From Guardian: Mini trains
Gainsborough’s famous Model Railway will be opening its doors to the public again this month.
Their ‘O’ gauge model railway, representing the East Coast Mainline from Kings Cross to Leeds has over 160 locomotives including such well known engines as Flying Scotsman and Mallard.
GMRS will be open on Sunday 11th and Tuesday 27th December from 1.30pm - 6pm. Admission is £4 for adults £4, £3 for children and seniors and £10 for a and Family of four. The GMRS is situated in Florence Terrace, near the south end of Tesco Car-park.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Freight trains a clear winner over trucks in CO2 emission stakes
From Science A GOGo: Freight trains a clear winner over trucks in CO2 emission stakes
A University of Wisconsin-Madison analysis of the emissions generated from shipping freight via truck or by train shows that shipping by train delivers a big reduction in CO2 emissions.
Researcher Erica Bickford said much of the environmental benefit boils down to simple efficiency. For each ton of freight they carry, trucks go about 150 miles on a gallon of diesel whereas trains can move the same load more than 400 miles per gallon.
"There's a 31 percent decrease in carbon dioxide produced by freight shipping in the region, and that's straight from emissions," says Bickford. "It's 21 million metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of what's produced by about 4 million cars." The findings are based on a model of freight traffic in 10 Midwestern states from Kansas to Ohio. She presented her findings last week at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
While cutting CO2emissions by one-third is a desirable goal, Bickford acknowledges that, like trucks, diesel rail traffic also creates black carbon soot and the lung irritant nitrogen dioxide (NO2). More rail traffic would mean more pollutants near the tracks, but better air quality near roads frequented by trucks. This is ultimately a positive, she argues. "Black carbon and NO2 are harmful to everyone's health. But because more people live near roads than railroad tracks, more people would benefit from the shifts in these pollutants."
According to Bickford's model, 16 percent less black carbon soot would linger near roads with heavy shipping traffic, while the increase around rail corridors could be as high as 20 percent. Nitrogen dioxide would plummet by as much as 30 percent near roads, but rise by as much as 20 percent near railroad tracks.
The effects of greater rail use would be particularly noticeable in the middle of the country, she contends. "We're sort of a freight crossroads in the Midwest. International shipping comes into the country on the coasts and then passes through our backyard on the way to its destination."
Bickford concludes by noting that there are a number of non-pollution benefits - reduced traffic congestion, wear on roads and demand for diesel fuel - that railed freight would also deliver. "Truck freight travels on publically-funded roads, rail traffic on privately-built tracks," she says. "But these benefits could be an impetus for public investment in rail infrastructure."
A University of Wisconsin-Madison analysis of the emissions generated from shipping freight via truck or by train shows that shipping by train delivers a big reduction in CO2 emissions.
Researcher Erica Bickford said much of the environmental benefit boils down to simple efficiency. For each ton of freight they carry, trucks go about 150 miles on a gallon of diesel whereas trains can move the same load more than 400 miles per gallon.
"There's a 31 percent decrease in carbon dioxide produced by freight shipping in the region, and that's straight from emissions," says Bickford. "It's 21 million metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of what's produced by about 4 million cars." The findings are based on a model of freight traffic in 10 Midwestern states from Kansas to Ohio. She presented her findings last week at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
While cutting CO2emissions by one-third is a desirable goal, Bickford acknowledges that, like trucks, diesel rail traffic also creates black carbon soot and the lung irritant nitrogen dioxide (NO2). More rail traffic would mean more pollutants near the tracks, but better air quality near roads frequented by trucks. This is ultimately a positive, she argues. "Black carbon and NO2 are harmful to everyone's health. But because more people live near roads than railroad tracks, more people would benefit from the shifts in these pollutants."
According to Bickford's model, 16 percent less black carbon soot would linger near roads with heavy shipping traffic, while the increase around rail corridors could be as high as 20 percent. Nitrogen dioxide would plummet by as much as 30 percent near roads, but rise by as much as 20 percent near railroad tracks.
The effects of greater rail use would be particularly noticeable in the middle of the country, she contends. "We're sort of a freight crossroads in the Midwest. International shipping comes into the country on the coasts and then passes through our backyard on the way to its destination."
