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

[DL1WDW2]

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[bama_ed]

I've been neglecting this thread. There have been additions and I need to do some updates.

One interesting thing I picked up was a reversing unit by Aristo-craft. It's used on a point-to-point track line to send a powered unit (locomotive, trolley, hand car) back and forth. Get to one end, stop, wait a variable amount of time, then start it up and send it back to the other end (in reverse), stop, wait .... <wash, rinse, repeat>. I have 3 hand cars this would work well with.

Here are the parts:



Here is the package for the parts:



My indoor rail line (120' of main line) is waist-high on wooden tables and white wire racks. The idea for the reversing line is to put it over head along the rafters and beams in a curving (but end-to-end line). <Sigh> It's another project I hope to get to soon.

DS1 went out west this spring on a work project and tacked on 2 days of R&R in San Francisco. During his time there, he went to the Walt Disney Family Museum at the Presidio and got me this pin for my birthday. The Fair Weather Route was the nickname (I guess you would call it) for Walt Disney's ride-on-top train in the back yard of his home in Holmby Hills, CA. It was formally called the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.



Here is the pin:



The gift was very much appreciated. That's all for now.

Bama Ed

 

[4077]

he idea for the reversing line is to put it over head along the rafters and beams

I suppose I could answer this question by viewing the pictures in/of your attic again... but...

If I go outside and look up at a plane going by, I can say, "Cool, there goes a plane!". However, I cam't really see it from the side or top to appreciate any features of it.

I am guessing that the rafters and beams (while higher than the main line) are NOT above your field of vision to view the sides and tops of your hand cars that will traverse this little back and forth bit....?

 

[bama_ed]

I suppose I could answer this question by viewing the pictures in/of your attic again... but...

If I go outside and look up at a plane going by, I can say, "Cool, there goes a plane!". However, I cam't really see it from the side or top to appreciate any features of it.

I am guessing that the rafters and beams (while higher than the main line) are NOT above your field of vision to view the sides and tops of your hand cars that will traverse this little back and forth bit....?

No not much higher at all but yes it is still overhead. And the track is narrow so the sides will be in plain view and tops aren't so important IMO.



A plane overhead (Pilot Jimmy taking the corp execs on a WDW boondoggle, for example) can be nearly 90-degrees overhead (in other words, straight up). But a hand car on a Bama Ed reversing line is AT MOST 45-degree angle looking up. (for the kids and Teamubr; for us taller folks more like a 30-degree angle or less). Of course I won't know for sure until I piece it together (which I will do on level ground first for a proof-of-concept). But I have a plug; I have a power cord; I have a transformer; I have the reversing unit package; I have excess brass track to fill in the line; and I have 3 hand cars to rotate thru the line.

The cross-beams between the roof line is about 6.5 foot over head (and I'm "almost" 6 ft) so it could work. It's only an idea. I have to see what track I have available and what beams the track can fit. Not looking for a LONG line (slow but steady wins the race).

But @4077, you are welcome to give an inspection (and issue a permit) BEFORE we run regular operations on this proposed line.

Ed

PS - and I have an idea for a gold mining rail run too. (a consist on the main line tbh). Excited about that.

PPS - if I can come up with a lower (more visible) suspension system for the point-to-point track, I will consider that option

 

[4077]

But @4077, you are welcome to give an inspection (and issue a permit) BEFORE we run regular operations on this proposed line.

I would NEVER presume to do such amongst you professionals

I look forward to the progress (although I presume this is a next cold season project)...

Great... TWO things I'm waiting for now.... story time and train expansion reports....

 

[wabbott]

Ok. We on another European Vacation, but my name ain't Clark W. Griswold. As before, every move we make is by train, except the flight over and back. I'll try to post some interesting pics.

This one is last Friday PM at the Roma Termini. They have 29 platforms, and as you can see, it looks like a kicked-over fire ant hill.

If ever you visit, there is a direct commuter train that connects the airport to Roma Termini in a little over 30 minutes. Easy peasy.

 

[wabbott]

Sunday, we took the train from Rome to Florence. It was a scenic trip, and very fast.



This train.



Inside of first/business class car. Very modern, roomy and comfortable. All the seast have charging ports and electrical sockets. Train is WiFi equipped.

 

[bama_ed]

I assume, @wabbott , that you've had this trip planned for a while and it finally takes place during the installation of a new Pope in Vatican City. Rome must have been buzzing with people this past weekend.

