The DIS Campers Train Thread: From Model Trains Up To The Real Thing

[wabbott]

While this isn't a train pic, it is at least a railroad bridge. To me, it is one of the most impressive bridges on the planet. There are two other road bridges (cable-stayed and suspension) nearby that fade into invisibility compared to the Forth Bridge. It crosses the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, Scotland

I was truly thankful to behold it in person and get some pics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge

 

[bama_ed]

I was truly thankful to behold it in person and get some pics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge

Well that's ONE way to build a bridge.

 

[wabbott]

Finally getting around to posting more pics from Europe. These are from the National Railway Museum in Yorkshire, UK.

 

[bama_ed]

That is some good looking train stuff right there.

 

[wabbott]

This is the metro tram in downtown Edinburgh. Very modern and clean. If you want to visit the retired royal yacht HMS Britannia, it stops right at the entrance mall.

https://edinburghtrams.com/

 

[wabbott]

Glasgow Central. Very impressive

.

 

[wabbott]

 

[wabbott]

I said upthread that we did a 'rail tour' of UK and Bavaria, and that's accurate. But I need to point out that we aren't real train buffs like y'all are. I mean, we like them and love the history (especially Walt Disney's train history), but we've never gone to railfan events or done model trains.

We discovered on a Europe river cruise trip two years ago that rail is the ONLY way to travel in Europe.

I hate airports. The folks are rude, security checkpoints everywhere you turn, boarding gates that change right before flights, cramped seating, and on and on and on.

With trains, it's like sitting in your LazyBoy at home. Plenty of room, move around all you want, beautiful scenery right up close, and pleasant folks at the stations and on the trains. The only drawback is you have to drag your own luggage, but you figure out right quick how to pack light. You also learn to book hotels within a half-mile or so of the rail stations. That's not been a problem so far.

Our trip two years ago was so trouble-free, we did another extended trip to Switzerland and Italy last year, then the trip this year, and now we're planning another for next spring to see more of Italy, Switzerland and France. Everything by rail, save the trip over and back. If there were a set of rails between North America and Europe, I would be on that train rather than flying.

 

[bama_ed]

I agree with you 100%, @wabbott .

When DS and I left London on the Eurostar from St. Pancras to Gare du Nord (arrival pic below),



I was able to pack a picnic lunch on the train and enjoy it at my seat courtesy of the market store at Pancras/Kings Cross.



Let's see, I see pink bubbly, smoked salmon, baguette, cheese, and fruit (and there were seconds/thirds of all of it). You can see I came prepared from the USA with the plastic plates, cups, and cutlery.

And like you, we often stay near the stations (in 2015 London it was the Alhambra highlighted which was close to St. Pancras.



In Paris, though, I like staying in the CENTER of the city on the Ile St. Louis (next to the island of Ile de la Cite where Notre Dame is) at the Hotel Saint Louis-en-l'Isle (stayed there on two different trips) so there was a Metro ride to/from Gare du Nord.



Obviously places change over time. But we think a lot alike.

Back back to your trip, the Railroad Museum in York is DEFINITELY on my radar. And you made me more interested in it than I was before.

Thanks, ED

 

[wabbott]

Back back to your trip, the Railroad Museum in York is DEFINITELY on my radar. And you made me more interested in it than I was before.

Thanks, ED

If you manage a trip, budget at least two days for the museum. One day for the iron exhibits, and one for the warehouse of 'stuff.' In the warehouse are model trains, both working and static, furniture, signs, switch equipment, statues - I mean chock full.

You'll need a day for the North Yorkshire Moors railway, also.

York is about 2 1/2 hours from Kings Cross. The museum is about a 10 minute walk from the station. York has some neat stuff to see, also. There's a wall around the city with pathway at the top.

Huge cathedral there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster

 

[Sjm9911]

Had to add this, not a great picture, but where am I ? Lol.

 

[wabbott]

Had to add this, not a great picture, but where am I ? Lol. View attachment 909131

Main Street Station, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

 

[Sjm9911]

Yup. The train wasn't running at disney for while. Last time on it I was a kid. It was a fun experience. I figured we would only ride it one stop, but my daughter also liked it so we rode the whole loop around.

 

[4077]

I didn’t realize that there is also a section of rail visible at the Settlement end of Fort Wilderness Trail to the left side of the road along with a tie still there and a couple more ties by the palm bushes…

 

[4077]

Interesting to see tree root grown over the rail there….

 

[wabbott]

Missed this one the other day. Figured y'all would like it. One of the models @ York RR Museum

 

[Sjm9911]

Christmas Train is up!

 

[wabbott]

And you've named the sled Rosebud!!!

 

[bama_ed]

The sled is a nice touch.

 

[bama_ed]

I owe an off-season update on my model railroad.

During the summer months I made the decision to also more actively collect some of the Denver & Rio Grande Western (DRGW) trains that Aristo-Craft (my primary manufacturer) made to go along with their trains in my local Southern Railroad line. However, whereas the Southern line I have are steam and early diesel, I decided to keep DRGW trains in only steam. Main reason is DRGW started as narrow gauge steam and its remnants now that I've ridden in person (the Cumbres & Toltec RR and Durango & Silverton RR) in New Mexico and Colorado are still steam. I had some DRGW initially but decided to fill out that side of the ledger some more. So it will be my "western" railroad and the Southern will be my "eastern" railroad.

I got this print of the DRGW service map from the 1920s and will get it into a frame this winter.



DRGW was initially built to connect Denver to Salt Lake City and also tap into all the gold and coal mining towns along this area in the mountains.

Zooming in on the area at the bottom along the NM-Col state line, this is what I've ridden:



I think I've written about riding these two tourist steam lines in prior posts. But I'll show some of the DRGW things I picked up.

Let's go upstairs (new sign).



A new-to-me 2-8-0 coal fired steam loco in the bumble bee yellow/black color scheme.



And 3 passenger cars in that color scheme (coach, combine, observation). This is the combine.



As you can see, the combine is on its side and the wheels are broken. I got the passenger cars really cheap and have bought new wheels to replace the broken ones (which were on all three - a poor design choice in hindsight). Still a good deal overall.

Being in the mountains of NM and Col, you need to be able to get the snow off the tracks to run service.



And a rail truck to run maintenance and line crews.



Aristo-Craft also made many figures (people) of all shapes, sizes, and dress to put along the line. Along with conductors, engineers, etc. they made a Hobo collection.



I finally found my last missing hobo (Campfire Carl) and they have a camp in the far corner of my attic by the tracks. Each figure runs about $10.



So that's enough for today's update.

Bama Ed