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Re: The Effects of 3D Printing on Model Railroading

 by Desertdweller ¦  Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:57 pm ¦  Forum: Toy Trains, Model Railroading, Outdoor and Live Steam ¦  Topic: The Effects of 3D Printing on Model Railroading ¦  Replies: 13 ¦  Views: 10187

CNJ, I think the survey results you allude to are quite telling. As the average age of model railroaders increases in close proportion to the dates indicated, do you supposed the individuals polled are in fact the same people? I think this is highly likely, as people who get into the hobby as young ...

Re: The Effects of 3D Printing on Model Railroading

 by Desertdweller ¦  Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:34 pm ¦  Forum: Toy Trains, Model Railroading, Outdoor and Live Steam ¦  Topic: The Effects of 3D Printing on Model Railroading ¦  Replies: 13 ¦  Views: 10187

I saw the cover of the current "Model Railroader". Cover story was using a 3D printer to produce model structures. Other articles featured DCC. This sort of stuff is why I no longer buy that magazine. How many model railroaders happen to own a 3D printer? How many would spend several thous...

Re: Legacy Lounge CUS

 by Desertdweller ¦  Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:13 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Legacy Lounge CUS ¦  Replies: 24 ¦  Views: 4511

I was enjoying a drink in an observation-lounge car (don't remember what train). While standing at the bar, I overheard two guys talking about a third one. "He was such a Goober, he was wearing blue pants and brown shoes!" I looked sadly down at my blue pants and brown shoes. Finished my d...

Re: Legacy Lounge CUS

 by Desertdweller ¦  Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:59 am ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Legacy Lounge CUS ¦  Replies: 24 ¦  Views: 4511

It's been ten years since I've been in Chicago and the Met Lounge. But back then it wasn't bad at all. It was a welcome place to spend time between trains and away from the crowded rush of the rest of the terminal. The refreshments were simple but welcome. Best of all, one had free access to one's b...

Re: Amtrak Saddest Stations? <POLL QUESTION>

 by Desertdweller ¦  Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:46 am ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Amtrak Saddest Stations? <POLL QUESTION> ¦  Replies: 69 ¦  Views: 14088

Jeff,

I've only used the Hartford station once, but from your story, it sounds like you would have been handled better at Willoughby.

Les

Re: Amtrak Saddest Stations? <POLL QUESTION>

 by Desertdweller ¦  Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:22 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Amtrak Saddest Stations? <POLL QUESTION> ¦  Replies: 69 ¦  Views: 14088

I haven't seen it in four years, but the Deming, NM "station" was (is?) pretty sad. The original station (shared by SP and ATSF) has been moved to a location away from the tracks and restored. It is now a transit bus station and community center. The station that replaced it is a shed with...

Re: Fascinating Article - September 2015 TRAINS

 by Desertdweller ¦  Sat Aug 01, 2015 5:47 pm ¦  Forum: General Class I and II Discussion ¦  Topic: Fascinating Article - September 2015 TRAINS ¦  Replies: 13 ¦  Views: 6233

Gilbert: I am not a Trains reader (Classic Trains, yes), but as a retired Operating Department person, I do have a couple comments. 4. Milwaukee Road's Pacific Extension: This had potential that was never realized do to poor management decisions. The problem was not the extension, but the way it was...

Re: RPO Placement in Train

 by Desertdweller ¦  Sat Aug 01, 2015 5:15 pm ¦  Forum: General Discussion - Passenger Rail: High Speed and Heavy and Light Rail Systems ¦  Topic: RPO Placement in Train ¦  Replies: 1 ¦  Views: 2887

I believe the placement of RPO cars is determined by the contract with the post office department. Obviously, passage through the RPO section of the car was not allowed by persons not postal employees. So if the train had a working RPO and a working baggage section in the same car, the baggage secti...

Re: Funding Discussion

 by Desertdweller ¦  Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:55 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Funding Discussion - Amtrak DC Politics RELATED TO RAIL! ¦  Replies: 153 ¦  Views: 33971

I think you are either misunderstanding my point, or are comparing apples to oranges. The NEC has the population density, the money, and the political pull to support high train frequency. I am not suggesting 3x a day service between Tombstone and Yuma. What I am suggesting is a train network that w...

Re: Station Size/Grand Station Revival - Food for thought

 by Desertdweller ¦  Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:27 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Station Size/Grand Station Revival - Food for thought ¦  Replies: 45 ¦  Views: 7509

MBTA: I did not know the CB&Q Omaha station has been re-purposed, but am glad to hear that it is. When I visited the UP station (now the Durham Museum), the consensus was that the CB&Q terminal was beyond saving. mtuandrew: Denver Union Station was built as a through station, but I don't thi...

Re: Funding Discussion

 by Desertdweller ¦  Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:42 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Funding Discussion - Amtrak DC Politics RELATED TO RAIL! ¦  Replies: 153 ¦  Views: 33971

Greg, The ridership is on the NEC because that is where the trains are. And that is where the money is spent. And that is where the political power is. AMTRAK is supposed to be a nation-wide system. I think the big problem with the organization of AMTRAK (I really think it was set up to fail) is tha...

Re: Station Size/Grand Station Revival - Food for thought

 by Desertdweller ¦  Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:17 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Station Size/Grand Station Revival - Food for thought ¦  Replies: 45 ¦  Views: 7509

Many of the larger terminals were intentionally overbuilt as examples of civic pride and as monuments to their owning railroads. We are fortunate that the remaining ones survived the 1960's and 70's, when many classic and historical buildings were demolished in the name of "urban renewal"....

Re: Funding Discussion

 by Desertdweller ¦  Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:28 pm ¦  Forum: Amtrak ¦  Topic: Funding Discussion - Amtrak DC Politics RELATED TO RAIL! ¦  Replies: 153 ¦  Views: 33971

I would just like to remind AMTRAK that there are taxpayers out here who have minimal or no train service. The focus on funding is focused on the NEC. Certain metro areas get funding for commuter rail. The rest of the country gets nothing. Why do you think it is called "fly-over country"? ...

Re: History of the E-unit

 by Desertdweller ¦  Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:29 pm ¦  Forum: EMD - Electro-Motive (Progress Rail, General Motors) ¦  Topic: History of the E-unit ¦  Replies: 62 ¦  Views: 36683

Maybe the reason EMD waited so long to use turbos was on account of concerns about reliability and maintenance. This is the reason GP38's are so popular with small railroads. A non-turbo 645 seems to be cheaper to maintain than a turbo 567. Also, in sustained low-speed operation, non-turbo units ten...

Gadfly, I too hoped the ACE 3000 was going to be successful. I think two things really killed this idea. First, steam technology would have required new servicing facilities, tools, and trained mechanics. It had been too long since the disappearance of steam, the people familiar with it were retired...

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