I don't know diddly about modern freight rolling stock.

[SpaceMouse]

And I'm not sure where to start. (On-line sources are prefered because I just spent a bundle on books.)

I'm thinking when I head down to the Train Show in Maryland, I want to pick up some approriate freight cars. Part of the problem is that I'm not really modeling anything specific. ( I know what to look for in the 1890's stuff.) I have PRR transition steam and deisel, but the layout goes to modern and I'm picking up a GP-38 Buffalo & Pittsburgh in the next day or so.

The B&P hauls coal in front of my store--but I've yet to see a train as they run only 3 times a week and at night. I've tried the GWI webiste and the GWI railfan site and I haven't found a picture of the hoppers they are using.

But I know less than that. I don't know what style boxcar, flat-car refer, gondola, hopper, I should get, beacause I don't know diddly.

[cwclark]

some modern day equipment includes open and closed bay hoppers, auto rack flatcars, box cars are still popular but there aren't many 40' ones around anymore, container cars (they're usually in a five car articulated set) , modern tank cars (the ones with the small domes,) piggy back flatcars, flatcars with steel coil covers, and gondolas...Chuck

[Anonymous]

One way to tell if a box car is modern is that it won't have a roof walk.

[tstage]

Chip,

Are you wanting RTR or kit? Since I'm modeling a specific time/era, the only way I buy rolling stock is if I can open up the kit box and read the BLT date. That has helped me to begin to recognize and associate styles and kinds with dates and eras. Seems most of the more modern cars are lonnnnnnnnnnng. You'll have to consider whether or not your layout can handle rolling stock over 60'. Even the look of 50 footers on a 22" radius is pushing the envelope for me.

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Chip,

Are you wanting RTR or kit? Since I'm modeling a specific time/era, the only way I buy rolling stock is if I can open up the kit box and read the BLT date. That has helped me to begin to recognize and associate styles and kinds with dates and eras. Seems most of the more modern cars are lonnnnnnnnnnng. You'll have to consider whether or not your layout can handle rolling stock over 60'. Even the look of 50 footers on a 22" radius is pushing the envelope for me.

Tom

My layout will be in the 24-30" radius range, but these will be train club cars and the radius there is monster.

[dwRavenstar]

Chip,
When you take your road trip over to the Curve drop down to Hollidaysburg and Juniata (near Altoona both) to check out the car painting shops and locomotive shops respectively. Haven't been home in over three years and don't have a clue if NS has retained either operation (sure hope so) but each would be a source of info as to what's happening on the rails in central/western Pa.

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[nfmisso]

Chip;

Take a look at Accurail's, Red Caboose's, and Kadee's websites. They specify the dates on thier frieght cars. Others may do the same too:
http://www.kadee.com/ca/allcars.htm
http://www.accurail.com/accurail/
http://www.red-caboose.com/

[tstage]

I wi***hey would get around to putting that info on the outside of the kit...[sighhhhhhhh]

Tom

[Anonymous]

Brother SpaceMouse...

I understand you're a little in the dark on modern rolling stock. Well. You might want to start with a few box cars-being sure to look closely at the BLT dates on the cars to make certain they're from the right period. Then move on to the reefers, covered hoppers, open hoppers, gondolas, flat cars, coil cars, auto racks and so on. After about $150.00 worth, you should have a fairly nice looking freight train on your layout. I'd go with Atlas. They stick close to the prototypes and are reasonably priced. When I'm looking for rolling stock ideas, I go park where I have a clear view of the tracks and wait for the train to go by to see what they're pulling...

Best of luck to you in your search.

trainluver1

[tstage]

Well, someone has an axe to grind. tl1, why are you all over Chip's case? We're here to help, not harp.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Well, someone has an axe to grind. tl1, why are you all over Chip's case? We're here to help, not harp.

Tom

I'm sorry. An axe to grind ?...

trainluver1

[dwRavenstar]

trainluver1,
I don't see an axe or any grinding, harping or hassling in your post either.

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[tstage]

Dave, that's because he edited his original post. (To be more exact, at 02:34:14.)


Trainluver1, I believe you started out your post by saying something to the effect of:

"Hey, guys. Don't let SpaceMouse fool you. He's just yanking your chains. He probably knows more about modern rolling stock than all of us put together". It was written with a bite to it.

You also ended with:

"If you read some sarcasm in my response...good!"

(The wording for the above quotes is not verbatim but it IS very close to what was originally posted.) Upon further reading, the body of your post appears to be unaltered.

Trainluver1, don't make statements about folks, then go back and change what you originally said. Again, we're here to help one another - not play games of stealth.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwRavenstar

Chip,
When you take your road trip over to the Curve drop down to Hollidaysburg and Juniata (near Altoona both) to check out the car painting shops and locomotive shops respectively. Haven't been home in over three years and don't have a clue if NS has retained either operation (sure hope so) but each would be a source of info as to what's happening on the rails in central/western Pa.

