Subways

Nothing to worry about. Your modeling is top notch. 

My Tunnel modules are 20 years old now. I have learned many things since then. Gad I replaced all the old Super O with G.G. Stainless a few years back. The subway modules are now a separate layout in a basement of our other property for the Grandkids.

Calling all ex-NYC residents from the 1960's and 1970's: can you remember the colors of the diagonal stripes on the panels over the counters of these food stands in the NYC subway?

Do you know what street that stand is on?

Joe, It’s been a long time, but I’m thinking 3 colors, white mixed in with the Mets orange and blue.

Glen

@BroadwayTom posted:

Do you know what street that stand is on?

Don't know, but I recall seeing ones like it in the 34th St. station and possibly also in the Times Square station.

@Glen S posted:

Joe, It’s been a long time, but I’m thinking 3 colors, white mixed in with the Mets orange and blue.

 

Glen

I thought so, too, but wanted to hear from someone else before venturing my recollection.

I received this picture from a respondent on another forum. Looks like you were correct, Glen. Good memory! Now I have something to shoot for when I try to include a similar food stand on my Times Square subway station module. 😁

It turns out that color photo is a scene from the movie "The French Connection". It is a frozen custard stand that was located on the platform in the Grand Central terminal of the 42nd St Shuttle. The stand is no longer there.

The black and white "Hamburger" photo I originally posted is indeed Times Square station.  I noticed it in the filename when I was moving the file from my phone to my laptop.

I've added a second photo ("Frankfurters") that could be the same stand, from the other direction.  This view shows a slightly different striping in that the slanted color stripes are not all in the same direction.  It also could have been taken about 10 years earlier, judging by the 50's - 60s - style hats and coats worn by the patrons, compared to the 70's - style clothing of the "Hamburger" photo.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I would love to see photos and short videos of "The red bird" subway, others by MTH and Lionel, and especially the subway that has doors that open by remote control, which I believe is a Lionel.

The geekiest subway item I have yet seen: a real-time display of the NYC subway system using 599 LED's, updated every 30 seconds by the MTA's subway status app.

www.traintrackr.io

I just finished putting mine in a picture frame and hanging it in my attic hobby space.

Joe,  

I saw this on the subway Facebook page.

How do you  connect it to your WiFi network?

Glen

You turn on the board, check that your phone, tablet or PC sees the board's wifi connection, go to a website to enter the board's unique id and your own wifi's password, and the board immediately connects and starts displaying info. It was very quick.

@West Side Joe posted:

You turn on the board, check that your phone, tablet or PC sees the board's wifi connection, go to a website to enter the board's unique id and your own wifi's password, and the board immediately connects and starts displaying info. It was very quick.

It's a great feature.  I am using that same method with my N Gauge trains that have DCC.  I built a controller out of an inexpensive Arduino and Motor Shield and connected it to an inexpensive Raspberry Pi mini computer.  Using free software the Raspberry Pi puts out a WiFi signal when it starts and I can connect to it with a phone or tablet free app (Engine Driver) and run the trains and sounds.   The entire setup was around $70.

This is my first Subway set and I am over the moon about it! This is my MTH BMT AB Standard subway set.

I have always wanted this and the R-1 set (still am looking for the R-1) since I saw them running around a large department store's annual Dept.56 "Christmas in the City" display (c.2004-2007)

Bryce

Congrats, Oscale! Sweet choice and I hope you eventually find that R-1. It’s a real beauty.  Time to build that subway line under your layout!

@Strap Hanger Thank you!
I need to build a subway line, it is on the list of things to do but I have way too many projects that are already on the back burner. If only I could stop time for short intervals so I can get everything done!

Ahhhhh, youth, Oscale. I was like that when I was younger. Now, I relish the projects that pile up and all the work that I need to do. I keep a journal for all of my ideas and write down  the plans for them as they develop.  Now, for me,  the planning and construction are as much fun as admiring the completed project. Enjoy the ride!

