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For Those Of You Who Model & Take Interest In CSX, Why? Please Show Me Your Modelling Work.

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  • Member since
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  • From: Northern NY (Think Upstate but even more)
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Posted by Harrison on Monday, January 18, 2021 5:18 PM

Seeker_CNY

Hi Harrison,

Nice shots. If I am not mistaken, one of those shots appears to be taken at Utica NY's Union Station platform, not far from where I live.

 

Thanks! I've been to Utica twice, it's a really nice place to railfan, mostly because my family can be up in the heated overpass while I'm freezing my fingers shooting trains... plus when the Mohawk, Adirondack, and Northern is working, I'm suddenly in heaven. I'm an ALCOholic... Smile, Wink & Grin

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

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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, January 18, 2021 6:16 PM

cv_acr

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
I did take the OP's question as to ask "if we should be PC in our modeling choices", because "someone", somewhere in cyberspace, posted something.

 

I didn't read that at all.

On the other hand CSX is a big corporate merger entity, and sometimes fans of the predecessor roads aren't fans of whatever bigger fish swallowed up their "pet".

Large mergers tend to homogenize the individual "character" smaller roads tended to have.

 

And this is why Mike and I have repeatedly asked the OP for clarification.....

Sheldon

    

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  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Monday, January 18, 2021 7:00 PM

MARTIN STATION

  CSX runs through my area on former L&N tracks. I grew up next to the IC/ICG which was a childhood favorite, but that line is now long gone. I used to rail fan the Seaboard System and got really excited about the Chessie/Seaboard merger when it happened because I really like the Chessie. I feel at the time it was on of the best looking paint schemes on the rails and I was getting to see lots of it. Then came the CSX blue and grey which was bland in compairson and the X which was supposed to just be a place holder until they could find something better, did it no favors either. 

 To make matters worse it seemed CSX had an identity crisis with a "flavor of the month" when trying to find a lasting paint scheme. Then came the "bright Future" scheme and I really liked it and finally started to come to terms with the X which really didn't stand for anything, so they said it stood for the multiplying power of the two merging companies.

   I really like the latest blue and gold paint scheme with or without the boxcar logo. I really like what they did in rebuilding the GP38-2s, GP40-2s and SD40-2s into -3s. In time the Sponge Bob cabs began to grow on me. Today I still enjoy rail fanning CSX and even though I model BNSF, I have four CSX locomotives for run through on my layout.

Ralph

 

Funny I have a BNSF for run through on my eastern themed road

Joe Staten Island West 

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  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Monday, January 18, 2021 7:05 PM

I think they should bring back the Chessie System kitten scheme.  I think the current CSX schemes bright or dark (and I have 2 of them) are just too bland Perhaps that is my all my later purchases are NS horses.

Joe Staten Island West 

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    March 2020
  • 290 posts
Posted by Engi1487 on Monday, January 18, 2021 8:29 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 
cv_acr

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
I did take the OP's question as to ask "if we should be PC in our modeling choices", because "someone", somewhere in cyberspace, posted something.

 

I didn't read that at all.

On the other hand CSX is a big corporate merger entity, and sometimes fans of the predecessor roads aren't fans of whatever bigger fish swallowed up their "pet".

Large mergers tend to homogenize the individual "character" smaller roads tended to have.

 

 

 

And this is why Mike and I have repeatedly asked the OP for clarification.....

Sheldon

 

I already did Sheldon. I remember a few mentions of opinions about CSX but cant remember where. I have my answers now and am happy the other forum members are commenting.

 

 

 

 

 

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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, January 18, 2021 8:49 PM

OK, fine, and I made my point that the politics or management problems of the prototype do not play into my modeling choices.

But I have no dog in this fight as I am not remotely interested in modeling present day. Railroads in thera I model were not perfectly managed either. So what?

Maybe I am old and hard headed, but I simply fail to see why anyone wanting to enjoy model trains would worry about what others think about their choices.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by Engi1487 on Monday, January 18, 2021 9:27 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

OK, fine, and I made my point that the politics or management problems of the prototype do not play into my modeling choices.

But I have no dog in this fight as I am not remotely interested in modeling present day. Railroads in thera I model were not perfectly managed either. So what?

Maybe I am old and hard headed, but I simply fail to see why anyone wanting to enjoy model trains would worry about what others think about their choices.

Sheldon

 



Hello Sheldon, I am not trying to cause or make model railroaders worry about others will think about their choices, I am just asking why as I am curious about CSX as a choice of railroad to model, as I am not that framiler with that railroad (CSX) that much, with me knowing slighly more about Norfolk Southern than CSX, and the other Class 1 railroads I know much more about.

Prehaps I should have been more careful when asking why, and instead have asked "That Interested You To Model CSX?"

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Posted by nealknows on Monday, January 18, 2021 9:38 PM

Sheldon, I have a policy for my railroad when visitors come over.

When they ask why I model something or they don't think a model should look the way it does, or why I use code 100 Atlas track and switches when I should be using code 83. You know what I do? I show them the door and make sure it doesn't hit them on the way out (although some I wish it would hit them in the head)!

It's your railroad, do what you like and want to do!

