I decided to add a commuter railroad to my (unfinished) layout. I’ll call it LANTA RAIL short for Lehigh And Northampton Transit Authority (there is such a thing but the real Lanta just hauls busses[V][V][V]). I’ll use two GP40FH-2s and two F40s to haul trains from Allentown, Pa to Scranton, Pa on the LRCA calls the “Scranton Line”. Does anyone else like commuter railroads?
I actually just starter planning for my Kato 2 Amtrak P42s and passenger set. I already started putting people on the trains. [:D] The commuter line will run on non-dcc track, unlike the rest of my rail road. I wanted this commuter aspect because people need to get places, even in N scale.
I have been tinkering with the idea of having the trains station below ground or elevated. Still comming to terms with how to do either. I like the idea of having people have to walk down the stairs to get the train. But was also intrigued about having an elevated system. I do know for a fact that I do not want it on level ground, that would be too easy.
Mine will be on a semi busy freight rairoad.
sounds like a winner[:)]
I’ve added a separate 96’ loop, which I call the “Airport Loop” – it runs underground to/from downtown, there’s a parallel platform under the concourse at Wye Valley Junction, then it runs out to the Airport along the river and back, behind the freight yards.
The “local authority” bought some surplus British DMU equipment, which maintains the service – until I find some decent prototypical US LRVs.
I have a set of two CNW bilevel coaches and a cab car, and a Metrolink bombardier bilevel cab car - planning to get a matching coach when I can.
maybe tow commuter trains bound for omha
I’d like to have a commuter road. That’d be a lot of fun, and add more relism to the layout.
Sure do, Dougal. Living in the Chicago area we have the double-decker commuter trains that operate in push-pull mode to and from downtown Chgo. My house is two blocks away from a busy METRA line. Watching an express train roar through town during the evening rush hour is an awesome spectacle. I got to thinking that it would be nice to add some commuter cars to my collection and discovered that Walthers has them in appropriate paint schemes to model METRA’s commuter service.[:D]
Living around Chicago, it’s hard NOT to be a RR fan and not like commuter trains. I do miss the good old days, though, when you cound stand on the Roosevelt Rd. bridge and watch BN and Rock E units wander by all day, with the occasional PC or Conrail E thrown in for fun! (anyone remember Conrail’s Chicago commuter service?) Of course, watching C&NW F’s and bilevels was always fun too!
[?] a question:
How did railroad workers get to their workshops? by car or by commuter-train or both
so could I put a commuter-service using a doodlebug to bring workers to my locomotive maintenance facility?[?]
I used to live a couple of miles from New Jersey Transits Raratin Valley Line so every once and a while when we wanted to go railfanning and were tired of CR power we went to the High Bridge station and watched a couple of NJT train go in and out of the station. I’ve also ridden on Septa and Amtraks NEC.
Lupo,
Here in the NE (despite the availability of commuter rail, transit and buses) the vast majority of the manual workforce goes to work by pick-up truck or SUV.
30 years ago it was cars.
Office/professional workers were and are more likely to use public transport.
Doodlebugs were more common in the rural areas of the mid west etc.
An RDC would fit in better with your Amtrak stuff.
Enjoy !! – Mike in Philly.
I live in Toronto Canada where GO Transit runs. I have a set of Bombardier GO transit cars and cab car and a Tri Rail coach. GO Transit locos are F59PH which are not made by anyone. I hope someone will soon. I leave my work area all the time to watch them passby the plant where I work .rambo1…
Don’t Athearn do a F59PH in GO Transit? I know they do a F7 A+A set in their RTR line. Walthers also offer the F40PH in Go Transit (I think).
Kaslo is making a GO F59. It will be marketed exclusively by Geore’s Trains which is located in Toronto.
John Slean
i have a slight addiction to commuter trains…[:D]
right now i have:
2 Metrolink trains (one with a F59PHI and 4 cars, one with a F59PHI and 3 cars
1 Dallas TRE train (F59PHI and 4 cars, still waiting on the F59PHI)
1 Chicago Metra train (F40PH and 4 cars)
1 New Jersey Transit train (ALP-44 and 5 cars, havent bought the cars yet)
and the good ol Amtrak Acela. i have to keep stopping myself from getting a GO train. they look pretty nice.
walthers did make a GO F40PH. there is one on eBay right now.
I have a small commuter setup with the seattle sounder bombardier cars and an F59PHI. I’ve always thought it was a good looking train [:)]
Warren
When i finally get my layout up and running, I am planning to run commuter trains based on C&NW operations in the pre-bi-level era. The trains would be two-three 60’ coaches, with a combine (used to deliver newspapers), pulled by a 4-6-2, but ideally by a 4-6-0 or a 4-4-2. Maybe I’ll include some early bi-levels.
lupo: some railroads ran special trains to their workshops or sheds when these were located far enough away from the residential part of town and away from the local station. Sometimes an extra stop for the local train; sometimes a special small train.