Great-grandpa's RR

[dinwitty]

Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine

http://muscatine-tours.com/muscatine-streetcars/

I just found this, it will give you a good idea what you may be getting into

for modeling 4 miles you want to maybe do modular sections that represent portions than the full line.

work a scene and grow. Make a full plan whats possible.

but you have lots of work ahead, so be prepared.

[DSchmitt]

Try to locate a copy of CERA - Central Electric Railfan's Association- Bulletin 36, released 3/42

http://www.cera-chicago.org/


This link has a map and train/bus schedule for 1934:

http://206.103.49.193/guides/htm/cdmusc34og.htm

[dinwitty]

see answers within

QUOTE: Originally posted by MaxV

Hello

I am a new poster, contemplating the railroading hobby. I inherited from my great-grandfather his lock, lantern, and woolen coat he used while he worked for the Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine Railyard up until about 1940.

I want to build a scale replica of his switching station (based on family testimony, he was the guy who cranked down the gates at a street intersection and was responsible for about 4 miles of track maintenance). I want it to be authentic, I do not care what the expense is, and I have many years to build (I want my child and grandchildren to be able to "see" what great-great grandpa's switching station was like; to me that is critically important).

So, I have several questions:

1. Are there any online depositories of photographs of trains that would have been common in Iowa in the 1920-1940 era? I have my father looking back in our home town for any old photographs or flyers for that line, but it would be so much easier if it were online.

google is your friend

2. I want to know what the engines, passenger and freight cars, and any other affiliated cars would have looked like. Paint schemes, notable characterisitics, etc. Where might I find that information?

http://www.walthers.com/
check the magazine index of this site, I have back issues of MR/RMC/Trains/Railroad, hit the search
and I might check it out.


3. Which companies are recommended for historical accuracy for their trains, sheds, and switching stations? It absolutely, positively must be as authentic as possible. Farby is most unwelcome.

There are standards in Railroad design of structures, and there are historical societies that keep info on their lines just for your purpose.
As far as modeling goes, you may find a model that looks close to what you want then modify it to your likings.
Rail lines merged into other lines or other things happen, some societies will have info on a line that merged into their line.
Also check out railroad books. Or the library.



4. Which scale would be recommended for re-creating a 4 mile stretch of track, while keeping an acceptable level of detail? In other words, I want to be able to paint a little figure to look like great-grandpa, but I do not want the figure to be microscopic.

Any personal layout with 4 real scale miles of track is 60.6 feet X 4, 240 feet of track in HO.
General standards of modeling is selective compression because modelers dont have the room to model a full size feature, a building may be shortened, but its design is kept to keep the "feel" of the structure.

for figures HO is still tiny, O scale may be better, G scale really good.
You will need to evaluate your space tho for 4 miles of track somehow...huge.




I apologise if there is a FAQ forum for these types of questions; sometimes technology can be overwhelming.

Than you for any and all assistance.

Alexander M. Vasquez

[Anonymous]

Using Google I came up with this http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/muspl&CISOPTR=358&CISORESTMP=&CISOVIEWTMP= A local library or historical society might be able to help with the colors, darn hard to tell from black and white photos.

[Anonymous]

well I can't help you on most of this stuff... but I would suggest modeling in HO for the size.... although 4 miles of track will take up alot more room than you ptobably expect it to.... but for figure size and what not HO will work well with you and give you a fairly large layout if you have the room for it... I would think that N scale would be to small but would give you more room to work with because it is nearly half the size.... as for Loco's and rolling stock I would think some late model steams and some early transitional deisel would work for that era.... something you might want to look into is try and find the rail companies who used that line in that time period and then see if they have a historical society or try contacting them directly via email.... this option would be alot easier that just doing searches.... I would go to city hall of the city where you are modeling and ask them for the rail company into to see if they knew who ran those lines.

Oh yeah [#welcome] to the forum.... check out the coffee shop for some friendly banter and a nice cup of joe.

[Anonymous]

Hello

I am a new poster, contemplating the railroading hobby. I inherited from my great-grandfather his lock, lantern, and woolen coat he used while he worked for the Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine Railyard up until about 1940.

I want to build a scale replica of his switching station (based on family testimony, he was the guy who cranked down the gates at a street intersection and was responsible for about 4 miles of track maintenance). I want it to be authentic, I do not care what the expense is, and I have many years to build (I want my child and grandchildren to be able to "see" what great-great grandpa's switching station was like; to me that is critically important).

So, I have several questions:

1. Are there any online depositories of photographs of trains that would have been common in Iowa in the 1920-1940 era? I have my father looking back in our home town for any old photographs or flyers for that line, but it would be so much easier if it were online.

2. I want to know what the engines, passenger and freight cars, and any other affiliated cars would have looked like. Paint schemes, notable characterisitics, etc. Where might I find that information?

3. Which companies are recommended for historical accuracy for their trains, sheds, and switching stations? It absolutely, positively must be as authentic as possible. Farby is most unwelcome.

4. Which scale would be recommended for re-creating a 4 mile stretch of track, while keeping an acceptable level of detail? In other words, I want to be able to paint a little figure to look like great-grandpa, but I do not want the figure to be microscopic.

I apologise if there is a FAQ forum for these types of questions; sometimes technology can be overwhelming.

Than you for any and all assistance.

Alexander M. Vasquez