brynna79

Thanks for sharing the update and pictures. Its looks like everyone had a fun time and some fantastic layouts in the overall 'grand running'. I really like the hidden sidings in the last pic as well. Hope the pub visits did not affect running too much! Cheers Bryn

Thanks, have taken a look and this is not available via the website - Nov 07 is though! I will continue looking. Cheers

Great link. Thanks for sharing. Will take a proper look. Cheers

Not sure if anyone can help, but I am looking for a copy or scan of Trains Magazine October 2007. Specifically the article on the FEC around that time. Have found a copy on eBay, but the postage is rather hefty. Any help appreciated. Cheers

Thanks for the link. Regular viewer of Distant Signal and Tolga East Coast on Youtube. They do add some useful discussion and details to the videos that are a bit more than just watching trains (which i love as well...). Cheers

Yes, our drive from Melbourne to Orlando ran parallel to the twin tracking they are doing alongside I95. The works looked rather impressive and certainly interesting to see new enabling works for a major line being undertaken. Haven't had chance to see HS2 yet and most of my experience is widening/making good of existing infrastructure. I think that line will be a massive gain for Florida when it finally gets completed and we would definitely consider that over a hire car initially when arriving there. It's fitting such visits in with the 'family' aspect of the holiday, but I am sure there will be chance at some point in future visits. But the FEC is a must for sure! Cheers

That is pretty much my experience each time that I have been there as well... Aside from the Sunrail effort, which was not why I love US railroading. TBH, when in Toronto and Vancouver, i had zero luck as well. I guess you need to deviate from the main areas to see more of what we love.

Yes, it wasn't too bad, they had a decent amount of HO and N gauge on display, but nothing like what I would like to see from a model shop - they sell cameras and plastic kits in larger volumes. I got a few nice modern HO Gauge locos from them at a more reasonable price than being sold at the only real UK seller now. But nothing that was massively cheap, especially with the £/$ exchange rate being as low as $1.25. They are really friendly and it might be worth dropping a message ahead of any visit if you wanted to check what they had. They did have a O Gauge SD70 that peaked my interest, but after spending what i did on a handful of wagons and the three locos, I was happy I had enough for that visit. I did buy around 4 months of issues of Railroad and Railfan, plus Railroad Model Craftsman to stave off the UK prices. The other place I visited was Zitnik Trains south of Tampa. This would possibly better suit your desires. They had half a shop full of oversized new and older stock and while i felt the price of HO Gauge items from more than a few years ago was expensive, I did not pay much attention to the larger scales. after a 90min diversion, I only left with a couple of steel signs for the wall and four packs of grade crossings from Woodland Scenic, which i know are rare at the best of times. I won't go back and even the wife was less than impressed with the trip there - but we used the Publix opposite to stock up on water and toddler friendly food for the day! Cheers

Thanks for the replies. Great time was had, and we have missed not travelling there for the past few years. We had a holiday prior to going to isolate and avoid picking covid up for the test. That felt like an eternity. @F-UnitMad I have watched a few Plant City videos and the live cam. Certainly some good action there, although not much else for the family. There was very little time TBH. Only action I saw was a SunRail passing the White Wolf Café as we went for breakfast - no camera either. I visited Colonial Hobbies a couple of times (connected to food Poke Hanna and White Wolf) and a chap called Jim was quite helpful in both discussing where CSX have active yards (south of Orlando) at the end of Orange Avenue and in relieving us of a chunk of dollars as well. Alas, SunRail have limited the amount of daytime action in the central Orlando area and with a then 13month old, nighttime prowling was not really an option. I did make it 90% of the way to the Amtrak station towards Sanford, but traffic was horrific heading north and we headed south again. Plenty to think about when we get to go back and a villa would make me disappearing for a few hours much easier than a hotel. Cheers

Just reaching out for some help. We're lucky enough to get away in a week's time to Orlando and I wondered if there were any reasonable spots to see locos in this vicinity. Going with my wife and 1 year old, so nothing more than a look where possible. Or is there any good spots in the general area away where units can be seen, plus some shops to keep them entertained for half hour why i nosey. We will have a vehicle. TIA Bryn

I've enjoyed reading your progress to date so thanks for taking the time to post. I am seriously tempted to switch from US HO to UK O. The cost has put me off along with the lack of modern image, but as you say the Dapol 08 is not much above the Hornby offering and then there is the 66 on the way and Wagons are not much above the Red and blue offerings in OO. Heljan locos are somewhat more expensive, but I guess you cut your cloth and reduce the numbers you have as space is much less these days. The other issue is that I would only use a 10ft by 10ft 'L' in the spare Bedroom, but you are giving me some great ideas. Cheers

A bit more modern and 'made up'. There is the Canadian National locos used for the fictitious AVM livery in 'Unstoppable' as well.

66727 was more than 10 in stock on Tuesday when I last checked. This was suddenly a popular choice.

Thanks for the clarity. I will take that onboard. Was looking at placing a preorder at the end of the month - does that work with what you have said. Cheers

Hi Fran, I can't seem to find it, is there a pre-order deadline for the TPE carriages. Cheers