Welcome to my Blog. The scope of this blog is to record the trials and tribulations of building and maintaining an HO scale layout, the trains and all of the ancillary projects that go with it. In 2017 New York Central subsidiary short line Empire Belt Railroad came into existence. The New York Central / Penn Central and Empire Belt are now the major railroads featured.
Empire Belt GP30s
The EBRR GP30s round a curve on the Empire City Belt Line.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
80 car train challenge
Greetings All, Some friendly banter between my model railroading buddies and I led to the attempt to run an 80 car freight train around the layout. There was the usual can it be done and should it be done back and forth but in the end I had no problem picking up the gauntlet thrown down by 1:1 Sir Neal. There is a small caveat that if I undertook the challenge so would 1:1 Sir Neal and his Atlantic Pacific Railroad. So let's take a look at this momentous occasion; The usual 1/87th scale suspects have gathered track side to witness the event for themselves
A P.R.R. A-B-B-A F7 consist have the honors of being the lead units. These units were featured in a recent blog post when I draw bar equipped them. This will be a good test of those draw bars!
The head end of the train stretched out of the Empire City Viaduct
Continuing around the curve at Walsh Steel Wool Products
Past Hohman Ave and tower operator 1/87th scale Larry D
Thru the North Side. The yard is looking a bit like Salamanca NY with that B&O power!Looking to the left of Empire City Caterpillar you can see the mid train helpers.
Past the yard to the East Side
Around the East Side curve. I parked a freight train with four diesels here just in case the train string lined and wanted to plummet to the lower level.
Past Ralph's Grocery Warehouse
And onto the High Line!
So did the train make it? Watch the video to find out!
Congratulations on the challenge! Looks like the train ran fine with 6 engines! A very nice looking train to boot! The A.P.R.R. has accepted the challenge (as they should), and will report back soon!
Hats off to the NYCTL mechanical and right of way departments to help pull off quite the challenge with eighty pieces of rolling stock. Looks like a flawless trip around the layout.
Thanks ATJOE1972! All went well but ownership was understandably nervous. Train is still on the layout and continues to run without issue. Good to hear from you!
Thanks Ralph!!! The mid train helpers made it possible. I saw this on a model train layout called the Lakeside Lines that routinely moves trains in excess of 100 cars.
Fantastic feat! What wheels do all of your cars run? And do you run DCC to keep everything speed matched? Hope to run a big train like this when I get things together.
Thanks Tim! Most cars are equipped with P-2000, Kadee or Intermountain metal wheels. The layout is DC. The six engines used are Bachmann Plus units that were released in the early 90s. These have proven to be excellent runners with about 20 years of revenue service under their belts.
Congratulations on the challenge! Looks like the train ran fine with 6 engines! A very nice looking train to boot! The A.P.R.R. has accepted the challenge (as they should), and will report back soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you 1:1 Sir Neal! I'm looking forward to seeing the challenge met on the A.P.R.R.! Good luck!
DeleteHats off to the NYCTL mechanical and right of way departments to help pull off quite the challenge with eighty pieces of rolling stock. Looks like a flawless trip around the layout.
ReplyDeleteThanks ATJOE1972! All went well but ownership was understandably nervous. Train is still on the layout and continues to run without issue. Good to hear from you!
DeleteSuccess! Very impressive venture into train lengths undreamed of on my layout!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph!!! The mid train helpers made it possible. I saw this on a model train layout called the Lakeside Lines that routinely moves trains in excess of 100 cars.
DeleteFantastic feat! What wheels do all of your cars run? And do you run DCC to keep everything speed matched? Hope to run a big train like this when I get things together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim! Most cars are equipped with P-2000, Kadee or Intermountain metal wheels. The layout is DC. The six engines used are Bachmann Plus units that were released in the early 90s. These have proven to be excellent runners with about 20 years of revenue service under their belts.
ReplyDeleteNice. What do you use to power everything?
ReplyDelete