Bickford concludes by noting that there are a number of non-pollution benefits - reduced traffic congestion, wear on roads and demand for diesel fuel - that railed freight would also deliver. "Truck freight travels on publically-funded roads, rail traffic on privately-built tracks," she says. "But these benefits could be an impetus for public investment in rail infrastructure."
Monday, December 12, 2011
Westchester Model Railroad Club's cars roll at nature center
From lohud.com (New York's Lower Hudson Valley): Westchester Model Railroad Club's cars roll at nature center
GREENBURGH — As two model Amtrak trains barreled down the electric track, William Winston, 4, and Chad Smith, 5, started counting the string of cars before the silver trains vanished into a mountain tunnel.
"There were 12," said William. "I like the speed it goes."
Chad arrived at a more dramatic conclusion: "I want to stay here," he said.
The Winstons, of New Rochelle, and the Smiths, of Redding, Conn., were among the hundreds of people who showed up to watch the display of model trains by the Westchester Model Railroad Club at the Greenburgh Nature Center on Saturday.
The 180-square-foot spread featured, among other things, a wooden walking bridge, a barnyard scene, a village center, a farmhouse and a factory building.
The display runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 18.
Sal Mancino, one of 10 members of the club, said the models had been handmade by them over many years.
"It's a collaborative effort," said Mancino, a former computer programmer. "I do all the electrical work."
A replica of the Greenburgh Nature Center building was constructed by Dr. Paul Greenburg, an 84-year-old former podiatrist.
"It took me a couple of months to build," said Greenburg, who said he had a 450-square-foot display at his home in Hartsdale.
"This hobby is good for recreation, socialization and corollary education," said Greenburg. "As a small kid, I was crazy about trains."
For 4-year-old Ben Kalish, "trains are a passion," said his father, Jonas.
"He loves trains," said Jonas Kalish, of Ossining. "To see them going round and round is the biggest thrill he can get."
Tony Siano, a retired engineer, said he joined the club last year but had been "in the hobby for 35 years."
The question he was asked most frequently by the kids on Saturday, he said, was, "Can you make the trains go faster?"
Well, can he?
He turned a knob, and the trains picked up speed.
"Now a lot of the passengers have vertigo," said Siano. "And they are going to complain to their senators. 'Dear Senator ...' "
GREENBURGH — As two model Amtrak trains barreled down the electric track, William Winston, 4, and Chad Smith, 5, started counting the string of cars before the silver trains vanished into a mountain tunnel.
"There were 12," said William. "I like the speed it goes."
Chad arrived at a more dramatic conclusion: "I want to stay here," he said.
The Winstons, of New Rochelle, and the Smiths, of Redding, Conn., were among the hundreds of people who showed up to watch the display of model trains by the Westchester Model Railroad Club at the Greenburgh Nature Center on Saturday.
The 180-square-foot spread featured, among other things, a wooden walking bridge, a barnyard scene, a village center, a farmhouse and a factory building.
The display runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 18.
Sal Mancino, one of 10 members of the club, said the models had been handmade by them over many years.
"It's a collaborative effort," said Mancino, a former computer programmer. "I do all the electrical work."
A replica of the Greenburgh Nature Center building was constructed by Dr. Paul Greenburg, an 84-year-old former podiatrist.
"It took me a couple of months to build," said Greenburg, who said he had a 450-square-foot display at his home in Hartsdale.
"This hobby is good for recreation, socialization and corollary education," said Greenburg. "As a small kid, I was crazy about trains."
For 4-year-old Ben Kalish, "trains are a passion," said his father, Jonas.
"He loves trains," said Jonas Kalish, of Ossining. "To see them going round and round is the biggest thrill he can get."
Tony Siano, a retired engineer, said he joined the club last year but had been "in the hobby for 35 years."
The question he was asked most frequently by the kids on Saturday, he said, was, "Can you make the trains go faster?"
Well, can he?
He turned a knob, and the trains picked up speed.
"Now a lot of the passengers have vertigo," said Siano. "And they are going to complain to their senators. 'Dear Senator ...' "
This Saturday and Sunday, Milwaukee: Model trains pulling into Discovery World station
From Tap Milwaukee: Model trains pulling into Discovery World station
If you're lucky, they were a magical part of your past.
