Would You Model Overseas Railroads?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

Well, for those of you who said that foreign trains look strange, just think about how foreigners think our trains look. Actually, though, there are more examples of North American trains running in other countries than you might think.
(...)

Yes, American trains looked strange to me. In Holland, we have smaller trains and most of them are electric, not diesel. I was not interested in those odd American trains. But a few years ago, I started reading Model Railroader and I saw beautiful American models at the local trainstore. And now I am a big fan of American railroading! I have a (compared to those large American layouts) small layout of the New Haven in N-scale and an even smaller layout in Z-scale. And also a small layout of the NS (no, NOT Norfolk Southern but Nederlandse Spoorwegen = Dutch Railways).

In Holland, we have an (electric) engine, based on a design of Baldwin for the New Haven. This engine has been bult in the 50's and is still running! And what about the Class 66 of EMD? OK, it's appearance is not typical American (more British), but it has been made overseas. In Europe, there was also the Nohab, an diesel engine based on an American design. In many countries you still can find this engine.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I don't believe this!!! As I am typing this there were

8 members making their first post on the previous page!!!

I have never seen anything like this before!!!

Reichsbahn
railfancwb
K4s_PRR
regiomontano
clark33
tajsbb
dtpowell
EGELLIOTT

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

Speaking of overseas, this is post 1492 for me, which just happens to be the year in which Columbus first sailed here.

One more interesting tidbit here, Tajsbb and I joined the same day. There is however a slight difference in the number of posts between us. Not that post count matters, 1000 posts and a buck will get you a cup of coffee.[swg]

[lupo]

Eliot,
I noticed that too, and IMHO if you look closer at some of these " not so usual " topics popping up onthis forum there seem to be a lot of longtime members with low postcounts coming into the picture!
Cool to have y'all around !!

Lupo

[Anonymous]

Actually, a friend of mine in the hobby got sent to Australia a few years back for his job and he brought me back some HO scale kangaroo figures. I was going to put them on the layout at some point out in the boonies near the road with a yellow sign that says "'Roo Crossing".

Really...

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hi Lupo, sorry I haven't been around here as much lately. I've been spending much of my time on the Classic Toy Trains forum, because that's where my TYPE of trains are discussed. I'm always checking here, but there haven't been too mant good non scale specific topics lately.

[Anonymous]

Hi CBQ_guy
If I got it right this is the sign you are looking for
regards john

[Anonymous]

Hi

And modelling overseas engine under US colors ???? [(-D]

Check that : http://www.amtrakhistoricalsociety.com/x996.html

Antoine

[Dr. John]

I've been intrigued with Marklin equipment since I saw it demonstrated at a train show. I love their reliability and would not mind using equipment representing Germany or other overseas railways.

I also like the old colorful steam locomotives that once were used in England.

[M636C]

To add to Antoine's (atom 1301) comment on foreign locomotives in the USA, the recent electric locomotives for NJ Transit are really slightly modified German class 101 locomotives.

And going back about 100 years, the Pennsylvania Railroad imported and ran two compound locomotives, a British (LNWR) 2-4-0 and a French (P-O) 4-4-2.

There are prototypes for nearly everything, if you look hard enough!

I remember finding two small British four wheel diesel switchers on the docks in Vancouver, British Columbia. Modellers could "adopt" a particular foreign unit (even some US units in Europe) while remaining correct to prototype.

Peter

[Anonymous]

Hi
Look in the right places and you will find railways that have a bit of every thing from all over the world
Get it all blended right so it looks right you could even create your own freelance colonial line that works that way and would be all steam as well
regards John

[M636C]

OK, Guys

To meet the immense unsatisfied demand for kangaroo warning signs and the failure of pictorial representation to date, here are some completely verbal instructions.

The sign is a completely standard road sign, and is 29.5" square with slightly rounded corners (maybe 3" radius). The backing is standard bright yellow (Traffic Yellow) reflectorised material, with a 1" black border, one half inch in from the edge.

The sign is mounted as a diamond, with one corner at the top. The mounting bolts are 6" inward from the top and bottom.

The kangaroo is a leaping kangaroo, basically similar to the white kangaroo on QANTAS aircraft tails (see www.qantas.com ), but placed horizontal with the head and tail at the same level, centrally on the sign. The black kangaroo is 24.5" long from head to tail.

The same kangaroo symbol was used on Australian pennies before 1966, on RAAF aircraft roundels and on the stacks of RAN warships.

If copying it from the tail of a QANTAS aircraft, note that the leg often extends below the tailplane onto the fuselage!

These dimensions are from a real sign on my hallway wall!

