That is one sweet looking loco there, Sheldon.
Thanks to everyone contributing. There's a wide range of approaches to designing to suit our ideas given the available complete models, parts, and other raw material sort of stuff represented here. You can even see that it doesn't necessarily preclude attention to the prototype. Rather, freelancing models is a lot like a buffet. You get to decide what you want on your plate. That makes it easier to clean that plate off and feel satisfied.
I'm not dissing on those who do closely follow the prototype. To each their own. But even for someone who's mainly interested in that sort of hobby experience, a little creative freelancing can build new skills where the stakes aren't as high as they might be for most of your models.
This really can be a win/win sort of modeling...and you'll certainly have fun doing it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Great points Mike, and thank youy for the kind words.
Personally, I have always liked the "proto freelancing" idea. The carefully thought out "could have been" stuff of a good fictional prototype - like my Mikes, and a number of the models shown in this thread.
I did about 50 hours of research before deciding on the Mikado project, and while the details of that infomation might well bore many, you can trust that such a loco could have been built, and likely would have been very successful.
The ATLANTIC CENTRAL has a number of "what if" pieces of equipment - if time allows I will take some more photos.....
Sheldon
Jimmy_Braum ...there is no prototype theater car in PRR tuscan red with Keystones (That I KNOW of)...
...there is no prototype theater car in PRR tuscan red with Keystones (That I KNOW of)...
What?!? Where's the Keystone cops when you need 'em...
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
mlehmanAnyone else with an inspirational freelance project that is what it is -- and you like it?
Paint scheme for my fantasy pike - a hybrid of EJ&E and CN's 1970-80 side stripes:
A first-generation unit in an earlier scheme :
Caboose:
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Hi again Dan:
Like Mike, I am interested in the modifications you made to the dual motor 44 tonner trucks as well. Maybe do a thread on the topic?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter Hi again Dan: Like Mike, I am interested in the modifications you made to the dual motor 44 tonner trucks as well. Maybe do a thread on the topic? Dave
Done, in it's own thread.
And back on topic, check these sites out. If anything isn't prototype, it's some of these prototypes! Paruse...
Steam:
http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/locoloco.htm
Diesels:
https://ironcompass.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/unique-rare-andor-weird-diesel-locomotives-part-1/
Both: (some are models, a few are cheesy photoshops) Check out that 4-6-0 steam to diesel (gas?) conglomeration!
https://www.google.com/search?q=critter+locomotives&biw=881&bih=415&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRhrvR863JAhWGKYgKHdrBD8sQ7AkIMQ
If some of these dont satisfy critics who take exception to our taking liberties, then maybe they ought to considder taking up a hobby.
I'll have to submit one of my favorite "real" railroad kitbashes, the famous Wilmington G 1/2: 4846
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1605083
Presumably used for snow removal around the yard there is some controversy about weather or not it could move under her own power.
I have a few "what-if" projects on the shelf but none are ready for unveiling in prime time, just yet.
Fun Stuff, Ed
gmpullman I'll have to submit one of my favorite "real" railroad kitbashes, the famous Wilmington G 1/2: 4846 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1605083 Presumably used for snow removal around the yard there is some controversy about weather or not it could move under her own power. I have a few "what-if" projects on the shelf but none are ready for unveiling, just yet. Fun Stuff, Ed
I have a few "what-if" projects on the shelf but none are ready for unveiling, just yet.
Ed, that's a GG .5 [
I was given a 1/29th scale Alco RS-3 for Christmas several years ago. But I model in 1/24th scale. So... I kitbashed it into a fictional narrow gauge variant, the "RS-3n":
The kitbash involved building a new cab, new pilot and end beams, new handrails, new stack, widening the deck, raising the hoods, etc.
You can see the whole step-by-step project here, if you're interested:
http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_RS3_Conversion.html
Trainman440 I don't have any, but I bet DocterWayne has some to share
I don't have any, but I bet DocterWayne has some to share
Ray:
That is an amazing kit bash! The details are fabulous.
Interesting tutorial too.
CSX_road_slug mlehman Anyone else with an inspirational freelance project that is what it is -- and you like it? Paint scheme for my fantasy pike - a hybrid of EJ&E and CN's 1970-80 side stripes: A first-generation unit in an earlier scheme : Caboose:
mlehman Anyone else with an inspirational freelance project that is what it is -- and you like it?
I already liked these paint jobs. But I just finally noticed that the backdrop on the top picture is painted. Admittedly, I was looking at the locomotive, but for it to take that long to notice that it wasn't 3-D trees is a compliment to your scenicking skills! Dan
Wow, DocterWayne, I really like those kitbashes, and I love how that 4-8-4 urned out!