Model trains brought life to the perfect Christmas tree setting. Now you can revisit those home railroading days or discover model railroading for the first time at "Trains! Trains! Trains!," a Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin show on Saturday and Sunday at 500 N. Harbor Drive.
Visitors can see more than 1,300 square feet of model railroad setups; Lionel, American Flyer, S gauge and more will be on display. Builders will be available to answer questions.
The digital theater also will screen railroad films during the event.
Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16.95 for adults; $12.95 for children. For details, visit www.discoveryworld.org or call (414) 765-9966.
If you're lucky, they were a magical part of your past.
Model trains brought life to the perfect Christmas tree setting. Now you can revisit those home railroading days or discover model railroading for the first time at "Trains! Trains! Trains!," a Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin show on Saturday and Sunday at 500 N. Harbor Drive.
Visitors can see more than 1,300 square feet of model railroad setups; Lionel, American Flyer, S gauge and more will be on display. Builders will be available to answer questions.
The digital theater also will screen railroad films during the event.
Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16.95 for adults; $12.95 for children. For details, visit www.discoveryworld.org or call (414) 765-9966.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Time Keeps On Slipping Into the Future
Sorry for the dearth of posts recently...I've been working on a project, wanted to devote all my time to it, and kept telling myself...it'll be done today so I can get back to blogging here tomorrow.
The next day it was... okay, it's definitely going to get done today....
Well, today it is done... so back to posting here on a daily basis tomorrow. (With the first post appearing tomorrow afternoon while I'm watching football!)
Thanks for your patience.
The next day it was... okay, it's definitely going to get done today....
Well, today it is done... so back to posting here on a daily basis tomorrow. (With the first post appearing tomorrow afternoon while I'm watching football!)
Thanks for your patience.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Model train show brings out childhood memories
From Princeton Eagle: Model train show brings out childhood memories
Retiree Bruno Gad arrived at the very start of last weekend’s two-day Rum River Model Railroad Club show in the Great Northern Room of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society’s Depot Center in Princeton.
Gad, a native of Chicago, smiled as he looked over some of the nine tables with model train layouts, many of the tables with multiple tracks and trains. There was also a table with a model car race track and some tables with antique toys.
This was one of the many annual Christmas holiday train shows that the Rum River Model Railroad Club has put on here, and when the show opened last Friday morning at 10 a.m., the Great Northern Room quickly filled with spectators.
Children age 12 and under got in free and there wasn’t a tally of their number. But 92 adults attended the first day and 90 the second.
You wouldn’t have had to use much imagination to guess what many of the attendees might have been thinking as they gazed intently at the model trains moving busily around on their metal tracks, making a thin buzzing sound. The layouts were generally extravagant, with a display of model landscapes and fixtures. There was varied terrain and houses, commercial buildings and even simulated working pieces of equipment. A little lumber mill, for example, was on the tabletop display owned by Lonnie Hannan of Askov.
Full-size railroad tracks are still in Askov and freight traffic frequently passes through there. The tracks once carried Great Northern passenger trains, the mountain goat logo proudly on the side as they passed through, heading north and south. People would ride it from a depot in either Askov or Sandstone frequently to the Twin Cities or could take the Empire Builder to Duluth. If they had wanted, they could ride the Great Northern all the way to Seattle.
Gad, who will be 72 in March, now lives in the Santiago area west of Princeton, but grew up on the west side of Chicago. His home there was at 2635 West 17th Street, just two blocks away from railroad tracks, he noted. He was able to command his own little railroad at age 9 when he received a model train set. He accumulated two model locomotives and 14 different model train cars.
But when he was with neighborhood friends out to play, the full-size railroad tracks were their “playground,” he recalled.
As Gad talked, Del Fuller of Ogilvie, a retired hospital x-ray technician, tinkered with his model train layout that had both HO and ON 30-gauge train sets. Fuller, who has been a model railroader for about three decades, was given a tin plate O 27-gauge model train when he was about 10 or so. “I enjoy it,” Fuller said of model railroading. He explained that it brings back childhood memories of watching full-size trains.
One of the attendees at the show on Friday was Jim Braun, of rural Princeton, there with his wife Carolyn. As they gazed at Hannan’s train layout, Braun pulled out his own model train story. One day when he was 16 or 17 and itching for some cash, he sold his prized model train set with locomotive and 50 train cars for $50. The man who bought it, later sold it for $2,500, Braun said. Trying to rationalize it all, Braun said that he probably needed the $50 badly at the time so he could buy gas to go out on dates.
Teenager, Brian Smith, one of the younger model railroaders at the show, has amassed an enviable model train collection, now owning approximately 45 model locomotives and nearly four times as many model train cars.
Smith is what nearby model railroader Fuller is hoping to see more of. The Rum River Model Railroad Club has about 14 members, according to its president, Melvin Lindquist, of rural Princeton. But Smith is looking at more than just numbers of members. “I would like to encourage young people to get involved in model railroading,” Fuller said. Not many girls, relative to the number of boys, want to get involved in this hobby, but there are some who do, Fuller said.
Lindquist, as he sat fiddling with a train set owned by friend Penny Quast, president of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society, said he was pleased with the large number of model train displays there that day. “It’s probably the biggest display to date for the club,” he said.
“It absolutely went well,” Quast said later.
Retiree Bruno Gad arrived at the very start of last weekend’s two-day Rum River Model Railroad Club show in the Great Northern Room of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society’s Depot Center in Princeton.
Gad, a native of Chicago, smiled as he looked over some of the nine tables with model train layouts, many of the tables with multiple tracks and trains. There was also a table with a model car race track and some tables with antique toys.
This was one of the many annual Christmas holiday train shows that the Rum River Model Railroad Club has put on here, and when the show opened last Friday morning at 10 a.m., the Great Northern Room quickly filled with spectators.
Children age 12 and under got in free and there wasn’t a tally of their number. But 92 adults attended the first day and 90 the second.
You wouldn’t have had to use much imagination to guess what many of the attendees might have been thinking as they gazed intently at the model trains moving busily around on their metal tracks, making a thin buzzing sound. The layouts were generally extravagant, with a display of model landscapes and fixtures. There was varied terrain and houses, commercial buildings and even simulated working pieces of equipment. A little lumber mill, for example, was on the tabletop display owned by Lonnie Hannan of Askov.
Full-size railroad tracks are still in Askov and freight traffic frequently passes through there. The tracks once carried Great Northern passenger trains, the mountain goat logo proudly on the side as they passed through, heading north and south. People would ride it from a depot in either Askov or Sandstone frequently to the Twin Cities or could take the Empire Builder to Duluth. If they had wanted, they could ride the Great Northern all the way to Seattle.
Gad, who will be 72 in March, now lives in the Santiago area west of Princeton, but grew up on the west side of Chicago. His home there was at 2635 West 17th Street, just two blocks away from railroad tracks, he noted. He was able to command his own little railroad at age 9 when he received a model train set. He accumulated two model locomotives and 14 different model train cars.
But when he was with neighborhood friends out to play, the full-size railroad tracks were their “playground,” he recalled.
As Gad talked, Del Fuller of Ogilvie, a retired hospital x-ray technician, tinkered with his model train layout that had both HO and ON 30-gauge train sets. Fuller, who has been a model railroader for about three decades, was given a tin plate O 27-gauge model train when he was about 10 or so. “I enjoy it,” Fuller said of model railroading. He explained that it brings back childhood memories of watching full-size trains.
One of the attendees at the show on Friday was Jim Braun, of rural Princeton, there with his wife Carolyn. As they gazed at Hannan’s train layout, Braun pulled out his own model train story. One day when he was 16 or 17 and itching for some cash, he sold his prized model train set with locomotive and 50 train cars for $50. The man who bought it, later sold it for $2,500, Braun said. Trying to rationalize it all, Braun said that he probably needed the $50 badly at the time so he could buy gas to go out on dates.
Teenager, Brian Smith, one of the younger model railroaders at the show, has amassed an enviable model train collection, now owning approximately 45 model locomotives and nearly four times as many model train cars.
