Dave Vollmer wrote:Yes, but I plan to take it a step further...1980 Conrail.Then you have all 6 bankrupts plus predecessors...
Yes, but I plan to take it a step further...
1980 Conrail.
Then you have all 6 bankrupts plus predecessors...
Yikes!
Even more reasons for modeling this era!
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Quote: emdgp92
If you *really* want to have fun, do one of the ex-Rio Grande F units PC bought. Former PRR E units with worms also drive people nuts LOL
http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/pc754_712_1648dr.jpg http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/pc721dr.jpg
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Dave, don't worry about the anti-PC folks. Even though I don't really remember PC (I was born in '76, along with Conrail) there were still plenty of black diesels running around Pittsburgh into the 1980s. I remember them, and the Montour coal trains (not far from my house...close enough I could hear them at night). As such, I model the PC, with a little Montour and P&LE thrown in. I got started with PC, mainly because I liked parts of the NYC, but also parts of the PRR.
Welcome to the dark side, and enjoy the modeling. Oh, and if you need decals, the Penn Central RR Historical Society can help you out :)
In fact, I've seen photographs of PRR cars in original PRR paint with roofwalks in service as late as 1986!
I plan to model one, actually. The Atlas N scale Trainman 50' double-door boxcar comes painted in the PRR's last scheme and can be modified to appear as a PRR X56B in service in the Conrail era. Replace the thick plastic running board with an etched brass one, make the roof look like galvanized metal, and then weather the car. Add an ACI bar code, wheel inspection dits, consolidated lube plates, and some re-stenciled data and boom! A quick, inexpensive legacy car.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
I remember the wealth of new "RR Logos" rumbling daily through the middle of town on the elevated 4-track mainline after the 1968 merger.
So, there are (4) neat reasons to consider the Penn Central...
[1] Penn Central
[2] Pennsylvania
[3] New York Central
[4] New Haven
There are dozens of other reasons, too...
Dave Vollmer wrote:For the record I was born in 1974.
I had my first taste of railfanning and then got my first train set in 1974. I was about 12-13 years old at the time. I added to the set by buying a few more pieces of track, a couple switches, a couple more locos, and some more freight cars. I can remember buying a PC 40' box car back then. I really liked the PC turquoise green.
About 30 years later I acquired a few PC freight cars and I decided to get a few PC locos too. I got a pair of Life-Like Alco S-1s, a pair of Stewart Baldwin DS-4-4-1000s, and a pair of Atlas RSD-4s. I model the year 1974 in HO scale, so PC fits into the scheme of things.
Dave,
I'm in the same boat you are. For a while now, I've been modeling my beloved Missouri Pacific circa 1957, long before I was born (in 1971). I guess I had a "railfan romance" with the MoPac's early diesel paint scheme, and a deep interest in the history, politics, movies, and automobiles of the late 1950s.
But something funny happened. I started to become sappy and nostalgic for the Missouri Pacific of my youth--that is, late 1970s/early 1980s. I found myself reminiscing about the Jenks blue GP38-2s, B23-7s, and U30Cs. My first cab ride was in MoPac GP38-2 #2242 (an ex-RI unit), and I'll never forget it. (That's something else to think about--if we find it interesting to model run down railroads, how about the Rock Island? Probably rivals the PC for poor track and equipment.)
So I've switched eras--I now model 1982, but still have a lot of 1957-era equipment laying around. I'm finding it too darn difficult to part with the Alco PA's.
For me, the change was fueled by nostalgia. Plus, having a kid and wanting to show her what railroading was like in MY youth was compelling (she'll grow up in a completely different world when it comes to railroading.) But something else pushed me forward, too. It happened at a train show a couple years ago when I saw some kid (OK, maybe he was 19, not a kid) point to a U23B on a diorama and say, "Those old locomotives look cool." OLD?! They don't seem that old to me, but hey, I'm not 19 either. So I really began to play with the idea of modeling stuff as I remember it, which seemed a whole lot more exciting than tracking down photos and information to help me model the world before I even existed. Utilizing my own memory and direct observation pretty much trumped the idea of scavenging for a limited number of photos to figure out how to accurately pull off 1957. I could do '82--and probably do it better--than '57.
I think this is what happens when you get older. You point to the layout and say, "Back in my day, those old U Boats smoked and chugged like nothin' else. And I walked to school in the winter. Through twenty feet of snow. Barefoot. Uphill. Both ways."
"When Good Pennsy Modelers Go Bad: The Dave Vollmer Story."
In all seriousness, modelling the faded glory of a railroad in decline is an interesting challenge. I can't wait to see Dave go grunge.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
Did we really have to bring the real problems into this arguement? Course' Penn Central was a poor operation, but one heckuva cool one! Crappy power, crappy everthing! But, to me, thats just plain cool, and I would definately model the PC (early Conrail I suppose) if given the room or money to. I cant really believe people actually arguing about what Dave should or should not do. Go with it Dave, all crappy railroads were neat, just look at the Rock Island in its last few years. Whats not to like about junk power?
