I’ll be putting together a passenger train using MTH RailKing passenger cars, 60’ Madison cars (16.11/16 inches). I can be happy with 9 to 12 cars, but I get the urge to want to run 18 passenger cars. This is where it gets crazy, I have heard where some railroads did run 18 passenger cars, I have even gone online to find an answer but no luck. Did any railroad ever run anywhere near 18 passenger cars? I realize we can do anything we want on our layouts, but this idea of running 18 passenger cars has me wondering what to do.
First off, happy belated birthday!! No, you’re not loosing your mind.I know on CN/VIA, “The Super Continental” had regular consists of 16-18 passenger cars back in the '60s and '70s. They were usually made up of 6-8 sleepers, 3-4 coaches, 1-2 dayniters, 1 diner, 1 café, 1 club, 1 dome and 1-2 baggage. “The Canadian” has a similar consist. It typically had around a 14 car consist back in the day, but since it is the only one still running cross country, it’s not uncommon to have a 20+ car consist during the busy summer months!!
In fact, if you want to see what rail travel was like back in the Post War era of streamliners, take a ride between Toronto and Vancouver or vice versa. You have the choice of a plain coach seat, open section sleepers (just like the old movies during WW2), roomettes, bedrooms, and a room for two with a double bed(expensive!). Or you can take a look at the Via rail web site for pics and some short vidios of all the above.
Eighteen passengers cars? Sure, why not. As far as prototypical operation is concerned “never say never.” In fact, 20-plus cars isn’t unusual for big steam excursions. When I rode behind N&W 611 back in the 90’s there were 23 cars in the consists, and a few years later I rode behind C&O 614 that had 26.
robmcc - Thanks for sharing the information on the CN/VIA “The Super Continental.” The information on the sleepers, coaches, dayniters, diner, cafe, dome and baggage cars will prove to be very helpful. Thanks again. [Y]
71835 - I’ll be sure to checkout the Via Rail website for pics and the videos. Thanks for the information. [Y]
Firelock76 - I’m really glad that you had the chance to ride behind N&W 611 and the C&O 614. Must of been two things that you’ll never forget. [:D] [:D] [Y]
PENNY - Thank you for the information. [Y]
All of this information will really help me in putting together my passenger train.
G Bear, riding behind Mighty 611 WAS unforgettable, best steam passenger locomotive built, EVER! Lady Firestorm loved it so, it’s Art Deco looks and all that power, calling it “MY engine!”
When the end of the NS steam program was announced in 1994 the local paper front-paged it, it was that much of a shocker. Lady F saw the article first and let out a large GASP! From her reaction I thought someone had died! Our fury at NS lasted for years.
C&O 614, a close second. It was a thrill riding behind that one doing 70-plus MPH through the Hackensack Meadows on New Jersey Transit, then on the old Erie up though northern New Jersey to Port Jervis NY during the height of the fall foliage season.
BTW, Mark 1 Video produced a fine video on the 1996 C&O 614 excursions called “C&O 614, The Return Of A Thoroughbred.” The DVD is still available on e-bay at $39.95. At 150 minutes I think it’s a bit too long, but otherwise it’s top quality. Search “Mark 1 Video” and the e-bay link should pop up. That’s if anyone’s interested.
Why they call them the “Meadows” is a mystery. It’s a big friggin’ swamp!
I forget where I read this, maybe in one of John Cunningham’s books on New Jersey history, but I think the name “Meadows” came from the first Dutch settlers on the Jersey side of the Hudson River. They settled in the area that became Jersey City and used to turn their cattle loose to graze on the salt grass on the dry edges of the swamp. They called it the “Great Meadows” and the name stuck.
Frank54 Being crazy is the only thing we have left as we get older. [;)] I enjoy that little child inside of me that refused to grow up as I grew older.
fifedog The overall length of the trains would be just over 25 feet. I had in the recent past a 6’ x 15’ oval layout on my carpet, but I did have just once a layout that was 5’ x 22’ for part of a day, couldn’t open the door to my room, that was why I had it only for a short period of time.
My biggest problem would be storage space for all 18 passenger cars. Once I have the storage problem worked out I can go really Crazy. [:D] [;)] I could put the cars back in the boxes, but I really want to display the passenger cars for people to see and enjoy.
Firelock76 I like your idea of a fungus. On some YOUTUBE videos that I’ve seen in the past the carpet train layout “fungus” covered the entire second floor of a home. [:D] [Y]
Having our dreams, even if they don’t work out, are the things that keep us going. [:)]
Lady Firestorm says “Right on Sister!” When I just mentioned the steam program cancellation in 1994 to her she went off on a tirade not fit for a family publication!
Twenty-two years, and the rage is still simmering. They shouldn’t have taken away her engine!
Nah, Jimmy’s not in the Meadows, not exactly, he’s under the fifty-yard line at Giants Stadium. They put him there so he wouldn’t miss any of the action.
I rode behind her between spincer nc to lynchburg and back.She pulled a train that amtrak would had two or three locomotives.I will never forget the deep sound of her whistle.I have a mth railking j that pulls my freight trains pretty well.
I’ve got a RailKing Class J myself, but I’ve never had it pull freight cars.
You see, in one of my Don Ball railbooks there’s a photo of a Class J toward the end of N&W’s steam era pulling a freight train, and the caption of the photo says “…disgracefully downgraded to freight service.”
Whenever I’m temped to run a freight behind my Class J that phrase pops into my mind. I don’t want the ghost of the late Mr. Ball haunting my layout and scolding me!