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GATSME MODEL RR CLUB - SEASON 7
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| June 2-4, 2008 |
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There is nothing to relate today, other
than a ten hour driving day through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and part of
Pennsylvania. There was construction all the way. 
Another driving day, this time
through Pennsylvania on the Turnpike. Opened in something like 1937, it
was the first super highway in the nation. It's a pretty drive, but at
two lanes, it does take some concentration. We stopped for lunch in
Hershey, the town that chocolate built. It was a company town, and the
factory is still there, with tours and amusement parks, hotel and conference
facilities. And of course, all things chocolate.
 Today's shoot was the GATSME model
railroad club, in Fort Washington, PA. The club has modeled several
lines in Pennsylvania, adding their own inspiration to the design.
Located under an old school building, the operation has standard and narrow
gauge combined in a 1950's era railroad. The club is interested in
public displays, and decided to model
several divisions of the former Pennsylvania Railroad. So while there is
a main line for major operations, say between Philadelphia and Erie, the
operation has several branch lines. These serve a host of industries,
including timber, seafood, mining, furniture and grain. We did a couple
of interviews, and then started running trains. The whole operation is DCC,
and it was the usual business of move a train, change angle and
 do
it again. We worked our way around the layout, visiting all the branches
and getting a combination of narrow gauge, steam and diesel operation.
They even had a couple of RDCs. They must have known I like them! We
finished in late afternoon, and headed back to the hotel for the evening. |
BAY COAST RAILROAD REDUX - SEASON 7
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Today we headed
 back
to Cape Charles, VA, and our friends at the Bay Coast Railroad. When
were last here, they were waiting the arrival or a restored motor car, which
was to be used for dinner train and passenger ride service. The car was
originally built by the St. Louis Car company in 1913, for service in Texas.
It ran until around 1948, when it ended up as a residence. The car was
restored, and
arrived early this year. It is nicely redone, and seats 30
for a return to
dining service on the rails on the Del Marva Peninsula. Rail is
certainly the way to go, as it was a long drive down the peninsula. But
it was worth it to see the little beauty back in action, almost a 100 years
later. It has a rich mahogany interior, with stained glass windows and
is fully air conditioned. We managed to get everything we needed today
and will head back up to Wilmington tomorrow. |
WILMINGTON & WESTERN RR - SEASON 7
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What was supposed to be a short
drive up to Wilmington, DE, turned into something a lot longer today.
The main highway off the Del Marva Peninsula was closed, due to some hostage,
or police action. We waited, backtracked, and finally were able to get
around it on a very limited road system. It turned out to be a much
longer day than anticipated.
 Today
we started with the Wilmington & Western Railroad. This is a nice little
10 mile tourist line, which winds through the Red Clay Valley close to
Wilmington, DE. There are roughly ten bridges and trestles, so it makes
for some really lovely photo opportunities. This was originally B&O and Chessie right of way, and serviced industries along the
creek. There was
also an amusement park - Brandywine Park - which was an entertainment complex
in the 1920s. The railroad now has a nice little station complex, next to an
old mill, and some really nicely restored heavyweight coaches. Engines
consist of a couple of SW-1s, several steam engines, and a 1929 Pullman
Standard doodlebug, which is an early self contained rail passenger/freight
car. Restored and now powered by two Cummins engines, the unit can run
short passenger hauls, carry some light freight, and do so in comfort.
Think of it as an early Budd RDC, designed for lines with low service.
The railroad is a very
 smooth running operation, with heavy rail and lots of
new bridges. The bridges are a result of two hurricanes back in the
1990's, which pretty much wiped out the line by intense flooding. Under
the direction of the executive director, David Ludlow, the line obtained
federal disaster relief money, and rebuilt. We did a lot of running with
the doodlebug today, stopping at several scenic waterfalls, and areas close to
the DuPont family estates. In fact, we ran the thing to the end of the
line, had lunch, and went back home. Pretty cool. It was a hot
day, though, in the 90's, with corresponding humidity. Tomorrow we will
run their 4-4-0 American steam loco with passenger service.
Today was another hot one - 97
degrees. And we were working today with the #98, a 4-4-0 American class
steam loco. The volunteers here at the
 Wilmington
& Western really went out of their way to help us out. As a case in
point, several got up at 3 AM, to fire the engine, so that we could get it
running by 10 AM. We did several runs with the engine, getting shots
that would have taken a week without immense cooperation, and then were
dropped off at Mt. Cuba, the highest point around at about 250 feet.
There is a picnic area there, and
we just relaxed in the shade and watched the water in the Red Clay Creek,
until the engine showed up with it's first load of passengers. The train
arrived right on schedule, carrying a birthday party in the red caboose'
The bright blue coaches were former interurban coaches, complete with rattan
seats. They were refurbished in 1962, and have been operating ever
since. And they are in remarkable shape. They carried a load of
people who
 were ready to enjoy the relaxing half hour in the woods. And
some people in kayaks showed
up, almost on cue. Then it was time to depart, shooting the people on
board, the engine again, and the original Yorklyn Station, which is now the
Visitors Center and Museum. We got a few shots of the Greenbank Station,
the train leaving on it's last run, and we were headed for the hotel pool.
We really appreciate all the cooperation from the staff and volunteers of the
railroad. We had a great time, and if any reader's are in the
Wilmington, DE area (it's only 33 miles to Strasburg), stop in and look this
little gem over..
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NASSAU LIONEL OPERATING ENGINEERS - SEASON 7
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The east coast of the US is in the triple digits today.
We fought our way across the Queens Expressway and into Long Island.
That was the day.
New York traffic lived up to it's fearsome reputation
today, as we tried to get onto the Long Island Expressway. There was
some blockage, and by
 the
time we used the GPS to figure out an alternative route, we were an hour and
half late. The Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers are located under a
pool hall, which is in turn located in a strip mall in Levittown, NY.
They have been in existence since the 1980s. and this is their second layout.
They sent a professional designer their
parameters and had the layout designed over a two year period. As the
name would suggest, this is an O gauge operation, using TMCC as a control
system. It is quite exciting to see large freights and passenger trains
running on the four continuous main lines. The club has some nice little
vignettes set up, with ample scenery and personal detail. The members
own the locomotives, so there is always a variety of trains to run.
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CENTRAL OPERATING LINES MODEL RR CLUB - SEASON 7
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 Today
took us to the Central Operating Lines, in Ronkonkoma, NY. This is an O
gauge high rail layout, with an emphasis on running. This is the fourth
location in their almost 30 year existence, and is about 30x55. So there
are ample main lines, bridges, trestles, and various scenes. Towns and
engine yards anchor the ends, and in between there s a lot of track to give
plenty of train action. It
really is nice to see all these large
trains running around. The are
quite a few people in the towns, and one feature is a major passenger
terminal. This was built by one of the members, and features 8 below
level tracks, a
 detailed
interior, and a glass roof. There are the requisite number of bridges,
tunnels, and lots and lots of running trains. The club also does an
annual car project as a fund raiser, and is currently moving from single cars
to multiple car packs. |
RAILROADS OF STRASBURG - SEASON 7
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We departed Long Island this morning at 5:30 AM, but I'd
been up since 4 anyway, fretting about traffic. Why people put up with
all this is beyond me. We did make good time, getting just ahead of the
rush into the city,
 and
were on the Jersey Turnpike by 8. So we arrived at the Strasburg Rail
Road around mid morning. The railroad sits right in
the middle of Amish
country, and features steam, and a well know, full facility restoration shop.
We did our interview with the railroad's president and CMO, and then chased
trains. The place is gearing up for a Thomas event, which
starts on Saturday, and we don't want to be around for that. They are a
madhouse. The line is a short one - only a few miles and a 45 minute
ride
out
and back. Today they were using #475, and a former Norfolk & Western
4-8-0, with a consist of wonderful old heavyweight passenger cars. A
neat addition was the #10 business car, which was originally built for the
Reading Railroad. It has a plush interior, and a shocking pink bathroom,
which was done at the insistence of the railroad presidents wife. We
made good time, with our shooting, with the help of our guide and contact,
Anne Marie. In fact, we did so well today, that I think we are finished
with the railroad. Tomorrow we move n the Pennsylvania State Railroad
Museum.
 We
arrived early to get the interview with David Dunn, the museum director.
That went off without a hitch, as I suspect he has done this numerous times
for film crews from all over the world. And then we started in on the B
roll. The museum as a great collection. While there are a lot of
little exhibits, the place is large enough to house many examples of
Pennsylvania locomotives and rolling stock in a protected environment.
The GG1 is there, as are numerous
steam, diesel, and electric locomotives from all eras f the railroad.
There is also rolling stock, which is representative of the types of cars used
on he railroad. There is emphasis on interactive displays, including
items such as a locomotive simulator, and plenty of hands on things for
children (and adults) to play with, operate, and
 just
generally allow them to obtain an insight into the world of railroading.
There is a restoration shop, outdoor displays, and rotating exhibits. If
you are ever in the area, don't miss it. Think of the museum as the east
coast anchor, while the California State Museum is the west coast anchor.
We finished in good time, and headed home. It is supposed to rain for
the next several days. Plus the Thomas event starts here tomorrow.
We want to be gone. |
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