Smith is what nearby model railroader Fuller is hoping to see more of. The Rum River Model Railroad Club has about 14 members, according to its president, Melvin Lindquist, of rural Princeton. But Smith is looking at more than just numbers of members. “I would like to encourage young people to get involved in model railroading,” Fuller said. Not many girls, relative to the number of boys, want to get involved in this hobby, but there are some who do, Fuller said.
Lindquist, as he sat fiddling with a train set owned by friend Penny Quast, president of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society, said he was pleased with the large number of model train displays there that day. “It’s probably the biggest display to date for the club,” he said.
“It absolutely went well,” Quast said later.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Alderson, West Virginia: 4 Dec: Free model train show set for Sunday at city hall in Alderson
From The Register Herald: Free model train show set for Sunday at city hall in Alderson
As a part of Alderson Main Street’s Christmas Homes Tour events, a free model train show will be held at the Council Room of Alderson’s City Hall Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
Organized by Lee and Tammy Skaggs, the show has become an Alderson tradition.
For the youngest train fans, there will be a “Thomas the Tank Engine” display featuring a small, battery-powered Thomas engine pulling two Christmas cars around a Christmas tree.
For the children of all ages, there will be Santa’s Holiday Express train in “G” scale.
This train is fully animated with elves working on the rail cars and Santa Claus acting as engineer. With all its lights and action, it is sure to delight everyone.
In “HO” scale, the father and son team of Rick and Zachary Burns will be showing their train making its way through a winter wonderland layout.
Dick Pranulis will demonstrate his artistry in a display of his train collection.
In “O” scale, Lee Skaggs will feature his train in a layout which he calls “Christmas in the Country.”
“He has just added a new red barn as a focal point of the layout. Kevin Napier, assisted by sons Brett and Seth, will also show their O scale train. Ten year old Brett said, “Dad, I am so excited that we are a part of this show!”
Reverend Lanny Howe will show his LGB (Lehman Gross Bahn) train. LGB trains are responsible for introducing "G" scale to model railroading. The scale ratio used by LGB is 1:22.5
In addition to the model trains in the Alderson show, Jill Highlander will have her collection of photography featuring trains for viewing and sale. Railroad-themed Christmas decorations and light refreshments will round out the show.
Other activities that afternoon include choral music on the hour, a $5 soup, sandwich and dessert lunch, and a bazaar at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church; and the tour of Alderson homes decked out in Christmas splendor for which $10 tickets are available at the Historic 1896 C&O Depot.
These events are sponsored by Alderson Main Street and the funds from the Christmas Homes Tour are used for Main Street Projects.
As a part of Alderson Main Street’s Christmas Homes Tour events, a free model train show will be held at the Council Room of Alderson’s City Hall Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
Organized by Lee and Tammy Skaggs, the show has become an Alderson tradition.
For the youngest train fans, there will be a “Thomas the Tank Engine” display featuring a small, battery-powered Thomas engine pulling two Christmas cars around a Christmas tree.
For the children of all ages, there will be Santa’s Holiday Express train in “G” scale.
This train is fully animated with elves working on the rail cars and Santa Claus acting as engineer. With all its lights and action, it is sure to delight everyone.
In “HO” scale, the father and son team of Rick and Zachary Burns will be showing their train making its way through a winter wonderland layout.
Dick Pranulis will demonstrate his artistry in a display of his train collection.
In “O” scale, Lee Skaggs will feature his train in a layout which he calls “Christmas in the Country.”
“He has just added a new red barn as a focal point of the layout. Kevin Napier, assisted by sons Brett and Seth, will also show their O scale train. Ten year old Brett said, “Dad, I am so excited that we are a part of this show!”
Reverend Lanny Howe will show his LGB (Lehman Gross Bahn) train. LGB trains are responsible for introducing "G" scale to model railroading. The scale ratio used by LGB is 1:22.5
In addition to the model trains in the Alderson show, Jill Highlander will have her collection of photography featuring trains for viewing and sale. Railroad-themed Christmas decorations and light refreshments will round out the show.
Other activities that afternoon include choral music on the hour, a $5 soup, sandwich and dessert lunch, and a bazaar at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church; and the tour of Alderson homes decked out in Christmas splendor for which $10 tickets are available at the Historic 1896 C&O Depot.
These events are sponsored by Alderson Main Street and the funds from the Christmas Homes Tour are used for Main Street Projects.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)