Hi I am trying to figure out what style stations I am going to use on my cascade northern r.r. and I am reletively under-informed when it comes to structures of different railroads. If anyone can help I'd really appreciate it.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Most major railroads had engineering departments with standard designs for depots, freight stations, towers, etc... Your best bet for freelancing is to find either
1) a railroad you interchange with that could serve as a "parent" road from which you could use their structure designs or
2) Find a shortline or regional road and use their structures as a guide for kitbashing/scratchbuilding your own.
There have been many articles and drawings on "standard" structures in MRR, RMC, and other publications. Just search the index.http://trc.trains.com/en/Train%20Magazine%20Index.aspx
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
Bundy74 Most major railroads had engineering departments with standard designs for depots, freight stations, towers, etc... Your best bet for freelancing is to find either 1) a railroad you interchange with that could serve as a "parent" road from which you could use their structure designs or 2) Find a shortline or regional road and use their structures as a guide for kitbashing/scratchbuilding your own. There have been many articles and drawings on "standard" structures in MRR, RMC, and other publications. Just search the index.http://trc.trains.com/en/Train%20Magazine%20Index.aspx
Interesting. I am trying to find some prototype to kind of base it off of but not an exact copy of any railroads specific station design.
cascadenorthernrrInteresting. I am trying to find some prototype to kind of base it off of but not an exact copy of any railroads specific station design.
Go generic with one of the station kits.
Heres one of my favorites.
https://www.walthers.com/city-station-kit-17-5-8-x-5-7-8-x-4-3-8-quot-44-8-x-14-9-x-11-1cm
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
PRR, SP, ATSF and others had 'common standard' station designs. Most small town stations followed those designs.
A book written about the N&W in the twilight of steam mentioned, "Locomotives just off the erecting floor rolling past stations, built in the 19th century, which had come with the original roads' mergers into the transition era N&W." Also, some towns built stations in anticipation of a railroad's construction, in order to influence the route. Translation - get themselves a place on the main line, not two miles of muddy road away.
There were a few cases where the railroad posted the plans of a 'common standard' flagstop in order to have the city fathers finance a more grandiose structure.
So, what's the history of your road? Was it built through virgin country? Was it influenced by a population already in place? Maybe Fred Flintheart offered a re-purposed bunkhouse if the railroad would build through his land... All reasons to have either a single standard design or a patchwork of no-two-alike buildings.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with non-identical stations)
Cascade Northern sounds like the Pacific Northwest.
There are drawings of various stations of the NP, GN and SP&S here:
http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/Lists/BN_Structure_Drawings/AllItems.aspx#InplviewHashf6f834f3-1010-4f18-9089-2d576053e92f=Paged%3DTRUE-p_Title%3DStruc000300-p_ID%3D300-PageFirstRow%3D301
And, of course, there are lots of photos in books and quite a few online. Here, for example, is a photo of the (former) depot at Lyle, WA:
Klickitat WA:
Kettle Falls, WA:
Standard stations in the West tended to be wood construction and not heavily decorated. Unless they weren't and were, respectively.
I noticed while exploring the drawings (above) that there was included a drawing for a yard/freight office for Kettle Falls dated 1984.
Ed
7j43k Cascade Northern sounds like the Pacific Northwest. There are drawings of various stations of the NP, GN and SP&S here: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/Lists/BN_Structure_Drawings/AllItems.aspx#InplviewHashf6f834f3-1010-4f18-9089-2d576053e92f=Paged%3DTRUE-p_Title%3DStruc000300-p_ID%3D300-PageFirstRow%3D301 And, of course, there are lots of photos in books and quite a few online. Here, for example, is a photo of the (former) depot at Lyle, WA: Klickitat WA: Kettle Falls, WA: Standard stations in the West tended to be wood construction and not heavily decorated. Unless they weren't and were, respectively. I noticed while exploring the drawings (above) that there was included a drawing for a yard/freight office for Kettle Falls dated 1984. Ed
Yes! You are correct, my railroad is set in the pacific northwest. Check out my website cascadenorthernrr.webs.com
tomikawaTT PRR, SP, ATSF and others had 'common standard' station designs. Most small town stations followed those designs. A book written about the N&W in the twilight of steam mentioned, "Locomotives just off the erecting floor rolling past stations, built in the 19th century, which had come with the original roads' mergers into the transition era N&W." Also, some towns built stations in anticipation of a railroad's construction, in order to influence the route. Translation - get themselves a place on the main line, not two miles of muddy road away. There were a few cases where the railroad posted the plans of a 'common standard' flagstop in order to have the city fathers finance a more grandiose structure. So, what's the history of your road? Was it built through virgin country? Was it influenced by a population already in place? Maybe Fred Flintheart offered a re-purposed bunkhouse if the railroad would build through his land... All reasons to have either a single standard design or a patchwork of no-two-alike buildings. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with non-identical stations)
Thanks!
American Model Builders makes kits for structures based on designs used by railroads in your area. You might consider the following:
#133 Great Northern standard depot.
#149 Northern Pacific Class A depot.
#188 Northern Pacific Class C depot.
#134 Southern Pacific number 22 depot.
#176 Southern Pacific number 22 depot, left hand (mirror image of #134).
#150 Southern Pacific number 23 depot.
#127 or #182 Union Pacific standard (Walthers Clarksville Depot is similar).
Tom
ACY American Model Builders makes kits for structures based on designs used by railroads in your area. You might consider the following: #133 Great Northern standard depot. #149 Northern Pacific Class A depot. #188 Northern Pacific Class C depot. #134 Southern Pacific number 22 depot. #176 Southern Pacific number 22 depot, left hand (mirror image of #134). #150 Southern Pacific number 23 depot. #127 or #182 Union Pacific standard (Walthers Clarksville Depot is similar). Tom
Sounds great! Actually I live in Louisiana so any photos of the pacific northwest would help!
