Train Related things around Orlando FL????

Hi Chad,

           We have a holiday pad over in Haines City. This is just to the east of you.

Train related is a little thin on the ground by US standards. But by UK standards it's great for 3 rail O gauge.

H&R Trains is just the other side of Tampa 

6901 US Highway 19 N, Pinellas Park, FL

 

Colonial Photo and Hobby in Orlando.

 

Hobby Spot in Winter Park.

 

Ready to Roll in Miami if you fancy venturing further a field.

 

The Florida Railroad Museum is somewhere I want to check out. I understand this 35 miles south of Tampa.

 

I often check out local train shows if I happen to be there at the time.

 

One place you must go (not train related) is Manny's Chop House over on HW27 in Haines City. Just trust me on this. Get there early or you'll be queuing outside!

Have a cold beer for me.

 

Nick 

 

Around Daytona FL area you have the Round House south model train shop.

If you go south to Miami FL don't forget the Gold Coast railroad museum on SW 152 St. They have a set of California Zepher passenger cars there, the vista dome and the observation cars are really cool to see.

Another famous passenger railcar is the Ferdinand Magellan, the old US presidential railroad car with bullet proof glass.

Lee Fritz

Chad (& Nick),

FYI, The Hobby Spot has moved, from Fairbanks in Winter Park to Colonial (Hwy 50) in Orlando.

Are you into MTH's DCS?

Right now I  have a older dcs system not hooked up and I do have the Legacy on order. I do have some MTH Locos and rolling stock
Right now I am just gathering eq for when I have the room to build my layout, I have about 170 pieces and still gathering eh

Ill have to check some of these places out. Any cool layouts to see weather it be HO, O 2,3rail etc?  We are going to check out Plant City Train Museum and railfanning platform.

Thanks for the heads up Barry. Not been to the Hobby Spot for a couple of years. 

I do have DCS but only a couple of MTH PS2 engines. Scale J and Railking ABA F3.

 Have just hooked up the TMCC/DCS cable I bought a couple of years back to my old TMCC base.

So learning to run TMCC/Legacy from DCS remote. (Legacy in for repair)

Looking forward to some Florida sun myself. Better half has just informed me 5 weeks to

go. Not that she is counting or anything.

 Nick

you should check out the new sun rail passenger train in Orlando.

Thanks   Ill be checking these out eh   any more things to do or see?

How about a tour of the Disney World steam engine facilities.

Second on the Disney World behind the scenes train tour, especially if you already planning on going to the House of the Mouse during your visit to central Florida. Not sure what the cost of the tour is these days, but it is in addition to your park admission. (in other words, it's probably not worth a stand alone trip cost-wise, but if you ARE a fan of Disney, and love trains, its a win-win.)

Probably not news to anyone, but their trains are actual steamers; old narrow gauge Baldwins brought up from the Yucatan Peninsula, if I remember correctly, and modified for the old-west look. The tour takes you on the morning safety run around the loop before the park opens, and also back to the "roundhouse," where you get an up-close look at the other engines before they get fired up for the day.  (Not part of the tour, but the monorails are also maintained at the same facility) All the while, the tour guides explain the history of the engines, and also why trains were so important to Disney, (the man) and why they are so important and such a big presence at the parks. They are, after all, the first thing you see as you enter the Magic Kingdom.

Yeah, I guess it sounds like Im pushing this. I'm not, really.  It's just that I have a little knowledge on the subject. My father was a conductor on the WDRR until he retired a couple of years ago due to health reasons. He was a big driving force behind setting up the tour, and helped train (no pun intended) additional tour guides over the years. My only regret is that my kids were too young to go on the tour while their grandpa was working.

Regardless, enjoy your visit to Florida. You are coming at my favorite time of year here.

-Kevin

Hollash's Trains in Riverview,Fl.both Bill and Jean are grate people to deal with.

Not ready yet.  It's scheduled to start up May 1st.

Bill

I agree Bill is the man to go to. Prices are good and he a good selection. He also has a layout.  http://www.hollashtrains.com/   Unless you are into G and HO. H & R trains don't have a great selection of O Scale.

Florida Train museum.   http://www.frrm.org/index1.php  Its ok They don't have a lot of equipment.

There is a train show coming up in Palmentto flyer attached

Doug

Thanks for all the suggestions

I went to Colonial Hobby it was ok not a lot of O scale eh

Went to plant city to watch the CSX trains from the railfanning tower/platform & museum that was cool!

Checked out Mannys chop shop That was good

Going to round house today

Going to train show in Palment FL tomorrow, checking out the FL rail museum & H&R 

Trained dolphins at Sea World.

Don't forget about

 Prices are good and he a good selection of Post War O and Modern O . He also has a layout.  http://www.hollashtrains.com/  Bill and Jean will also have a Booth at the show in Palmento Sat and Sun

Doug