Large Scale Central

Favorite era for railroading in scale.

General Discussion
#21

Jon Radder said:

Todd Brody said:

It’s always September 1957 on the T&LBRR. Used to be September 1956 (for a 1957 Corvette) until someone pointed out a 1958 die cast car on the layout.

Todd, you haven’t selected a date and time? Some day someone will point out that some feature or another didn’t exist until afternoon on September something :slight_smile:

I stole an idea from Ric Golding that allows me to run any era equipment that I want: My railroad is a living museum. Set more-or less in modern times there are lots of artifacts from the steam, diesel transition and diesel second generation that can bee seen plying the rails.

Not a date and time. But September something is when the next model year autos were delivered. So for a 1958, …

But then our Lowrider train with their dancing Chebby rolls in and defies this anyways.

#22
 
#23

When I started, I was modeling the Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon railroad. So that puts me before 1910 to 1913, depending on what references I use. So that I could include some of the automobiles I was able to find, I decided to stretch it into the late teens/early 20’s. But then that darn hobby shop made me a deal on an RS3 that I couldn’t pass up, and then there was the F3 and…

So I am taking the same route that Jon took. When I am running just P&CS equipment, its the early 1920’s. When I am running other equipment, its a preservation (museum) railroad.

#24

Here’s my reasoning behind modeling the BN in 1971. BN was formed in May of 1970 (prior merger in the 1968-69 was put on hold by the ICC), Amtrak was created in 1971. That leaves a one year period that BN ran passenger equipment. Okay I could go either way BN or Amtrak as early Amtrak consists/trains looked really unique (plus no regularly scheduled passenger trains ran over the area I’m modeling). In 1972, a depot that I want to model was torn down. So that leaves a date between 1970-1971.

Researching in my Official Railway Equipment Register shows that in 1970 one all door boxcar was in interchange service, by 1971 eight all door cars were in interchange service. Score one point for 1971 again as it is more reasonable to suggest that a industry would receive a all door boxcar with 8 in service, verses 1… So on and so forth I arrive at the date of 1971.

Unlike smaller scale modelers that replicate a specific date/season, I’ve chosen to badly represent 1971 (I say badly as one can find locomotives and rolling stock changing throughout the year), so as the seasons change, the date on the layout changes. I’m researching traffic levels, train frequency and other interesting tidbits about the BN in 1971 so I may end up a specific car, or locomotive.

Anal? Sure, but I enjoy the historical research.

#25

Craig Townsend said: I enjoy the historical research.

Me too with a lot of era’s

#26

David Russell said:

Craig Townsend said: I enjoy the historical research.

Me too with a lot of era’s

I recently found out that the Milwaukee had trackage rights over subdivision that I model. Here’s the funny thing, BN only allowed 4 axle units over the sub, but the MILW started to sneak in 6 axle units. Afte a period time the BN found out what the MILW was doing and okayed it by default, but the BN restricted power to 4 axle units! So now I have to find out the exact date that the MILW was granted trackage rights and I’ll be given the opportunity to model some 6 axle MILW power along with the 4 axle BN power.

Depending on what you’re researching or the level of detail ORER’s are a good way to find out what was running around the railroads at that time. A official Railway Passenger Register was/is also published along side a Intermodal Register. ORER’s are published quarterly, not sure about the other publications. Railfan books such as Motive Power Annuals are also good sources of information as well! :wink:

#27

Craig

Please never try cocaine

:wink:

#28

I remember those BN “Lifesaver” passenger trains. Coaches with GN Orange and Sky Blue, Burlington Silver, NP green, etc.

#29

Oh boy, I just found another book I need to get…

http://www.historicrail.com/Burlington-Northern-Through-Passenger-Service-in-Color/productinfo/0R05405/

#30

I like all eras myself, but my favorite would have to be the 30’s and 40’s for train travel. Just so classy and yes even romantic. The steam era is very romantic. Once diesels hit the scene, the utilitarian way of travel kind of killed that romance.

Oh the El Capitan was beautiful and yes the current Empire Builder is awesome, but even they cannot match wits with a Niagara pulling some fancy passenger coaches across the country.

Anyway, I think it is safe to say, most prefer the steam era because, it was filled with the kinds of stuff dreams are really made of.

Stacy

#31

Craig Townsend said:

Oh boy, I just found another book I need to get…

http://www.historicrail.com/Burlington-Northern-Through-Passenger-Service-in-Color/productinfo/0R05405/

Hey Craig, it’s a bitch. Same problem here, start doing a bit of research and before you know one “needs” another book. And the biggest problem is … libraries don’t usually cover what you’re after, or at least ours doesn’t. Not anymore than having a 3D-printer. Oh well…

#32

I do have a nice book on the Milwaukee Road. Even so, my knowledge of North American railroading is somewhat shaky to say the least. However, I have found my most reliable source of information about American railroads has been in the pages of Classic Trains magazine. The articles are often about shortlines, consists, operations of railroads of a byegone era.

