Anybody ever create a layout or moduals based on the real early days of steam. The 1830's 1840's in the US. Or earlier 1800's in europe?
The very first self powered boiler on wheels was used to move coal and iron ore at a foundry. The one that made it.
It would make for an interesting discussion piece
wolfie
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Many people modeling in this era like to model the Civil War.
RAOR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLionMany people modeling in this era like to model the Civil War.
Modellling the "baby days" of railroading is quite a challenge, as there is very little available. Bachmann did a few US prototype engines and carriages a few years ago. Hornby made a set with the famous "Rocket" and Marklin/Trix a set with Germany´s first train of 1835 " Adler" and Piko a set with the 1839 engine "Saxonia". One of the biggest drawback is the diminuitive size of the locos, which makes it difficult to incorporate a motor.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Besides the ones already mentioned, only other period train I can think of is Lionel's 1:48 scale model of "The Best Friend of Charleston" a few years ago....
http://www.lionel.com/products/the-best-friend-of-charleston-6-30065/
As I recall, the July 1976 issue of MR had a story on modelling the 1830's-40's.
Preiser makes at least some era-appropriate figures.
ATT did stephenson's rocket. I can see it being a challange for historical reasons.
A few years ago someone was offering and advertised in MR an imported brass HO version of the 1832 "Catawissa" - sans tender as I recall (assuming the original had a tender as we know it). It had a look that was indeed "pre-Civil War" but showed the elements - horizontal boiler, cab, large smoke stack -- that began to resemble the standard locos of the 1850s and 60s - but no drive rods.
https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/068960/HO-Brass-Model-Train-Choo-Choo-Stop-PRR-Catawissa-1832-0-4-0
There was also a cast metal unpowered O scale "Best Friend" model from E. Alexander - available for years and years. An unpowered HO scale CNW/CB&Q "Pioneer" was around, not a very good replica as I recall but cheap. I also recall a nice large scale plastic kit, likely unpowered, of the Rocket, and wasn't there an HO model of the Rocket that was live steam?
If you look at the earliest locomotives shown in George Abdill's book A Locomotive Engineer's Album (highly recommended for those with a taste for early and unusual steam locomotives), you realize the difficulty in finding a place for a motor for models in scales smaller than O or S, because the engines were either tiny or oddly constructed (the B&O grasshoppers) or both. Bachmann worked some minor miracles in model design to come up with their early locomotives such as the John Bull.
Dave Nelson
Bachmann De Witt Clinton set:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BACHMANN-00641-THE-DEWITT-CLINTON-TRAIN-SET-NEW-IN-BOX-HO-SCALE-E-Z-TRACK-LQQK-/112435660392?oid=112558137969
Bachmann John Bull set:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BACHMANN-40-140-HO-JOHN-BULL-TRAIN-SET-PRE-OWNED-TESTED/223593052317?hash=item340f2f389d:g:JJsAAOSwTW1dMebi
I have 3 of the Bachmann sets bought years ago at a steep dicsount from a Tuesday Morning shop. It's not just the challenge of the small size, but track initially was strap iron on timber stringers. And stub turnouts. And link & pin couplers.
It would be fascinating to model this in O scale. And doable since you can use very sharp curves.
Paul
chutton01Railway Tycoon style games
Those early locomotives are fun to play, watching them struggle to pull 2 or 3 small cars without breaking down. Names like Grasshopper 0-4-0, Planet 2-2-0, Norrris 4-2-0, Adler 2-2-2
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch