kennebec Journal on the Train show last Saturday.  Please Click here:



Related story Morning Sentinel: 

Here she comes

I found these in my computer download files.  Interesting and rare clips of a very unusual train.

 

Reminder.

Speaking of waterfalls there is a Portland Flower Show coming up and I think one of our members will have an exhibit. Unfortunately, it falls on the same Sunday we are having our Spring Luncheon. But, you could go to the Flower Show on Saturday. Anyway, I liked the animated picture of a waterfall! I am also reminded that today is the Lions Club Doll House and Model Railroad Show at the Augusta Armory.

All Conjecture

Nothing is approved, this is all conjecture.  If we ever have water and flowers and Thomas and James etc:  Or a section of the layout dedicated to "summer time"  then I am back to the solar butterfly.  I stuck the one I got from Rite Aid in our back window and didn't say anything.  Then I heard Gigi scream (no she actually liked it) .  I wonder if the Mall skylight gets enough light.  I bet it does.  Take a quick look 18 seconds: 

Downeaster pulling out of Boston to Portland

Click here for short video:

I am not really pushing for this but I think it might be fun to take the trip to Boston on the Amtrak train some day.

Something different

I always have my eye out  for the unusual and I recently saw at Rite Aid a solar power butterfly. You could demo it.   OK, that does not sound very exciting but I admit I was fascinated at how realistic it looked to me. Now, I have been thinking about the talk of a waterfall and lowering part of the layout for Thomas the train.  That area will probably turn out as a summer theme and why not consider a couple of small patches of flowers to add a little color.  Besides we are a "Garden" railway.  What better way to catch your attention then with the erratic movement of something as innocent as a butterfly fluttering around?   Plus the one I got can also work on one AA battery.   Take a look at a similar item:

Record Breaking Experience

I hope everyone is safe and sound from what has been reported as a record breaking snow storm.  We were very fortunate and did not lose power at our house.    The storm is still not over so lets hope everyone uses caution and acts wisely.   

Hello Florida

  All Aboard the Orange Blossom Cannonball, Central Florida’s Historic Steam Train on the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf tourist railroad!

This is a long video but excellent quality and sound.  The train has been in several movies and is still running strong.  Good for a snowy day:  Click here to view: 

Speaking of Florida, Hi to Buckie, Barry, Ivan and Gerry.  We hope you are all doing well!

How do you paint a locomotive?

Published on Nov 9, 2012
Norfolk Southern is placing a one-of-a-kind "Veterans Locomotive" into freight service on its system to honor people who have served in the military and reserves, especially those employed by the railroad. Painting the Veterans Locomotive involved 26 NS employees, using 66 gallons of primer and paint over a 112-hour period.   Watch time lapse photography:


Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop.  One month ago  Click here: