Well, it's December (that was a fast year!), and methinks it be time for a new place.
Old Place
Well, we had our Bishop's Mass today, so I got out at 11 Also, the Bishop gave us a day off for anytime this year. Last year, they used it on the Friday before Memorial Day, and the extra long weekend was really nice.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
IVRW!
I'm having a similar problem with my Bmann GP50. When I turn on the headlight, only the rear one (long hood) comes on, even though the direction is set to forward (I have it programmed forward to be short hood forward). If I change the direction to reverse, the rear headlight stays on (like it's supposed to be in reverse). When I move the throttle, nothing. The decoder seems to think that it is always in reverse, but never moving. And in DC, nothing at all. I'll either get a new decoder, or dump it altogether (it's a piece of junk).Yours seems to be basically the same, so the decoder is probably shot.
Anyways, can you tell us more about your layout? Size, prototype?
Wow - 1895! You don't see many modelers with an era before the 1920s! Do you have any photos you could post of your layout?
Here's the short version of my railroad's history...check out the WRS Website for photos, more information about the railroad than anyone would ever care about, and a bunch of other stuff!
In 1984, Guilford Rail Systems, owner of the Boston & Maine's Northern Division between Concord, NH, and White River Junction, VT, filed to abandon the line. For fear of losing the corridor, the State of New Hampshire stepped in and purchased the right of way, contracting the newly formed White River Southern Railroad to operate and maintain the railroad. The White River Southern Railroad purchased the 55 miles of trackage between Lebanon NH, to Concord NH from the state in 1996. Trains west of Lebanon continued to run over trackage owned by the state and leased to the Claremont-Concord Railroad. Beginning in Summer 1997, the WRS began a massive infrastructure improvement project. Track upgrades began all over the system, with a new yard built in Lebanon, and 132 lb Welded Rail installed on most of the system, bringing track speeds up to 40 mph on most of the route. Today the White River Southern Railroad operates 71 miles of track in the states of New Hampshire and Vermont. Railroad connections include Claremont-Concord Railroad, Vermont Rail Systems, New England Central Railroad, and Pan Am Railways in White River Junction VT, and Merrimack & Souhegan Railroad and New England Southern in Concord NH. Operations typically involve three crews; one each for road, yard, and wayfreight service
The White River Southern Railroad purchased the 55 miles of trackage between Lebanon NH, to Concord NH from the state in 1996. Trains west of Lebanon continued to run over trackage owned by the state and leased to the Claremont-Concord Railroad. Beginning in Summer 1997, the WRS began a massive infrastructure improvement project. Track upgrades began all over the system, with a new yard built in Lebanon, and 132 lb Welded Rail installed on most of the system, bringing track speeds up to 40 mph on most of the route.
Today the White River Southern Railroad operates 71 miles of track in the states of New Hampshire and Vermont. Railroad connections include Claremont-Concord Railroad, Vermont Rail Systems, New England Central Railroad, and Pan Am Railways in White River Junction VT, and Merrimack & Souhegan Railroad and New England Southern in Concord NH. Operations typically involve three crews; one each for road, yard, and wayfreight service
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EDIT: Here's a new video from me, in 1080p HD format! As soon as I figure out a battery problem on my new camera, I'll be filming a good-old-fashioned train chase over the railroad including new scenery in Lebanon, Enfield, and West Canaan!
WRS LE-2 in Enfield, NH (11/28/09)
John
Let me make that link live: http://www.kreepykritters4kids.com/Johns_Model_Railroad/Welcome.html
Wow, 1895! Good thing you're freelancing, or you'd have some trouble finding info on a prototype...
Tyler: Great history, and very realistic. I need to write a new one, if I can find time (I had an old one, but it wasn't really realistic, so I'm feeling the need to go back to the writer's desk...)
Tyler, signed the guestbook on your site.
IVRW, welcome to the thread! 1895 is a fun year, used to be big into reading about the RRs back then. Of course, my model railroad is set in 1996-97(finally narrowed it down)
Hey guys, I've been starting research.
For the future layout
As in after college and I find a job
It's on the MILW
And it's their LINES WEST
I originally got the idea from TRP issue #82 which has a great railfan article written by two guys who railfanned the Linews West right before it closed down. I've found some good internet sites (mainly pics), and I'll try to dig up some history as well. right now I'm just browsing the photos and trying to get a feel for the RR. If I do ever model this the era would be 1977-1980, which cuts out the electrics, but still allows me to run both MILW SD40-2s and then also the Geeps which took over right before the demise of the Lines West. While it might seem silly to cut out electrification, it is practical for n scale. any models of the Little Joes or other electrics in n scale are brass and expensive. Kato makes the SD40-2 and atlas has me covered for the Geeps. Also, the catenary poles were still up. This is as far as my research has gone so far. I'm not giving up the ANRR though, that's my layout for at least the next year or two, if not longer.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Packers#1 Hey guys, I've been starting research. For the future layout As in after college and I find a job It's on the MILW And it's their LINES WEST I originally got the idea from TRP issue #82 which has a great railfan article written by two guys who railfanned the Linews West right before it closed down. I've found some good internet sites (mainly pics), and I'll try to dig up some history as well. right now I'm just browsing the photos and trying to get a feel for the RR. If I do ever model this the era would be 1977-1980, which cuts out the electrics, but still allows me to run both MILW SD40-2s and then also the Geeps which took over right before the demise of the Lines West. While it might seem silly to cut out electrification, it is practical for n scale. any models of the Little Joes or other electrics in n scale are brass and expensive. Kato makes the SD40-2 and atlas has me covered for the Geeps. Also, the catenary poles were still up. This is as far as my research has gone so far. I'm not giving up the ANRR though, that's my layout for at least the next year or two, if not longer.
Alright! The MILW Pacific Extension has always fascinated me. The scenery is amazing on that line. Many bridges, cuts, tunnels, it's an all around great line. Here is a link that I've found on the demise of the Pacific extension. Popular belief was that the MILW was running broke, and the Pacific Extension was the boat anchor, this article explains the real truth.
http://www.trainweb.org/milwaukee/article.html
I have some articles about people who have modeled the Pacific Extension, and I have some magazines talking about the extension. It's quite interesting.
If you’re looking for pictures, check out Railpictures.net, they have lots of great pictures of the lines west.
www.railpictures.net
In railroad, obviously search Milwaukee Road. Under photographers Search for these photographers.
Steve Schmollinger, and Blair Kooistra. Paul Greenfield has three photos, but I think they are worth looking at.
I have seen a lot of captivating photos from this line, if you ever model it, you may have a hard time picking exactly where to model, the line was full of so much variety.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Hey Everybody
Sawyer: nice photo of the railroad at the bottom.
Tyler: haven't had a chance to look at the vid yet but I will.
Joe: Your lucky, a day off
ANd i will be 16 on December 4th. Can't wait to get my license.
Well thats all
Taylor
Bear Down!
WCfanPackers#1 Hey guys, I've been starting research. For the future layout As in after college and I find a job It's on the MILW And it's their LINES WEST I originally got the idea from TRP issue #82 which has a great railfan article written by two guys who railfanned the Linews West right before it closed down. I've found some good internet sites (mainly pics), and I'll try to dig up some history as well. right now I'm just browsing the photos and trying to get a feel for the RR. If I do ever model this the era would be 1977-1980, which cuts out the electrics, but still allows me to run both MILW SD40-2s and then also the Geeps which took over right before the demise of the Lines West. While it might seem silly to cut out electrification, it is practical for n scale. any models of the Little Joes or other electrics in n scale are brass and expensive. Kato makes the SD40-2 and atlas has me covered for the Geeps. Also, the catenary poles were still up. This is as far as my research has gone so far. I'm not giving up the ANRR though, that's my layout for at least the next year or two, if not longer. Alright! The MILW Pacific Extension has always fascinated me. The scenery is amazing on that line. Many bridges, cuts, tunnels, it's an all around great line. Here is a link that I've found on the demise of the Pacific extension. Popular belief was that the MILW was running broke, and the Pacific Extension was the boat anchor, this article explains the real truth. http://www.trainweb.org/milwaukee/article.html I have some articles about people who have modeled the Pacific Extension, and I have some magazines talking about the extension. It's quite interesting. If you’re looking for pictures, check out Railpictures.net, they have lots of great pictures of the lines west. www.railpictures.net In railroad, obviously search Milwaukee Road. Under photographers Search for these photographers. Steve Schmollinger, and Blair Kooistra. Paul Greenfield has three photos, but I think they are worth looking at. I have seen a lot of captivating photos from this line, if you ever model it, you may have a hard time picking exactly where to model, the line was full of so much variety.
Thanks for the links! I know one area that i definitely want to include, there were four pictures of a train on it in the TRP article. It was on Pinestone pass (or soemthing of that name) where there was a hairpin turn to reduce the grade to two percent. The photographed train was going at 10 mph and also in one photo the front end units were across form the caboose.
Taylor, thanks man!
CNW Ore Drags with RSD12s and shtuff in upper Michigan are also nice!
After my LVRC power is done it looks like I'll start in on a few Batten Kill Railroad RS3s.
Alex
John: I just did a google search, and was surprised on how much there really is out there. I didn't look at everything, but I just skimmed, and there's a decent amount of info
Sawyer: Geez, you're already planning for your layout after college? I don't even know where I want to go for college! In fact, I'm not even sure what I want to do, and I have only about 2 years before I have to choose a college! I know I want to go into some kind of engineering (electrical, maybe?), and work for a railroad. I've also wanted to become an engineer (as in the one who operates the trains), but according to my mom, "I'm too smart and can go so much farther in life..." Whatever...I hadn't really planned it out, but I'm assuming I'll stay with the TSRy. Expand it or something. IDK, maybe even create a new, larger, RR that takes it over. IHNC, and IDC right now.
Taylor: It seems we never have school. There's always a reason for a day off, or an early dismissal. It's like "Oh, there's a snowflake! We have to cancel school!" lol. I highly doubt we actually have anything close to the required 180 days...
I mentioned over on another forum about possibly adding an intermodal track to my layout. Then I thought some more. If I were to swap the locations of the station and the TSRy yard, it would make more sense, and I might even have a little more room. I'll mess with the plan later in the week and/or over the weekend...
Hey Again
Joe: lucky you, we never get snow days, we should get hot days but don't get those either. It's also amazing what you can find on google.
Sawyer: Dude I hope your switching to Z scale in college and man already planning it out, your smart.
John and what inspired you to model such a early time period.
Question for everyone: how many of you are the first in your family to model or how many of you have family that are modelers?
Back before HS, we would get a half day if it was above 90, since there was no A/C in the building...
I guess I'm the first in my family. My Grandpa kinda was (he built the old Christmas set, which evolved into my first layout), but not really hardcore...
ns3010 Sawyer: Geez, you're already planning for your layout after college? I don't even know where I want to go for college! In fact, I'm not even sure what I want to do, and I have only about 2 years before I have to choose a college! I know I want to go into some kind of engineering (electrical, maybe?), and work for a railroad. I've also wanted to become an engineer (as in the one who operates the trains), but according to my mom, "I'm too smart and can go so much farther in life..." Whatever...I hadn't really planned it out, but I'm assuming I'll stay with the TSRy. Expand it or something. IDK, maybe even create a new, larger, RR that takes it over. IHNC, and IDC right now.