Neal

  • Member since
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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, January 18, 2021 10:31 PM

Engi1487

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL

OK, fine, and I made my point that the politics or management problems of the prototype do not play into my modeling choices.

But I have no dog in this fight as I am not remotely interested in modeling present day. Railroads in thera I model were not perfectly managed either. So what?

Maybe I am old and hard headed, but I simply fail to see why anyone wanting to enjoy model trains would worry about what others think about their choices.

Sheldon

 

 

 



Hello Sheldon, I am not trying to cause or make model railroaders worry about others will think about their choices, I am just asking why as I am curious about CSX as a choice of railroad to model, as I am not that framiler with that railroad (CSX) that much, with me knowing slighly more about Norfolk Southern than CSX, and the other Class 1 railroads I know much more about.

Prehaps I should have been more careful when asking why, and instead have asked "That Interested You To Model CSX?"

 

 

You may or maynot realize this, but you did frame the question at least partly around the idea of how some "railfans" may feel about CSX.

I don't have anything against "railfans" but I don't describe myself as one. I don't own a scanner, or sit by the tracks waiting for trains. I don't set up video equipment to film them. I don't spend time watching VRF - I did not even know what it was until a few days ago.....

I don't go on vacations to follow restored steam locos around the country side.

It does not bother me that others enjoy these activities, obviously others like doing this. And there are times when I enjoy their efforts in the form of videos or pictures.  

I like trains a lot. But for me time invested is such "field" activities does not have suitable "reward".

Partly because I am not overly interested in present day trains and I am much more interested in trains from the past.

Which I can "railfan" by gong places like Strasburg, or the B&O Museum, or Steamtown, or a lot of places where the percentage of time actually engaged in seeing trains is higher than all the time waiting for trains, driving to where they are going to be, traveling great distances, etc. And, these other places offer the kinds of vintage trains I want to learn more about.

I model the B&O, C&O, and WESTERN MARYLAND, and my fictional ATLANTIC CENTRAL, in the context of 1954.

I am not remotely concerned with anyone elses opinion on the quality of the B&O as railroad in 1954, or at any time in its history. My reasons for modeling it are personal and complex as indicated by other posters in this thread.

So to me it seemed "odd" that you would frame your question around this idea that others might have a particular reason to dislike CSX?

You could have just asked "who models CSX and why" without suggesting that you had heard something negative?

Not sure how old you are, but trust me, there comes a time in life when you realize that your self esteem should not be invested in other peoples opinions of you or your choices. And the irony is the sooner you reach that point, the more people respect your opinions.

I answered your question, if I was going to model present day, I would model CSX, primarily because I would still want to model this region of the country.

As for railfans who got run off CSX property, or unhappy empolyees, or people who think they could have run the company better, well, I'm just not interested in their negativity.

Sheldon

 

    

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Posted by rbturner on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 8:39 AM

Randy
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Posted by rbturner on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 8:43 AM

Randy
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Posted by rbturner on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 8:54 AM

Randy
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Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:26 AM

Engi1487

 

 

Hello Sheldon, I am not trying to cause or make model railroaders worry about others will think about their choices, I am just asking why as I am curious about CSX as a choice of railroad to model, as I am not that framiler with that railroad (CSX) that much, with me knowing slighly more about Norfolk Southern than CSX, and the other Class 1 railroads I know much more about.

Prehaps I should have been more careful when asking why, and instead have asked "That Interested You To Model CSX?"

 

 

Your OP was fine.  Don't worry about it.  For those of us who stay abreast of current railroads, yes, there have been some negative comments about CSX, primarily because of the CEO.  Similar comments were made about his predecessor RR, Canadian Pacific (or was it CN?).  I get the gist of your comment.
 
So yeah, many current railroaders employed in the business who are also model railroaders have made some comments about CSX.
 
But I don't think it is a common issue or an issue that would influence someone's choice of modeling CSX. 
 
I prefer NS over CSX simply because I am more familiar with the heritage RRs of the NS....SOU, NW, CofG to name a few.  
 
I'm a free lance shortline modeler, so all of tha class Is are the same RR to me.  Just a little different paint schemes (with UP being the best for modeling, IMO)

- Douglas

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Posted by rbturner on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 12:05 PM

Randy
  • Member since
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  • 290 posts
Posted by Engi1487 on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 8:48 PM

Doughless

Your OP was fine.  Don't worry about it.  For those of us who stay abreast of current railroads, yes, there have been some negative comments about CSX, primarily because of the CEO.  Similar comments were made about his predecessor RR, Canadian Pacific (or was it CN?).  I get the gist of your comment.

 
So yeah, many current railroaders employed in the business who are also model railroaders have made some comments about CSX.
 
But I don't think it is a common issue or an issue that would influence someone's choice of modeling CSX. 
 
I prefer NS over CSX simply because I am more familiar with the heritage RRs of the NS....SOU, NW, CofG to name a few.  
 
I'm a free lance shortline modeler, so all of tha class Is are the same RR to me.  Just a little different paint schemes (with UP being the best for modeling, IMO)
 



Hey thanks Doughless, I am guessing while OP means "original poster," I am guessing that means "orginal post," am I right?

 

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