charlie9 perhaps because if you model modern day railroads you only have to choose from about half a dozen major outfits. ??????? charlie
perhaps because if you model modern day railroads you only have to choose from about half a dozen major outfits. ???????
charlie
Actually Charlie today's railroads is more interesting then you may think and requires a lot more research if one models instead of collecting (say) NS locomotives.
You have ex Southern,ex N&W,ex IT,ex CR locomotives which varies in road specific details.
All you need for(say) PRR is grimy black engines with a puke green tint and don't forget the oil and greese stains on the walkways along the long hood.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
MisterBeasley It may have something to do with the reduced availability of kits along with the high quality of ready-to-run equipment. To me, it seems a shame to strip and repaint a nicely-decorated locomotive or boxcar. With few "undecorated" options being produced, and the extra steps involved in repainting, I'm not surprised that many of us are happy to model a prototype line to give us more time for scenery or operations.
It may have something to do with the reduced availability of kits along with the high quality of ready-to-run equipment. To me, it seems a shame to strip and repaint a nicely-decorated locomotive or boxcar. With few "undecorated" options being produced, and the extra steps involved in repainting, I'm not surprised that many of us are happy to model a prototype line to give us more time for scenery or operations.
While it is true that some of the current RTR offerings are not offered undecorated, I still find that there are plenty of undecorated models out there. Only on the rarest occasion have I ever stripped a decorated model to repaint it ATLANTIC CENTRAL, and I have hundreds of pieces of ATLANTIC CENTRAL motive power and rolling stock.
Amoung my purchaces of "newer production" unlettered stuff -
Fox Valley unlettered B&O wagontop box cars
Athearn 50' ATSF ice reefers
Athearn covered hoppers
Atlas eastern style caboose
Athearn unlettered RS-3's
Roundhouse "Harriman" style passenger cars
ConCor 72' passenger cars (a whole train worth, just purchased a few months ago)
Countless Bachmann Spectrum steam locos, doodlebugs and GE switchers
Even a few BLI steam locos and a set of PCM EMD F3's
Intermountain FP7's and matching F7B's
over 60 Proto2000 diesels
Mini Metals 35' vans for piggybacks
and on order - Spring Mills Depot unlettered B&O bay window caboose "kits"
And that is just what I can think of right now. there are still plenty of undecorated or unlettered models out there, and many "lettered" models can be repainted or relettered without complete stripping.
I just bought a BLI heavy Pacific in ERIE, I don't model the ERIE. But it will get a new tender from Bachmann, renumbered, etc, all without stripping or a complete repaint.
I have found that using Scalecoat paints it is possible to paint over many simple paint schemes without stripping with no bad effects or shadow lines.
Still not "driven" by what others do -
Sheldon
Disclaimer - having been at this for 40 years, my idea of "newer production" is the last 10-15 years. Train shows and obscure hobby shops are still full of what ever you need - you just have to look.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I'm with Chuck, the magazines have their own agendas, right now it is DCC, stricter prototype modeling, linear layout design, etc.
Personally I've never been a "follower" and as per a previous thread, I think that, not just my minimal social interaction, is what makes me a true lone wolf.
I do both, freelance and prototype modeling. I don't try to recreate actual places, but other than that I like my B&O, C&O and WM modeling to be reasonably accurate. Those three roads interchange with my freelanced ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
But my modeling choices have never been driven by what others are doing in mass. Sure I have learned from others, embraced specific ideas (some popular some not) learned from others and I enjoy seeing what others are doing.
But my layout and modeling goals have remained basically unchanged for several decades now with only the slightest minor revisions to layout concept and methods.
Which as Chuck points out, may or may not be judged as "worthy". But my self esteem is not invested in the opinion of others regarding my modeling.
After 40 plus years at this, I know how to do it and what I like.
This will probably sound terminally cynical, but here goes.
Editorial staffs, as individuals and collectively, have agendas that don't get posted on the magazine masthead. Content can be selected to support those agendas and downplay anything that doesn't.
Under Paul Larson, Model Railroader was blatantly Wisconsin. Construction articles featured odd little structures found on obscure Wisconsin branch lines and the oddball cars that served them. Featured layouts either had a 'maritime - Wisconsin' theme or pretended to be bucoloc country short lines. Larson's own freelance layout, the Mineral Point and Northern, was unabashedly based on a real branch that terminated at Mineral Point, WI.
Today's MR favors prototypes from a little farther afield - but still prototypes. Part of the reason is that advertisers are selling models based on, and detailed for, specific prototypes. The rather generic die-cast metal steamers of yesteryear have given way to specifically detailed models of XY&Z Number 97 as of July, 1953 - which is fine if you model the XY&Z, but not very helpful if you really crave AB&C 212 as of February, 1948. And if you just want, a steam locomotive, lots of luck finding Number 97 undecorated.
Another thing is that it's easier to judge the, 'Worthiness,' of a layout based on, and operated like, a recognizable prototype. That takes those feature articles to the top of the slush pile. You'll never see the far more common Christmas set train on a loop of Snap Track laid on grass mat on a re-purposed Ping-Pong table. If I ever see one of those in MR, I'll know it's the April edition.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - unlikely to make MR, ever)
b60bp I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but it seems current magazine coverage is trending toward proto-based, rather than freelanced, layouts. In fact the now departed RMJ only featured proto based layouts, but that might not mean a whole lot.
I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but it seems current magazine coverage is trending toward proto-based, rather than freelanced, layouts. In fact the now departed RMJ only featured proto based layouts, but that might not mean a whole lot.
I think that trend started about 20 years ago.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
is that necessary?
anywho, I haven't gotten to purchasing my Loco's that I plan on making for my freelanced roadname. that and I don't have a paint scheme yet.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
I think the big reason for the proliferation of prototype based layouts is that is easier than it used to be. Product availability in the good old days of the hobby was such that it was difficult to model most prototype equipment and structures without extensive kitbashing and scratchbuilding. Not everyone has the time or desire for that. Many modelers who would have preferred to do stricter prototype modeling compromised on freelancing so they could make use of available products, and have changed their focus in the years since.
Something in the hobby has been gradually moving my interests over, almost without my realizing it.
Maybe you're just taking advantage of the nicer models you can get these days, combined with all that knowledge you've accumulated over time. The transition is sufficiently natural you may not think about it.
Rob Spangler
Folks & gentry,
I've been in this hobby so long that I recall when very few modelers followed actual railroads, which may have been largely influenced by equipment availability. But in the 1950's-1960's nearly all the big nanes in the hobby had freelanced lines. A few years back I compiled a list of my favorite model railroads and about 15 out of 20 were freelanced. So was my own pike. But more recently I compiled an updated list and about 2/3 were prototype based, and I'm currenly modeling my two favorite lines, B&O and Pennsy.
Something in the hobby has been gradually moving my interests over, almost without my realizing it. I think a lot of the kitbashing articles that used to appear in RMJ, RMC, and MRING may have affected my mind.
Oh well, it's neither a good thing or a bad one, just a fun one. I can enjoy either kind of modeling, or combine them for that matter. Maybe it's not even a trend to anyone but me, but you just don't see the custom paint and lettering schemes that you used to.
Regards,
Benny Peters