I started out modeling the railroad I grew up in in the era I grew up in and in the area I grew up in. While that railroad (MoPac) is still my first love and something I collect, I now model a completely different era, region, and railroad (not even a subsidiary).
Ron
Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado.
Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy
Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings
Growing up in Chicago in the 1970s, I had the El about three blocks from my house. When I saw trains (which was a LOT, as my whole family's into trains), it was either in a rickety, dingy Rock Island commuter coach, or standing trackside watching the Rock, Milwaukee, IC and C&NW sputter, cough, spark and stall their way by, hauling absolutely filthy cars that had seen better days - 25 years ago.
I model central Illinois in the 1940s.
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
potlatcher wrote:So, my question is which myth do you buy into - "The world was perfect when I was a kid" or "I missed all the cool stuff"?
I grew up with steam on SP's Roseville-Reno Donner Pass line over the spectacular California Sierra Nevada's. All those neat AC cab-forwards and those beautiful MT 4-8-2's with and without the Skyline casings. Rode on the coast line when the GS-4's were still hauling more -than-mile-a-minute-Daylights between San Francisco and LA. Fell in love with the spectacular Cascades of Northern California and Oregon on the Shasta Daylight.
Then I went to Colorado on vacation and fell in love with D&RGW--mountain railroading with a VENGEANCE! Unfortunately, it was then after 1956 when steam was gone, but the Rockies were still there, LOL!
I model both. The SP steam I remember, and the D&RGW steam I WISH I'd been there to remember. Incredibly handsome steamers, both roads. And BIG mountains--Rockies and Sierras.
I'm a happy camper.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Sorry, but that shoe just doesn't fit.
My 'formative years' were spent in Da Bronx - 3rd avenue L, subways, the electrified routes of the NYC and NH, all in the context of brick, concrete and incredible complexity. (I was a grade schooler before I learned that plants grew in the ground. Until then, I thought they grew in flowerpots on people's windowsills.)
I moved from Lionel to HO by way of a really strange aberration made of bits of wood and cardstock in 1:192 scale. Railroad equipment and right-of-way structures fascinated me, but not any particular railroad.
My first encounter with my ultimate prototype took place after I had voted in my first Federal election, a continent-width and an ocean away from the scenes of my childhood. So be it.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tangerine-jack,
That photographer you speak of, that they did the exposition on, was O. Winston Link, and his pictures of the N&W are legend. They have a museum of his work in the old N&W station in Roanoke. He captured a disappearing world of steam locomotives, and a whole way of life. I have all his books and recordings. In addition to being a brilliant artisan, he was a nice guy too. He was as responsible as anyone for 611 getting preserved, and he did get to ride behind her several times. Really poetic justice that all those pictures he took out of a personal love of steam, that no one wanted much back in the '60s, grew to be worth thousands in his lifetime.
"Mainline to Panther" I believe is the recording where N&W spotted a caboose behind the auxliary water tender and an 'A' and Winston rode on the roof and narrated from Crewe, Va to Roanoke, including a stall out on Blue Ridge (Bonsack pusher Y6b to the rescue!). I think it was the day after New Years 1958 or '59, and it was a frosty ride.
Look up "Steam Steel, and Stars" or "The Last Steam Railroad in America" on Amazon and you can probably view a bunch of the photos.
Virginian wrote: That photographer you speak of, that they did the exposition on, was O. Winston Link, and his pictures of the N&W are legend. They have a museum of his work in the old N&W station in Roanoke. ...
Here's a link (no pun intended LOL) to that museum. When you get there, keep clicking on the "next" buttons and you'll see many of his nighttime shots.
http://www.linkmuseum.org/index-1.html
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Yes, O Winston Link, that's the guy! I was totally enthralled by his work, the man was pure genius, no two ways about that. The Chrysler's display was so well done I swear you could smell coal, maybe it was my imagination or maybe they had a scent machine of some type, but anyway it was an AWESOME gallery! Well worth doing whatever it takes to see his work.
I didn't know there was a permanent museum set up for him; I'll take a drive out to Roanoke next weekend and have a look.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Well, I guess mine is tied in a different knot. I grew up in the time of the SOO Line and WC. But, I was far too little to remember much about any of them, especially the SOO. But now, I model "loosely" the 1990s. Pretty much in the ball park of 1994-1998. But, the only thing that isnt quite right is some of my SD45s dont have the renumberings yet, which is the main reason im modeling the 90s. And, one thing that doesnt work with modeling the 90s, is that all of my ex Algoma Central engines are painted, which didnt happen till 99, and 2000 for most. Like I said, its a loose time frame, but most probably wouldnt pick up on it if your not familiar with the WC.
