need some help with californian platform pics

[torikoos]

Hi all, not living in the USA but modeling it is proving a little tricky from time to time. On my layout (set in California) I want to add a station platform that can accommodate the occasional MetroLink or even Surfliner passenger train. Of course I want to get the details right. If anyone has any pictures of platforms of a smaller station (prefer an open and 'airy' location with palm trees etc (bit like Fullerton or similar), no big suburban surrounds, to get that californian flavor, I'd love to see them. I am particularly interested in pics that show the platform height, benches, other passenger facilities, signs, billboards,lights, fencing etc. that would be fantastic. Links, photo's, personal e-mails with details etc are all very welcome, thans very much everyone!

[BR60103]

You are in luck! We just took a 3 month holiday in that direction, and I ran across a railroad station and had 2 trains go by while we were there.
This is San Juan Capistrano station and I think the train is a Surfliner. (You know the old song: When the San Juans come back to Capistrano...)
Note that there is practically no platform and it is not raised. (I can think of 3 North American Stations with raised platforms other than subways).
Train at the nd of the station at level crossing.
   
The next train coming from Los Angeles.
   
   
Platform Scene
   
Side of a coach
   

[BR60103]

Another side of the coach. Note platform height. The platform at this station is not very wide.
   

[BR60103]

Looking down the street towards the crossing.
   

North of L.A. -- in the canyon near Acton, from our campground.
   

[torikoos]

Wow that's a great start. Thanks very much. It helps me to get a sense of the 'atmosphere' etc. Any more pics of structures, benches, shelters, etc are welcome.
Does anyone know if there are any commercial products available that can be used to build a modern scene like this? (thinking of lamp posts, platform signs, benches, shelters, walkovers, etc etc). If not, then it's time to rally a few manufacturers (BMLA, are you listening? :-) )

[Russ Bellinis]

Here are some links:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainweb.com/fullerton/index.html">http://www.trainweb.com/fullerton/index.html</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS350&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Riverside+Metrolink+Station&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Metrolink+Station&hnear=Riverside&cid=15153928985495703532">http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en ... 5495703532</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.daytrippen.com/amtrak-pacific-surfliner.html">http://www.daytrippen.com/amtrak-pacific-surfliner.html</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/California/San_Diego-755464/Transportation-San_Diego-Pacific_SurflinerAmtrak-BR-1.html">http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/No ... -BR-1.html</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8#q=amtrak+surfliner+stations&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS350&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=nCqxS-_fOoKesgPTvvWIDQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=10&ved=0CDUQqwQwCQ&fp=467c3568f2eec009">http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=na ... 68f2eec009</a><!-- m -->

I forgot one more site to check out is:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.socalrailfan.com/">http://www.socalrailfan.com/</a><!-- m -->

The last one has quite a few amateur videos taken at various Surfliner Stations between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

[torikoos]

Thanks again for the links, I've got a few things to go through to get me started :-)

[tomustang]

Hey torikoos, I guess another thing you can do is find the addresses of the metrolink or amtrack stations and then use Bing Maps with Birds Eye View to get a nice overhead view.

[torikoos]

I could indeed, I've tried google earth in a few spots, but of course in street view it gives you the ehh err ..well... the name says it all, google or bing should come up with track view or something! :-)

[ocalicreek]

Model Railroader magazine just recently ran an excellent article on platforms with all kinds of data and pictures...but I can't recall which month it was in. (I check them out from my local library).

btw, Fullerton is a great place to railfan if you like modern stuff.

Galen

[torikoos]

Fullerton is a place I've heard loads about, and seen some pictures. But as I am in the UK, it's not a matter of jumping in the car and driving over to take some snaps :-) So hence I'm relying on the community to gather info etc.

As for the article in ModelRailroader on pax stations etc, if someone remembers which one that is, I'll see if I can download the article from their site, as I'm not a MRR member/subscriber at present.

[Russ Bellinis]

I could indeed, I've tried google earth in a few spots, but of course in street view it gives you the ehh err ..well... the name says it all, google or bing should come up with track view or something! :-)

I didn't think of this when I first saw this post, but the Fullerton Station is located between Commonwealth Ave and East Walnut Ave. If you can find a street view of the 100-200 block of East Walnut, the only things between the street and the tracks are a few trees and a parking lot. I don't think Fullerton has much in the way of platform structures, if that is what you are looking for. Amtrak has taken over the old Santa Fe depot in Fullerton. They have done a lot of upgrades on the grounds with new plantings, benches, and a pedestrian bridge over the tracks, but I don't remember any sort of shelters for the benches.