Amtrak odessy

[beavercreek]

It was such a lovely evening yesteday that I just had to run something special.
My layout era is from late 30s to the early 60s but I did allow meself to obtain some kit that has run since the 90s. The Amtrak Genesis locos and some passnger cars to follw them.
They had their very first outing at Beavercreek........ it stretched until darkness fell

Approaching and into Beaver Creek

Pulls up slowing alongside the platform for eager travellers

The train pulls out of Beaver creek

Out of the Tunnel and beginning the climb to Arbour Summit

Passing through Arbour Summit

Down from Point Rock

 

[beavercreek]

Now the light was beginning to get dim

Just a chance to take some close-ups of a couple of scenes

Then the light went completely

 

[beavercreek]

Just MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!! glad the bits and bobs you got from me went to such an impressive set up.
Visiting my sister in Frinton sometime in October, think I could throw my hat in for a look?

Thanks Roly
Yes the Amtrak cars that I got from you have now had their very first outing. There are a couple more to hang onto the train but it does make it verrrryyy long...longer than my California Zephyr with three F3 units and six coaches!
You would be more than welcome sir! Hopefully the weather will keep good for your visit

 

[Richie]

Cracking photos Mike nice to see your Amtrak running do like those Genesis locos
Nice everning here too but seems to get dark just as i finish tea .
I only have the Del prado N gauge model of the loco looks abit losted in the garden

 

[stevedenver]

well mike as usual you have not only put together a great looking set of photos with mood,
but a great consist -

i think the amtraks were one of the coolest trains LGB made-
these are just so big and smooth and impressive, and they have blindingly bright headlamps-and you can run them fast!

they are just an amazing toy train in the very best sense of the word-
these will be a classic in years to come i think-i doubt they will ever be made again, no less from a quality maker

the night shots are perhaps the best imho, although the platform shots are also superb

do you know how to make the engines red lamps light correctly? seems LGB or the chines took a short cut with the diodes or something-i have taken a look at the preprinted board looking for a diode and gave up on trying to 'improve things' for fear of messing it up entirely -easy in concept but i was stymied when i gave it a go


word to wise...the plastic is terribly unforgiving and brittle and parts are really hard to find and pricey too-broke my pilot and a new one cost me $25-!

i have painted the end bulkhead lamps on one or two of my coaches red-looks like the real ones and is just about right in the dark as to color and intensity-used tamaya clear red

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Steve
your comments give great encouragement, many thanks to you.
I will have a think about the bulkhead lamps and have a look at the circuitry. That will be a winter project to put on the list!

 

[beavercreek]

One more for the road

Slim platform, scary..........

 

[beavercreek]

Another Amtrak night shot

 

[DVRR]

Lovely pics. I run some American and love these diesels and the superb coaches.
Do you run analogue or digital? If digital maybe you can let me know how to programme a double header, or consist as its known...

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Sandy
Thank you for the kind comments
I Usually run 1930's to early 60's (steam and deisel) but the Amtrak consist was one I just had to get as a 'special'. The Rio Grande 'California Zephyr' obviously no longer exists and Amtrak have replaced it with their version. Unfortunately no maker for a long while has made the superliner coaches so I have had to make do with the nicely modelled LGB Amfleet jobbies.

I run analogue but am beginning to 'dabble with the dark side'. I think that both locos should be given the same address (as long as they have simlar motor characteristics which obviously 2 Genesis one would be). I maybe wrong in this but I think that that is the simple way.
The other way is to give each loco a separate address and then link them to run as a consist ( I know that this easily done with Massoth gear but I am not sure with the MTS I or II or III)

 

[DVRR]

Hi Mike,
I am on the extremely dark side, quite scarey, but I am told that it is worth it.... Massoth. So Consist it will be. Only thing to figure will be one loco is Massoth chip with sound and one LGB chip with LGB Generic US diesel sound.. ... I am sure the dark forces will assist.
Sandy

 

[Gizzy]

Great photos Mike....

 

[gregh]

Slim platform, scary..........

Having just completed a trip from San Francisco to Chicago on the Zephyr, the platform width looks quite correct for many locations. You could add a dilapidated awning with bits falling off to be more authentic.
But that beautiful station building - no way. You should board up the windows and surround it with a chain wire fence and a 'To Lease' sign. Then paint a shoe box grey, add the Amtrak logo and you have the correct prototype for the current station.
Love your pics!!!!

 

[beavercreek]

Hi greg
Loved your description of what it is like now.
As I said in an earlier posting in this thread, the real era that I model is 1930's to early 60s and during that time, the platforms may have been the same size but at least most railroad public buildings were in good form. Unfortunately decades of lack of investment and dilapitation have had sad effects on quite a lot of the buildings.
Some of the main stations are very beautiful and in good nick but the outlying areas are not so well served these days.
Perhaps there will be a change of heart at Capitol Hill and real investment in infrastructure as well as buildings will be made.

I am glad you like my shots of my "special visitor" from a later time to the layout.

 

[CoggesRailway]

Excellent thread!!!!! I really like the train and night views. It is very welcome at the open day... PS did you find some accomadation or shall I do some research?

 

[Shawn]

Mike great pictures and layout as always. The Amtrac looks right at home on your layout. Living in the US I have taking Amtrac from NJ to Florida and a lot of trips back and forth from college in North Caralina. Lots of fun.

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Shawn
We hope, some day in the future to get over to the States and use Amtrack for our proposed itinery. Maybe spend three weeks or so travelling by rail, seeing some of the preserved lines (Cumbres, Durango of course and some others.) I will investigate the option, if there is one, of an Amtrak 'open' ticket for travel across the States during a three week period.

 

[beavercreek]

Hope some maker will do these again in G scale as they would just be right for a 'new' California Zephyr'!

They would also look good amongst the amfleet cars

'Great Trains' made some back in the day and they go for big prices although they are very simply built. Rarity value!

The Amtrak Superliners

 

[Gizzy]

I run analogue but am beginning to 'dabble with the dark side'. I think that both locos should be given the same address (as long as they have simlar motor characteristics which obviously 2 Genesis one would be). I maybe wrong in this but I think that that is the simple way.
The other way is to give each loco a separate address and then link them to run as a consist ( I know that this easily done with Massoth gear but I am not sure with the MTS I or II or III)

Yes, you can do this with MTS II Mike....

 

[beavercreek]

I run analogue but am beginning to 'dabble with the dark side'. I think that both locos should be given the same address (as long as they have simlar motor characteristics which obviously 2 Genesis one would be). I maybe wrong in this but I think that that is the simple way.
The other way is to give each loco a separate address and then link them to run as a consist ( I know that this easily done with Massoth gear but I am not sure with the MTS I or II or III)

Yes, you can do this with MTS II Mike....

That is good...perhaps you can give DVRR the nod how to do it Giz