I saw this layout at the NMRA convention in Hartford this past weekend! Truly impressive but they were only running one Acela and one regional. Still awesome!
Sidewalkpilot: you didn't make or even work on this layout -- I've seen your site and you don't have the fraction of the imagination needed to even dream of something like this. Give us ALL a break here and don't even pretend that you did -- such a falsehood goes beyond the pale, insulting the craftsmen (and women, if such is the case) who have done such a splendid work.
The shows in 2009 scheduled so far are: NMRA National Train Show, Hartford, CT, July; I-Hobby Expo, Rosemont, IL, October; Trainfest, Milwaukee, WI, November.
I want a long, simple layout to enjoy watching long passenger consists run. Would a third sawhorse as a center brace between two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood work well?
Dear diburning Your comments are being removed because they contain errors. The HHP-8 model by Bachmann is a Spectrum Model. There is nothing wrong with me running a seven car Acela trainset on my model. The geometry car is modeled using an extra end-business car as per the prototype.
Yes, I just realized that they do have a geometry car, but they have to remove it before the train goes into the shop. The shop (which is in Boston, where I live) is only long enough for 6 cars plus the power cars. Acela was originally intended to have 8 cars plus the powercars but the building wasn't long enough. Acela is serviced in Boston whereas the other engines are serviced elsewhere. Since Acela consists aren't broken apart much, they service the entire train at the same time.
Dear dlburning....check Trainworld for the best prices on an HHP-8. They've got your price beat by miles. ALSO PLEASE READ THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS. They explain the seven car Acela consist. THERE IS A 7 CAR CONSIST!!!
Wow great layout. Im a acela modeler aswel and have a complete set but with the train pictured above there should only be 6 "passenger"cars 1 first class,3 business class,1 end business class, and a cafe.Other then that i would love to see the layout in person
As modeler myself I am not only impressed with your acela layout but dumbfounded on how you created the cantinaries. I would have sworn I could see the overhead wires between those cantinaries. Even for layouts depicting electric railways this is rare for me to see. Impressed and dumbfounded.
Mr. Harrison, it's me, Ahmed, the CTA employee you met in rosemont. I recently uploaded a slideshow of my layout onto the site. Visit my page if you get a chance.
This video was recorded mainly at Trainfest in Milwaukee. The 2007 Trainfest is this coming weekend, Nov 10/11. at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. I regularly display at three to four shows per year...I-Hobby Expo in Rosemont, IL in October, Trainfest, Amherst in W. Springfield in January, and the NMRA National in the summer, but not in 2008.
Dear Snowball787. If you would read the previous comments, you would see that someone else tried to say that my consist was wrong, but I kindly corrected him. (continues below X3)
The consist is not wrong...RARE, yes, but not wrong. In order for the Acela to run at 150 MPH, Amtrak must have a track geometry vehicle capable of 150 MPH. That vehicle is housed in an extra end business car and when it is intrained, the car consist is seven cars, not the typical six cars and NO PASSENGERS RIDE IN THAT CAR. It is always intrained next to the power car. When not in testing service, the geometry car is often intrained in a trainset held in reserve.
. I was invited to Washington one time to video it, but it had been sent out as a replacement. I videoed the seven car consist on its return at Philly's 30th Street station. It was intrained in front of the regular end business car...so yes, the trainset had two end business cars. By the way, since the test car wasn't in service, just deadheading in the trainset, it was completely EMPTY...no technicians whatsoever.
Recently the FRA needed to test a new geometry car at the Pueblo CO facility and Amtrak deadheaded an HHP-8 to conduct the test. The HHP-8 is the ONLY locomotive capable of hauling the test car at those speeds. Pueblo has catenary over the high speed test loop. Yep, got pics of the HHP-8 in Chicago on its return trip. Yes #2..an AEM-7 could have done it too.
Dear tf51d. The seven car trainset duplicates the Acela Express operatingwith the track geometry car entrained. The track geometry equipment is contained in an extra end business car placed inbetwen the regular end business car and the power car. Of course no passengers ride this car.
achally it is 8 cars including the 2 power cars, and you've got it out of order not to be picky or anything. oh ya and in the real one people do ride the end buisness class car.
Nice layout! To be prototypical however, the Acela's normally operate with 8 cars not 9. 2 Engines one on each end, and 6 cars comprising of 1 first class, 4 business class and 1 Bistro cars.
i see acelas and aem7's all the time, i like the real ones better. I still like the model ones but since i see em all the time in real life i dont care so much. No offense.
Mr. Al Mayo. I have to say you just proved your critics correct. This time though I'm really shocked at your rantings. Kind of goes against what you want people to believe whom you are isn't it?
THAT IS AN AWESOME LAYOUT!!!