Not to be mean or anything, but I'd really think about being a conductor or engineer. I have talked to many people who work for the railroad, and although some liked it, the majority didn't find it as appealing. It depends on who you are. But first think about it, if you're a conductor, you are always out in the elements. Rain, snow, sleet or shine, you probably will be outside. How enjoyable would it be shoveling out a switch when it's -30 degrees out? One thing you might not think of is the paper work. There is a load of paper work to be taken care of, pretty much a whole trains worth of paper work. Also, you can get called up at any time of the day pretty much. What if your friends wanted to do something, you wouldn't be able to because you're on call. Pretty soon you'll start losing contact with them. Thinking about a family is another thing. You may not want a family now, but what about later, when you have time to think over things. Working for the railroad isn’t the best job to have when raising a family. An engineer's job isn't a whole lot better. It can be very stressful every time you go out. Take it from the crews. If you would really want to work for the railroad, I’d first get an education, and then go on the railroad. It's better to have some kind of college education these days then none.
Sawyer, I'll have to see what else I can dig up for you. I know I have some other links buried around here.
After reading that article in Trains a few years ago (Oct. 07 maybe?), it made it sound pretty unappealing.But I was thinking more Transit, maybe Amtrak. When you start, you're on the extra list, but it's not like it's always insane hours. And you'll never be far from home. You begin and end your shift at the same place. And when you become a regular, you have the same set of trains every day, 5 days a week.
From what I've heard from anyone who is a Transit engineer, conductor, TC, rear brake, whatever, it's great (there's tons of them on another unnamed forum...).
I never thought about not going to college. I'd be stupid not to. And besides, I highly doubt they'd hire anyone straight out of HS anyway...
And even if I don't actually work on the trains, anywhere on the railroad would be fine with me.
modelbnsfer: Going back to the maps. The inspiring part is that one of the copied maps I have was held in the back pocket of a miner from the day he picked it up at the Rio Grande Western station through all his Utah travels. That kinda' thing just blows me away, the fact that an ordinary person, a hundred + years ago held the map. My FAVORITE thing that set me modeling the era has to be a book. Here is what is on the front inside cover written in pencil and cursive:
Illegible - as a birthday gift - from your dear momma and poppa
March 20th 1888
The rest is Illegible. The front cover reads
History of the United States
In words of one syllable
Copyright 1886 By J. L. Blamire George Routledge & Sons
Armed with this information that my great great great whoever held the same book I am holding right now, is it any wonder I model 1895?
Think about what Jordan is saying, then ask yourself this: Are you ready for the inevitable day when you ARE going to hit and kill somebody with your train? It WILL happen someday, the odds and statistics are against you. Freight railroads have more work out in the weather and paperwork, but passenger railroads are much higher in suicides.
I'd also think long and hard about a career in railroading... Right now I'm thinking about photojournalism, science education, or something to do with engineering (the designing type, not the locomotive type).
If I had to change what I was modeling after college, I'd probably model the Central Mass Railroad, either in the steam era as a "what if" alternate routing they considered right through my hometown instead of all the way around the Wachusett Reservoir, or in the modern era as if it was still active in the prototype configuration. That or I'd model the Boston & Albany in either the steam era (Worcester used to get 100+ trains per day!), in the Conrail era, or modern day CSX. Or I'd model the trolley line through my hometown, maybe in the 1900s or maybe modern day, or maybe the CSX Leominster Branch as a modern day shortline, or maybe I'd model a railroad on the moon (anybody still paying attention?) or maybe the Pan Am Worcester line in modern day, but in any case.........I'm going to have to decide later!
Guilford GuyMost Railroad DO hire directly from high school. If you find it unnappealing then do something else because it would ruin a great hobby.
Which begs to ask a question. If you all were to get a RR job in a few years, then what RR would you do it on and where.
For me, it has to be in this order
1. UP through the northern rockies
2. BNSF through the very northern rockies
3. NS through the appalachian range
4. CSX along the East coast
5. BNSF along the West coast
6. Montana Rail link through Montana.
What is your line up?