Alec
Sort of...
I model the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1956. But I was born in 1974. However, I "grew up" as a railfan in places like Strasburg, PA (home of the steam-powered Strasburg RR and the RR Museum of Pennsylvania's collection of Pennsy equipment) and the East Broad Top RR.
Moreover, I lived on Long Island, whose massive commuter network was once owned by Pennsy, so keystones, position light signals, and other PRR stylings abounded. I also rode the former PRR between Lancaster, PA and New York.
Later, when I went to Penn State University, I often traveled Route 322 between Harrisburg and State College, paralleling the PRR Middle Division (Conrail), which I now model.
So yes, sort of... Just not exactly as I remember them.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
I started to model the railroads I grew up with back when I got serious about model railroading (about 1980). I had planned to model the PRR/Conrail's Columbia and Port Deposit branch. That is why I still have 3 AHM/Rivorassi GG1s (with the pizza cutter flanges) and an Atlas AEM-7.
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Yes ! I grew up in the 60's living in Northern Pacific depots in North Dakota. My dad was the depot agent. It was great and I got to ride in the cabs of GP-9's end on the section cars and cabooses. So I love and model the NP. Funny thing though my Dad retired after 20 years with the NP and he thought his time with them was a complete waste.
Arden
Dave Vollmer wrote: Sort of...I model the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1956. But I was born in 1974. However, I "grew up" as a railfan in places like Strasburg, PA (home of the steam-powered Strasburg RR and the RR Museum of Pennsylvania's collection of Pennsy equipment) and the East Broad Top RR.Moreover, I lived on Long Island, whose massive commuter network was once owned by Pennsy, so keystones, position light signals, and other PRR stylings abounded. I also rode the former PRR between Lancaster, PA and New York.Later, when I went to Penn State University, I often traveled Route 322 between Harrisburg and State College, paralleling the PRR Middle Division (Conrail), which I now model.So yes, sort of... Just not exactly as I remember them.
I am in a similar boat. I model a shortline railroad that ran through my parents' small town home in Wisconsin during the transition era. The ironic part is that I never saw on train on those rails. They were embargoed when I was about 10 years old, but when we visited relatives in the area my father and I used to walk the tracks all the time. That was my first introduction to "railroads"...an unused shortline branch.
So, I model that branch during its most interesting and prosperous years, the early 1950s.
Andy
wctransfer wrote: Well, I guess mine is tied in a different knot. I grew up in the time of the SOO Line and WC. But, I was far too little to remember much about any of them, especially the SOO. But now, I model "loosely" the 1990s. Pretty much in the ball park of 1994-1998. But, the only thing that isnt quite right is some of my SD45s dont have the renumberings yet, which is the main reason im modeling the 90s. And, one thing that doesnt work with modeling the 90s, is that all of my ex Algoma Central engines are painted, which didnt happen till 99, and 2000 for most. Like I said, its a loose time frame, but most probably wouldnt pick up on it if your not familiar with the WC.Alec
Modeling the same era. But I got alot of Soo Rolling stock.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
I grew up in the Detroit area, born in 75. There is nothing more mundane in railroading than that area at that time IMO. Autoracks and monster boxcars is all there was (and still is).
I went to CA when I was 3 (1979). These are my earliest childhood memories. We visited Cajon and Tehachapi and I fell in love with the ATSF. Since then I have always wanted to model the SF and every locomotive and caboose that I have ever purchased or asked for has been ATSF. Having a clear goal for 28 years has made it easier.
As far as the location (Deming, NM) there were several reasons why I picked that: desert locale, SP interchange, sparse structures, and smaller operation (no transcon double track mainlines). It was also where a long time friend and master model railroader moved after retirement. He has now passed so I like to think of my layout as a tribute to him, if you will.
Check out the Deming Sub by clicking on the pics:
Originally, I wanted to...
When I was growing up in Michigan in a suburb of Detroit in the 1960's, my dream was to model the Ford Motor Co.'s River Rouge complex (NYC, C&O, DT&I). After my family moved to Maryland in 1968, I discovered the use of rear-end helpers on the B&O and wanted to model that as well. Fast-forward to my 2nd mrr "life": I learned about proto-lancing and wanted my private pike to be as believable as I can get it.
So for now, I've chosen to model someplace I've never lived: a Lake Erie industrial town with my fictional short line reaching into the hilly areas of northwest PA. That way I can have a Great Lakes harbor-front steel mill at one end and do helper operations on the other.
