GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Well, not much layout progress, due to classes and prepping for show season. However, I do have some new additions regardless.

Amtrak Broadway Limited Update-

I've managed to acquire the remaining car models, with the exception of the Rock Island sleeper car sides. Some I had acquired in the last for weeks, but most were purchased for me as a birthday gift. All are Walthers RTR.

As it stands, my consist looks like this (new cars in bold)-

GG1
Pullman Baggage
Budd 24-8 Slumber Coach
Pullman 52 Seat Coach
Budd 52 seat Coach
Budd 52 seat Coach
Budd Tavern Observation Lounge
Budd 68 Seat dinner (Broadway Limited)
Budd kitchen dorm (Broadway Limited)
Pullman 4-4-2 sleeper
Budd 10-6 sleeper

All the cars are painted In Amtrak Phase 1, except for the Budd Tavern, and Diner/Kitchen-dorm pair.

Walthers Budd Tavern Observation Lounge-

A Tavern (Pub) car was part of the Broadway limited's usual consist, and was frequently handled by one of the SCL's Tavern-Lounge cars.

there were two classes of such cars, one identical to the walthers model (the Walthers model IS an SCL car), and one that was a blunt-ended car. To my knowledge, the only available blunt-end SCL tavern car in plastic is the Union Station Products Car-sides and roof-end piece.

Ultimately, SCL modified many of the "boat tailed" (walthers versions) car with diaphragms on the round end, allowing them to be placed mid consist. I decided this was favorable to building an entire core kit, since it would require less work and frustration in the short term, than trying to assemble a core kit.

I will have to cut a "slot" into the car end and fabricate this housing with styrene. I believe this can be done relatively easily. Doors and diaphragms are readily available for budd cars, so i do not percieve this as being an area of frustration. Except for maybe one or two windows, the car doesn't need to be otherwise modified, and in theory, an RTR car is a safer bet in terms of reliability.

Here is a protoype photo.


Broadway Limited Diner/Kitchen-dorm-

These only came in PRR or undecorated, so I didn't have much choice. Should be a quick spray of silver and then some Amtrak stripes and decals. Otherwise, these cars should be ready to go.

Arrow II / III update

I'm told that my Arrow IIs are almost ready, but the manufacturer has some delays. Apparently, all that is left is the floors.

My Arrow IIIs have made slight progress. Work has been done towards getting my older Arrow III single back operational so it can run with my current RTR one. I'm also looking to assemble a married pair as a dummy so that I can run a 4 car Arrow III trainset this january/february.

New equipment

On top of the Amtrak cars, I recieved several locomotives and freight cars from friends giving them away. these include-

PRR GP9 #7206 (P2K)
Conrail NW2 # 9241 (Kato)
Conrail and Erie Lackwanna 60ft Double Door boxcar kits

I may also get a Conrail GP7/9 that was meant to be with the PRR GP9, though it don't know the details of this.

I'll probably end up modifying the GP9, and I'll almost certainly be rebuilding the NW2 to reflect early Conrail.

I don't currently have any photos of the stuff, but I will later in the week.