Yes. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California and lived most of my life five blocks from the SP Main Line. SP Main also ran behind my office in a neighboring city. It runs along Hwy 99 from Sacramento to Bakersfield (and more). Nothing could be finer than pacing a SP freight up or down the freeway.
Pictures of my SP rolling stock can be found on our website at http://www.heather-ridge.com
I grew up in the 50's, and did my 'serious' railfanning in the late 60's/early 70's(about 30,000 slides...). What I model is in the 50's for my layout(Milwaukee Road branch lines with a 1950 date). Sometimes I think I should move up to the late 60's as I was a teenager and was 'mobile', and chasing trains. But I still remember hearing Rock Island steam climbing out of the Mississippi River valley a couple miles away when we had an east wind. And family vacations 'Up North' in Minnesota always meant seeing Missabe steam.
I did a lot of railfanning on Milwaukee in SE Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, so I have lots of photo's for research. The 1959 date is when the renumbering of the diesels took place, and I have 'streached' out the last run of steam. The layout was all diesel until the Spectrum 2-8-0's and BLI 2-8-2's arrived on the scene - They are just too tempting with sound!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
No... not yet, at least. I'm still venturing out into the hobby for the first time. Right now, my focus is on generally western RR's, because I enjoy the scenery and the look of the west. I decided that when I get my basement empire going, it will be a D&RGW theme, loosely based in reality, with some UP, ATSF, and BN in the mix.
Recently, however, I have become interested in the rail operations in and around my hometown of Plant City, FL. My first exposure to trains was as a kid during the early 80's. Probably because of nostalgia, I thought it would be really neat to have a layout that included Plant City as it appeared in the early 80's. This was a time when the SCL was around - in the short time between the ACL/SAL merger and the eventual morph into CSX. Plant City itself doesn't have a whole lot of industry, but it gets a lot of traffic coming and going through it. Last time I was home, I saw some CSX engines pulling the Tropicana juice train through town, on their way from Bradenton to somewhere north. The key railroad feature in town is the train station (now museum) next to the 90-degree diamond crossing. I think that would make a really interesting modeling subject, but would also be challenging to do with 4-way traffic without taking up a lot of modeling real estate. The other main drawback of modeling something as specific and familiar as my hometown is I would feel compelled to get as much of the town as accurate as possible, and I'm not sure if I've got the patience to be that nitpicky.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
I model the railroad I watched here in Topeka in the 80's ATSF, SP and UP and one excption, the BN which was in KC. Main focus is their business fleet.
Ch
MP 53 on the BNSF Topeka Sub
Yes and no.
I grew up in the 80's about 1/4 mile from the Chessie System (formerly C&O / Pere Marequette / Chicago & Western Michigan) mainline. My grandfather worked in what were the main shops for the Pere Marquette and still major shop facilities for the Chessie System until 1984 about 5 miles down the track.
I will be modeling that segment of track, but in 1946 when steam still ruled.
Well, err, sort of. I hoboed around the country, in the summer of 1962, after I got out of the Air Force, came home, and the old crowd was gone, moved, married, etc. Totally bored. So I left Detroit on the Wabash, headed west. Jumped on the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio, in East St Louis, and headed south to Mobile. Took the L and N to New Orleans. Bummed around awhile,then moved on. Great fun if you are young, and in good shape. Wouldn't want to do it now. Got rides in locos and cabooses on many occasions. Train crews seemed genuinely concerned for our safety. Several times a friendly train crew said, "climb up in the second unit, and don't touch anything. You'll be safer there. If anybody asks, we didn't know you were there". A conductor once said, "I've got a son your age. C'mon back and ride in the caboose".
Lots of F-7s E-6s, 7s and 8s, GP 9s, etc. I was standing on the platform, in Biloxi Miss, late one night, when the L&N Pan American pulled in. I noticed a dark pullman right behind the engine, and ahead of the baggage cars. It was being deadheaded somewhere. I tried the door, and it was unlocked. I quickly climbed inside and closed the door, and hoped no one had seen me. A few minutes later the train left and quickly picked up speed. I pulled a flashlight out of my duffle bag, and folded down a bed in the car and fell asleep. I woke up the next morning, on a siding in Montgomery, Alabama, after a good nights sleep. The car was sitting there all alone. I got out of the car and started walking back to the train yard, looking for another ride. I really can't recall any bad experiences. A couple of railroad dicks, took my buddy and me to breakfast one morning, at a diner nearby the trainyard. Then they drove us back to the yard, and explained that we should stay on the edge of the yard, and the trains would still be going slow enough to get on. They showed us a place to wait for a train. They explained that we should stay away from the autos, and we would be OK. That was before all the auto racks were enclosed, and theft and vandalism was a big problem. Nice guys!
There were always several "riders" on freight trains, back in the 60s. And nobody was ever prosecuted for trespassing. Definately a by gone era. The worst experience I had, was in Montgomery,Alabama, when a railroad dick loaded me in his car and drove me out of the yard, and dropped me off on a desolate highway, at 3am, and told me to start hitchhiking. As soon as his taillights disappeared, I beat feet back to the trainyard, and jumped back in the train I had been waiting in, just as it started to move.
Back in the 60s, you could go to any catholic church, find the priest, and get some meal tickets to a nearby restaurant. Usually it was just a small business card, rubber stamped on the back, "good for one dinner special". Interesting times, the 60s.
Southbound on the GM&O, somewhere in Tennessee.
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 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.
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 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.
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...
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
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).
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/
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).
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).
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.
Check out the Deming Sub by clicking on the pics:
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.
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.
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
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/
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.
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
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
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..."
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
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"
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
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.