Dave (dwRavenstar)

NS closed Hollidaysburg a few years ago (and laid everyone off [xx(]). [:(] Juniata's still in operation though.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Dave, that's because he edited his original post. (To be more exact, at 02:34:14.)


Trainluver1, I believe you started out your post by saying something to the effect of:

"Hey, guys. Don't let SpaceMouse fool you. He's just yanking your chains. He probably knows more about modern rolling stock than all of us put together". It was written with a bite to it.

You also ended with:

"If you read some sarcasm in my response...good!"

(The wording for the above quotes is not verbatim but it IS very close to what was originally posted.) Upon further reading, the body of your post appears to be unaltered.

Trainluver1, don't make statements about folks, then go back and change what you originally said. Again, we're here to help one another - not play games of stealth.

Tom

Simmer down tstage.

I was just having some mean fun with you guys... You're absolutely right, I wrote my original reply almost exactly like you said. Then when I saw your reply, couldn't resist going back and changing it to make it appear like - what are you talking about ?.
If SpaceMouse had read what I'd written, he would have understood that I was joking and just giving him a hard time.
Sorry to have done you that way tstage. You've got a really good memory...

[SpaceMouse]

I didn't see it. But it is time to let ti drop an move on. I have thick skin and I take little offense to online comments.

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainluver1
I was just having some mean fun with you guys...

tl1,

Trust me, I'm all for joking around but...how 'bout keeping it to just "fun". [:)] It did come across a bit mean spirited, hence my response. Sometimes it's not always easy to read between the lines and get the real intent of the message (or meessenger)...

Tom

[RMax1]

I bought a lighted magnifying glass to look at markings on freight cars. It helps and was only a couple bucks. You may need to do some paint scheme research to make sure even though the build date is right that the paint is also correct. i also like the Atlas rolling stock. I have a KATY caboose that was a bit expensive but it is really nice. Normally I will buy Athearn kits. There is a new book that is out on freight cars. i saw it on the Walthers site and it looked interesting.

RMax1

[Anonymous]

I dont know diddly about what was said or not said earlier.

I use build dates as a way of keeping my cars in era. I try to keep em within 10 years of 1945 but there are enough modern cars sneaking about to make up a 1980's or later train.

Changing eras on your layout is nothing more than changing the motive power. For example if you ran 4-4-0 and a few truss rod boxcars you set the time very early in the period. If a SD70MAC Desiel came thru town hauling cars so big that your entire 4-4-0 will fit as a load in or on it then it is a modern railroad.

I think you will find something at the Fairgrounds when they have that show in April the 16th and 17th if that is the one you plan on going (I will be there also)

[dwRavenstar]

Sad to hear about the Hollidaysburg shops. Back in the day I was a design engineer at Anderson Electronics across the road, used to have to move our cars on windy days or get them repainted. [V]

Nearly as sad to have gotten into the middle of the tstage/tl1 drama. It all makes sense now, least tstage's part of it does. Sounds like a chain isn't all that's getting yanked.

I guess the good news is that with the way things in here have been going lately I'm down from reading 20-30 topics a day to just a few. Someone asked recently if the forum was fluff. Even prize winning lambs don't fill the barn yard with fluff like I've seen in here the last month.

Despite that, some are still upholding the desired nature of the forum and providing quality assistance and information. Many thanks to you.

Dave (dwRavenstar)
Unedited and just as is. [:(]

[tstage]

Dave,

Sorry about the drama and the diversion from the topic. It was a misunderstanding between Sam (trainluver1) and I, but we have cleared it up with one another. My apologies to everyone else who got dragged into it.

Tom

[dwRavenstar]

tstage,
No apology necessary but still appreciated.
Glad you got it straightened out.

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[Don Gibson]

MOUSE:

How modern is your 'MODERN' engine'? A GP-7 or SD-70MAC?

Steam was all pre - 1955
Diesels were post 1937 -
Most American RR's were built by 1880
Topography didn't change.
Automobile road's did
RR engines got bigger
Cars got longer
Most RR's were single track main - still are
Were there a few exception's? - sure.
Many smaller RR's used 'hand-me-down equipment, which fit their needs.

Pick an 'era' or 'spin the bottle'.

Since topography doesnt' really change much, I run whatever time period I'm in the mood for. A 2-6-0 mogul with 30' foot MDC cars is every bit as much fun as 3-SD 70 MAC's pulling Container freight. Even more, (but not on the same night).

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

MOUSE:

How modern is your 'MODERN' engine'? A GP-7 or SD-70MAC?

GP 38 The engine number is in service right down the street from me.

[Anonymous]

Theres a book called " THE RAILROAD,WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DOES ". It was written by the late John Armstrong. In it there is a section on ALL the types of rail cars in use today,and what they are used for. If anyone wants a copy of this chapter,let me know,and i'll scan you a file of it.

[SpaceMouse]

Kind offer, thanks.