Hot Wheels and Trains
I get the feeling that a lot of Hot Wheels collectors/racers are also model railroaders. I see a lot train action and other hints here that lead me to believe this.
Let me start.... YES I'm a model railroader. My layout takes up half my basement. I model a mountain pass in HO scale (1:87 for you non railroaders). If I converted my mainline run to a hot wheels track, it would be a 400 foot long downhill run and one hell of road course with a nice flat 1/4 mile drag strip to finish at the bottom. Yes... the thought has crossed my mind. NO. I'm not going to do it. LOL.
Let me know if you're into trains too!
Heres an older video of an uphill run on my layout. If you play it in reverse it would be the downhill run for a Hot Wheels road course.
Discussion
Pretty frigin nice right there! I am kind of a closet railroader... my brother and I had HO cars and trains as kids. But that hobby didn't stick like model building and others. I have a G scale that I setup around the christmas tree some years.
I have a new found affection for the S scale trains and am inspired by Mark over at GTR. I love how he incorporated the train into his production and uses it as part of the fun! I picked up a few pieces and will try to incorporate it into my track.
- Thanks! S scale is nice. But had to go with HO because I wanted to run long trains. — Zamak_Speed_Shop
I like real trains. I don’t know much about them but I used to hang out at the tracks when I was much younger. Once I hopped a train in Colorado Springs just for a ride home. It went over a bridge, when we got to the other side that train was moving fast. I jumped off that train, I never took such big steps in my life. It was either that or go to Denver.
I model on HO scale. I have a school bus in the back yard with 250' of 3 lane 45-48" radius curves.
Also have the layout seen in my videos (jamestown) I did some real tight corners on it for the trolley loop, some about 2" radius. I run only 2 axle trains and cars on it. Jamestown is my 5th layout.
Love the precision benchwork, and the track seems smooth as butter
Nice work!
dr
This is very cool! I bought a train to go around our Christmas tree. We've had it three years and each year I try to purchase a few additional tracks to extend it. My boy will pull out his wooden blocks and Legos to build bridges and towers over and around it. Thanks for sharing.
I once did a HO Soviet Armored train set up, and when we wargame the Mexican Revolution, I have a S guage set up.
Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry are looking forward to your car/train setup!
I'm also forged in the HO model railroad hobby. I've got a large layout in my basement and many N, O and G scale / gauge trains. I also worked for two railroads and was a volunteer for many fundraiser trains since the 80's. I watched the video and was calling out things as I saw them: the Athearn GP38-2 and Bachmann Spectrum or Plus SD45 at the beginning and the SOO LINE box car on the upper level.
I may try trading some of my other models to get some decent S scale trains for a future diecast track.
- I think ho track, and kitbashed "1/64 scale narrow gauge" is fun, and HO track is cheap — dr_dodge
- I actually did some HON3 narrow gauge and some trolley models over the years too. I did combine slot cars and trains a few times too. — Billys_Midway_Racing
- when I get a room in the shop, slot cars will be in the mt track, with trains, and diecast (hopefully...lol) — dr_dodge
- Cool. Great to hear from another railroader. — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- I get the feeling that there are more of us here. :-) — Billys_Midway_Racing
hot wheels cars as locomotive/crane, and a fast transport bus
(from my papa pugsly vid)
the crane, the front, top boom, and rear lifts all extend
and the tiny hydraulic cyl do too
all scratch built from brass stock
dr
- Looks cool. Reminds me of some maintenance equipment that I added a motor and gears to make them run on the track. Fun stuff. — Billys_Midway_Racing
- yea, I love doing stuff like that, and it works with the "narrow gauge" on HO — dr_dodge
- Great scenery work too! — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- This looks real, good diorama. — alva1370
- thanks — dr_dodge
Wow! Very nice!
- you play with trains? — dr_dodge
- and welcome! — dr_dodge
- No sir I do not but I do have friends that do. It looks like a very expensive hobby! Lol — Zizzer_Prime
- yard sales — dr_dodge
I grew up homeless. I saw my first model railroad diorama in a mans garage around the age of 7 years old.
It has always been my dream to have a model railroad diorama - because to my young mind, they were forever. You don't build a set up like that in an apartment, or even in a home you rent. It meant you were never leaving the place you built it in, and that was such a wild fantasy.
I built Piston Junction and realized that I had built a train diorama - for my cars.
WHile I am sad I have to tear the track down when the house it's in is sold soon, (Its not my house), I am happy that the proceeds will go to help building us all a house that we do all own, and I will have a dedicated workshop.
Note: I am pre-recording the Piston Junction INvitational race series, so even if the track comes down halfway through, the film is there to be edited.
- amazing story! — dr_dodge
- good on you mate... good luck with your new home! — Stoopid_Fish_Racing
- Wow....That's a reminder to all of us. Be thankful, be kind and stay strong. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- Great to see you hosting anyway! Damn the torpedos... Respect Brother — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- Hopefully you can take Piston Junction down in sections and transport it to your new home that way. It's always a consideration when building that you might have to move it someday ..., — SpyDude
- All my faith StarCorps, and best of journeys that leads to success for you — Chris_Hood
- I did not build it to be portable. I always knew Piston Junction would be a learning tool, and one I would run my races on, then dismantle to build something better with the lessons learned. — StarCorps
Great story and wish wishes on your future home with Piston Junction #2.
Very cool!