No officer, I did not remove it. It was lying face down on the ground, removed officially by someone with the special tools required. I just brought it home for safekeeping. I would be happy to hand it over to any official, with written authority, who comes to collect it!

Peter

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C



And going back about 100 years, the Pennsylvania Railroad imported and ran two compound locomotives, a British (LNWR) 2-4-0 and a French (P-O) 4-4-2.

On the other hand, I'm aware of retrofited ex AT&SF GE C30-7 that are now operated in Estonia, north-eastern Europe.
My question: are there any other example of heavy american equipment that is used in Europe? Is there for example an unknown industrial railroad that should operate 10000-ton trains with imported SD40s at the point?.....

[M636C]

ddechamp71,

No, because of clearances there are very few such lines in Europe.

There was a line in Spain (Standard gauge) that used Alco RS-3s for iron ore haulage, but that was later converted to metre gauge with the usual European power. It did have a standard gauge talgo train, from Boston & Maine, and it was hauled by a large Henschel diesel hydraulic switcher.

Foster Yeoman in England have a single close clearance SW1001 at Westbury (and locals speak about the big US loco that is too large to leave the yard).

The Estonian operation is permissible only because Russian clearances are adequate for those locomotives.

In Argentina there are Alco model DL-540 locomotives, basically an RS-11 on three axle export trucks, and some GP40s fitted with A1A-A1A trucks working on ore traffic. But this is because the Argentine broad gauge clearances allowed such big locomotives.

Peter

[METRO]

Hey all!

Just wanted to let you know I ran my first japanese train today, a Nozomi or Shinkansen 500 series. I'm also going to pick up a Hornby Eurostar one of these days for use on my main layout. Hopefully by then they will have a model of the one in that great GNER lettering.

As for all the new members and seldom posters talking on the topic, welcome and glad I could give you something to talk about!

~Urban

[METRO]

On the subject of why there are so few US trains on overseas lines, I would think that weight would have much to do with it. When the Brits tested the GG1 (BR Class 50) it was notied that the locomotive was exceedingly heavy as well as having a wheel grouping that did not work well on the tight curves of the BR lines.

Also the Acela, which is closest in bloodline to a third generation TGV Thalys, it's much lighter than the equipment it replaced.

[DonaldAgne]

And to add a little to METRO's last post, all the tracks in Japan are narrow gauge, with the exception of the Shinkansen.

[Anonymous]

I model both US and UK trains on the same board. I can just switch the buildings trains and cars depending on my mood.

[Anonymous]

I already do - I have "running" collections in both US-outline HO scale and German N (with a few oddball impulse-buy items like a couple of German HO scale freight cars). I also have a growing collection of British OO scale, though this is mainly older models bought to build a collection (I have Airfix, Mainline, and Replica stock, slowly adding more of all three brands). I also tend to buy occasional Hornby or Bachmann OO scale items on impulse, though as yet I have no suitable layout for running them.

I would definitely recommend the Bachmann OO scale diesel locos to anyone - their Class 37 has working lights, DCC socket, mesh fan grille with seperate fan, and loads of other details for a very reasonable price. The new Hornby Class 50 also looks very nice - not bought one yet myself, but it's supposedly almost silent-running and has a few neat features like opening cab doors and a rotating radiator fan (driven from the motor by a rubber band).

P.S. I'm a little unconvinced by the stories of GG1s running in the UK - they wouldn't fit into our loading gauge for a start, and the "Class 50" designation was used for a English-Electric built diesel-electric loco (this is the one recently modelled by Hornby). Good joke though!

[Anonymous]

When I was in the Army, stationed in a suburb of Tokyo from 12/56 to 5/58, I witnessed some of the most fascinating railroading in existance then. With just a little steam, but mostly catenary, it was a very complex system of trackwork. Great for one of a railroad bent like me. The rail transportation system (interurban-streetcar) had a color-coded map that showed all local routes-stations for public use with Japanese script above English phonetics that could be put in one's pants pocket. It was easier to get around Tokyo than Chicago and very inexpensive for a G.I. I had a chance to visit all of the yards and terminals in this vast area. Although very interesting, I would only build a U.S. model railroad because this is what I am most interested in and "familiarity breeds content". Jerry K

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

On the subject of why there are so few US trains on overseas lines, I would think that weight would have much to do with it.(...)

Well, I think that there are other reasons:

* There are enough European train building companies like Alstom, Siemens, Vossloh, Talgo etc. Why should you buy a train on an other continent?
* National pride?
* American engines are large. Many European railroads are electrified: there is hardly any room for such a large locomotive under the catenary.
* European railroads are more focused on passenger traffic than freight. Strong eninges like American ones are not nessecary: passenger trains are not so heavy and require different type of traction. And European builders have a lot of experience in this. And the freight trains are not as long as in de US, thus less heavy.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mathieuholland

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

On the subject of why there are so few US trains on overseas lines, I would think that weight would have much to do with it.(...)

