HELLLPPP! I know nothing and I need to get him a train....

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

Railroads each had their own numbering scheme. I don't know what Reading's was, but I'd bet a bunch it was not in order of production or even sequential. Within a class of numbers they would be in sequence, but 1798 would not necessarily be followed by 1799.

Funny thing is I had a hunch it would be something as difficult as that!!! There was no way that a huge company/business is going to do something the easy way. :-)

[tstage]

Brace yourself, Tess. Look what I just found out about one of the new Intermountain FP7s coming out - particularly stock number "-01":


http://www.imrcmodels.com/ho/html/49941.htm

(Tess?..Tess?...Can someone pleeeease get the smelling salts?...)

Tom

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

Ah Tess. You will never see things around railroad tracks the same way again. If you think it is bad now, wait until the ideas start to shift to scenery!

Tess,

Mark is so right with his statements. I don't even view a tree, a house - let alone the world - the same way anymore now that I've gotten into MRRing. There's a beautiful, old 500-ton coaling tower about 10 minutes from my house that sits in the middle of the Collinwood CSX yard. I never even noticed it before I got into this wretched hobby. [:o)]

Tess, I Checked up on #900. Turns out it's an FP7 (the "P" stands for "passenger"):

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/rdg_rstr.html

In my searching for Reading stuff the past couple of days, I found out that Intermountain will be coming out with an FP7 in either February or March '06:

http://www.centralhobby.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51

(Hmm. Looks like they are using #901 in the photo.)

Tom

[Adelie]

Ah Tess. You will never see things around railroad tracks the same way again. If you think it is bad now, wait until the ideas start to shift to scenery!

Railroads each had their own numbering scheme. I don't know what Reading's was, but I'd bet a bunch it was not in order of production or even sequential. Within a class of numbers they would be in sequence, but 1798 would not necessarily be followed by 1799. For instance, if the Shifting Sands Railway bought 119 Alco RS2 locomotives, they might number them 2400 - 2518. The next locomotives they add to their fleet might be 60 EMD SD9s. They might number them 5000 - 5059. 15 years later, they acquire 40 GE U33Cs, and might number them 2600 - 2639. To someone in the company it probably makes perfect sense (sort of like the tax code).

Also, a given locomotive might get renumbered somewhere down the line. So, it might start life as 1278 and become 9212 some 12 years later.

I have seen histories of locomotive sets (blocks of road numbers) in various places that would tell where a particular group spent most of their operating lives, even what happened to them (date they were sold, leased or traded to another railroad, taken out of service, in a collision, etc). A historical society or a big railfan of the specific railroad might have some of that information available on a web site. I think it was more plentiful with steam locomotives (or classes of locomotives) than it is today with diesels. If so, that would be true because diesels are fairly versatile beasts whereas steamers were more restricted by curves and grades. Just a guess, though.

[Anonymous]

Were numbers put on the train put on in order of production.....or did they skip numbers.....is there any way to see how trains were used....when....where...via their numbers?

[Anonymous]

Okay, none of you will believe this!!! NO way that I even believe this.....well, I'm currently in the process of ordering the Stewart Reading FT.....did not realize the store wasn't open on a Wednesday so I emailed him to call me. Hopefully he'll get back to me soon so I can order it ASAP.....but here's the thing.

I went out to a doctor's appointment which is rescheduled because the doctor's sick. Funny to say that. Anyway, on the way home I decided to take one of the many routes that I have to choose from to go home. I take this route maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Anyway, been on this road more times than I can possibly count. I remembered that there were train tracks on this road....and remembered there was some kind of train sitting along the side of the tracks....just sitting there....but I didn't remember anything else. So there I am driving and I swerve off the road into a parking lot next to my Reading locomotive that I'm buying.....except of course it's the big one.....maybe there were different locomotives that looked the same back then but I know for a fact that it looks very very very much like the miniature one I'm buying....same color scheme....#900 on the front above the reading lines logo....4 little round windows on the side.....it was so beautiful!!!! Okay, sad at the same time....when I walked to the other side I realized that the walling was missing and that they had taken black wood and bolted it to the side and painted it black and put the green stripe down the side. If I stayed only on the one side though it was in beautiful condition. It also only had the A section....no b part.....why would that be??? I wonder.
Also in the yard at what might have been a Leesport Station a long time ago if there ever was one there were many other train parts just laying around. There were the big yellow and green Reading cabooses #92926 and 94074 and one gray one that was definitely the same make but in between paint jobs.

There were passenger cars that matched my engine perfectly. Silver roofs, black sides, green stripe.....#9115, 9119, 9127, and 9103.

There was an LEMTU car which I now know means Locomotive Engineer Mobile Training Unit.....it was yellow/green/silver with a stripe down the sides.

There were many other cars there - one labeled Souteastern PA Transportation Authority. Others looked like Conrail and Amtrak stuff.