RandomFilmsSgf 6 months ago
Awesome layout, what does your schedule look like for 2011?
stocksj 1 year ago
I have seen this before. Too bad it is not bigger.
metraF40PH163 1 year ago
forget the Acela, lets see some more of the GG1 :) lol great video!!
cubspiano 2 years ago
wow this is an awesome layout!!!!
cjk247 2 years ago
I saw this layout at the NMRA convention in Hartford this past weekend! Truly impressive but they were only running one Acela and one regional. Still awesome!
prorobo 2 years ago
how much did that cost to bild (shit loads )\
Kneebone10 2 years ago
If only they had catenary structures shaped like that on the New York, New Haven and Hartford (now Metro-North) ROW.
travelsonic 2 years ago
Naa, we prefer our catenary.
milky27oreo 2 years ago
To each his/her own I guess :D
travelsonic 2 years ago
I would have made the Acela scoot much faster than the other trains, but an enjoyable vid nonetheless.
calledkevinalot 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
who gives a shit what you think? i worked hard on this layout so give me a mother fucking break
sidewalkpilot 2 years ago
Comment removed
calledkevinalot 2 years ago
Comment removed
calledkevinalot 2 years ago
Sidewalkpilot: you didn't make or even work on this layout -- I've seen your site and you don't have the fraction of the imagination needed to even dream of something like this. Give us ALL a break here and don't even pretend that you did -- such a falsehood goes beyond the pale, insulting the craftsmen (and women, if such is the case) who have done such a splendid work.
calledkevinalot 2 years ago 2
cool layout but the first class car was in the wrong spot
Acela150Kid 2 years ago
The shows in 2009 scheduled so far are: NMRA National Train Show, Hartford, CT, July; I-Hobby Expo, Rosemont, IL, October; Trainfest, Milwaukee, WI, November.
msibnsf 2 years ago
That's a fantastic layout! Definitely something I'd like to see in person. I love the AEM-7 consist as well! I can't seem to find those anywhere!
prorobo 2 years ago
AWESOME 5/5
pjtesar101 2 years ago
where is the train show?
RioGranderules 3 years ago 2
VERY Cool! I sent this to a few friends that have never seen trains like this before. They think these are cool, too! ^_^
Kudos!
Modeltrainguy 3 years ago
Good video!
musthavejava 3 years ago
i have the acela train and you know the passenger cars from where i come from -Dikson city PA- are VERY HARD TO FIND!!!
pranxter08 3 years ago
id love to have a layout likethis. if i could just get off the ground with it.
boeingLL747 3 years ago
you can! buy a couple of metal sawhorses at Home depot or Lowes. (the sawhorses are the things that look like an A when you open it up)
thetreeregimovies 3 years ago
I want a long, simple layout to enjoy watching long passenger consists run. Would a third sawhorse as a center brace between two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood work well?
musthavejava 3 years ago
How well does HO scale match up with 15mm figures?
thomasbhunter007 3 years ago
Wow nice layout iwhs i had the tiem and miney to build one.
meguell3 3 years ago
Dear diburning Your comments are being removed because they contain errors. The HHP-8 model by Bachmann is a Spectrum Model. There is nothing wrong with me running a seven car Acela trainset on my model. The geometry car is modeled using an extra end-business car as per the prototype.
D. Harrison
msibnsf 3 years ago
spectrum is a very nice train company but i dont think that bachman is the best they are both very nice train distributers watch my train video
pranxter08 3 years ago 2
i like athaern or however yall spell it O: thats where I get all my F7's
PossessedDonutz 2 years ago
Spectrum is a higher Bachman line dingleberry.
railman62 2 years ago
Yes, I just realized that they do have a geometry car, but they have to remove it before the train goes into the shop. The shop (which is in Boston, where I live) is only long enough for 6 cars plus the power cars. Acela was originally intended to have 8 cars plus the powercars but the building wasn't long enough. Acela is serviced in Boston whereas the other engines are serviced elsewhere. Since Acela consists aren't broken apart much, they service the entire train at the same time.
diburning 3 years ago
and very sensitive
devildog947 3 years ago
Dear dlburning....check Trainworld for the best prices on an HHP-8. They've got your price beat by miles. ALSO PLEASE READ THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS. They explain the seven car Acela consist. THERE IS A 7 CAR CONSIST!!!
David Harrison msibnsf
msibnsf 3 years ago
I don't have an AEM7 but I can get a HHP with working panto in HO Scale for like $200.