Well, I think that there are other reasons:

* There are enough European train building companies like Alstom, Siemens, Vossloh, Talgo etc. Why should you buy a train on an other continent?
* National pride?
* American engines are large. Many European railroads are electrified: there is hardly any room for such a large locomotive under the catenary.
* European railroads are more focused on passenger traffic than freight. Strong eninges like American ones are not nessecary: passenger trains are not so heavy and require different type of traction. And European builders have a lot of experience in this. And the freight trains are not as long as in de US, thus less heavy.

True in former times but today ? Neee!!

The RR market is a worldwide business! Alsthom and Bombardier have plants in Europe and USA / Canada.
EMD sells a lot of Engines to Europe in the last years (Germany, Netherlands and UK) The new loco for the royal train in UK is an EMD!!! And EMD have a
GETS was a partner of Henschel (now Bombardier) in Kassel / Germany - The BlueTiger is a redesigned Dash7 in many parts! And Henschel use EMD diesel-engines too !!!

• The AC Parts in EMD´s SD70MAC are from Siemens
• The GE Genesis truck was designed by Krupp in Essen / Germany
• GE´s 6000 hp diesel was designed by MWM DEUTZ in Mannheim / Germany
• NJT´s new ALP 46 were built by Bombardier in Kassel - the body were built in Poland - and the basicdesign is a German Highspeed electro.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bigboy4015

True in former times but today ? Neee!!

The RR market is a worldwide business! Alsthom and Bombardier have plants in Europe and USA / Canada. EMD sells a lot of Engines to Europe in the last years (Germany, Netherlands and UK) (...)

Well, there are here still more new European locomotives on the tracks than new American locomotives. Yes, the EMD Class 66 is very popular, but mainly amongst small companies. And Bombardier bought European train builders. That doesn't make their products American.

Of course, the train business is a global business. But it has always been that way in a sense, starting with British steam engines for the US in the 19th century. And the engines and freight cars from the US Army, left here in Europe after WW II. One of our most beloved engines is an American design. But generally speaking, I think that you can say that the US and Europe have their own trains. Unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

[?]i need some bulsar wood beacause i have been making models out of plastic for about 3 years [i would like to know wear to get some from][?]

[wesleyp]

Yes, I would and have. A few years ago I built a small Briti***hemed N-scale layout but had to dismantle it during a move. Still have the equipment and keep on looking for an opportunity to bring it out and build another layout. If I had the space I would build two layouts (small size for ease of construction and operation); one set in the British Isles with a LMS theme (gotta love those maroon engines and cars) the other set in New England (though I am torn as to where in New England I'd set it as I have a love affair with three different roads, the New Haven, Boston & Maine, and Maine Central). [:)]

There is something about foreign, especially European, railways that just makes them very attractive. Whether it is the extensive passenger workings or the scenery they make a compelling case for modelling. Could be that I have been influenced by those shows on PBS such as Swiss Rail Journeys and the like but I still find them fascinating. Not to put down American railroading as they are just as fascinating, if in a different manner.

Wesley

[detting]

I have started collecting WWII European pieces in HO and Modern Japanese pieces in N. I just have to build the layouts to go around these items.

[Anonymous]

No absalutly not

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Reichsbahn

Yes, I model a "foreign" RR, the German Reichsbahn in the mid-1930s. Great steam engines with "Wagner" smoke deflectors, black locos with red running gear, lots of quite interesting passenger coaches, and very interesting (and different) freight cars. Lots of quality stuff available from Roco, Trix, Fleischmann, Piko, Liliput, etc. Operation includes a fair amount of passenger traffic. Of course, even the Reichsbahn had a diversity of "regional" and distinctive locos (Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon, etc.) So my Bavarian trains come in from the south and the Prussian & Saxon trains from the north. Trackwork is Peco & signals are Veissmann. Only "reservation" is that we who model the Reichsbahn need to keep the livery pre-1940 to avoid the Nazi stuff. Even though the stuff is available, I personally do not own and would not run Reichsbahn trains with the swastika for the same reason that US prototype modelers would not have a 1940s train station in the South with "colored" and "white" waiting rooms. So, expand your horizons - it's a big and interesting world-wide hobby.

