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freelance modelers, what are you modeling?

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  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Friday, November 15, 2013 2:57 PM

MisterBeasley

Some history has come and gone since this thread was last active, so it's a good opportunity for an update.

I've pretty much finished up with the carfloat terminal at Mooseport, somewhere on the western shore of Lake Michigan.

A carfloat is a convenient ruse in model railroading.  It can function as a small staging yard, or as an interchange track.  I decided to add a lot of scenery approaching it, too, so it's a focal point for observers, too.  The geographical location caused me to pick up a few related boxcars, notably the Port Huron and Detroit and Ann Arbor railroads, from the "other side" of the Lake.

Mooseport itself is pretty much done now, so I've turned my attention to the other side of town.  I'm building the Empire Leather Tanning Company, a multi-structure Walthers kit.

The kit itself came with a 1-page writeup on tanneries, including the gozintas and gozoutas for such facilities.  They take in hides, acid and salt, which gave me the opportunity to buy a couple of boxcars, a chemical tanker and a covered hopper.  The tanker is an old Athearn Hooker Chemical car I picked up on eBay and spruced up with metal wheels and Kadees.  The hopper is a Bowser kit that I painted and decaled for the fanciful Saltzburg Salt company, and the boxcars will be beat-up Tichys, nearing the end of their service lives, and marked "Hide Service Only" in this last job before the scrap heap.  It will be an operational plus, too, because the hides will come from the Swift packing plant across town.

Someone is going to be quite busy once operational sessions begins. hhehehehe

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 21 posts
Posted by Atlanta Dave on Friday, November 15, 2013 6:18 PM

Really nice work.  As a beginner I am often torn between being inspired and yet thinking "I can never get there".

 

Ages ago I managed a small boxcar fleet dedicated to hide service.  One load of hides and the cars were dedicated to that service until scrapped.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 917 posts
Posted by Southgate on Saturday, November 16, 2013 12:48 AM

Good looking stuff, Mr Beasley. I like the low angle shot.

LMD, another thing I don't really enjoy much is the track planning process. But there is so little of that left, it's just a matter of how I arrange sidings to fit whatever customers I come up with. That's still open. I was going to do a sawmill, but that's so stereotype of the area, I'll probably pass on it now. It would fit in like just another sawmill in Coos Bay.  I could imagine a sizable paper shipping warehouse though. A lot simpler too.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 484 posts
Posted by caboose63 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 3:35 PM

Mr. LMD, right now am just collecting some athearn heavyweight coach kits for both my leelanau county rwy and cadillac & lake city RR. All in planning stages. CLK would be the original 21 miles of michigan track and cadillac-thompsonville-kaleva. my layout when built will be leelanau county : Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Hatchs, Solon, Lake Ann, Honor, Thompsonville and short branch to Interlochen. route of the lines can be found in SPV's Great Lakes East volume rail atlas book

arf
  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2 posts
Posted by arf on Saturday, November 16, 2013 8:58 PM

Planning (2 years) an industrial switching layout (HO) based on 1959-1961 space program.

  • Member since
    June 2011
  • 404 posts
Posted by DavidH66 on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 11:03 PM

The Virginia Junction is a Class III that is owned by a Freelance Class II called the Norfolk,Carolina, And Danville. 

 

The NC&D was formed by a merger between the Norfolk Franklin & Danville, and the Original Norfolk Southern. The NC&D also purchased the old C&O James River line (What is know known as the Buckingham Branch) and turned it into the VIrginia Junction. the NC&D also bought the RF&P from CSX int he early 90s.

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Thursday, December 5, 2013 5:59 AM

 Mine will be the Austinville and Dynamite city. The AVDC was originally built from an old PRR grade in the late 40's, and bought by the city of Austinville PA (fictional). The main motive power is an old, ancient, decrepit,etc 2-8-0 consolidation bought second hand. The AVDC originally started as a commuter service, with an old Harriman coach, and a matching combine- also bought second hand. But in the three years since it wasbuilt,  a few new industries have sprung up, including a coal dock, a local furniture factory, and a farm that wanted service. It will be a 10 scale mile shortline between Austinville (where it shares a yard and ships stuff cars by the PRR) and Dynamite city pa. Dynamite city used to be a producer of dynamite, until the plant blew up under mysterious circumstances, and left a huge crater that can still be seen, almost 50 years later. Basically, I'm going to be modeling a standard gauge fictional shortline served and interchanged with the PRR. 

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Friday, January 31, 2014 2:21 PM

I see my post is near 10 pages and I would like to extend my excitment with every modeler who commented.

 

That being said, I have an update for my layout. I recently purchased a GN GP7 Non-Dynamic on the 26th, and an undecorated RS11 a few months ago to work alongside the C420 High Hood. I'm going to repaint/paint both locomotives renumbering the GP7 a number off from the Rock Island First GP7 to have the locomotive seem rare and the RS11 will receive a number and paint.

I also bought sold two Lifelike GP38-2s (conrail and CSX) due to the look and feel of the locomotives not pleasing to my taste.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Friday, January 31, 2014 2:23 PM

Atlanta Dave

Really nice work.  As a beginner I am often torn between being inspired and yet thinking "I can never get there".

