Hi there I have the books "Railroads You Can Model" and "More Railroads You Can Model" and I would like to know what other "You Can Model" articles MRR put out over the years? (including the "RR You Can Model" articles) Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
They do not use the "railroad you can model" phrase (I think the last such use was Jim Hediger's article on Auto Train years ago), but many articles in the Model Railroad Planning annual from 1995 to present are of that sort. Too many to summarize here but Linda Sand's article in the 1998 MRP on the Nicollet Ave spur in Minneapolis is very much of the Railroad You Can Model sort of article and is a good example of what I am talking about.
I would say that having a complete set of MRP is worth while scouring the magazine piles at swap meets to get if that is the kind of article you like.
Jim Hediger also wrote some things for MR itself that were of this type. The June 1987 MR saw his article on the Manufacturer's Railroad, and perhaps one of the best articles of the Railroad You Can Model sort is his article on Progressive Rail in the June 2002 issue of MR.
But those are just examples. The imaginative reader can glean almost the same kind of article from nearly any issue of Trains, Classic Trains, or Railroad/Railfan.
Dave Nelson
Yes also I have come across a few "RR You Can Model" articles in MRR through the MRarchives. So I know they're out there I'm just trying to get some help finding them all!
Coming to the dance a tad late but,MR did a "Railroad You Can Model" banner on Progressive Rail's Airlake operation back in 2002.. I remember that well because (ahem) my Slate Creek Rail/Summerset Ry is loosely based on that operation.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I've been spending some time going through back issues, via digital archives, and looked at the June, 2002 issue, on Progressive Rail.
What a great inspiration for a very busy, modern switching lay out.
Mike.
My You Tube
They (MR staff) have done a bunch of project railroads over the past 6 or 7 years. Check the Jan-May/June issues in each year starting around 2012 (Virginian).
They have also done video series that can be found under the videos tab. Some were MRVP videos only, some are accessible to MR subscribers.
I would like to point out that I happen to know that the "Railroad You Can Model" series will be returning in the Model Railroader April 2017 Issue (Issue 1,000)!
The Beer Line and the Winston-Salem Southbound are two more recent examples, even if they didn't necessarily use that tag line.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
mbinsewiWhat a great inspiration for a very busy, modern switching lay out. Mike.
Mike,Indeed..When I first saw the article I looked at the photos and seeing the SW1500 is one of my favorite switchers I knew I would come up with a master plan based on this article..What to do? Sadly the planning wheels turned slowly until I found a Athearn SW1500 lettered for "Summerset Railway" on e-Bay painted in ACL's purple and silver scheme.Beautiful! Slate Creek was finally borned..
Then more luck as I bought a used P2K SW8 and the guy offered to paint it for Slate Creek Rail so,I agreed to his price including painting and decaling for SCR.
Back to topic. I wish MR would do more "A Railroad You Can Model" articles on smaller operations based on switching since ISLs is gaining popularity since the current trend seems to be quality over quantity.
Larry, during my back issue tours, I also came across the A&R article. I use to watch them switch cars in Fayettville, NC. with the CSX, when ever we were down there visiting our son, at Fort Bragg. I think it was the November 1965 issue. I'll have to go back and check.
EDIT: Confirmed, November 1965. Two articles on the A&R
rrinkerThe Beer Line and the Winston-Salem Southbound are two more recent examples, even if they didn't necessarily use that tag line.
And as others have pointed out, many articles in current and past issues of Model Railroad Planning also include the same kind of background as the old "Railroads you can Model" series, often with much-better-thought-out track plans than some of the old series.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
mbinsewiEDIT: Confirmed, November 1965. Two articles on the A&R
Great to know..Thanks!
At the next Train Show I'll thumb through the old magazines to see if I can find that issue..It was that article that started my life long love for short lines along with some help from reading (studying really) Beebe and Cleggs "Mixed Train Daily"..
Does anyone have the track plan from Model Trains November 1954 "Pennsy's famous Horseshoe Curve" and Model Trains June 1956 "The model at Milepost 352"? Thank you!
IIRC "Railroads You Can Model" was a semi-regular (i.e., not in every issue) thing that MR did for many years. Keep in mind the books "Railroads You Can Model" and "More Railroads You Can Model" are based on articles that originally had appeared in MR in like the 1950's - 60's.
