Sorry if this has been covered before but I can’t seem to find a search function for this forum. Anyway, I’m quite excited about the new Walthers P1K subway models and plan to jump in seriously as soon as a couple more items become available: 1-DCC ready models maybe with sound and 2-scenery and station details so we can model those great mosaics in the NYC stations.
Bill
I just got my Walthers Flyer the other day and saw the pictures…boy do those trains bring back memories. [:)]
Mr B, where are you?[:D]
Bill,
[#welcome] to the Forum! Look at the red arrow for the Search Button:
Don Z.
Originally from Newton. Recently retired to Vestal, NY
Sorry, my long idyllic holiday is over. It’s back to work for me, so by the time this post started I was already in the Land of Nod.
When I came back to the hobby 4 years ago, I found the original Life-Like trains waiting for me. At the time, there were 3 different paint jobs. One was the “redbirds” with a dark, almost rust-colored red body and silver roof. There was a lighter red, with a red roof, and a silver model. All were the same plastic shell - no line-specific differences. These models did not have end gates. As I recall, the MSRP was $180. I found them at Trainworld for about $130, when I bought my original silver-roof redbirds. Later, after Walthers bought out Life-Like, they released the green set with factory-installed end gates. They were a limited run, and quickly made their way to Closeout Land at Trainworld. Mine cost me $90. Since then, Walthers has released a number of new paint schemes, and raised the price as well. Watch Trainworld, as the prices fluctuate on these.
There’s a small company called Images Replicas (www.imagesreplicas.com) which makes aftermarket end gates and NYC subway station surface entrances. I got the end gates for my original redbirds, and also a set of the entrances to put above my subways.
Since I was starting my layout from scratch, the subways were part of the original design. It’s a simple loop with one passing siding, which doubles as the second track in one of the stations. I also put in a stub track to another station, which dead-ends at the edge of the layout and is a possible route for a later extension of the line.
Since my subways were to be true underground runs, I installed a small video camera in the front car.
You retired here? Why on earth?
LOL
I’m looking ot retire out of here!
Do you go to the Roberson Train Show?
Hey Vestal guys:
Are you aware of a very significant piece of railroad history in your back yard?
http://www.everythingradio.com/Marconi%20Tower.htm
One of the 4 towers still stands at the Lackawanna Station in Binghamton.
Yep. I was over to see it along with the DL&W passenger station just a few months ago. Great stuff. Lots of modelling possibilities. Other than my subway interests, I am beginning a 12x20 layout of DL&W circa 1905. It’s great to start all over after relocating and everything will have DCC and sound this time.
Bill
No, I haven’t heard about the show but am very interested. We are actually returning to the area after 30+ years in NJ. I wanted warm weather and my wife wanted cold. But like most marriages, I only got one vote and she gets 2. 
I’m also wondering about the large model RR club that was in Binghamton in the 70’s. Is it still in existance?
Bill
Check with Roberson. That club used to exhibit in the 3rd floor ballroom every Christmas during the Christmas Tree Forrest display. They must know if they are still around and how to contact them.
Anyone have pictures of above ground subways running in HO?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-31018
Anyone know if this is DCC or DC?
DC and Trainworld has them for $160.00 and a decoder is about $15.00
Would that be like an underground elevated train?
Midnight:
I sat on my hands and tried soooo hard not to make a sarcastic comment about above ground subways, but actually mine is sometimes underground and sometimes at grade level. It is never elevated, at least not at this time.
I do not have any pictures of it at grade level.
My R-17 set has been converted to DCC. So has my granddaughters’ Thomas the Tank Engine and Hogwart’s Express.
In Chicago, it’s the L even when it goes underground.
… except when it’s “The Loop”.
The Loop is the L. (You may also take the L to the Loop, in which case, the meaning is the geographic area.)