Did anyone notice that the acela had 7 cars? In the real Acela, they only have 6.
diburning 3 years ago
why did u pay that much... got mine for 65.00 w/o DCC but i added that later
devildog947 3 years ago
ebay would bve ur best shot...normally there is one up for sale
devildog947 3 years ago
i like ebay
toyrailroad 3 years ago
im only 16 still yound lke u and fyi i built and decaled the aem7 my self from another train.try atlas to see if they have any availbe
devildog947 3 years ago
i SO need to get the acela express
milky27oreo 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Wow! Cool Video! I really like it a lot. Make sure to come check out my car site at: CarCommunities . Com
MiaNiels 3 years ago
Wow great layout. Im a acela modeler aswel and have a complete set but with the train pictured above there should only be 6 "passenger"cars 1 first class,3 business class,1 end business class, and a cafe.Other then that i would love to see the layout in person
devildog947 3 years ago
As modeler myself I am not only impressed with your acela layout but dumbfounded on how you created the cantinaries. I would have sworn I could see the overhead wires between those cantinaries. Even for layouts depicting electric railways this is rare for me to see. Impressed and dumbfounded.
ph11p3540 4 years ago 2
im building the acela express phili to provident on ho scale but can i model fake philli overhead power to the tracks
memphis239 4 years ago
Mr. Harrison, it's me, Ahmed, the CTA employee you met in rosemont. I recently uploaded a slideshow of my layout onto the site. Visit my page if you get a chance.
donaldbee 4 years ago
great layout!
dabearsboy 4 years ago
spectacular
JohannStapelberg 4 years ago
man i wish i had room to fit a layout out bigger than my 8'*8'
teddythebear1234 4 years ago
This video was recorded mainly at Trainfest in Milwaukee. The 2007 Trainfest is this coming weekend, Nov 10/11. at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. I regularly display at three to four shows per year...I-Hobby Expo in Rosemont, IL in October, Trainfest, Amherst in W. Springfield in January, and the NMRA National in the summer, but not in 2008.
msibnsf 4 years ago
where was this? Do the have it every year? Great vid
CoasterManiak10 4 years ago
Cool! =D
Modeltrainguy 4 years ago
Dear Snowball787. If you would read the previous comments, you would see that someone else tried to say that my consist was wrong, but I kindly corrected him. (continues below X3)
msibnsf 4 years ago
i know i know just pointing out oh ya and how did you get the over head wiring on your set, because i'm trying sooo hard and i can't.
snowball787 4 years ago
The consist is not wrong...RARE, yes, but not wrong. In order for the Acela to run at 150 MPH, Amtrak must have a track geometry vehicle capable of 150 MPH. That vehicle is housed in an extra end business car and when it is intrained, the car consist is seven cars, not the typical six cars and NO PASSENGERS RIDE IN THAT CAR. It is always intrained next to the power car. When not in testing service, the geometry car is often intrained in a trainset held in reserve.
msibnsf 4 years ago
. I was invited to Washington one time to video it, but it had been sent out as a replacement. I videoed the seven car consist on its return at Philly's 30th Street station. It was intrained in front of the regular end business car...so yes, the trainset had two end business cars. By the way, since the test car wasn't in service, just deadheading in the trainset, it was completely EMPTY...no technicians whatsoever.
msibnsf 4 years ago
Recently the FRA needed to test a new geometry car at the Pueblo CO facility and Amtrak deadheaded an HHP-8 to conduct the test. The HHP-8 is the ONLY locomotive capable of hauling the test car at those speeds. Pueblo has catenary over the high speed test loop. Yep, got pics of the HHP-8 in Chicago on its return trip. Yes #2..an AEM-7 could have done it too.
msibnsf 4 years ago
nice layout anyways, i'm making mine and its going to be (hopefully) 12ft by 6ft smaller because i have less room.
snowball787 4 years ago
Id's like to have a layout like this, but of course mine would be in Chicago!
I'd still probably run my Acela on it though.
LightMyFire92 4 years ago
Dear tf51d. The seven car trainset duplicates the Acela Express operatingwith the track geometry car entrained. The track geometry equipment is contained in an extra end business car placed inbetwen the regular end business car and the power car. Of course no passengers ride this car.
msibnsf 4 years ago
achally it is 8 cars including the 2 power cars, and you've got it out of order not to be picky or anything. oh ya and in the real one people do ride the end buisness class car.
snowball787 4 years ago
Nice layout! To be prototypical however, the Acela's normally operate with 8 cars not 9. 2 Engines one on each end, and 6 cars comprising of 1 first class, 4 business class and 1 Bistro cars.
tf51d 4 years ago
i have a 4x8 layout i will try and get photos or a video at least on you tube its coming out nice i hope i get it to look how i want soon :)
jangalomph 4 years ago
i see acelas and aem7's all the time, i like the real ones better. I still like the model ones but since i see em all the time in real life i dont care so much. No offense.
Cooldit 4 years ago
cool nice set up
psp310 4 years ago
Love the AEM7's. Nice setup!
NYCSystem 4 years ago
Mr. Al Mayo. I have to say you just proved your critics correct. This time though I'm really shocked at your rantings. Kind of goes against what you want people to believe whom you are isn't it?
jubylives 4 years ago
I love that layout and I absolutly love the trains
BNSFDisneyZildjian 4 years ago
Amazing layout.
CSXTES44DC 4 years ago
i really enjoyed lay out ..i saw this in Philly last summer NMRA.on Bday last year.i like the pennsy wiring style n urban grit...
Bootsy40Cabcar 5 years ago