The best place to learn how to ID locomotives is a photo roster. I like to use NSDash9.com for NS, thedieselstop.us for CSX, and Northeast.railfan.net for any others. The combination of these will help you learn any locomotive type. You can also use rrpicturesarchieves (pictures and rosters) or Railpictures (just Pictures) for Tons of loco pics.
Hello All,
Check out Railpictures.net.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
This might be a low-tech option, but just going to a local rail line and watching trains go by will give you a lot of insight into railroad equipment of the last 20 years or so.
As Yogi Berra said, "you can observe a lot by just watching".
I mean if its anything like most railroads, there has to be some Facebook group for the Maryland area or that specific railroad were railfans get together and share pictures and trackside experiences. You might have to filter the information you get from that group (some railfans are near experts on railroading, others talk much but say little that is true...). But its a quick way for sure to get a lot of prototype photos and maybe get a hang of train symbols and operations.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Another resource I wish we had 50 years ago is Google Earth. With the street views you can view industries, structures etc from the comfort of home. You can go behind fences without trespassing.
As far as "A" good resource, there are many, as there are aspects of the hobby. Don't overlook the value of print media, both prototype and model. "Trains" magazine will keep you abreast of the current as well as recent past goings-on in the real world. The model press will keep you informed as to the latest hobby developments. Try to get Maryland Midland timetables, special instructions, etc.
Nevin WilsonSo I know lots about truss rods and slide valves but very little about CSX or anything else after 1960. I do know what an SD40-2 looks like, so I've got that going for me Big Smile
I think the OP might also be asking about the actual parts on a diesel, where is the battery box, what is a dynamic brake, what is a winterization hatch etc.
An Internet search on "Maryland Midland Railroad" yields many useful results. Including:
Corporate web page
Railfan guide
... and many more
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Most RRs still use easily accessible FM radio freqs around 160 MHz. Most any cheap scanner will pick these transmissions up. Then go to:
https://www.radioreference.com/
And look up your state, in this case, Maryland. Then look up statewide frequencies that aren't public service agencies. You'll see a link to the RR freqs and under that, you'll see something like regional RRs. There I found these 2 freqs for the Maryland Midland.
Plug those into your scanner and listen for a month. You'll likely learn a lot, which combined with some local railfanning, will provide you with extensive knowledge of the day to day operations on the MM.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
If you're modeling a short line, this is a good video to watch, free on MRVP.
http://mrv.trains.com/series/drews-trackside-adventures/2017/04/taking-care-of-business-sms-rail-lines
Here is a locomotive roster of the Maryland Midland.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=MMID
Look at photos, watch videos, and get out trackside. Have fun!
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Recently I've become enamored with the Maryland Midland Railroad and I have been even contemplating making it my next model railroad. I've come to realize that I know next to nothing about modern railroads and equipment. I've been modeling for 40 years but I started in HOn3 migrated to Sn3 and then moved to HO steam (mostly 1915). The newest engine I have ever owned was a Western Maryland F7. So I know lots about truss rods and slide valves but very little about CSX or anything else after 1960. I do know what an SD40-2 looks like, so I've got that going for me
So, my question is, what would be the best resource to learn about modern US railroads and equipment? Is there a good book or website?