CSX_road_slug wrote: Originally, I wanted to...When I was growing up in Michigan in a suburb of Detroit in the 1960's, my dream was to model the Ford Motor Co.'s River Rouge complex (NYC, C&O, DT&I).
When I was growing up in Michigan in a suburb of Detroit in the 1960's, my dream was to model the Ford Motor Co.'s River Rouge complex (NYC, C&O, DT&I).
If you are ever back this way, The Henry Ford Museum is now conducting tours of the Rouge. I have not been there yet but I heard the tour is excellent.
I used to. I still have a fleet of Conrail, CP, and Amtrak locomotives. However, after I hired with Conrail, my modeling tastes drifted backward some. Now, I model the D&H, Reading, and PC/PRR during the early 1970s.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
YES,
Davenport RockIsland and Northwestern...the DRI Line. BN & Soo are modeled as well circa 1995. Actually the Milwaukee Road was the first railroad I remember, but I like the Soo colors better, so I picked a later year (1995).
el-capitan wrote: If you are ever back this way, The Henry Ford Museum is now conducting tours of the Rouge. I have not been there yet but I heard the tour is excellent.
Thanx for the tip. Actually, I did get a tour of the Rouge with the Railroad Industrial SIG in April 2003, and it was fantastic!
My 4th-grade class went on a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum also. I remember seeing an NYC passenger train pass by as we were eating our lunch in the picnic area. Can't remember if it was powered by Alco's or E-units though...
I remember the late 1940's around Cleveland, Ohio. We lived in Lakewood at the time and a block away from the Nickel Plate mainline. My parents did not own a car and we walked to the store for groceries. The highlight for me was waiting for one of NKP's steam engines to go rolling by.
Yes, I remember street cars and taking them downtown and going on the lower level of the Detroit/Superior bridge.
I model in G scale and model narrow gauge. My next layout will be back to HO and the Nickel Plate.
The 40's and the 50's were the days for trains. You could watch a train go by and see a lot of different railroads within that train. So many "fallen flags", they say that is progress. Today's trains get to be a bit boring.........unit trains. Back then every train was different as they were all mixed freight.
tangerine-jack wrote: In 30 years today will be the "golden era" to somebody. I live the myth that the world was perfect when I was a kid, before I was a kid, and now that my kids are kids, I guess the world is perfect now.It would have been cool to see the NW J series in their prime, but we can do the next best and model it.
In 30 years today will be the "golden era" to somebody. I live the myth that the world was perfect when I was a kid, before I was a kid, and now that my kids are kids, I guess the world is perfect now.
It would have been cool to see the NW J series in their prime, but we can do the next best and model it.
You are right about this being the " golden era " to someone thirty years form now. Get your pictures and enjoy what is going on.
I want to tell you about my " golden era " It was a week in 1956 on vacation in Roanoke Virginia and I got to see and watch almost of the J's in service that week. The N&W was still 100 % steam. It was a time that almost seems like a dream now, but I have pictures and notes.
I have two of the BLI J's and enjoy them.
I model most of the eastern railroads, but I have a soft spot for B&O\Chessie and Conrail.
I remember when i would hear the horn of a freight or coal train, I'd drop everything and run to watch it, the yellow\red\black Chessie's looked so imposing when they rumbled by, the Conrail locos were impressive too, but not like the big yellow beasts. I always liked the plain blue and yellow of the later B&O units, not as flashy as some railroads, but i liked them anyway.
Those 3 are the ones I remember most, I'm sure some PRR and N&W was mixed in to, but my favs have to be the B&O\Chessie\Conrail era.
LD357 wrote: I model most of the eastern railroads, but I have a soft spot for B&O\Chessie and Conrail. I remember when i would hear the horn of a freight or coal train, I'd drop everything and run to watch it, the yellow\red\black Chessie's looked so imposing when they rumbled by, the Conrail locos were impressive too, but not like the big yellow beasts. I always liked the plain blue and yellow of the later B&O units, not as flashy as some railroads, but i liked them anyway. Those 3 are the ones I remember most, I'm sure some PRR and N&W was mixed in to, but my favs have to be the B&O\Chessie\Conrail era.
I hear you. I lived in SE PA till I was nine. All I saw was Conrail and occasionally Chessie if I got over to Gettysburg. I model 1978 rather than the late 80's which was when I was old enough to remember what I saw.
p.s. although I can remember back far enough to have seen a PC black GP35 on the local that ran through town. Although it broke down trying to leave.