My point was more about specialization, rather than location. Though that is an interesting point. There seems to be a kinda largeish interest in commuter railroads, and that is pretty specialized. And then there's subways. Still, multi-faceted railroads offer, uh, more facets--more varied kinds of cars going to a larger variety of places. And it doesn't hurt to have had a nice looking streamlined passenger train on the route, either.
Ed
I'm not sure I agree that location is what makes a railroad noteworthy. Rather modelgenicness (??) and interesting equipment and ops makes a railroad something modelers would like. For example the D&RG was and is in a pretty isolated part of the country, yet is highly modeled and supported by manufacturers. Likewise the Clinchfield is very modelgenic in ops and location. The DMIR is a very modelgenic railroad, with probably the biggest limitation for most modelers like me is the shear size of the docks, boats, and mines for a small room.
Missabemodeler Does anyone else wonder why this railroad is so under represented.
Does anyone else wonder why this railroad is so under represented.
Well, I wasn't. But if I were to do so, I would think it was because it was a specialty railroad, much like the BA&P. Both were busy doing their own local thing, but had little to do with the outside world. To me, the wonder is that N&W interest is so big, considering that it was mostly a coal road.
Myself, I'd rather have an NP Yellowstone than a DM&IR one.
I found a crane made by Walters for this RR.
http://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/walthers-ho-n/walthers-ho-freight-cars-932-series/walthers-ho-n-crane-car/platinum-linetm-american-crane-powered-rigged-standard-dc-duluth-missabe-iron-range-x-18-932-41958/
richhotrain For what it's worth, the cab number on my Spectrum is 508. Rich
For what it's worth, the cab number on my Spectrum is 508.
Rich
508 is also close, though the running boards and steps are a little different. A reasonable model. Not sure if this is a Bachmann bash or not -- but I think these were very good locos, very reasonably priced for what you get.
tomikawaTT While the DM&IR had some noteworthy locomotives and some interesting infrastructure, northeastern Minnesota is neither a major metropolitan area nor a major tourist destination. To most people, it's rather like Antarctica - we know it's there, but we seldom think about it in general, never mind in detail.
While the DM&IR had some noteworthy locomotives and some interesting infrastructure, northeastern Minnesota is neither a major metropolitan area nor a major tourist destination. To most people, it's rather like Antarctica - we know it's there, but we seldom think about it in general, never mind in detail.
Alton Junction
Going all the way back to the OP's original statement:
Imagine if you grew up with one picket fence between your back door and the Podunk and Northern, in an area where the entire population wouldn't fully fill the Rose Bowl. Would it surprise you that models of P&N #10 (2-8-0, Baldwin catalog loco built 1896) are, to put it kindly, uncommon?
For that matter, I doubt that anyone notices that the Six Companies Railroad isn't modeled, even though it had some interesting infrastructure and rolling stock, and, for its rather brief existence, very heavy traffic. Of course, it was located in the approximate heart of nowhere, and I doubt that the locals, all of whom were busy building Boulder (now Hoover) Dam, ever gave it much thought.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - not far from the heart of nowhere)
The Bachmann model is of DMIR 511. The DMIR 2-10-2s had many, many detail variations, and I believe the Bachmann 511 is at least reasonably close to the prototype 511 in the 1950s -- no air tanks on top of the boiler needed. It's worth pointing out that as far as I can tell, Bachmann made many individual detail changes to each of the USRA light 2-10-2 models they brought out. The KCS appears to be very good for the heavily modified KCS ex Wabash locos in the late 1940s, for instance. And they were available in the $100-150 range. Best to be informed when posting.
richhotrain Which raises the question, how close is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 that I own to the actual prototype? Rich
Which raises the question, how close is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 that I own to the actual prototype?
As delievered pretty close. As they ended up after the merger...there's some work to be to be done. Three Air tanks to the top of the boiler is a start.
GDRMCo wjstix You'd have to paint it yourself, but the BLI model of the C&O's 2-10-4 is very close to the Missabe's ex-B&LE engines. I thought this statement sounded bogus so I went searching....
wjstix You'd have to paint it yourself, but the BLI model of the C&O's 2-10-4 is very close to the Missabe's ex-B&LE engines.
I thought this statement sounded bogus so I went searching....
After all, how many brass or plastic models totally reflect the prototype?
Not many, if any, I suspect.
wjstixYou'd have to paint it yourself, but the BLI model of the C&O's 2-10-4 is very close to the Missabe's ex-B&LE engines.
This is one of the DMIR 2-10-4s.
A shot of a C&O T1 2-10-4.
Now they're imo nothing alike and some stats to quantify:
Firstly the DMIR Texans.
Driver Wheelbase 22.30'Engine Wheelbase 45.50'Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) 95.22'Engine Weight 524440 lbsTender Light Weight 382550 lbsTotal Engine and Tender Weight 906990 lbsDriver Diameter 64"Cylinders (dia x stroke) 31" x 32"
And to compare, the C&O T1 as suggested.
Driver Wheelbase 24.30'Engine Wheelbase 49.20'Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) 99.50'Engine Weight 566000 lbsTender Light Weight 415000 lbsTotal Engine and Tender Weight 981000 lbsDriver Diameter 69"Cylinders (dia x stroke) 29" x 34"
So the T1 has bigger drivers, is longer in all metrics, weighs more, etc. And visually other than being a steam loco I would not think one could stand in for another. I thought maybe using the BLI ATSF 2-10-4 #3829 (2-10-2 with a 4 wheel trailling truck) as a starting point it may end up with a better result, the wheelbase, drivers, etc are within a foot of the DMIR 2-10-4s dimensions so would make a more reasonable model imo.
ML
A great thing about the DMIR is it's 'transition era' was so short - bought it's first diesel switcher in 1953, first road diesel in 1955, and officially retired steam from general service in 1960.
As far as HO models, I was very surprised when Walthers came out with their wood DMIR caboose. I have two of them (so far). For diesels, Life-Like Proto (pre-Walthers) made a RTR Missabe SD-9, and Athearn and Kato have done Missabe SD-38s (and Athearn's done DMIR 'tunnel' diesels too). Plus you can get GN and B&LE F-units that were leased to the Missabe.
For steam, as noted the Spectrum 2-10-2 is a good DMIR model. You'd have to paint it yourself, but the BLI model of the C&O's 2-10-4 is very close to the Missabe's ex-B&LE engines. There are some 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 models that are good starting points for Missabe models. Plus as noted, Walthers has made both DMIR and DM&N "Minnesota" ore cars.
I was at the Missabe Road Historical Society's convention last weekend, by the way. Jeff Otto was there, his DMIR/GN iron ore railroad was on the cover of the 2013 Model Railroad Planning issue and is a great example of what can be done in the field.
http://mrr.trains.com/videos/layout-visits/2013/02/video-jeff-ottos-ho-scale-missabe-northern-ry
http://www.missabe.com/cms/
I have an HO scale Bachmann Spectrum DM&IR 2-10-2, 16 Walthers DM&IR ore cars, and a Walthers DM&IR wood caboose.
So, there is at least some product available.
Fifty or more years ago, I drooled over pictures of the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone brass models that were advertised in Model Railroader; however, back then I was only earning $20 a week and could never hope to own one.
Now that I have the finances, they're no longer available.
I don't think enough people model the Massabe for model railroader manufacturers to recover their investment and make a profit. Having said that, there are pleny of brass models, including the Yellowstones and the cabooses. And didn't someone do a wood caboose in plastic? However, I think you will see a high-end plastic model of a Yellowstone one of these days soon by BLI or someone else. It's a beautiful engine that even those not modeling the Missabe will want.
Victor A. Baird
www.erstwhilepublications.com
I was raised on the Iron Range of Minnesota. Many of the DM&IR locos passed 50 yards behind my boyhood home. I wonder if any other modelers have noticed how under represented the DM&IR is both in Publications and models. The DM&IR Yellowstones (almost impossible to find) were on a par with the B&O EM1s, The N&W Y6Bs & As and the UP Big Boys. The DM&IR S6 and S7 switchers were some of the largest switch engines ever built. The DM&IR carried more iron ore than The Great Northern, Soo Line or any other railroad. On its last day of service one DM&IR Yellowstone hauled 190 loaded ore cars to the docks in Duluth. Does anyone else wonder why this railroad is so under represented.