Well, I pretty much have no planning left on my layout, except the town, and that's just a rough idea. Overall, I just want to pursue it and have fun. Who knows if that will actually happen. One other thing I could do is design a much larger ANRR layout, but i like the idea of running a train in wide open spaces; hence, the Lines West. There was barely any traffic during the period I want to model (1978-1980), which is the last days of it.
As to college, my plan is Clemson University (unless some other college offers a scholarship and has a degree I'd be interested in) and the degree will be some kind of engineering (apparently engineering 101 or something exposes you to all different types of engineering and then you can declare for one field after that or something; I'm thinking either civil or chemical right now, but physical science is BORING as crap, and so far that's been all chemicals etc. Physics is also fun. Civil engineers can work for commuter RRs, so that might be interesting, but I'd rather avoid a boring office if I can help it) and also a minor in english. Why a minor in English? I love writing for MRN, and a minor in English could probably get me a job with a magazine, or at least allow me to write good articles. Really, I'm not entirely sure what I want to do, but I've got a basic idea, lol. My interests might change as I learn more about the different fields.
As to working for the RR, same as Joe, read the article in Trains a few years back. Heard bad hours, and pretty much said "nuh-uh, I ain't going to that." One other job I wouldn't mind doing would be a cop, but call that my back-up plan.
Taylor, in college I'll probably have a small switching layout or something.
WCFan, thanks man. I've got a research project on Iwo Jima, so I probably won't do much research on the Lines West until after that's turned in. Researching has its limits, even if it's on something you like (and I love researching both WW2 and railroads, lol).
Today, my dad asked me what was going on with my trains. I told (actually, I reminded him, but of course he forgot...) about my expansion plans. And he mentioned a few other possibilites that I never even thought of. One idea I came up with was an around-the-walls/shelf configuration in the office. I'd probably be able to have more track space. This would work best if we could move the couch into the family room. Now we'll have to talk this over with my mom, and I really hope she says yes...
TrainManTyAre you ready for the inevitable day when you ARE going to hit and kill somebody with your train? It WILL happen
John: If I had to pick, I'd probably say NJT, Amtrak, M&E, NS, CSX
ns3010
Bumpity-bump...
Anybody want a White River Southern Railroad Electronic Rail Pass?
TrainManTyns3010 Bumpity-bump...Anybody want a White River Southern Railroad Electronic Rail Pass?
How do you make those?
My MILW research has ground to a halt, mainly because I've got a research project for school and it is BORING as crap. Usually I love research, but my teacher is just wrecking it. fortunately, I'm almost finished. Then it's on to figuring out the layout of Avery yard.
Packers#1TrainManTyns3010 Bumpity-bump...Anybody want a White River Southern Railroad Electronic Rail Pass? How do you make those? My MILW research has ground to a halt, mainly because I've got a research project for school and it is BORING as XXXXX. Usually I love research, but my teacher is just wrecking it. fortunately, I'm almost finished. Then it's on to figuring out the layout of Avery yard.
My MILW research has ground to a halt, mainly because I've got a research project for school and it is BORING as XXXXX. Usually I love research, but my teacher is just wrecking it. fortunately, I'm almost finished. Then it's on to figuring out the layout of Avery yard.
IVRWPackers#1TrainManTyns3010 Bumpity-bump...Anybody want a White River Southern Railroad Electronic Rail Pass? How do you make those? My MILW research has ground to a halt, mainly because I've got a research project for school and it is BORING as XXXXX. Usually I love research, but my teacher is just wrecking it. fortunately, I'm almost finished. Then it's on to figuring out the layout of Avery yard. You know how I combat that? I put trains into the essay :) I just used a quote from Iain Rice to explain the philosophy of time. No, really, I did. Ill post it if you want.
It's actually a monologue abt. our topic on WW2. I usually LOVE reading abt. WW2, but this project is just boring me to death, lol.