@West Side Joe posted:

It turns out that color photo is a scene from the movie "The French Connection". It is a frozen custard stand that was located on the platform in the Grand Central terminal of the 42nd St Shuttle. The stand is no longer there.

Gee I wonder why?

I don't know the answer to that, but the station has been renovated many times, and the stand might have been a victim of one of these "improvements".

Is there a tutorial video on how to build a subway layout? I believe that it would be different than a regular layout.

@Punkrockpub posted:

Is there a tutorial video on how to build a subway layout? I believe that it would be different than a regular layout.

Amen to that.  I would love to see that myself.

John

I've not come across any tutorial on how to construct an under layout subway. However, It was rather easy. I just worked out a track plan that fit the dimensions around the interior legs of my benchwork. Then cut up the wood and attached everything to my existing benchwork infrastructure. If you're starting from scratch, building a two level layout is even easier. Building the platforms at strategically placed and viewable sections is also rather easy.  I layed a template between the tracks where I wanted the platform to go and outlined the shape (straight sections were the easiest, curves a little trickier), then cut the basswood accordingly.  Rulers from home depot or Loews are the perfect height for the base of the platforms, just cut them to height, spackle and paint black to remove the lettering and you're good to go.

The more intricate building was in constructing the elevated line on the upper level mainline.  I settled on using a template and scratch building my own design with leftover wood cuttings and home depot rulers for the girder sections. However, if i was to do it all over, here is where I would start - http://nycmodeltransit.org/ModelEl.htm

Of course, there are some really detailed master builders on this site that would never settle for my level of detail, but it all worked for me. Good luck on yours!

Here is the Subway Station on my layout.  Doesn't quite match the one from the movie though.

As with most things in life, my layout is a work in progress.  So the Subway Station could use some added details.  But there is a staircase present that leads up to the main level.  My subway circuit was included in my layout's original design.  Which included a feeder line that connects the Subway with the main level

Hello Guys !

Well,  while doing a search on Google -- this OGR thread came up.  I clicked on it and realized it was started PRE-COVID ERA -- heh - 4 years ago from today (2018 to 2022) !.

Well, I started reading thru the entire 5 pages -- and now 4 years later -- I was completely "re-amazed" to see HOW MUCH GREAT subway (and EL) modeling discussion and photos of various subway models , etc., were on these pages.  Including weathering and (yeah! )   combined Graffiti and weathering skilled art work was done on MTH NY subway cars.  This 5 page thread has to be sort of iconic for all its compiled text and photo content.  I decided to re-surface this thread to perhaps hope to get motivation juices going again in these times --- for our form of the hobby - by your re-viewing  all the long ago content on these 5 pages !

I also included a few of the newest latest photos on and around my O- Scale NYC Transit System -- for anyone who may be interested -- and get motivation going if possible. And perhaps see what you others have been up to in your modeling and layout endeavors ---  Regards - Joe F

BELOW -- I could NOT RESIST permitting a G.O. (general order) for a New Haven RR "fantrip" on the EL-- my NHRR O-Scale 2-rail consist containing F Diesel unit and 9 scale NHRR 1954 Maginnis Paint Scheme passenger cars - see photos below

BELOW  2  PHOTOS -- One of my "Museum" cars (heh) on the move on city streets - BRT EL Gate Trailer ex-Kings County Elevated Railway Co. heritage

BELOW -- as was seen back in early 1955,  the IRT oldest and newest, with  IRT MUDC EL car at left -  and newest is an IRT new R-17 car at right ---seen at a local station on my EL

BELOW -- some photos views of a visiting Flying Yankee Articulated Passenger consist, owned & operated by my pal Dave Kingston,  seen at an EL station on my EL, next to my BMT Blue Bird Articulated train

Express to Boston!

Hello Dave !

"Flying Yankee" Express to Boston !  Yeah !

Heh,  well,  it looks like further interest in this 5 page thread has died a fast death and is on an Express to Nowhere !