The "Reichsbahn" (Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft = DRG / Deutsche Reichsbahn = DR) existed, under both private ownership and public ownership, from 1920 to 1945 (give or take a year or two, depending upon definitions and caveats, at both ends of the period -- which is known as "Era II" among model manufacturers). The *** came to power in 1933 -- after which the swastika (Hakenkreuz = twisted cross) was added to the already-existing corporate logo: the German imperial eagle (Reichsadler). However, "Era II" German-prototype model rolling stock after 1932 (produced by European firms such as TRIX, Maerklin, ROCO, Liliput, BRAWA, etc.) does NOT include the prototypically correct swastika (still much despised all over Europe): instead, a rather non-descript, undefined geometric design (looking much like a 4-leaf clover) fills the available space within the medallion suspended from the claws of the stylized imperial eagle. "Era II" is considered to be "The Golden Age" of railroading in Germany: high-speed streamlined steam locomotives pulling skirted passenger cars competed with high-speed streamlined diesel trainsets for the traveling public's attention (as well as railroad management's bottom-line satisfaction). And railroad electrification projects competed with both steam and diesel propulsion alternatives in the unending pursuit of greater speed, as well as improved economy, on the [then] largest and most efficient railroad in the entire world.

[BRAKIE]

No,Overseas railroads never interested me.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Reichsbahn

Yes, I model a "foreign" RR, the German Reichsbahn in the mid-1930s. Great steam engines with "Wagner" smoke deflectors, black locos with red running gear, lots of quite interesting passenger coaches, and very interesting (and different) freight cars. Lots of quality stuff available from Roco, Trix, Fleischmann, Piko, Liliput, etc. Operation includes a fair amount of passenger traffic. Of course, even the Reichsbahn had a diversity of "regional" and distinctive locos (Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon, etc.) So my Bavarian trains come in from the south and the Prussian & Saxon trains from the north. Trackwork is Peco & signals are Veissmann. Only "reservation" is that we who model the Reichsbahn need to keep the livery pre-1940 to avoid the Nazi stuff. Even though the stuff is available, I personally do not own and would not run Reichsbahn trains with the swastika for the same reason that US prototype modelers would not have a 1940s train station in the South with "colored" and "white" waiting rooms. So, expand your horizons - it's a big and interesting world-wide hobby.

The "Reichsbahn" (Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft = DRG / Deutsche Reichsbahn = DR) existed, under both private ownership and public ownership, from 1920 to 1945 (give or take a year or two, depending upon definitions and caveats, at both ends of the period -- which is known as "Era II" among model manufacturers). The *** came to power in 1933 -- after which the swastika (Hakenkreuz = twisted cross) was added to the already-existing corporate logo: the German imperial eagle (Reichsadler). However, "Era II" German-prototype model rolling stock after 1932 (produced by European firms such as TRIX, Maerklin, ROCO, Liliput, BRAWA, etc.) does NOT include the prototypically correct swastika (still much despised all over Europe): instead, a rather non-descript, undefined geometric design (looking much like a 4-leaf clover) fills the available space within the medallion suspended from the claws of the stylized imperial eagle. "Era II" is considered to be "The Golden Age" of railroading in Germany: high-speed streamlined steam locomotives pulling skirted passenger cars competed with high-speed streamlined diesel trainsets for the traveling public's attention (as well as railroad management's bottom-line satisfaction). And railroad electrification projects competed with both steam and diesel propulsion alternatives in the unending pursuit of greater speed, as well as improved economy, on the [then] largest and most efficient railroad in the entire world.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

Most of the pikes I have seen in MR and in person have been United States, Canadian or Mexican lines. However, a recient trip to the LHS got me looking at Kato's N-scale lineup and how many Japanese models they offer, not just in rolling stock but in structures, figures and vehicles as well. This got me thinking and I looked around a bit: There have been, as long as I can remember, tons of German and British-line imports but with recient releases from Bachman and Kato, Asian raliroads are starting to be avalible too.

I am thinking about using Kato N-scale equipment to build a small shelf layout set in Japan, and I was wondering if anyone else has thought about setting their layouts outside of the Americas?

Yes!!! In some aspects this hobby, I believe the UK railroads could be modeled to a more accurate perspective because of the size of their branch line railroads. I have toured many of the active steam Museum railroads in England and most have about fifteen miles or so of track and about six stations. They also run forward one direction and pull the train back in reverse. Same on turntable space and most of their yards are run around type. This type of operation could be copied end to end, in a smaller but very effective type of perspective.

When I visited York Museum, we were gathered around the turntable inside the building and the tour guide mentioned the Union Pacific Big Boy would be too large to fit on the table. I asked him the size of the table and it was barely long enough for one of our tenders. He wanted to know what size the Union Pacific used, and my answer was 125' and even some of the Union Pacific terminals used the largest 135' tables at a few of their roundhouses, really stunned them.

Enjoy whatever you model!!!