There was also a pretty yellow and black diesel engine with two black V’s in the front #485. That was a very pretty one.

Anyway, there were others but I was never so thrilled. I have been going past them for 25 years and never took any notice of them until today because obviously I have no interest trains what so ever. Gosh!

Anyway, this little leesport town was the home of the Reading Lines Museum (one little car worth of stuff) but then it was moved to the Temple station I mentioned in my first post. (I learned this from a sign on one of the passenger cars today.) The Reading Lines Museum will eventually be located in Hamburg however that won’t be for a few years.
Well, that’s all for now. I must go write some lesson plans.......or maybe I’ll pass time with my first hobby. I’m in the process of re-categorizing all my postcards. (I’m such a geek!)

[Anonymous]

I'll be in touch guys with more soon.....the boy kind of kept me away from the computer last night so I couldn't give you any more updates!!!! Darn him!!! hehe be in touch again soon!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Okay, I re-read the e-mail and Randy said that the newer Proto 2000 version would work, but it would need to be repainted. The first run of the Proto 2000 cabooses were red, but they had problems.

Tess, if you could get someone to paint it, I bet you could do the decaling yourself. C'mon...your a musician! You can purcahse premade decals. All you have to do is apply it. Soon as the students go home, you're going to be climbin' the walls till Christmas. This will help keep you focused till then...[:)]

Tom

Definitely gonna try that Proto2000 caboose idea....gonna contact the LHS about that.....Even if it's not done by christmas I'll include a pic or something saying it's coming.
Also the kids have school all the way up to the 23rd and the 24th I have a church service and christmas most likely in the afternoon....between concerts, dress rehearsals, the kids at school, school work....I think I'll be fine.....Although I'm very excited to give all this to keith I know it will be here soon enough! :-)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Tess,

According to Randy, Proto 2000 makes a Reading-type caboose. However, the colors are green and yellow, instead of the red you are looking for. I'm not sure if the Proto 2000 Reading caboose is still being produced. Without looking at the e-mail, I thought Randy (and someone else) stating that you might only be able to find it on eBay.

I ran across someone on the Web that did custom painting but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find it again. Your LHS guy might be able to track someone down faster...and they would probably be local.

Tom

Yeah I'm going to look into everything.....no biggie.....again....last thing to worry about...i'm gonna call and order the loco later this afternoon after I finish catching up here and a doctors appointment. :::cough::::sneeze::::sniffle::: darn weather and germy kids got to me. :-) oh well.

[Anonymous]

Quote: It looks like Tess has the bug. She may be end up being the railroader in the family.

Willrothfuss, Actually, my mom and dad used to collect reading lines items....my dad had worked for the reading lines as some kind of lines man type thing....he used do wiring of some sort.....anyway, they have a collection of HO reading stuff..........which I haven't seen since I was a child.....I don't really remember them putting them out.....it's buried somewhere down in the cellar....oh well....it is a shame. So not the first railroader here. :-)

[tstage]

Okay, Tess...We're waiting for another update...[:-^]

Tom

[tstage]

One that was already mentioned by others: Eastern Car Works

Caboose Reading NE 117-4000 HO $20.00 - (Sale: $16.00 - no picture)

http://www.enginetender.com/117m.htm

Don't know about the quality. Don't know either if it's assembled or not. (Hmm, I think Randy statted it was a "flat kit".) Doesn't appear to be in stock, either. Tess, it would be worth calling them to at least get some details on the caboose.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Hi Reading Buddy
I am from Shoemakersville
Try boscov's they have a bachman spectrum reading train only avaiable the store
Iron horse hobbies (south sixth street in Reading)
Fryar's 5& 10 owrisburg

[tstage]

Okay, I re-read the e-mail and Randy said that the newer Proto 2000 version would work, but it would need to be repainted. The first run of the Proto 2000 cabooses were red, but they had problems.

Tess, if you could get someone to paint it, I bet you could do the decaling yourself. C'mon...your a musician! You can purcahse premade decals. All you have to do is apply it. Soon as the students go home, you're going to be climbin' the walls till Christmas. This will help keep you focused till then...[:)]

Tom

[Cthetrains]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willrothfuss

It looks like Tess has the bug. She may be end up being the railroader in the family.

Tess, I hope your boyfriend gets as excited as you. One word of caution. Don't overwhelm him with too much of your own enthusiasm and knowledge at first. He'll need a little time to catch up with you.

You sound like a lovely, thoughtful young lady. I'm sure if things with your boyfriend don't work out, you will have them lined up here. [:D] Good luck, and have fun.

not me..my girlfriend would kill me..besides, as soon as she remembers where she stored HER Hon3 Rio Grande loco, it's going under the tree..just like every christmas..[:)]

[tstage]

Tess,

According to Randy, Proto 2000 makes a Reading-type caboose. However, the colors are green and yellow, instead of the red you are looking for. I'm not sure if the Proto 2000 Reading caboose is still being produced. Without looking at the e-mail, I thought Randy (and someone else) stating that you might only be able to find it on eBay.

