Large Scale Central

Long consist of same type of cars

General Discussion
#1

I was at a small scale train club a few months back and I saw a guy with a train of about 40 coal cars and nothing else. It got me thinking, Why did he choose coal cars? I should have asked him, did he come from a mining town or someplace similar? But I didn’t. The reason I ask is I love the sight of a long string of tankers. I grew up practically surrounded by Oil refineries so I believe that is the reason.

So I ask this question, “Is there a particular type of consist/car that you prefer and do you think the location you grew up shaped this preference?”

#2

Where I live the UP runs string after string of coal cars, as well as unit grain trains. Container and tank trains exist, but are not as prevalent. There there is the occasional military move. So yes, your choice (or interest) can be greatly affected by where you are from.

#3

This is the type of consist I prefer and growing up in the logging woods of Northern California just may have influenced me a little(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#4

Well, I grew up three miles east of Hershey, PA (little borough of Palmyra). I would like a solid train of HERX insulated box cars. Problem is, nobody makes a car in the proper colors, (and I am somewhat daunted at the idea of creating a whole train of them). Most of the time the offerings are refers painted in the chocolate bar wrapper colors. Cutesy, but incorrect. The actual cars were plug door insulated box cars. The livery was more like Pacific Fruit Express refers, terra cotta roof and ends with yellow-orange sides. But I suppose what sells are cars like the one below.

Have fun, David Meashey

#5

I didnt grow up in logging country, but my “unit train” is a logger.

I do have a a set of half dozen Aristo Western Maryland hopper cars that I also run behind an Aristo WM RS3.

Around here I see the coal trains, coke trains, and intermodal trains. Sometimes I see a long string of auto racks too. Now that the Marcellus Shale fracking wells are sprouting up all over around here, I am also seeing unit trains of covered hoppers.

#6

That looks beautiful, David. Nice logging cars; AML?

#7

Once in awhile I’d catch the “Tropicana Orange Juice” train rumbling through Newark DE. All white reefers with the orange “Tropicana” logo on the side. Originates down below Ft Pierce FL.

#8

Did you attend U of D?

#9

Today they call them ‘Unit Trains’. In the 1950s they called the ‘Coal Drags’. Long tank trains were called ‘Pipelines’. Long trains of one car type have been around for a long time. Many of the very large steam engines were developed with an eye there, look at the development of any eastern/north eastern railroad in the Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, West Tennessee area where coal is prevalent.

Tank trains have been common almost anywhere there are large deposits of oil being pumped out of the ground. Rockefeller made his fortunes on oil. And I believe it was Vanderbuilt who made his fortunes shipping that oil by rail.

#10

I really prefer a mixed consist, that is what I saw growing up, boxcars and a lot of lumber, when I moved to Arizona from central California then I started seeing the intermodal trains. Wish someone beside Mike Dortsch made bulkhead and centerbeams( close to proper size)

#11

Thanks Pete , it’s Dorsch though .

#12

Derailed said:

Did you attend U of D?

Had a couple train buddies that lived down that way.

#13

I grew up watching the blue birds ( second engine )… I could use a couple more though …

#14

My ore drag. Except for a logging train, this is the only “unit” train I still own. I’ll let Joe imbed the video

I can’t even paste the link. will work on it.

#15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aqHwhlQCjE

#16

#17

Cliff Jennings said:

That looks beautiful, David. Nice logging cars; AML?

I wish.

No, those are Bachmann skeleton log cars, with loads from that awful coniferous bush that used to block my view when I would back out of my driveway. I repainted the log cars so they look a bit better.

#18

Derailed said:

I love the sight of a long string of tankers.

Video shot in the next town over that Dave Meashey grew up in (Annville) . Ex Reading line to Philly still moving hot and heavy …But I still like Amtrash !

(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#19

 

#20

Rooster said:

Derailed said:

I love the sight of a long string of tankers.

I still like Amtrash !

(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)