It is probably controversial but you don't actually have to stick to the prototype of your railroad if you like something else
It's your railroad, so none of us have a dog in your hunt. I think there is a specific place in the national archives where you can see railroad stations. I did not bookmark it and what I found has 400+ pages; which I am not inclined to go through. However you can add other search parameter and narrow down your search. https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=railroad%20station%20photographs&f.oldScope=online&tabType=image
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy It is probably controversial but you don't actually have to stick to the prototype of your railroad if you like something else It's your railroad, so none of us have a dog in your hunt. I think there is a specific place in the national archives where you can see railroad stations. I did not bookmark it and what I found has 400+ pages; which I am not inclined to go through. However you can add other search parameter and narrow down your search. https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=railroad%20station%20photographs&f.oldScope=online&tabType=image
I believe what you are speaking of is "freelancing" correct?
Also thanks for the suggestion!
What's great about the world wide web is that you can see pictures of anything instantly without being there. Here are two useful ways to research stuff like this.
Use the image search feature on google or yahoo to see pictures of what you are looking for. Use key words that you think are approaite for your railraod. Here is one of the images I found. this is BN in Washington but it looks like a standard Southern Pacific depot from northern California or Oregon also. The colors are usually either yellow or off white.
Use google earth in 3D mode to look at actual structures by searching for a station at a town which you are trying to copy.
Ok thanks.
cascadenorthernrrI believe what you are speaking of is "freelancing" correct?
Yes I was blocking on the word. I am not a rivet counter it only has to look good to me. That may not be your thing.
Lone Wolf's photo"
If I had doctorwayne's skills I would build something like this.
Well I am looking for any style station for ideas not just those from the pacific northwest. You see the CNRR is operated by a consortium of railroads even some east coast roads! It exists in this alternate history where steam and diesel were NOT rivals but equals working together. So I would say I'm an EXTREME freelancer! Please check my website to get a better idea.
Others have already mentioned that the major railroads often developed standard designs that they would use, giving distinctive styles unique for each road. But they also had many stations that were built prior to the standard plans, or that were built by a predecessor small railroad line that was bought up. Lots of architectural variety out there, and lots of published photos.
Yes is there a good resource to find that? Also I would like to mention that I am not looking for a specific prototype but some inspiration for my standard design or my stations in general. (I may not abide by the standard design concept!)
Being from the PNW, many stations resembled this one.
http://www.depotsbyjohn.com/kitspg2.html
The 18 x 40 Country Depot. I believe is a Milwaukee Road prototype, buts fits GN and NP as well.
In case you decide on prototypical vs your railroad. Many wish for visitors to immediately identify where geographically your railroad represents when visiting.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Thanks! By the way can anyone tell me how to add photos to my posts?
Questions involving standardization, like many other issues, can lead a person to conclusions that may or may not be valid. For the most part, railroads --- especially the larger ones --- followed standard plans.
While many stations were built to standard plans, many were not. I know of one small town that had a large brick manufacturer, but no station. When a station was finally built, it was unlike any others on the line, and was made of brick, rather than the wooden standard of that railroad. The local historical understanding is that the brick manufacturer wanted a depot, and could get it only by building it themselves. In other cases, I have heard that a community built a nonstandard station to influence the railroad to have their trains stop there.
Over the years, railroads often changed their standards. A station built in 1895 might look vastly different from one built in 1925 for the same railroad.
If two railroads merged, the enlarged system might end up with two routes with very dissimilar structures.
Hypothetically, let's suggest that a depot burned down and had to be replaced. The replacement might be a different size and a different design --- or it might be a close copy of the original.
There are lots of possibilities, but it is most common to have fairly consistent system standards regarding architecture and paint schemes.
I think that using a non-standard station concept is better for me! Havng each town have its own special station. Therefore I still am looking for inspiration for the stations and structures for the towns!
For posting photos, go to the "General Discussion" topic, and read the "sticky note" on posting photos.
Mike
My You Tube
Thank you!
cascadenorthernrr I think that using a non-standard station concept is better for me! Havng each town have its own special station. Therefore I still am looking for inspiration for the stations and structures for the towns!
In that case, the Walthers catalog is your friend. Pages and pages of options. Be sure to look them all over, including Alexander and some of the other kit manufacturers that are often ignored.
And of course, scratchbuilding is another option.
Ok thanks!
I see, could I also use a company such as custom model railroads?
Well, I guess that's totally up to you, and your budget. If you want to just run trains, and let somebody else do the work, and your not into the personal "creation-modeling-satisfaction-and building" of your layout, then have someone do all that for you.
I don't think you'll find many members of this forum (and others) that have gone that route. Maybe a few that had someone help with the wiring, but the creativity and the modeling, no, except for a very few that have had custom made structures.
mbinsewi Well, I guess that's totally up to you, and your budget. If you want to just run trains, and let somebody else do the work, and your not into the personal "creation-modeling-satisfaction-and building" of your layout, then have someone do all that for you. I don't think you'll find many members of this forum (and others) that have gone that route. Maybe a few that had someone help with the wiring, but the creativity and the modeling, no, except for a very few that have had custom made structures. Mike
Well I what I mean is that I give my ideas to a custom builder and have them do the cutting and such. Then I could assemble them myself! I literally have NO experience in scratch building!
I guess whether to scratchbuild or not is a whole different subject, beyond the scope of the original questions. I have said before that a scratchbuilding project is nothing more than a kit that you design yourself. I would start by building a simple kit. Then a more complex one. Keep going until you have built up the confidence to take that next step. It's very rewarding, and not nearly as painful as you may imagine.
Nobody on this forum was born with experience. We all got it by diving into new experiences.