I always smile when folks bring up Progressive Rail. When I used to tell people I lived across the street from the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Ry., they often assumed I was making it up - that it must be my freelance model railroad name ("Northfield and Southern...C'mon!"). Since Progressive Rail took over the tracks, it seems like everybody knows about it now. Same engines, same paint scheme, same lines, but the MR article (and several follow-up references) have made PR a 'household name'.
wjstixSince Progressive Rail took over the tracks, it seems like everybody knows about it now. Same engines, same paint scheme, same lines, but the MR article (and several follow-up references) have made PR a 'household name'.
I suppose many may not know PR has several operations.
http://www.progressiverail.com/
As I mention my love of short lines started with the A&R article in MR back in the 60s.
Short lines do have their own (usually relaxed) pace. I remember as a little kid in the early sixties I used to flash our porch light at the trains when they came by in the dark during the winter months. A few weeks before Xmas 1963 the train stopped in front of my house, and the crew gave me a "real" railroader's flashlight - one with a long red tube for signalling - to use instead.
Years later, after the Soo Line took the line over, I remember in late summer my dad flagging the train down to give the conductor a bag of fresh tomatoes from his garden. A week or so later the crew stopped the train again and the conductor got out and gave us both "Soo Line" ball caps.
I enjoy where I live now, regularly seeing consists of SD-70s and AC-4400's racing along the Twin Cities - Chicago mainline, but it's a completely different animal.
wjstixI enjoy where I live now, regularly seeing consists of SD-70s and AC-4400's racing along the Twin Cities - Chicago mainline, but it's a completely different animal.
Those are nice to feast one eyes upon but,for me the brace of GP30s that Indiana Northeastern uses in daily service sure can't be beat..Nor can their consist of GP11s and pure EMD 567D sounds is sweet to the ears.
GP30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnEprIUC0TQ
I think it would be worth it to Kalmbach to gather all such articles over the years and publish several books...by era. I think it has done that in the past.
Or, MRP could revisit an article previously published and update it for modern design, construction, operating, and technology subjects...maybe the railroad itself if its still operating.
If Kalmbach didn't have the appetite for doing the research on a new project from scratch, use the research performed for a previous article as a basis for a new article.
- Douglas
DoughlessOr, MRP could revisit an article previously published and update it for modern design, construction, operating, and technology subjects...maybe the railroad itself if its still operating.
A example..How many today would know A&R GP7 205 that was featured in the November '65 issue of MR is still in operation and never been rebuilt? This engine was built for A&R in 9/1951(31949).
BRAKIE Doughless Or, MRP could revisit an article previously published and update it for modern design, construction, operating, and technology subjects...maybe the railroad itself if its still operating. A example..How many today would know A&R GP7 205 that was featured in the November '65 issue of MR is still in operation and never been rebuilt? This engine was built for A&R in 9/1951(31949).
Doughless Or, MRP could revisit an article previously published and update it for modern design, construction, operating, and technology subjects...maybe the railroad itself if its still operating.
Good point Larry.
MR staff has done a lot of time consuming research about railroads, shortlines, and branch lines, over the years. Don't reinvent the wheel. They could simply reuse the existing information gathered in 1965 and rewrite the article and draw up a plan for modeling the A&R as it was in 1965. Simply write the article and design the layout for more modern considerations.
Who cares that they would be repeating some stuff they talked about 40 years ago? I'm sure MR could find ways to tweak it enough to where the article seemed fresh and nearly original.
To write an article that updates a railroad for modern times might be slim pickins, since most have faded away. Although the A&R would certainly be a prime candidate for that type of article too.
The Sandersville Railroad could be another.
I remember an article on the Fonda, Johnstown, & Gloversville a long time ago that was very interesting. MR staff should be able to find a way to revisit that article and devote a few pages to tweaking it for 2017.
DoughlessI remember an article on the Fonda, Johnstown, & Gloversville a long time ago that was very interesting.
Yes,that was a great article on a Alco powered short line. Sadly the FJ&G ceased operation in '88 but,still well worth another look see with some updated information and as you stated modern layout planning.
Personally I like the old style track plans from the book, but the new plans in MRR are nice too!