Of course railroad fora are also good information sources.

#33

Alan Lott said:

…However, I have found my most reliable source of information about American railroads has been in the pages of Classic Trains magazine. The articles are often about shortlines, consists, operations of railroads of a byegone era.

Of course railroad fora are also good information sources.

I ordered the DVD with the first ten years of CT to get a better feel of “how it used to be” in the good old days. After about a year of buying CT at the local store(s) I decided to subscribe. Same for TRAINS. Makes life simpler i.e. no missed issues.

#34

The Raritan River Rail Road, which I model, got diesel power in 1954 to replace the Steamers. At the same time they repainted the yellow cabeese to match the red diesels. So I would say I model from the mid-point of the 20th century. Here comes the exception - I have done the Raritan River boxcar which was built 1973-1975.

As an aside, my spell check suggested a replace “cabeese” with Maccabees!

#35

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

Craig Townsend said:

Oh boy, I just found another book I need to get…

http://www.historicrail.com/Burlington-Northern-Through-Passenger-Service-in-Color/productinfo/0R05405/

Hey Craig, it’s a bitch. Same problem here, start doing a bit of research and before you know one “needs” another book. And the biggest problem is … libraries don’t usually cover what you’re after, or at least ours doesn’t. Not anymore than having a 3D-printer. Oh well…

Hans,

I’ve had decent luck finding books through Inter library Loan services. Put the librarian’s knowledge to good use. Then once I acquire a copy through the ILL service, I scan the complete book for my files! Once the ILL book is returned I still have a reference copy plus the information where it was originally loaned from which makes finding it again in the future that much easier.

#36

Late to the dance again… One jigger fact, 2 jiggers fiction:

About the time Dude Ranches started making money, the Total Wreck mine played out and it’s town quickly ghosted. Looking for new employment Colossal Dave wandered about and found a really big fossil and cave near the mine.

But it’s a dry heat… come on out, it’s good for the Consumption.

The El Paso and Southwestern had a good run and the best route from Marsh Station to Tucson, but heading south to Douglas was the roundabout way compared to the SP route…History; SP’s depot was in a bad location and its track went where the Air Force base and runway are. UP follows EPnSW rr right of way and we still use their depot.

The Rancher John Vail bought the track from Tucson to the mine. [In reality the EP SW RR passed 5 miles to the East, but it’s my railroad] and operates The Vail and Total Wreck RR from Tucson to the mine, stopping at Colossal Dave’s place after the mine. The natural air conditioning in the cave can even get Granny off the train.

The Depression is tomorrow, today we dance. End of the 20s tourist train to 1890s mining…

A funky 4-4-0 painted like the Celebrated Jupiter, add a 20’ tank from a shorty car mounted on sloped back tender’s frame for extra water, a couple of yellow Sierra cars and the Observation done up in Daylight colours for the Boss’s varnish, tacked on the end. The work train bringing in supplies, got a deal on an old C-16 from Colorado, foot boards replaced the long pointed cowcatcher, a knuckle coupler gained. A workhorse and the crowd favorite for Sketcher’s Runbys… how slow can you go? Make smoke! Vape!

John Vail and a pal Jerry were out rounding up strays and looking up, Jerry exclaimed; That whole ridge is a total wreck with quartz boulders of ore. Thus came to be the Total Wreck mine. Wolfunite, MolyB, silver, copper oxides, etc… one guy tried to use dynamite to mine Magnesium, ended up setting the ore on fire! I haven’t been in that part, but I have foolishly been through the rest several ways. Yes I’ve seen massive beams cracked as they hold back too much over burden and muck. One tends to avoid touching them…

Come to Tucson and ride the Vail and Total Wreck Rail road to the mine and see Colossal Dave’s Really big Fossil and cave! Will you find the outlaw’s lost booty? There are stories… Legends! Great Air and it is a Dry Heat.

John

#37

John, good one.!

Kind of like my RR’s back history: The Swiss engineer ran off with the mine owners wife, etc…

#38

John Bouck said:

John, good one.!

Kind of like my RR’s back history: The Swiss engineer ran off with the mine owners wife, etc…

Izzat where HJ went!?!?

#39

Steve Featherkile said:

John Bouck said:

John, good one.!

Kind of like my RR’s back history: The Swiss engineer ran off with the mine owners wife, etc…

Izzat where HJ went!?!?

Only if it was a gold mine and she had tons of it.

#40

She weighed tons and was ‘full of it’