Alec
I can understand a Penn Central boxcar looking like a distressed green; probably exx-New York Central. But more of a mint green than the strong green in the model boxcar.
But in the photo, the real boxcar looks blue!
Did either NYC or Penna experiment with powder blue???
Or perhaps the color is not quite true on the slide or photo????
al
Dave Vollmer wrote: NeO6874 wrote: Maybe it's a sign Dave...That was my FIRST thought!Naw, just means I need to work on my technique. I have a couple of old Atlas and MP boxcars(foobie cars in foobie schemes I have no intention of running) who are about to donate their bodies to art!
NeO6874 wrote: Maybe it's a sign Dave...
Maybe it's a sign Dave...
That was my FIRST thought!
Naw, just means I need to work on my technique. I have a couple of old Atlas and MP boxcars(foobie cars in foobie schemes I have no intention of running) who are about to donate their bodies to art!
By coincidence, I answered this to Lee on the other thread.
SpaceMouse wrote:AS for the PRR Indiana Branch....I went to my local NMRA meet t day, and I swear the universe is conspiring against me. I met the local PRR resident historian and I ran into a guy who took pictures of the area and are used as a primary source for a two volume book on the Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Rochester (which was bought up by the B & O) anyway, he has photos of the building I was missing source data on. I also came home with 4 pieces of HO rolling stock for the PRR including a Funaro and Camerlengo PRR covered hopper in my period and a Bowser N5 caboose that I won as a door prize. I took it as a sign that I need to work around my perceived limitation and put off tearing it down for a while. I also won a Rix N-scale 150' overpass, but I'll be danged if I can find a figure a place for it on the N-scale office layout.
AS for the PRR Indiana Branch....I went to my local NMRA meet t day, and I swear the universe is conspiring against me. I met the local PRR resident historian and I ran into a guy who took pictures of the area and are used as a primary source for a two volume book on the Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Rochester (which was bought up by the B & O) anyway, he has photos of the building I was missing source data on.
I also came home with 4 pieces of HO rolling stock for the PRR including a Funaro and Camerlengo PRR covered hopper in my period and a Bowser N5 caboose that I won as a door prize. I took it as a sign that I need to work around my perceived limitation and put off tearing it down for a while.
I also won a Rix N-scale 150' overpass, but I'll be danged if I can find a figure a place for it on the N-scale office layout.
By the way. I answered your post as well. There's a picture there I want you to see.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
WCfan wrote: This picture popped up on "newest" when I veiwed RP. This is what your going for Dave, right?http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=231210&nseq=29 I hope you next try at weathering the PC boxcar will work out this time. can't wait to see pictures.
This picture popped up on "newest" when I veiwed RP. This is what your going for Dave, right?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=231210&nseq=29
I hope you next try at weathering the PC boxcar will work out this time. can't wait to see pictures.
Uh, where's the nosedoor? Please tell me they just left it open, but I think I can see what looks like an unused hinge...
-Morgan
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Dave Vollmer wrote:Huh-huh... I think I'll use a much more conservative, reversable technique on the next one!
Huh-huh... I think I'll use a much more conservative, reversable technique on the next one!
A blowtorch?
Maybe it's a sign Dave -- get out of the PC era while you still can . Maybe you should go for the factory paint being stripped to bare (rusty) metal. Or maybe the repair guys replaced a ruined panel with a sheet of galvanized steel as a quick 'n dirty temp fix til the car meets with the scrapper's torch (say someone really botched loading it with a forklift or something).
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
I need to get a camera and post some pics of my early "weathering" attempts. Im sure yours isnt that bad=)
That being said, a nice, easy way to get started in weathering is to do some very simple light drybrushing. Easy to learn and you can apply as much grime or as little as you like. \
Try it on some cheapies and get a feel for it. Light grey can look like dust, red on roof panels to simulate rust. You can do an awful lot with just drybrush. Still my most used weathering technique.
Ooooo, no... It looks horrible. I ended up with the white-wash half-stripped, and it just looks horrific.
Trust me, I know a junker when I see it.
I appreciate the offer for help. But this guy's out to pasture. Besides, I have a new one on the way (I have this bad habit of re-ordering stuff right away after I mess it up)...
The good news is, I bnow have a carcass to prectice on!
Or... better yet, I'll finish stripping off the bad wash, and then turn the car into a Conrail paint-out. Brilliant!
Dave, if the factory paint lifted right off as you say, it sounds like you're headed in the right direction just the same. Certainly that would be the effect of rust eating away with a bit different paint ? Any chance you can post a pic or two to have others give ideas on what to do next ?
Well, I took a shot at weathering that PC boxcar... ...and destroyed it.
I tried the Tom Mann white wash technique to fade the paint, only I put it on too thick. It looked like a frosted cake. I tried to remove the paint gently with some brush cleaner, with predictable results. The factory paint lifted right off.
I'm very, very, very angry right now.
EDIT:
I was using thinned PolyScale...