 

Ages ago I managed a small boxcar fleet dedicated to hide service.  One load of hides and the cars were dedicated to that service until scrapped.

 

I was like that before then I choose to freelance lol.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Friday, January 31, 2014 2:25 PM

Southgate

Good looking stuff, Mr Beasley. I like the low angle shot.

LMD, another thing I don't really enjoy much is the track planning process. But there is so little of that left, it's just a matter of how I arrange sidings to fit whatever customers I come up with. That's still open. I was going to do a sawmill, but that's so stereotype of the area, I'll probably pass on it now. It would fit in like just another sawmill in Coos Bay.  I could imagine a sizable paper shipping warehouse though. A lot simpler too.

 

i love the designing process and I leave certain areas in my plans open because I know from my past history I draw it one way and it comes out another away at times. It takes time and patience and to make it easier look up free google preview of model railroad books and magazines if you do not have any in your collection to give you ideas.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Friday, January 31, 2014 2:26 PM

caboose63

Mr. LMD, right now am just collecting some athearn heavyweight coach kits for both my leelanau county rwy and cadillac & lake city RR. All in planning stages. CLK would be the original 21 miles of michigan track and cadillac-thompsonville-kaleva. my layout when built will be leelanau county : Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Hatchs, Solon, Lake Ann, Honor, Thompsonville and short branch to Interlochen. route of the lines can be found in SPV's Great Lakes East volume rail atlas book

 

No harm no foul, I collect a lot of locomotives that I know I will not have them all on my layout at once.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Friday, January 31, 2014 2:30 PM

The Austinville and Dynamite city picked up a secondhand observation car to become the Railroad president's car.

 The Colors changed, and I still need to letter, detail it (inside and out)

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 10:09 AM
Mr. Braum, are you going to decorate or add any special designs to the car(s) by any chance or just keep the plain blue design?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 10:10 AM
Let's keep the chatter going guys. No harm, no foul, just the smell of smoke and the sound of brakes.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 11:28 AM

Yes I am doing more to the car.  It started life as a B&O observation and the other as a coach.  I am planning to put the railroad name above the windows (Austinville and Dynamite city), the name of the Observation/president car "Austinville" possibly yellow trim the bottom, put a full interior into it, and probably superdetail it.  Yes I do have a logo for the railroad.  It is an A above a V with D and C on either side in brilliant Gold color lettering.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 11:38 AM
I cannot wait to see the progress. I have to repaint 99% of my locomotives that will need numbering and lettering.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Pottstown PA
  • 1,039 posts
Posted by rdgk1se3019 on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 11:57 AM

The Birdsboro & Reading Railroad has recently released it`s 60' doodlebug for service.

 

Dennis Blank Jr.

CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 12:05 PM

rdgk1se3019

The Birdsboro & Reading Railroad has recently released it`s 60' doodlebug for service.

 

 

any modifications

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Pottstown PA
  • 1,039 posts
Posted by rdgk1se3019 on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 12:20 PM

Mr. LMD

 

 
rdgk1se3019

The Birdsboro & Reading Railroad has recently released it`s 60' doodlebug for service.

 

 

 

 

any modifications

 

Yeah big time........original drive removed and replaced with two NWSL Stanton drive power trucks.....new bolsters to accommodate new trucks......plastic "glass" removed......Tsunami TSU-750 GE-Cummins sound decoder installed........added 6 ounces of weight.......Micro Scale Kristal Klear for all windows.......added detail parts to rear end to make a double ended doodlebug.........MV lenses with foil backing removed to accommodate 2 SMD LED`s....1 red and 1 white..... and various detail parts added.

Dennis Blank Jr.

CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 12:35 PM
@ rdgk1se3019 AWESOME!!!

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Saturday, April 19, 2014 11:11 AM

Any update modelers?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Saturday, April 19, 2014 12:32 PM

I got a coach and caboose done.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Saturday, April 19, 2014 1:23 PM

What livery is it in?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Saturday, April 19, 2014 1:45 PM

The same Blue as the observation business car posted above.  I will link photos tomorrow.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Saturday, April 19, 2014 1:54 PM

Cannot wait.

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 484 posts
Posted by caboose63 on Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:04 PM

My HO scale Leelanau County Railway is based on several long torn up Manistee & Northeastern, Empire & Southeastern, Pere Marquette, and Ann Arbor branch lines in Benzie, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse Counties in Northwestern Michigan. Interchange is with Michigan Northern Railroad at Hatchs and Interlochen, near Traverse City.

Traffice is grain, animal feed, fertilizer, propane, lumber, scrap metals, beverages, produce, farm implements, fiberglass pellets, boats, cement and aggregates.

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:13 PM

Mr. Caboose63, what type of locomotives do you use?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 484 posts
Posted by caboose63 on Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:34 PM

LMD, The Leelanau County has 3 GP15-1's, 3 RSC-2's, 1 RS-2, 2 H10-11's, 1 each  of 0-8-0, 4-6-0, and 2-10-0. Michigan Northern has 2 GP15-1's, 1 RSC-2, 1 44 tonner, 1 CF-7, and 1 SW8. Colors of Leelanau County engines and cabooses wil be testors red with black lettering. Michigan Northern engines will be testors green with white lettering.

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:47 PM

AWESOME!!! cant wait till to see the pics :D

 

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

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