Research be damned.

[Anonymous]

I've read a lot about the value of research when building models, but sometimes it can disappoint you.
Some 50 years ago I was in the air force in a little town in south-western Ontario. Every day a C.N.R. Doodlebug went by travelling from London to Goderich. This really stuck in my mind.
Many years later, when I returned to model railroading after an absence of almost 40 years I was pleased to see that Bachmann had a gas-electric, so I just had to get one to relive those long-ago days. Then the research began; how was a CN Doodlebug painted. A friend had a booklet on CN doodlebugs which he kindly lent me. Although the photos were all black and white I was able to come up with what I think is a more-or-less accurate colour scheme, but then the big let-down. According to the book, the doodlebugs I saw so long ago were apparently baggage/freight only; no passengers! So, to heck with the research. My CN doodlebugs running from London to Goderich will carry passengers!!

[Anonymous]

I've read a lot about the value of research when building models, but sometimes it can disappoint you.
Some 50 years ago I was in the air force in a little town in south-western Ontario. Every day a C.N.R. Doodlebug went by travelling from London to Goderich. This really stuck in my mind.
Many years later, when I returned to model railroading after an absence of almost 40 years I was pleased to see that Bachmann had a gas-electric, so I just had to get one to relive those long-ago days. Then the research began; how was a CN Doodlebug painted. A friend had a booklet on CN doodlebugs which he kindly lent me. Although the photos were all black and white I was able to come up with what I think is a more-or-less accurate colour scheme, but then the big let-down. According to the book, the doodlebugs I saw so long ago were apparently baggage/freight only; no passengers! So, to heck with the research. My CN doodlebugs running from London to Goderich will carry passengers!!

[Bergie]

Keep your chin up, oldtimer. Remember, your layout is your 1:87th scale world (assuming you're in HO scale). The beauty of this hobby, in my mind, is that everyone has a different perspective on how things should run. If you want to use that doodlebug to carry passenger when in fact it never did, who cares. It's your layout and your interpretation of how that railroad should have ran. Don't let the minority strict prototype modelers scare you into thinking you can't do what you want on your layout. There's a large majority of freelance modelers doing the same thing you're doing.

Have fun. Remember, it's a hobby... your hobby and your railroad! [:)]

Erik

[Bergie]

Keep your chin up, oldtimer. Remember, your layout is your 1:87th scale world (assuming you're in HO scale). The beauty of this hobby, in my mind, is that everyone has a different perspective on how things should run. If you want to use that doodlebug to carry passenger when in fact it never did, who cares. It's your layout and your interpretation of how that railroad should have ran. Don't let the minority strict prototype modelers scare you into thinking you can't do what you want on your layout. There's a large majority of freelance modelers doing the same thing you're doing.

Have fun. Remember, it's a hobby... your hobby and your railroad! [:)]

Erik

[Anonymous]

Precisely Erik, that is why I invented a whole new country for my layout. That way I can blend European and American models to my heart's content. I firmly believe model railroading is meant to be fun and what can be fun more than your own imagination. Why try to model an existing full size railroad, it's already been done. Strick out on your own and maybe you will feel like one of the old pioneers. Have fun

[Anonymous]

Precisely Erik, that is why I invented a whole new country for my layout. That way I can blend European and American models to my heart's content. I firmly believe model railroading is meant to be fun and what can be fun more than your own imagination. Why try to model an existing full size railroad, it's already been done. Strick out on your own and maybe you will feel like one of the old pioneers. Have fun

[Anonymous]

ooops, for 'strick' read 'strike'. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

ooops, for 'strick' read 'strike'. Have fun.

[MAbruce]

It always amazes me how people in our hobby either feel pressured or create pressure to model prototypically. I hate to break this to everyone, but model railroading is not a religion. There is no Gospel that needs to be correctly interpreted and debated over. This is about what you enjoy modeling, not what others think you should enjoy modeling.

So unlea***hose Doodlebugs and let them do whatever you want!

[MAbruce]

It always amazes me how people in our hobby either feel pressured or create pressure to model prototypically. I hate to break this to everyone, but model railroading is not a religion. There is no Gospel that needs to be correctly interpreted and debated over. This is about what you enjoy modeling, not what others think you should enjoy modeling.

So unlea***hose Doodlebugs and let them do whatever you want!

[vsmith]

Just look at Thomas the Tank Engine, all the stories are in the mythical island of Sodar between England and the Isle of Mann. it never existed, who cares if its not prototype.

To MABruce: Actually model railroading IS religious if you think about it, afterall, its your universe, you created it, you can destroy it, and many, many little tiny plastic people live in fear of the "Great Hand from the Sky" Where else in your life can you create mountains, rivers, trees,communities...dont be afraid to point your giant floating finger down out of the sky and smite that which offends you on your layout, or a gaint foot and a squish should you prefer Monty Python.

[vsmith]

Just look at Thomas the Tank Engine, all the stories are in the mythical island of Sodar between England and the Isle of Mann. it never existed, who cares if its not prototype.

To MABruce: Actually model railroading IS religious if you think about it, afterall, its your universe, you created it, you can destroy it, and many, many little tiny plastic people live in fear of the "Great Hand from the Sky" Where else in your life can you create mountains, rivers, trees,communities...dont be afraid to point your giant floating finger down out of the sky and smite that which offends you on your layout, or a gaint foot and a squish should you prefer Monty Python.

[IRONROOSTER]

Research can be fun, but I never let it get in the way of what I want to do. My current layout is running a GG1 with no overhead wire and no intention of having it. I just like the GG1. Now if only someone would make an S scale doodlebug. Oh and I probably should put a carwash on my mainline since I don't like weathering either.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

Research can be fun, but I never let it get in the way of what I want to do. My current layout is running a GG1 with no overhead wire and no intention of having it. I just like the GG1. Now if only someone would make an S scale doodlebug. Oh and I probably should put a carwash on my mainline since I don't like weathering either.
Enjoy
Paul