Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Back to the Seaboard Central.  I'm still fascinated with the Auto Train after our first ride last week, so I'm really tempted to pick up a couple of these Con Cor auto racks to tack onto the rear of the train and continue on building a reasonably compressed consist.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Con-Cor-N-Tri-Auto-Rack-Amtrak-III-p/ccr-0001-014760.htm?CartID=4

Con Cor offered three numbers, and MBK still has two of them (I need to order that F40PH decoder, too!).  I'm not sure I'd want more than three of these auto racks anyway, because (1) these cars are expensive considering their quality (i.e., compared to the much nicer Red Caboose auto racks), (2) they are complete foobs for Amtrak auto racks in the 1980s, and (3) if this train gets any longer on this layout, it will literally be chasing its tail.  But, I can live with the foobiness, because this entire consist that I'm building is a fantasy anyway.  Amtrak didn't add Superliners to the Auto Train until the 1990s.

I think that I could make them look better with some subtle weathering and some not-so-subtle carbody lowering.  These things, as built by Con Cor, appear that they could ride out the flooding that Hurricane Arthur is inflicting on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as we speak.

Thoughts?

DFF

[Bob Bufkin]

The real Auto Train

[davefoxx]

I agree, Bob, but that Auto Train was gone by 1981.  I model 1983-86, so Amtrak had taken over.  It's interesting to think about what would have happened to the original Auto Train, if they hadn't tried to expand into other areas of the country unprofitably and suffered multiple severe derailments due to broken wheels and a freight road's poorly maintained track.

DFF

[Rich_S]

The real Auto Train

Bob, I agree that is the real Auto Train but since I don't think any of that equipment exists in "N" scale, Dave is stuck with the next best thing. Amtrak F40PH's, passenger cars and Con-Cor Amtrak Autoracks for his Seaboard Central layout. Also remember they are detouring over the Seaboard Central and some of that equipment is being tried out on Amtrak train #92 

On a side note, anyone that has a subscription to MR Video Plus, Jim Hediger did a nice two piece video on the Auto-Train Corporation Auto-Train in his History According to Hediger series.

http://mrv.trains.com/series/history-according-hediger/2013/09/history-according-to-hediger-riding-the-auto-train

http://mrv.trains.com/series/history-according-hediger/2013/10/history-according-to-hediger-modeling-the-auto-train-in-ho-scale

Dave, Not trying to steal your thread but, I was always impressed with the Auto-Train idea. I've never had the chance to ride the train, and I wish I could have rode the Auto-Train Corporation version.

[GimpLizard]

Bob, I agree that is the real Auto Train but since I don't think any of that equipment exists in "N" scale, Dave is stuck with the next best thing.

Back in my early days of N scale (early 80's) I had a Bachmann U-boat in original Auto-Train colors. But not for long. A bottle of Testors and a paint brush took care of it right quick. Don't recall what color I painted it. Didn't much care. 

[davefoxx]

All right, so here's what I've got so far for a foobie Auto Train in the 1980s.  In other words, the F40PH locomotives are wrong (P30CHs would be more appropriate), the Superliners are wrong (should be heritage fleet and Amfleet cars), and the auto carriers are foobies (don't get me started).  But, I like this train, and that's all that matters.

Tonight, I decodorized the second F40PH, which went much better than my first attempt, e.g., I figured out how to get the shell off in less than one hour and I didn't even try to just use the plastic clip to hold the motor contacts into place.  I soldered the contacts directly to the decoder board.  Worked perfectly the first time.  Victory!

I modified the two Con-Cor auto carriers by cutting off the couplers from the stock trucks and body-mounting them.  I replaced the trucks with BLMA 70-ton trucks and Fox Valley wheelsets, which helped lower the cars, improving their look tremendously.

DFF

[eric220]

Nice! Although I think you're missing about 7/8 of the train... 

[Chris333]

Speaking of Autotrain. How are those roads comin'? 

[basementcalling]

You need a few more auto racks Dave. No way all the passengers in those Superliners fit their vehicles into just two cars.

Still loving the kudzu. What weed killer are you using to keep it fromtaking over the whole layout? 

[davefoxx]

Yeah, I know my train is significantly deficient in its rolling stock.  I've purchased the only auto carriers that I have found so far.  Con-Cor makes three, but I haven't found the third car yet.  A long time ago, Bachmann offered an auto carrier that, believe it or not, reasonably matched the old, original Auto Train carriers, but I haven't found any of those yet.  So, this is what I have so far.  I still like it.

DFF

Oh, I stopped watering the kudzu a long time ago.  That's helped keep it under control.   

[davefoxx]

Speaking of Autotrain. How are those roads comin'? 

They ain't.  Between work and/or being out of town most weekends so far this summer, I've not made any real progress on the layout.  I'm also at the point where I have to build the next railroad crossing, which will be a huge pain in the butt, due to the 10" radius of the track.  Maybe this weekend.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Nice! Although I think you're missing about 7/8 of the train... 

Heh, it's probably closer to 70-75% missing, but you've seen my layout.  Not only would a large train be chasing its tail, but I couldn't fit a prototype length Auto Train on my mainline.   

DFF

[mcjaco]

Very nice Dave.  I still think the Superliners are some of Kato's finest work.

Although, I think those F40s are screaming for Heritage and Amfleets. 


Also, I like spending other people's money.  So there.  Go forth and buy more Amtrak.

[sizemore]

You need some Amtubes!


The S.

[davefoxx]

I've got four Kato Phase III Amtubes, and they are also very nice.  However, they don't belong on this train.  If someone wants to offer proof of the mixing of Amfleet and Superliners on the Auto Train, let me know!

If I ever build a period-correct Auto Train, then the Amtubes can mix in with some heritage fleet cars.  But, unfortunately, I'm not made of money, nor do I have time to really scratchbuild or kitbash that train.

By the way, what a coincidence, I'd rather spend Matt's (mcjaco) money! 

DFF