Joansville, one of the cities served by the original "N" scale UPIT railroad (now replaced with the new "HO" scale UPIT TERMINAL Railroad)...see NEW PHOTO'S below.
This is a 1965 Cushman Silver Eagle. This Eagle had been completely restored to a better than new condition - including a modern V-twin 23 hp engine.
Welcome to Joan and Frank's model railroad and Cushman Motor Scooter website.
The UPIT TERMINAL RAILROAD, is a "switching" railroad running numerous short trains each with a caboose (because we like them).
The UPIT TERMINAL H.O. railroad is a freelance terminal type railroad with one major freight yard and Amtrak station both located in St. Louis Missouri. From this yard and passenger station, the UPIT TERMINAL R.R. serves several small ILLINOIS towns with local industry and commuter rail service. Staging provides for a few switching trains from nearby locations but the railroad is primarily a local switching railroad with numerous small trains.
The name UPIT TERMINAL R.R. is the result of my imaginary merger of the Union Pacific and Illinois Terminal Railroads. The Illinois Terminal was a regional electric interurban running from St. Louis to several Illinois towns and cities providing passenger and freight handling service. The Illinois Terminal managed to survive into the 1980's due to its ability to switch from electric passenger service to diesel freight, unfortunately it no longer exists.
The Union Pacific was chosen as the merger partner because so much equipment was available in UP R.R. colors and/or the colors of its merger partners. This proved to be a big help as I did not want to spend the considerable funds necessary to custom paint the engines (and other equipment) that I had to acquire, first for the original "N" scale UPIT R.R. and again in late 2005 when I converted from "N" to "HO". All equipment on this railroad has been purchased (mostly used) on e-bay or local train shows.
Construction of the first (N scale) UPIT R.R. began in December 1997. This "N" scale railroad proved to be a fun railroad with "operations" and "long trains" (double deck with Helix) as its principle reason to exist. However, the difficulties with space limitations and maintenance proved to be too much. So, in late September of 2005, UPIT management made the decision that the original UPIT had to be replaced with something that would better fit the allocated space; was easier to maintain and provide interesting "operations". The decision was made to tear down the "N" scale version and rebuild the UPIT R.R. in "HO" scale. How was this going to work? No more space yet the railroad was rebuilt in a larger scale? The answer was to rebuild the UPIT as a "HO" switching layout with numerous short trains powered by switch engines and no continuous running. (I do miss not having track which provides for continuous running). This means that the railroad was converted from a freelance regional line runing long trains to a freelance terminal type railroad with numerous very short trains. The name I chose for this railroad, the UPIT TERMINAL R.R. seemed to be a natural, all things being considered, besides, if the BN and SF can do it, why not the UP and IT? Our motto is, "If THEY can't do it, then UPIT!" CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTERS When I was in high school, the "kids" did not have automobiles (yes, I am that old). Our travel options included riding the school bus, walking to school or getting a part time job and buying a used Cushman (and ride in style). I remember looking out of the third floor window of our high school building and seeing dozens of old Cushman "step-through's" resting under a big tree waiting for their owners to return and resume their traveling adventures. These old machines seemed to run on anything...made a lot of noise...and would go just about anywhere....(well, almost and most of the time anyway). While in high school, I worked in a bowling alley four nights a week setting pins...(no automatic pin sitters back then) so I could buy my Cushman (a black Springer Eagle). Well, things have a way of changing and before long girls became more important than my old "Springer", so it had to go. However, I still have fond memories of the many "smiles" and adventures that I enjoyed while riding that wonderful old 2-wheel machine. Some Photo Pages and a few of our Favorite Web Sites.
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Depending on the speed of your modem, it could possibly take from one to five minutes to download these photos. However, please be patient, we think it will be worth the wait.
UPIT TERMINAL Railroad photo's
The UPIT MODEL RAILROAD in "N" Scale.(Dec 1997 - Sept. 2005)...
The (New) UPIT TERMINAL R.R. (HO) Building the tables.....(Late Oct.- Nov. 2005) The (New) UPIT TERMINAL R.R. (HO) November 2005 to ???).....NEW PH0TOS October 9th, 2009.
The new UPIT TERMINAL R.R. is a switching type railroad with one major transfer yard and an Amtrak passenger station, both located in St. Louis Missouri. From this yard and passenger station, the UPIT TERMINAL R.R. serves several small towns with local industries and commuter rail passenger service. Staging provides for a few switching trains from nearby locations but the railroad is primarily a switching railroad moving freight between the main yard and local industries
(There are several photos so it may take a little time to load). CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER photo's
++(One) CCOA (June 2004) CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER MEET SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LINK'S Cushman
Arkansas Vintage Scooter Railroad and Other
Peter Vanvliet's - model railroad website(Lots of good information) Train GIF's by DJ Cooley.com
Original "N" scale UPIT is history-(sad photos - Oct., 2005)
++(Two) CCOA (June 2004) CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER MEET
++(Three) CCOA (June 2004) CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER MEET
++(Four) CCOA (June 2004) CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER MEET
++(Five) CCOA (June 2004) CUSHMAN MOTOR SCOOTER MEET
OUR GULF COAST CUSHMAN GROUP (Our riding buddies)
BRAZOS BEND - OUR CUSHMAN PICNIC - MAY 2002
Charles Roberson's Cushman Website
Jim's Cushman Website (A fantastic Cushman website)
The Louisiana Cushman Club
The Texas Cushman Club
Dale Farney's - H&SF model railroad website
Bill Wright's - model railroad website
NMRA - National Model Railroad Assn.(Lots of good ideas)
Flag Gif's by 3dflagsdotcom
