1st Post...

[tomikawaTT]

Glad to have you join the active ranks.  I, too, was a lurker for a while.

A couple of Christmases ago I presented my grandson with a complete collection of Thomas stories.  The hard back book had a map of Sodor as end papers, which made the stories even more interesting.  (Unfortunately, that book is seventeen hundred miles from here, so I can't check it for exact title or publisher.)  I think the Isle of Sodor could become a very interesting endeavor in its own right.

Sorry I can't help you with details of Cincinnati.  Other than the outer facade of the Union Station, I'm totally ignorant of that area.  You might want to check Google maps for satellite views of today's facilities (which might include "ghost" indications of older tracks and buildings.)  Also, a Google search of the railroad names should lead you to their historical societies - gold mines of information.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[drafterdude]

Hi-de-ho neighbor. Can't tell you much about the island of Sodor, ( About all I know about Thomas is he appears in the shop at KRM in late June every year. My kids were too old for Thomas when he became famous.) But anywhere from Corbin, Ky to Cincinnati in the spring time in the early 50's brings the sights and sounds of L&N's "Big Emma's" to mind.

[zxb1]

Welcome old reliable !

[lvanhen]

Welcome!  the following link should be of great help to you in modeling the Isle of Sodor: http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/ffarquhar.htm, (copied from the "no respect for Thomas thread mentioned earlier). My grandson loves to watch Thomas, Percy, and James run around with their cars, and they will soon be converted to DCC so he can chase the Challenger & Turbine around with them!  I can't help much with Cinci, as I model UP, but I'm sure there are many others who can & will help with that.  Good Luck!  

Sorry for the duplication - the first post didn't show up right away!

[lvanhen]

Welcome!  The Isle of Sodor will be a great layout for your son & for you!  Check out the following link: http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/ffarquhar.html, it's a great piece about Sodor and should give you more than a few good ideas (this was copied from the "No respect for Thomas modelers" previously mentioned).  Cant help with Cinci as I model UP, but good luck with BOTH layouts!

[Pathfinder]

Welcome 

Thomas will be neat one to do.  Nothing wrong with freelance or prototype freelance or any other way you want to do it, it is YOUR model railway, so do it you way.

Sorry, can not help with L&N or the other you asked about but best of luck.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Old Reliable: The Isle of Sodor idea is really neet. I enjoy the Thomas stories very much. I'm not a kid in age (64) but in mind my wife has her doubts. Let us know how the Isle of Sodor is coming.

Check on page 3 of the forums for the thread on the fellow who is doing the Thomas thing.

[RRTrainman]

Feel free to do anything you want.  I freelancer also but there are at leased some that will help you with your question.  to the forum.  Its fun to use your imagination that you have and to explore it.  I've been doing this 20+ years with alot of trial and error.  My next move is to go to DCC hopefully it will be a easy transition.  Have fun and injoy it.

[sdkid]

Welcome from a fellow newbie. Scroll a little farher down to the kids and train section, there are a couple threads about thomas.

[selector]

Welcome to our group, Old Reliable.  If you have questions, please feel free to ask.  Of course, maybe you have some expertise of your own that you can share with us...we all like to learn, especially if it helps us to have reliable and fun trains.

[dwhitetop2]

Same here I too am a freelance modler. I have certainly learned alot from this forum. there are some wonderfully talented people here. They will show you some tricks of the trade that will save you money and a lot of frustration.     Welcome to the forum.      Dave

[mikesmowers]

     I personally am a freelance modler that way I can model anything I want and anywhere I want.      
   But I can also say ''Welcome to the Forums'' you will get a lot of help here.    Mike

[Anonymous]

Long time reader (lurker) of the forum, but my first time posting.  I'm in the process/planning stage of building my son an "Island of Sodor" HO layout while learning the ropes and then an L&N layout for his dad.  I'm curious, anyone model Cincinnati in the early 50's? 

Thanks.