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
SouthgateI already liked these paint jobs. But I just finally noticed that the backdrop on the top picture is painted. Admittedly, I was looking at the locomotive, but for it to take that long to notice that it wasn't 3-D trees is a compliment to your scenicking skills! Dan
Thank you for the kind words Dan! Credit for that approach goes to the late Bob Ross and his PBS show on how to paint "happy trees": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Wo1ubuzAE
I appreciate your kind words, Charles.
The Northern has gone to a friend, and the safety cab diesels were sold long ago. I still have the C-425 (CN modellers don't seem to want it )As for GERN, it's the largest shipper on my layout, and not going anywhere.
Wayne
doctorwayneOddly enough, it is the prototype, and there are modellers of it on at least four continents.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I bought an undecorated "Geep". It went from this..
..to this...
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
An Athearn DDA40X with custom paint lighting and sound
One type of engine I don't see posted of much are "Juice Jacks" or electric locomotives. I like the big boxcabs used by the Great Northern. So Kingstone Locomotive Works came up with their own design.
Atheran Alco PA B unit, plus added front and rear porches.
Two Atheran Alco PA A units back to back.
And just for the fun of it a "what would it look like". An Athearn chopnose SD9 with a pantograph.
And there are more designs on the drawing board and in the shops.
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
Bernd One type of engine I don't see posted of much are "Juice Jacks" or electric locomotives. I like the big boxcabs used by the Great Northern. So Kingstone Locomotive Works came up with their own design. Atheran Alco PA B unit, plus added front and rear porches. Two Atheran Alco PA A units back to back. And just for the fun of it a "what would it look like". An Athearn chopnose SD9 with a pantograph. And there are more designs on the drawing board and in the shops. Bernd
Bernd,
I love your electrics, post some photos when they are done - great stuff.
I have considered doing the reverse idea - making a GG1 a diesel!
Here's a quartet of HOn30 boxcabs for my eventual limestone quarry.
And a close up of one nearing completion.
Totally scratchbuilt using Kato N scale drives.
HiThere is a Morristown & Erie, and there nearly was an Alco C-636P, but a demo C-636P in front of the M&E engine house is pure fiction. But not in my N-Scle world.
CheersSteveNZ
Wayne, Bear, Marlon, Bernd, and Steve,
Thanks, too, for your contributions! Neat stuff.
I think those and pretty much all we've seen here also shows much of the idea that free-lance modeling is less worthwhile or legit because it's just an excuse to do things the lazy way doesn't have much traction in practice. Your projects all took considerable thought and creativity, as well as lots of effort to accomplish. Your 1:1 subjects may exist mostly in your imagination, but the results are certainly concretely compelling.
I'll second Sheldon's motion, would like to see more. I spent almost 4 years in Europe, so I like heavy electrics. Here's a common sight of the early 70s on the Deutsches Bahn in Germany.
But little electrics are also cool, like this one on the Gotthard Tunnel line in Switzerland.
So I'm looking forward to whatever you end up doing with your electrics
mlehman Wayne, Bear, Marlon, Bernd, and Steve, Thanks, too, for your contributions! Neat stuff. So I'm looking forward to whatever you end up doing with your electrics
Saw some Crocs IIRC, but no pics
That TT logging layout sounds exciting, too. Stop in at the WPF thread and show us more anytime, even if just a quick shop table top shot of work in progress.
Cool thread although I am a bit late to it. My layout is a proto – freelanced or proto-lanced theme. Most of my rolling stock is modeling specific pieces of prototype equipment, the freelance part is that they didn’t all run on the same line. However there are some pieces that I built or modified just because I liked the look. Here are three examples:
This Swiss crocodile is from my old layout - note the American trolley style overhead and the American reefer cars in the background.
This is my take on a water car using a narrow gauge tank casting from RGM sitting on a scratch built car.
This is a Sierra 2-8-0 body and tender on a Spectrum 4-6-0 chassis. Runs great but didn’t exist anywhere in the real world.
That’s enough from me,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
mlehman Bernd, Saw some Crocs IIRC, but no pics That TT logging layout sounds exciting, too. Stop in at the WPF thread and show us more anytime, even if just a quick shop table top shot of work in progress.
Hi Guy,
Hey that some nice work. I'm sort of doing the same thing with rolling stock and motive power.
Hi Bernd:
I'll beat Mike to it.
WPF stands for 'Weekend Picture Fun' which is simply a thread that is started every Friday where members can show either what they have been working on recently or any other pictures that would be of interest to fellow modellers, whether it be layout shots, rolling stock or whatever.
Here is a link to the last WPF:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/252235.aspx
Thanks Dave. I know the thread you're talking about. Just didn't put two and two together. Off to post some pictures.
(Edited: Looks like I have to wait till Friday.)