Will you return to Rome at the end of your vacation before you fly home or will you head home from elsewhere? In other words, any more sightseeing days planned for Rome?

ED

PS-I've always wanted to visit the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) along the Italian Med coast up towards Genoa. Those 5 little villages are connected by train (not the speedy intercity type), footpaths, and a few windy narrow roads. I've watched Rick Steves on PBS for years in the past and this episode would come up from time to time.

PPS - over in Switzerland, I've wanted to ride the Glacier Express train too (in summer-I'm a wimp).

 

[wabbott]

Yes, had been planning on it for several months, so the Papal activities were unanticipated. We went to St. Peter's Friday and it was crowded. The Basilica is something to see, as is the Colosseum.

We in Florence now, so our Rome part is done.

We did Glacier Express 2 yrs ago, and were impressed. Also did Bernina Express, which is shorter but even more scenic. Almost ANY of the Swiss rail routes are drop-dead scenic. We'll be there on this trip around the first of June.

 

[wabbott]

Another kicked over ant hill: Milan, Italy Central Station - yesterday around 11 AM, local.





When I have a little more time, I'll tell of a couple of moderate uh-oh's we've encountered on our trip. It may be helpful if anyone else plans to use Italy's train system.

 

[wabbott]

A couple of pics snapped out the window of our train yesterday, between Bolzano, Italy and Innsbruck, Austria. You just can't see this kind of view from an airplane!

 

[wabbott]

Now about the Italian trains: To be charitable, they're not as punctual as the trains in Germany, UK and Switzerland. We missed a couple of connections, but it wasn't a really big deal since there were later trains we were able to take to our destination.

All three times we used the main line train that travels from the north all the way down to Salerno was late by as much as an hour. And it's a high-speed (300 KPH) system.

So my suggestion is to build at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours between connections when you lay our your travel itinerary. This will allow time to stretch your legs, get a bite to eat, and find the platform for your next train. You will learn quickly to spot the big electronic boards that designate the train number, destination and departure platform.

Also, the earlier in the day, the better. As you can see by the pics, the stations get crowded by late morning.

We also had to adjust our hotel stay in Florence due to a one-day rail strike. We lost a day there, but the hotel we were traveling to let us come a day early. One of our tour guides told us about the upcoming strike and we were able to change our plans before the strike day.

I don't know the solution to this issue. Periodic rail strikes for a short time are just a way of life in Europe.

 

[bama_ed]

A couple of pics snapped out the window of our train yesterday, between Bolzano, Italy and Innsbruck, Austria. You just can't see this kind of view from an airplane!

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@wabbott, I see your pics and I expect to see Fraulein Maria (Julie Andrews) dancing in the meadows singing the hills are alive ..... with the sound of music ...... those pictures are simply awesome.



I've had to deal with rail strikes in France as well as air pilot's strikes (in 1999 my dad was late coming into Nice Airport and I was waiting there (and waiting .... and waiting ....) to meet him - but Gene Wilder [Willy Wonka] was on his same flight (GW was in 1st Class and my dad was in Coach) .

Then there were the Parisian cabbies burning tires on the Left and Right Banks to protest Uber and other ride shares. We were trying to take the overnight train from Gare Montparnasse to Nice. Getting to the station from the Ile St. Louis was an obstacle course adventure.

But your trip looks beautiful to this armchair traveler. I'd like to set off on a train journey to Ireland and Scotland (using England as little as possible) someday when our life's obligations allow it. But your stories and pics keep the flame alive for me.

Thanks for sharing these. Keep doing so, please.

Ed

PS - and don't get me started on the immigrants who tried to walk the Chunnel from Calais while we were London-bound on the EuroStar .... My language is NSFW! 2015 was a VERY good year for that 'salty' language.

PPS - and I DO have a soft spot in my heart for Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins. Walt's movie on the same came out the year I was born. Who WOULDN'T want a governess like Mary Poppins?

PPPS - for anyone like me who is an armchair traveler planning to go to Europe (or anywhere else in the world) and move about by train, devour - line by line - the website The Man In Seat 61 - Website

 

[wabbott]

@bama_ed, here's a little more fuel for your flame. Monday, we traveled from Innsbruck, Austria to Andermatt, Switzerland. Our route took us west from Innsbruck, through Liechtenstein (62 square miles total), then through Chur Switzerland

The route from Chur to Andermatt is over some of the route that is used by the Glacier Express. If ever you go, this is what you'll see:



At Andermatt, there is the Schöllenen Gorge, in use as a pathway since the 12th century.



