posted
I am a big RAILfan, I talk all the time on the AMTRAK board here on Railfan. I am beggining to collect HO scale Superliners I have sleeper and im ordering a coach too. What do I need...
Transformer Locomotive Sleeper Coach Dining Car TRack................What do you guys think?
THANKS, Anton
Medicine Man Member # 2939
posted
Thats a good start. Now you need to think of where you are going to model as Amtrack has a lot of rail line that you can duplicate.
MM
Chuck Walsh Member # 677
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Some HO passenger cars require 24" radius curves
Mike Smith Member # 447
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I'll recommend Walthers Superliners. They look better and roll better than the competition.
Also, if you can do it, a 33" to 38" radius works best for the "85 foot" cars.
Medicine Man Member # 2939
posted
You also will need to look at how much room you have for a layout.Look in the NMRA websight for a club in you area,there's a ton of info at your club,and no way better to learn than with some hand's on instruction.
MM
Russ Bellinis Member # 2377
posted
I just checked your profile to see you are from the Los Angeles area. What sort of space do you have for a layout? If you have room for an around the walls shelf layout with some lift out sections or draw bridges, etc. to clear doorways, you can model a nice long mainline run with large radius curves. Since a shelf layout is narrow, you don't encroach in a room as much as with say a 4x8 island. As far as where to model, if I were modeling Amtrak, I'd model the Surfline. You've got hills, beaches, and modern high speed passenger trains running over wooden trestles, as well as some very interresting station designs. I didn't think to ask until after I had posted and edited once. How far are you from Orange County? I belong to Orange County Module Railroaders. We meet monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at the Sunkist Branch of the Anaheim library. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. to @ 8:30. The library closes and they boot us out at 9:00. Our website is at www.trainweb.org/ocmr/ [This message has been edited by Russ Bellinis (edited 12-30-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Russ Bellinis (edited 12-30-2003).]
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
posted
I live in a house---I want to so something in my garadge---so it can be big--
And I am using walthers superliners--
Anton
Russ Bellinis Member # 2377
posted
Keep your radius at a minimum of 30 inches with the Walthers superliners. The Surfline would not only let you run a lot of passenger traffic in Amtrak and Coaster liveries, but you could also run a bit of BNSF freight as well.
vincen47 Member # 2201
posted
I noticed in the Amtrak forum that you were looking for a pacific parlour car in HO.
"Train Station Products" makes kits for the Santa Fe Hi-levels, including the lounge, and detail parts like dorm car window inserts. (Hi-level transition-dorms had smaller windows for the rooms that were made by Amtrak.)
They have a huge selection of conversion and additional parts for accurate Amtrak equipment.
With The kit and microscale decals, you should be able to make a pretty nice model.
Check Walthers or online search for a retail store that carries the line. It may be a bit difficult to find, as Train Station Products lack a company website, and it seems the be backordered often at Walthers.
Otherwise, a rare brass model maybe the only option, and not to mention more expensive.
I model N scale and I only wish someone would make a decent model. JnJ had a step-down coach a long time ago and may bring it back in the future. Until then, I look to the HO Amtrak selection with envy.
[This message has been edited by vincen47 (edited 01-06-2004).]
Russ Bellinis Member # 2377
posted
I'm not sure what part of the L. A. area you live in. If you can get out to Culver City, Allied Model Trains has a lot of stuff in all scales. Up in Pasadena, the Whistle Stop, has a huge selection of stuff.
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
posted
quote:Originally posted by vincen47: I noticed in the Amtrak forum that you were looking for a pacific parlour car in HO.
"Train Station Products" makes kits for the Santa Fe Hi-levels, including the lounge,
As far as I know (I also posted on the Amtrak section) Train Station Products have not yet released a lounge. I've been eagerly waiting for it a long time now and I doubt they will ever release it. Too bad as their other Hi-Level cars are outstanding.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 01-07-2004).]
Fumes5 Member # 1437
posted
Being from OC myself, irvine to be exact. I too know of a few trick spots to shop, my fav place is in ceritos/Norwalk and it is known as HobbyWarehouse. They tend to stalk alot of Amtrak equipment in HO, they are also a sponcer of a club known as PCMC, www.pcmcrr.cjb.net. the person who you will want to get in touch with is William or Joesph, and sometimes Chris is in. Talk to them about what you want to do and they can get you started. I would also recomend asking about the club as you get discounts on the trains if you are a member.
later, -fumes
Russ Bellinis Member # 2377
posted
I use Hobby Warehouse for 90% of my train purchases. Eli and Jim also know their stuff. They haven't been able to build thrie stock up to near the level it was before the fire 4 or 5 years ago, but they will special order anything Walthers carries. I mentioned the other two shops because they have a lot of old out of production stuff, especially the Whistle Stop in Pasadena.
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