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The Border Between Prototypical and Ridiculous Designs Dream and design
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New member 1 post AmtrakDreamer24 New member 1 post
AmtrakDreamer24

Good Morning Modelers, 

I've been planning a future Amtrak Layout that will model #69 Northbound (NYC to Montreal). I'm planning a 'starting point' in Albany (yes, skipping NYC) and going only partway to Montreal, hitting some landmark stops along the way. Era, would be 2010-ish so that I can include the Adirondack Dome Car (a work in progress creation). 

My question though involves the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station and determining what level of Prototypicality (is that even a word) is too much of a 'space waster' and too much detail. I don't know if this will work (as this is my first post), but I've included seven Google Map images of the entirety of the station and surrounding landmarks. 

Seems like a lot even for a large layout when this is only supposed to be a portion of the layout. Can I get help from people smarter than myself on how to downsize this into something that remains somewhat prototypical, yet remains reasonable? 

I'd like the keep the station mostly the same, just maybe shorten it by half (pictures 1-2). 

selaer_1.png 

selaer_2.png 

I'd like to keep that section of sidetrack (still learning terms, please no stake burning) (picture 3) so I can switch out lead units and add the Adirondack Dome Car to the #69 as it arrives from NYC. 

selaer_3.png 

I'm debating keeping Pictures 4-6 (that yard with the Amtrak offices) just for space reasons, but maybe a shrunk down version....?

selaer_4.png 

selaer_5.png 

selaer_6.png 

 

If I remember #69's route properly, it does take that bridge over the Hudson (Picture 7), so I'd like to keep that if possible, transitioning the layout from the Station to the rest of the layout.

selaer_7.png 

Thoughts? Am I crazy to try and undertake this? It won't happen yet as I'm still gathering pieces, money, space, and a plan on how to build that Amtrak Station.... but right now I'd really love some ideas on how to make this work.

Thank you all in advance! 

Moderator note: Pictures moved inline, click for full-size versions.
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dark2star Prolific poster 1,772 posts
dark2star

Scenes

Hi,

this sure looks like an interesting prototype!

From the pictures I can see three different scenes:

  1. the station itself
  2. the yard / storage tracks / workshop
  3. the bridge

You could start building sections (search the site for "TOMA") and just go ahead to start on one of the scenes.

You could also sit down with a track plan software (or a paper and some templates). Think about your space and how to fit each of the scenes into the space. By dividing it into separate scenes you'll find it easier to work out.

Finally, do you have put some thoughts on what size of trains you want to run? A train with a loco and four cars will result in a different station (differently shortened) compared to a train with three locos and three dozen cars...

Have fun!
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,952 posts
ctxmf74

  "how to downsize this into

Quote:

"how to downsize this into something that remains somewhat prototypical, yet remains reasonable?"

If this is just one station along your route you can crop the area to just include the depot and the tracks you need to operate the train( add the car you want) Fade to generic scenery before and after the station and move down the line and do the same thing at the next point of interest......DaveB

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
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herronp Prolific poster 1,840 posts
herronp

Having worked for Amtrak in Rensselaer.........

..........for 32 years, the last 8 in an office at the new (then) station I’m very familiar with the area. Your first few photos are of the station itself servicing 4 tracks from 2 platforms. The last track nearest the building was finally put in a few years ago. The big building North of the station and to the left of the main line going over “LAB” bridge (Livingston Avenue Bridge) is the Rensselaer Maintenance Facility where cars and locomotives are serviced and repaired. It was built in ‘78-79 as the Turbo Repair facility and was able to house a complete 5 car turbo train set under cover.  Both buildings are very large and probably would have to be “selectively compressed” to not overwhelm your layout.

PM me if you have other questions about the area. 
 

Peter
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