A couple of the bridges you will see.

 

[bama_ed]

@bama_ed, here's a little more fuel for your flame.

That works for me, @wabbott. Great pics, in my head I may have to condense trips (more like every other year) to see all the interesting things I want to see.

Safe travels and come home safely.

Ed

 

[wabbott]

This is the Wengernalpbahn, a narrow gauge (2' 7-1/2") cog railway that runs between Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland.

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/corporate/jungfrau-railways/jungfraubahn-holding-ag/wengernalpbahn-ag/

Clint Eastwood fans will know Kleine Scheidegg as the on-site filming location of The Eiger Sanction.



Here's what you will see from the window of that train. This view is looking up the Lauterbrunnen Valley with Staubbach Falls on the right.

https://lauterbrunnen.swiss/en/map/...all-72e97e9f-26fb-4ec2-ba72-c035d9d03e75.html

 

[wabbott]

More better pic of the Wengernalpbahn.



800 mm (2' 7-1/2") gauge track w/cogwheel rack. Note the steel crossties.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/30/europe/uk-royal-family-sovereign-grant-latam-intl

King Charles’ royal train to be retired as palace cuts costs
By Lauren Kent and Max Foster, CNN
Updated 7:25 AM EDT, Tue July 1, 2025

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

 

[bama_ed]

I have STILL neglected this thread (and my trains) for the last several months because life issues (of others connected to me) took precedence. Now, however, it seems life is starting to approach something that appears "normal" again so I want to relay a recent encounter I had with trains (the real BIG ones).

Last month me and some extended family members were headed to a family reunion and stopped for the night just northeast of Louisville, KY along I-71 in a town called LaGrange, KY. It was raining when we checked into the hotel and it was up to me to pick a nearby restaurant for dinner. There was a Cracker Barrel nearby (a safe choice for my cohort) or a local diner in town with good, high ratings on Google. We decided to take a chance on the local place and headed down into the old LaGrange downtown to eat at 119 West Main (the name of the restaurant on West Main Street).

Turning onto West Main St., I noticed that a single railroad track run down one lane of the street (only one lane in each direction) which looked well maintained and current. We went in, got seated, and while ordering I asked our server if trains still used the track outside. Yes, she said, there are about 10-15 a day (it is a CSX line and there is a train yard just northeast of the little downtown area). Cool - while waiting for our food I took some pics.



That's not my white car but that is the restaurant. I WOULD recommend it. Notice the tracks near the parallel parked cars.

Turning 90 degrees to my right, here is a view looking up the street (slightly uphill) where downtown ends and the woods begin.



90 degrees more to my right and we're looking across the street from the restaurant at the old, quaint, brick county courthouse (angled parking on that side and no track in their traffic lane).



Completing the circle, one more turn to the right looking slightly downhill as the tracks head toward the center of the little downtown area.



We ate our food (everyone liked what they had chosen), paid our bill, and headed back to the car which had been parallel parked outside the restaurant on the street lane NEAREST the train track. When all of a sudden, in the coming darkness, we heard a diesel train horn from the direction of the woods slightly up the hill. Our hearts beat in anticipation.

Oh my, here it comes.



I hustled a family member into the frame as the train continued moving towards us at a good rate of speed (about 20-25mph I would estimate).



The locomotive passed us by and it is VERY close.



It was far enough away from our Honda in the pic to NOT snag the car door (if it were open) on the side where the tracks are BUT there was not enough room to WALK AROUND an open door toward the nose of the car if you got out and headed in that direction.

I would estimate there were 50-60 freight cars in the consist.



Finally the end of the train passed us going down the slight hill. Sadly cabooses no longer bring up the rear - it's just a red light.



This encounter was the HIGHLIGHT of our night. Like a free dessert for dinner only it was REAL. It turns out there is a train viewing platform about 2 blocks down from the restaurant.

https://touroldham.com/trains/

So if you are passing along I-71 between Cincinnati and Louisville and want to experience a "drive-by" diesel locomotive/train encounter, stop off in LaGrange, KY and head downtown. It probably won't take long.

It was the talk of the entire trip (other than seeing family at the reunion, of course).

Bama Ed

PS - the interwebz says LaGrange is one of a few (can count 'em on one hand) cities that allows trains regularly down the street of town in routine, daily, modern service. Not counting tourist lines like Great Smokey Mountain RR, etc.