It's not like I've never weathered before. But I guess if it's a new technique I should try it out on a junk shell.
No way in heck I'm touching that Conrail cabin anytime soon.
Now...
My wife's not happy because my reaction was "buy another one." Even though it's a little off-prototype, the combo of white and black, NYC and PC-style lettering is very cool.
Turns out I have a Paypal balance due to some N scale boxes I sold, so I ordered a new one from N Scale Supply along with a Trainman Railbox car.
Well, Dave, as they say... "It's Your Railroad, Run What You Want!"
You better check that maintenance stencil, though... I think one of the dates is wrong for that road number.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
Dave Vollmer wrote: On a lighter note...Here's my new Conrail cabin in service on the PRR Middle Division:
On a lighter note...
Here's my new Conrail cabin in service on the PRR Middle Division:
"Hey george, can we see over the Autoracks up front yet?"
"Uh... yeah..."
I look at it this way... You're at a bus stop in Harrisburg. A bus pulls up, and the sign board says "Pittsburgh", but you want to go to Philadelphia. So you get on the bus to Pittsburgh, and then complain that you're not going to Philadelphia for the whole trip.
Or you're on the Atlas Forum, which has separate rooms for HO and N scale. You're an HO guy, so you spend all your time on the N forum complaining about N scale.
Choose your battles.
Paul3 wrote: Dave V.,If you don't want public comments on your thoughts, don't post them on a public forum.Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Dave V.,If you don't want public comments on your thoughts, don't post them on a public forum.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Paul,
Honestly, man, the comment about "having a ticket to come along" was a joke, per the smiley emoticon.
I don't mind debate, but it's just frustrating that whenever the topic of PRR or PC comes up, you come in with the negative vibes. I know where you stand on PC and people who talk about how great PRR was. But, that's your opinion to which you're entitled.
Think about it this way; it's like you're talking smack about my favorite team. You have every right to do so, but you may expect I won't be all that happy with it.
But you're right... Because I posted it, you have every right to say what you need to.
I'm willing to negotiate a cease-fire if you are...
twhite wrote: SpaceMouse wrote: Tom,I'm doing 1909 now. It has been a few years you know. Chip--That's cool--that's somewhere around the builder's date of both my C-48 Consol and T-31 Ten-Wheeler, and they're both still doing yeoman local service. Just put a diamond stack on one of yours so we can film a train robbery, LOL! Right now I'm trying to adapt some WS figures to look somewhat like a Hollywood production crew so I can have an excuse to run my back-dated Roundhouse 2-8-0 and some turn-of the 20th century freight cars. After all, Hollywood filmed a lot of westerns on the "Rio Grande". Might as well film a few on mine. Hey, it all works, LOL!Tom
SpaceMouse wrote: Tom,I'm doing 1909 now. It has been a few years you know.
Tom,
I'm doing 1909 now. It has been a few years you know.
Chip--
That's cool--that's somewhere around the builder's date of both my C-48 Consol and T-31 Ten-Wheeler, and they're both still doing yeoman local service. Just put a diamond stack on one of yours so we can film a train robbery, LOL! Right now I'm trying to adapt some WS figures to look somewhat like a Hollywood production crew so I can have an excuse to run my back-dated Roundhouse 2-8-0 and some turn-of the 20th century freight cars. After all, Hollywood filmed a lot of westerns on the "Rio Grande". Might as well film a few on mine.
Hey, it all works, LOL!
Tom
I know they did a lot of filming in your area--just south of your layout I believe--big tourist trap now--I forget the name. It wouldn't be stretch to yank them north a little.
Since I hijacked this thread earlier, I got possession of my basement. That means I can go back to my original dream of building the California Western in 1917. It means the demise of the Rock Ridge and Train City, I'm afraid.
Enjoy it! My first N scale engine was a PC GP30 when I was a teen. Dave - born in 74 - oy - that was the year I joined the Air Force
I am re-thinking the make up of my new layout - HO Reading mid-70's. I also have EL RS2, LV RS18 and such so there may be some BLUE engines sneaking in some time soon.
Go Air Force!
Dave Vollmer wrote: Tom,I re-worded that post to be a little more diplomatic. That first draft was a little harsh to Paul. I know he feels strongly about his viewpoint. However...When I get down to it I guess I don't hate any railroad so much that I'd start talking it down in someone else's thread. Sure, I kid about CSX, but I'm not out to get any thread about it.Anyway, this is my fun thread about my new modeling direction. Anyone not holding a ticket to come along with me can get off at the next stop!
I re-worded that post to be a little more diplomatic. That first draft was a little harsh to Paul. I know he feels strongly about his viewpoint. However...
When I get down to it I guess I don't hate any railroad so much that I'd start talking it down in someone else's thread. Sure, I kid about CSX, but I'm not out to get any thread about it.
Anyway, this is my fun thread about my new modeling direction. Anyone not holding a ticket to come along with me can get off at the next stop!
Dave--
Tickets all punched and I'm ready for the ride. Go for it!
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!