I ran across someone on the Web that did custom painting but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find it again. Your LHS guy might be able to track someone down faster...and they would probably be local.

Tom

[Anonymous]

It looks like Tess has the bug. She may be end up being the railroader in the family.

Tess, I hope your boyfriend gets as excited as you. One word of caution. Don't overwhelm him with too much of your own enthusiasm and knowledge at first. He'll need a little time to catch up with you.

You sound like a lovely, thoughtful young lady. I'm sure if things with your boyfriend don't work out, you will have them lined up here. [:D] Good luck, and have fun.

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by piccolotess

Tom,
I just took at look at your layout.....soooo awesome! I can't wait to do stuff like that..........wait.......noooo.........I can't wait till Keith starts doing some of that..........haha
Tess

Uh, huh! The ugly truth seeps out....[(-D]

Tom

[Anonymous]

This isn't the caboose I'm looking for is it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6585770823&fromMakeTrack=true

[Anonymous]

Quote: If you are up for a bit of a challenge, I think it's Eastern Car Works that sells a caboose kit that actually includes details to make any Northeastern caboose, including Reading. It's a flat kit - so getting the carbody square is the real challenge.


Okay, here's the other thing.....at the LHS I was curious about having someone make the caboose for me....I'm very serious about it.....he said he would look around....I was trying to understand that email, Tom from your friend Randy....the only way to get a matching caboose is buy building one? Didn't someone say something about another company's being the same as Readings but diff colors and just needing to be painted....the LHS guy said something about some northern company being repainted to look like Readings....but I might have misunderstood something...so what do you think about hiring someone to build a caboose for me? I know it would cost me....but how cool to say "I had this made for me because I'm insane and would not settle for a cabooseless train"

[Anonymous]

Tom,
I just took at look at your layout.....soooo awesome! I can't wait to do stuff like that..........wait.......noooo.........I can't wait till Keith starts doing some of that..........haha
Tess

[Anonymous]

Tom,
Not really tooo too concerned about an instructional dvd.....it would be nice but well....but keith will figure everything out I'm sure. It drives me nuts how good he is with everything!

Tess

[Anonymous]

Uncle,
Been to Strasburg several times....Once as a kid....and then once a few years ago....and funny thing....neither time did I actually ride a train! haha....anyway, I only live about an hour away from there....and work about 20 minutes from there. :-) Keith has already mentioned on numerous occassions that we'll be visiting there sometime.....right now I have to pretend not to really have any interest....and gosh I absolutely know nothing about trains!!!! (h\aha....maybe 2 days ago that was the case....hehe)

[Anonymous]

Actually, Joe....no i don't get into the stereoview cards.......I mostly collect Lancaster, Reading, and Millersville State College postcards (present day Millersville University--where I graduated).....and other locations where I've traveled...I prefer buying the 100 year old postcards in remembrance of places I've visited....although I do buy the new ones found in gift shops. :-) I am thinking about getting in holiday postcards....but that tends to be pricey at times..........but well I might just consider trains instead.........wait....I should stick to the paper....definitely a bit cheaper.....oh well.

[tstage]

Tess,

Do you know if it comes with the instructional DVD? Mine did but the newer one that was $50 didn't. Not a problem. There is a manual that comes with the Bachmann that will answer any questions.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tom....thats exactly what I need to know!!!!! haha he'll be hearing me recite your exact words to him. :-) Tomorrow at least. :-) I was able to make arrangements to get EZ Command system....they didn't have it there so LHS is ordering it for me....I'll be exchanging it for the other controller.....woo hoo! How exciting!

[tstage]

Tess,

No timeline...yet...but here's the Brief History link from the Readingrailroad.org web page: (I'm assuming it's NOT about undergarments. [:0])

http://www.readingrailroad.org/reading/rdg_history.html

Tom

[Anonymous]

i know I've got wonderful links here that many of you have sent.....to be honest I haven't had the time to look at them all...I will most definitely over my christmas recess....but here's a question. Anyone know the best site for something like a reading lines historical time line?

Several people have probably already sent something that would be great already but still a bit overwhelmed here. :-) Promise to soak in everything eventually.....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unclemike

One other thing while I'm at it. Tess, save all this correspondence and keep a journal of your adventures buying model railroad gifts. This summer write up an article and submit it to Model Railroader for publication in the November 2006 issue. You might as well make some money off the hobby since you are spending it.

If MR isn't interested, Railraod Model Craftsman probably would be. They like to put things like that in their DEC. Issiue. Which comes out in November so people have time to read it and go buy.

James