Large Scale Central

The Beach Train is BACK!

General Discussion
#1

The other evening was perfect, the air was refreshing, the tide was heading out and I had an itch to play trains.
I packed up the track and charged up the new mini Forney and off I went to the World famous Brewster Flats.

I went out to a sand bar and started digging. Many beachgoers swung by to ask what I was doing and they were pleased to find out that I was setting up a train. One old timer said that he had been coming to this beach for 60 years and he had never seen anything like that.

Beach train 1
Beach train 11920Ă—1440 205 KB

Here is the official video.

9 Likes
#2

Gorgeous video, Todd. Scenery’s awesome, lighting’s perfect, layout’s beautiful.

#3

Thanks Cliff. The sunset really cooperated. :grin:

#4

So this is year two?
I really liked (last years?) with the kids out of nowhere that got involved. That was really cool and it showed that kids DO still have an interest. Think it comes down to what they are taught/given or allowed to do.
Like the old saying (modified): You can let them look at videos or pictures of model trains for a day or you can teach them how to play with them for a lifetime.

#5

Year 5 I think.
Yeah, last year was a fun one with that cute little girl that kept saying pitter pat. That was a different beach. The one girl that did come along this year was also really cute, I’d say 20ish and wearing a little bikini with half her butt hanging out and that was okay. :grin:
Sorry no photos or video but she was a sweet young woman.

#6

Blockquote Rooster

1h

So this is year two?
I really liked (last years?) with the kids out of nowhere that got involved. That was really cool and it showed that kids DO still have an interest. Think it comes down to what they are taught/given or allowed to do.
Like the old saying (modified): You can let them look at videos or pictures of model trains for a day or you can teach them how to play with them for a lifetime.

Every now and then Rooster drops some solid gold wisdom. Well said.

#7

Outstanding Todd. We will keep the girl in the striped bikini our little secret.

#8

Mesmerizing and beautiful, Todd ( @capecodtodd ). Our shoreline is too steep, our ocean too close, and our tourist load too high to even THINK about something like this! I am, for once, jealous of another’s beach!

On the other hand, “pesky” wahine in bikinis will interrupt my view lines all year round, so there are some benefits.

On a serious note, how do you de-sand everything? Our sand is very fine and would get into even an LGB gearbox, let everywhere else you wouldn’t want sand on a locomotive.

Eric

#9

Thanks Eric.
This is Cape Cod Massachusetts and we literally have miles and miles of beaches with sand that varies from small rocks to fine grains that blow and pile up with the wind. Most of our sand is somewhat course so it can be wiped off and when I get home I give the trains and track a good rinsing off.

The beach I set up on in this video is in Brewster and the tide goes out a long way. The last time I was there at low tide I walked out for 20 minutes and the water was still only up to my knees. At high tide I’d be under 8-9 feet of water. They call it the Brewster Flats.

The fine sand did track into my truck via my beach shoes so that will need a vacuum.

As for the bikini clad beauty, she seemed like a real girl next door type, innocent, maybe a bit naive as to the spell she was casting on boys of all ages that saw her but then again, she probably knew exactly what she was doing and she was just out living her life and enjoying the beach. It was nice of her to stop by the RR and have a chat where as most girls that looked like her would have kept walking, stuck up with their self absorbed attitudes.
Ah to be so casual, so free, alas to be 20ish again… :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

#10

Love the idea of taking trains to the beach! I usually hole up under the shade, but may have to venture out next summer. It looks like you brought the trestle and bents with you. It would be super cool to gather driftwood and make some beach bents.

#11

I’m not much of a beach person either so that is why I usually go in the evening when it is not as crowded, cooler and the sunset can be great.
In the past I have walked the wrack line and picked up driftwood and other junk to use on the layout but this time it was far away and finding anything useful is hit and miss.
With this setup I built it round a head sized rock. I thought about collecting seaweed and using that for greenery and probably should have but it is what it is.

I’m already thinking about next year and I want to get a piece of plastic sheet that is easily curved to form an arch so I can make a tunnel.
I say to make a plan Jim, collect your bits and get out there next year. We would all like to see what you create.

1 Like
#12

Do you wear a speedo when you go to attract such beauties?

#13

I think it was the train that attracted her to swing by. It certainly wasn’t my speedo which I wasn’t wearing that day. I’m saving that for an upcoming trip to Europe where middle aged/old guys like me actually wear them and think they look good. :rofl:

#14

Just so you don’t make that mistake, it’s man-kinis that are popular this season in Europe.

#15

OH Gosh!!!
I don’t even want to imagine what the hell a man-kinis is!!
This cartoon is on my Facebook page. Now I know it is not about “man-kinis”, but the cartoon is appropriate for the description of that word to me!

Barfing girl
Barfing girl504Ă—600 57.8 KB

#16

Oh geez the Mankini. I think I saw a few of those on a recent visit to Provincetown MA. PTown as it is known, is a mecca for those that live an “alternative” lifestyle. It can be a wild place where anything goes.

The Mankini a hammock for your weenie.

#17

Well since we are getting off topic here I think I can chime in.

Todd, you need a Spider-Man thong for your upcoming trip to Europe. The ticket to getting looks is to wear it backwards…
(I heard it really works).

I purchased one only to put it at the bottom of my underware drawer (taken out of the package of course). It’s one more step of my evil plan for my son to find after I pass on.
He already knows where the important papers/documents are along with the Will…etc. What he doesn’t know is that they also have 1/2 naked polaroids of his mother stapled to them.

On a side note I had discussed my end of life planning with Hollywood a couple years back and all he said is… It ain’t right boy but I like how you think!!

BTW…His mother and I are long divorced so that plan may not work in every situation…lol

#18

I’m gratified to see a thread go so off-topic, without any assistance from me, and the guilty conscience afterward. Carry on, gentlemen!

:grin:

#19

:face_vomiting: :face_vomiting: :face_vomiting: :face_vomiting:
Rooster, set out the out to lunch sign!

#20

You guys are too much.
Setting up a train at the beach is kooky fun and you guys have taken that theme all the way to a Spiderman thong! How did that happen ? Talk about a major derail!

Too funny Rooster setting up those bombs for your son to find. They should give him a really good laugh during a tough time.
I think I will consider the Mankini over the Spiderman thong. I’m not much for Spiderman but do they come with Thor on the front?