Any you other geezers happen to know the actual dimensions of the Union Terminal O scale layout of The New York Society of Model Engineers that was upstairs in the Hoboken Lackawanna terminal? I was a small boy when dad took me to check it out and I only remember it being immense! I'm thinkin' maybe fifty by eighty or a hundred feet. I can remember the floor vibrating every time The Phoebe Snow came around.
Pete
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Hey, Pete.
According to a 1949 track plan in possession of the Hoboken Historical Museum, the railroad at that time measured 90 X 35. Here's the link to the page of the museum's website with the track plan. You can then click directly on the plan for a larger image.
If I recall correctly, the society was forced to vacate due to US Postal Service plans to use the space for mail shipping via the DL&W. This didn't happen and the club was invited back but declined due to new accomodations already having been secured.
Here are a few photos of the terminal layout from the NYSME website:
I hope this helps.
Bob
Bob - Thanks a bunch! Looks like I wasn't too far off on the size estimate. Dad took me a few times, would've been early to mid fifties, before they moved to Carlstadt (and afterwards) and I remember getting a handout with the track plans of both the O gauge and the HO layouts. I remember that the O gauge model of the Hoboken terminal was in a nearly completed stage and was truly remarkable. I always felt that the Carlstadt move short changed the O gauge modelers. Dad told me they had to vacate the ferry/rail terminal because of the post office situation, but until now I didn't know "the rest of the story."
Thanks again.
Pete
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