Large Scale Central

Good reference book for outdoor railroading

General Discussion
#1

I often see people asking all sorts of questions about how the real railroads do, or did things.
Research is the way to go, although in spite of the Internet and all it’s pages of good information; the modern person doesn’t seem to know how to use it. They seem to depend on a few persons who think they know a little bit more than the rest.

Well here is a book that can answer most questions, about basic railroad construction practices, along with some operating experiences.

 "Railroad Construction" Theory and Practice.
by Walter Loring Web, C.E.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

A text book for the use of students in colleges and technical schools and a handbook for the use of engineers in field and office.

I happen to have two copies of this book, one is the sixth edition and the other is the eighth. Both are from way back in the early 1900’s.

You might find one in an old book store in an older railroad town, or possibly in a major library near you.

#2

Resource Book Thread!

A great resource for signaling is:

Railroad Operation and Railroad Signaling by Edmund Phillips.

#3

Railroad books are the greatest sources of info there is!.
I have quite a few and usually add one or two a month to my library.
Every “Whimsey” kitbash that us modelers come up with usually has a prototype somewhere.
For instance: A water tower on a raised platform next to a trestle–been done. (The train stops for water while on the trestle.)
A crossover on a trestle–been done.
A cab forward 0-4-0–been done.
The list goes on and on.

To be honest, I don’t read the books that much per se----but I sure get great ideas from looking at the old black and white pictures.

TOG

#4

One of the sad things I see is the constant requests by new people to the hobby, for inforamation about “Making the trains go”.

Too bad that more of the so called, and self proclaimed “Experts”, don’t support the idea of directing the “Newbies” towards the books available on basic electricity.

It doesn’t mater what scale or gauge the modeler uses, the electrical circuits are basicly the same.

It is of no real value to new persons to the hobby, if they are confronted by the thoughts of; DCC, DC, AC, R/C, and batteries of all sorts; without being directed to the basic knowledge of ELECTRICITY.

I see so called “Experts” having trouble even understanding the idea of a “REVERSE LOOP”, and avoiding any thought of employing one, due to the lack of a simple understanding of BASIC ELECTRICITY.

Lets all start suggesting to new people; the idea of acquiring some of the very inexpensive books put out by major Model Railroad Magazines, on basic wiring, and electricity.
Avoid directing people in any direction until they do the basic research, through these books.

…in fact maybe we all should review our own knowledge, and find better solutions to some of our own problems.

#5

Fred’s suggestion is very good, but consider this: Not too long ago I responded to a DC electrical block control question posted on another LS forum. I suggested that the OP purchase a book on wiring to answer several points as well as correct some of his misunderstandings. As fred points out, basic DC and other controls are the same regardless of scale.

I received a rather impolite email from the OP accusing me of being an agent for the book publisher and sales outlets. He also wrote that all the information in the books was obvious, in the public domain, and that in the internet age folks shouldn’t have to pay for it. He then asked that, since I already owned the book, I just copy and send him the pages that would solve his problem. I responded by deleting his email and adding him to my spam blocker. No use trying to correspond with idiots.

Some people don’t want help even when they ask, but I guess ya gotta keep trying.

Happy RRing,

Jerry Bowers

#6
Jerry Bowers said:
Fred's suggestion is very good, but consider this: Not too long ago I responded to a DC electrical block control question posted on another LS forum. I suggested that the OP purchase a book on wiring to answer several points as well as correct some of his misunderstandings. As fred points out, basic DC and other controls are the same regardless of scale.

I received a rather impolite email from the OP accusing me of being an agent for the book publisher and sales outlets. He also wrote that all the information in the books was obvious, in the public domain, and that in the internet age folks shouldn’t have to pay for it. He then asked that, since I already owned the book, I just copy and send him the pages that would solve his problem. I responded by deleting his email and adding him to my spam blocker. No use trying to correspond with idiots.

Some people don’t want help even when they ask, but I guess ya gotta keep trying.

Happy RRing,

Jerry Bowers


Jerry I think this little tidbit pretty much describes, like your friend above, just how ungratefull some people can be…from Life of Brian:

EX-LEPER: Alms for an ex-leper.
MANDY: Buzz off!
EX-LEPER: Spare a talent for an old ex-leper.
BRIAN: Did you say… ‘ex-leper’?
EX-LEPER: That’s right, sir. Sixteen years behind the bell, and proud of it, sir.
BRIAN: Well, what happened?
EX-LEPER: I was cured, sir.
BRIAN: Cured?
EX-LEPER: Yes, sir, a bloody miracle, sir. God bless you.
BRIAN: Who cured you?
EX-LEPER: Jesus did, sir. I was hopping along, minding my own business. All of a sudden, up he comes. Cures me. One minute I’m a leper with a
trade, next minute my livelihood’s gone. Not so much as a by your leave. ‘You’re cured mate.’ Bloody do-gooder.
BRIAN: Well, why don’t you go and tell him you want to be a leper again?
EX-LEPER: Ah, yeah. I could do that, sir. Yeah. Yeah, I could do that, I suppose. What I was thinking was, I was going to ask him if he could make me
a bit lame in one leg during the middle of the week. You know, something beggable, but not leprosy, which is a pain in the arse, to be blunt. Excuse my
French, sir, but, uh–
MANDY: Brian! Come and clean your room out.
BRIAN: There you are.
EX-LEPER: Thank you, sir. Thanks-- Half a denary for me bloody life story?
BRIAN: There’s no pleasing some people.
EX-LEPER: That’s just what Jesus said, sir.