Glad you liked the Flying Yankee consist  photos shown on the "EL" --

Regards - Joe F

JUst saw this thread   Many amazing modelers here   I attempted three layouts in my house   One HO and two O   For reasons beyond my control they all came down   I was convinced I would never have a layout in my house and I also realized I would never have the space I wanted to build the layout I wanted   so I joined the best club in America    Some pics of the subway area of the club

A few older pics

I just went through this thread again and remain in awe of the great, detailed work out there.  Very Inspirational for all of us subway fans.

Hello Ben   (F)

Your club layout at NJ Hi Railer's quite much dwarfs my own NYC Transit Layout in O Scale.  Your club layout has many of the things I would have wanted to build and incorporate on my own EL  system if I had 3 x or more space than I have in my present (basement of) home I bought back in 1995.  Double Deck EL Flyover junctions,   H U G E  Layout yards,  subway stations, etc..

Luckily my O Scale (and my earlier HO Scale) EL & Trolley layouts are modular built -- to facilitate moving from location to location (and train shows) -- until I finally BOUGHT a home.

You should not try to build a mega city type transit layout in your home (or basement, whatever) --- just a nice compact layout to operate, showcase  and test your trains and have some fun.  BUT, heh, then again, you are OPERATING real NYC Subway trains for a job for the past few years --- so there is your own 1:1 scale LAYOUT !!

I operate an HO Scale mainline Railroad layout of commuter and long haul passenger trains (10 to 16 car consists !) along the walls of the 16 x 39 foot rectangular train room.  It is built on modular sectional shelves set upon brackets attached to wooden studs that are anchored along the concrete white-painted walls. Its a rectangular continuous layout with removable bridges across the front and read doors.  The front room door-crossing "bridge shelf module" is a 4 track, 2 island station platform section at 45 degrees to front door, so I can open and close the front door fully to enter and exit.  At 5 1/2 feet high its no problem for visitors to bend and duck just a bit to pass under it, as I generally keep it in place all the time,  It can quickly and easily be removed if ever necessary.  The O Scale NYC EL-Trolley layout occupies the entire middle-width  of the length of the floor from end to end in the train room

I posted some photos of the train room -- and the guy in 2 photos is a retired former trolley operator from the Blackpool, United Kingdom,  who visited with me a few days in early March 2015.

I also just now returned here to continue posting so as to add a few extra photos (and one video) of one of my HO SCALE few New Haven RR passenger trains -- I have NHRR, PRR, LIRR, NYCRR, Jersey (CNJ) Central, Reading RR,  B&O, AMTRAK,  SEPTA, Metro North HO Scale passenger consists-- and some freight consists.  These images show what can be done with a shelf layout and some background scenery.  SEE PHOTOS (and 1 Video) BELOW ...

Regards - Joe F

@Strap Hanger posted:

I just went through this thread again and remain in awe of the great, detailed work out there.  Very Inspirational for all of us subway fans.

Hello Strap

Yes, that's what I thought when I saw this forgotten thread again, by an accidental and not-relevant Google search hit for something else transit related.

A LOT of transit modeling and creative work from so many people here.  It is worth showcasing it again.

regards - Joe F

@Joseph Frank posted:

Hello Ben   (F)

You should not try to build a mega city type transit layout in your home (or basement, whatever) --- just a nice compact layout to operate, showcase  and test your trains and have some fun. BUT, heh, then again, you are OPERATING real NYC Subway trains for a job for the past few years --- so there is your own 1:1 scale LAYOUT !!

Regards - Joe F

The last one I built had all that  Compact, able to see every train, and test every train  Unfortunately after operating at the NJ HiRailers club the home layout became verrry boring   I still have a loop around a soffit in my basement to test trains but for the most part my operating is at the club and oh yeah at work too  LOL

@bluelinec4 posted:

The last one I built had all that  Compact, able to see every train, and test every train  Unfortunately after operating at the NJ HiRailers club the home layout became verrry boring   I still have a loop around a soffit in my basement to test trains but for the most part my operating is at the club and oh yeah at work too  LOL

Hello Ben

Well,  you are thoroughly occupied with 1:48  and 1:1 scale train operating -- as your reply as such tends to indicate !

Regards - Joe F