something different...

[Anonymous]

hello guys,

what I'm planning on is something completely different. For one, I'm not a train modeller, but a static modeller: mostly World War two AFV diorama's. At the moment, I'm working on a 54 mm figurine from the American Civil War. To present this in a dramatic way, I would like to present it on top of (a smal part of ) a destroyed locomotive. But I don't know anything about trains!

So my question is: does anyone have any information regarding the locomotives used in 1861 in North America, specific to the war or not? What I'm looking for is mostly pictures (complete or destroyed locomotives), and if possible scale drawings or basic measurements. I would be delighted if someone can send me some of this to my mailbox:

[e-mail]

Also any idea's are welcome of course!
Thanks a lot,

Marijn

[thirdrail1]

You do not say what proportion you are modeling in. 55 mm tells someone not into your type of modeling nothing about scale. You will find that most good libraries have numerous books about Civil War railroading, as photography and railroads both came into their own during that war. A destroyed steam locomotive will be far more difficult to model than an intact or slightly damaged one. If you want to see the real ones close up, the B&O Museum in Baltimore has locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars from the "War of Northern Aggression".

[Anonymous]

sorry,

of course, I'm not used to the train modeller proportions systems. 54 mm refers to the size of the figurine, so this would be 1/32 scale.

I've tried my local libraries, but not very much on trains, and since I live in Belgium, also not much (certainly not very well illustrated books) about the civil war. Going to Baltimore is of course totally out of the question in short term...

My plan is to model only a very small part of the destroyed locomotive, just enough to set the figure of in an original way. So I was thinking about a very distorted part of the front, maybe with pieces of the chimney, headlight or a wheel next to it. Very little, but recognizable as a steam locomotive. Of course I'll have to scratchbuild this, but don't worry about the degree of difficulty, I've had much worse!
So for me this train is in fact nice decoration to present another model (the figure), but I find it still very important to get it historically as correct and realistic as possible. And that's why I'm contacting the specialists!
Thanks for taking the time to answer my completely ignorant questions! Cheers!

Marijn

[johngraser]

Since it is 1/32 scale you might bring the question up on www.mylargescale.com. There are quiet afew kit bashers that might be able to answer your question.

John

[greendiamond]

Majrin:

There is a USA G-Sacle manufacturer by the name of Hearland Locomotive Works which makes such civil war era items. I don't have any contact information for them. Maybe someone else can help with that.

However, last year when visiting the Kennesaw Civil War Museum in Kennesaw Georgia, I purchased a book entitled " The General & The Texas: A Pictorial History of the Andrews Raid of APril 12, 1862". This would be of great assistance to you. The address for the museum is: Kennesaw Civil War Museum, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, USA.

Good luck with your endeavor!

Mike Tyl

[snowey]

the only thing I can suggest is try a Cival War reenactment society. Also, I'm sure you can find some info. somewhere on the web. Sorry I can't be of more help.