Chris Gilbert Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Afternoon all, Thought I would post an update on my Alaskan CTU Spur layout. After a few shows this year, which had highlighted the shortcomings of the layout I have given it a makeover. As with Haston's makeover, it involved moving states, this time some 4000 miles from Anchorage AK to Florida City, FL. The photo's below should show what I've done. but the main points are replacing the warehouse, The one in the photos was built be Steve Williams and very nice it is too. The grade crossing has been removed ( loco's stalled a few to many times for my liking BMLA signals have been added (almost working,,,) The biggest change I've made is adding a station and passenger service, hence the signals, I've still got to sort out the fiddle yard to rebuild because it was far too small. Hopefully it should all be ready for Warley and the NEC next month. Sorry about the photos, the iphone and fluorescent tubes don't get on... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted October 14, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 14, 2012 Wow... That's some relocation.. Out with snow and in with the palm trees!! The Tri Rail livery is so striking. Gold to see fellow Florida modellers on here. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Looking good, Chris. Steve's warehouse is very nice too. The Tri-Rail looks great,wish I could fit one on Deerfield Beach. Look forward to seeing more. regards, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Looks good Chris, certainly a one platform station suits Florida. Those station lights look great! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I can only echo the other comments - looking good , and great to see modern passenger operations modelled. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtwo Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 I liked it as an Alaskan layout, But, I love it as a Floridian layout!! I'll be looking forward to seeing it at Warley. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Chris, check out the last 30 seconds of this video. The Tri-Rail looks like a model, and why do they need 2 engines to haul 3 passenger cars? There'a also a nice Geep + 1 boxcar chase in Tolga's video. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Not sure if that is the same tri-rail tran at the begining of the actual video at the ceossing - nteresting proof that the sky isn't always blue in Florida, too - unlike what the TV would have you believe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 That's the afternoon T-Storm that comes in at 4:45pm precisely.............. We had a tropical airmass over us this past Summer (for a couple of weeks) and you could almost set your watch by watching the clouds build. then all hell broke loose for about 20 minutes (only). Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted October 17, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 17, 2012 Yes I remember being in Florida and torrential rain in the afternoons. I remember being in a stationary queue of traffic whilst the swing bridge onto Key Largo was opened to allow a ship to go through - the rain was so heavy that we couldn't see out of the windscreen even with the wipers on full speed. It was just aswell we were stationary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Chris, check out the last 30 seconds of this video. The Tri-Rail looks like a model, and why do they need 2 engines to haul 3 passenger cars? Mal Thanks Mal I guess the GP49 runs as well as the Athearn model version I know their stock is coming to the end of its life and they are waiting 10 new Brookville BL36PH loco and new coaches but these will be used on the new FEC seaction. A lot of servies are now just run with two cars not three, because the cars need overhauling. I've just got to wait 282 days before we go out there for our 2013 hols.... A ride on Tri-Rail is a must... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Chris , I thought that the Brookville BL36s were for the Sunrail scheme? I've got a plan to visit Tri-Rail next year ,hopefully the GP49s will hang on until then.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted October 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 22, 2012 Hi Chris, Track plan please! What have you done about the exit side of the layout? Is it still going to be an L shaped layout? I know, questions, questions and more questions! Still - looks very good.... Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 Hi Chris, Track plan please! What have you done about the exit side of the layout? It goes under a highway bridge Is it still going to be an L shaped layout? No, all straight now. I know, questions, questions and more questions! Still - looks very good.... Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 Chris , I thought that the Brookville BL36s were for the Sunrail scheme? I've got a plan to visit Tri-Rail next year ,hopefully the GP49s will hang on until then.... I think you might be right there I've a Kato F40 that needs to be repainted in Tri-Rail white and blue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Not quite, I picked up the Trains magazine "Locomotive 2012" special the other day - there is a shot of the nose section of a BL36 being fabricated , they say that as well as Sunrail ordering some , Tri-Rail also have signed up , which I didn't know about... Back to the layout , interesting to see the transformation from Alaska to Florida and it being "straightened out" . Can I ask who made the modern lamp posts on the platform? they look really smart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Thanks Mal I guess the GP49 runs as well as the Athearn model version I know their stock is coming to the end of its life and they are waiting 10 new Brookville BL36PH loco and new coaches but these will be used on the new FEC seaction. A lot of servies are now just run with two cars not three, because the cars need overhauling. I've just got to wait 282 days before we go out there for our 2013 hols.... A ride on Tri-Rail is a must... Dear Mal, Chris, 3 thoughts come to mind... 1 - HEP requirement (lead loco doesn;t have HEP available?) 2 - Cab signalling? 3 - Straight-up reliability issues? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Can I ask who made the modern lamp posts on the platform? they look really smart. I have some like that - got them from Ebay. Made in, and shipped from, Hong Kong IIRC... a bit of a risk I thought at the time, but no problems. Ten to a packet I think. Of course mine are still in the packet..... Nice transformation of the layout, Chris! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I can answer the lamps question - They are from a firm called WeHonest in HongKong, bought on Ebay, cost very little and took about 4 days to arrive - I know becase I sent them on to Chris as he needed them. No problem dealing with them and absolutely excellent service. I have also bought palm trees from them. I think this is the model that Chris has - although from a different seller. one point check the voltage of the lamps as they come in 6 and 12 volts Item number 271082020883 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 I have some like that - got them from Ebay. Made in, and shipped from, Hong Kong IIRC... a bit of a risk I thought at the time, but no problems. Ten to a packet I think. Of course mine are still in the packet..... Nice transformation of the layout, Chris! Mine too were off ebay but via Shortliner.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 On line together - but 500 miles apart! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Dear Mal, Chris, 3 thoughts come to mind... 1 - HEP requirement (lead loco doesn;t have HEP available?) 2 - Cab signalling? 3 - Straight-up reliability issues? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Dear Prof I think the double heading is a reliability issue as both as both loco's have been on Tri-Rail for a number of years so would have cab signalling and HEP fitted. I will as the question on the yahoo group and come back to you all... As for the straightening the layout up, the Bombardier cars looked pretty awful going round the 18"r curve Also three coaches and GP49 measure around 45 inches so I needed to extend the fiddle yard. I've just missed out on a another 3 car set on eBay, so for Warley it will only operate with one passenger train and two freight trains. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Okay, the reason for double heading is back-up cover in case of engine trouble over the weekends. The youtube clip was taken on Sunday afternoon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Steve called round today with the corner warehouse. it looks good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 It certainly does! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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