Model Train Journal

Really nice to have you join us.

Bob beat me to it, but welcome to MTJ. I haven't seen your modeling for many a year and it was always good.

Michael, that was some train length! I see someone already left a comment about the "dog chasing its own tail.

Along with that, would it work out ok to place the correct length car to couple the train together in a complete loop? Just a 'musing' thought...LOL

Dan Weinhold

Michael's video was shot at the all-scales train show in Plano Texas earlier this fall. The main line of the DFW O-scale layout, and thus the length of the train, is approximately three-quarters of a mile. It was cool to see. Seeing a train of this scale length is not uncommon in HO and all but routine in N, but is definitely a rarity in O. For the longest time I considered such things as strictly a novelty, but it feels all too real now, as getting stuck at a grade crossing while an intermodal goes by (and goes by) is a now-common experience, at least out here west of the Mississippi. From what I understand, it happens in much of the rest of the country too.

Jim

Thanks. I've been on here since 2007 but took a long break, working on other hobbies outside of MTs. Finding time to get back in.

Regarding DFW O Scale - there's a middle section between the loops to make the track longer but unfortunately the Plano show has limited space and need the clearance for walk ways otherwise it could be longer. Because it's at a show unlike a fixed display, it takes about 30min to setup and 1 hour to pack the train, which was 49 units and 3 engines. It'll come back out of boxes maybe in another decade or so.

Bob, I was in San Diego last year and saw the Museum in Balboa State Park.

Jim, I only need to drive a few minutes and I'll get intermodals crossing over BNSF, UP and BNSF on Bonds Ranch Road before I can even get to the Highway. I'm in Eagle Mountain in Fort Worth and blessed to see it daily .

My buddy Bill and I used to run 60-75 car freights at scale speeds on the club portable....072, three rail, double head steam, helper 60% back in tonnage, helper at rear, e-units locked, top of ZW removed for cooling.....for hours....outer main....passenger on inner main.
All NP stuff. Yup, 30 minutes to set up, hour to pack away.

Michael,

Welcome back. Unlike these other (note I said other) olde farts, I remember you. As I recall you had 100 or so engines. I always thought your name was a great play on words: Pi to go!

Welcome back!

Rich