F.R.E.D

[Anonymous]

When were F.R.E.Ds used? and when were they used on CNW?

[BentnoseWillie]

Generally speaking, from the mid-1980's to present day in the US. In Canada they didn't start to appear until after 1990.

[Anonymous]

ok my layout is set from 1970 to 1984. so would a fred look ok on my layout?

[AntonioFP45]

CNWfan5525 [;)][:D]

I remember seeing F.R.E.D.s showing up around 1985 on Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) trains as the cabooses quickly dissappeared. Your scenario would be reasonable since railroads of the south U.S tended to update a little later than roads of the Mid-West and North.

If you don't mind my pointing out, your layout is in an ususal time setting in which many changes occured.

For example:

[1] From 1970-1975 there were still plenty of boxcars and reefers equipped with roof walks. By 1981 when I graduated from High School, roof walks were gone! I could find no more cars that still had roofwalks on them, except for cars that were stored in a nearby yard awaiting scrapping.

[2] 40ft. boxcars were still around in the early 70s. They were virtually EXTINCT from mainline service in the early 80s. Most were heading for the scrap pile. Some made it to museums and some are used today as railroad storage sheds.

[3] Plenty of Double Track mainlines in the U.S still in the early 70s. Single track was the rule from the early 80s thru today,( though there are multi-track districts in some heavy traffic areas).

And as I stated earlier, cabooses and FREDS. It was a very short transition period here in the south.

It's your rail system and you're the boss, but you might want to consider narrowing your modeling time period where rolling stock, scenery, etc did not change much. If you go with 1980-84, you could realistically justify cabooses and F.R.E.Ds. If you have an area where your main line is single track, you could have an empty "2 wide space running next to the line showing that there was a track there at one time. The space would be dirt and scattered broken railroad ties and ballast here and there that were left behind by the M.O.W crews.

My case in point::
My modeling period for me will be 1967-71. Why did I cut off at 1971? I wi***o realistically model SCL and New Haven passenger trains. In May, 1971 Amtrak was born and took over the passenger trains, and of course I prefer pre-Amtrak passenger trains.

These are just suggestions, but by narrowing your year gap, your "theme" becomes more evident. It's a neat feeling when a railfan or modeler looks at a layout and right away tells what time period the hobbyist is modeling. [8D][:D][^]

Your pictures look great! Keep up the good work and post your progress!! [swg][tup]

[traingeek087]

off the topic, but how did you insert the photo?

[Anonymous]

Just what is a F.R.E.D.?

[AntonioFP45]

CJM89

The acronym F.R.E.D stands for" Flashing Rear End Device.
There is also: E.O.T or End of Train device.

From my limited understanding, the flashing light is just one function. This device is also able to monitor brake line pressure and perform 1 or 2 other functions that I can't, at the moment, recall. It is able then to send signals to the monitor on the locomotive where the engineer can check the status of the FRED's functions.

Hopefully someone familiar with these devices will read this thread and give some more details.

[:D][:)][:P]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by traingeek087

off the topic, but how did you insert the photo?

You insert a photo by doing: withe the address between them

[traingeek087]

isn't it flashing red end device? not that it matters or anything.

i'm also modeling the period you are.1967-1969. [about the same.] I'm modeling the CBQ through Nebraska and Iowa. and pretty much for the same reasons you are. Pre amtrak Zephyr, Empire Builder, and North Coast Limited. Also the Chicago Burlington and Quincy merged in 1970 and I want to have the Chinese Red on my layout. Laters

[Anonymous]

I blame the FEC for inventing the FRED

DOGGY

[AntonioFP45]

Traingeek087,

You'll probably be running some nice looking E units!

Enjoy!