Do any of the Wisconsin Modelers know if there are mass produced models of the Griswold Rotating STOP Banner Signals available for those who would like to recreate scenes on the Soo Line's Wisconsin and Minnesota lines?
Andrew, across Lake Michigan.
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
Hi, I am Joe, im in Middleton which has a WSOR track going through. I model BNSF and Amtrak(all on a 4x8).
I am going to summer fest(Milwaukee) on Jully 2nd(monday) and was wondering what are some good hobby shops I should go to while in the area?
Joe
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Hey guys! I'm a Wisconsin modeler in Wisconsin too. I live in Reedsburg (over near the Dells), at the end of WSOR's Reedsburg sub. I do a lot of railfanning all over the state, but especially over on the BNSF and CP though too around La Crosse (which, IMHO, is the best railfanning to be had anywhere in the upper midwest between the scenery and trains, although I haven't seen it all....). I model the WSOR, and I hope at some point to make a model of the Reedsburg sub (although it will probably be a few years from now before I get the space to model it).
I'm also a member of a local model railroad club out of Madison that's only a few years old. I have a module that I display with the club's layout at local shows, and I also am working on building a website for us. The club is where I've learned a lot of model railroading skills, and I really enjoy it.
MilwaukeeRoad, you've got a good chance of seeing a Bandit if you hang around Muskego yard enough. Even though I only get to Milwaukee once or twice a year, I've seen a bandit at Muskego two out of the last three times I've been there. It seems like there is usually one hanging around the engine facility or deep in the yard. The Viaduct (27th street?), offers a good view of the goings-on in the yard.
And there is a chance you could see the WSOR at Muskego too. They acquired trackage rights on the CP to Chicago via Muskego begining May 9, although as of yet I haven't heard of anything running down the CP. The restriction though is that the trains can be unit grain trains only, so it will probably be fall before we start seeing to many WSOR trains on the CP (if there ever are).
Noah
I don't have a chance to go there. That's why I'm believing in you METRO to get me a picture!
Hey, so I found out why I haven't seen the bandit around Tosa this summer.
I was down in the Third Ward today having dinenr with the girlfriend (sadly without my camera) and there on the head of the Jones Island job was the bandit! Now there used to be a SOO hockey stick GP38-2 on this job, and I would hate to see that one get repainted CP as well but thankfully the bandit (a former Milwaukee Road patched GP40-2) is still working and still orange!
So if anyone wants to see it, try looking at either the yard or down at Jones Island, happy hunting!
Cheers!
~METRO
ShopsYardMaster wrote: No, I didn't do an SDL-39, but I did do a SW-1 from an old ModelPower unit, and decals from the SOO Line Historical society(#1, the"Francis J. Wiener", who happened to be a friend of mine before hedied). The SD45's, the SW1200's and a GP35 were stock Athearn blueboxes with Kadee couplers and additional detail added(and in the caseof the GP35, the dynamic brake blister removed.) If I can dig up the negative for the GP/SDL pic, I'll try to scan it and post it.
No, I didn't do an SDL-39, but I did do a SW-1 from an old ModelPower unit, and decals from the SOO Line Historical society(#1, the"Francis J. Wiener", who happened to be a friend of mine before hedied). The SD45's, the SW1200's and a GP35 were stock Athearn blueboxes with Kadee couplers and additional detail added(and in the caseof the GP35, the dynamic brake blister removed.)
If I can dig up the negative for the GP/SDL pic, I'll try to scan it and post it.
That would be great.
wm3798 wrote: Oh may Garsh! All these midwesterners in one place, don't ya know. Makes me want to ask Marge to whip up a little hot dish for you fellas.Really like the pictures of that Canadian equipment, there. Looks like it was bit nippy. I hope you remembered to put on your sweater!So how about them Brewers, eh?Lee(Sounds like life is pretty good out there on the prairie, but this time of year it's nice being less than an hour from the beach!)
Oh may Garsh! All these midwesterners in one place, don't ya know. Makes me want to ask Marge to whip up a little hot dish for you fellas.
Really like the pictures of that Canadian equipment, there. Looks like it was bit nippy. I hope you remembered to put on your sweater!
So how about them Brewers, eh?
Lee
(Sounds like life is pretty good out there on the prairie, but this time of year it's nice being less than an hour from the beach!)
Are you kidding? Man it hot up here! Brewers are doing really good this year. They where the top team for a while. Now there like 4th or 5th.
Also ShopsYardMaster, where did you get your SDL39. Or did you scratch it? I would really like to see a picture of it. Sad to hear that you got robed. Do you still have that Winning picture. I would really like to see it.
North Fondy checking in!
I'mmostly an armchair modeler now, after most of my HO stuff was stolenback in '98. I originally started modeling the CNW set in the '60's,then switched to WC when they started up. Before the break-in, I hadabout 10 WC models(SW's, SD's, even the SW-1), some left over CNW, a BNSD-60, and was working on some model contest entries(D&RG SD-9 andGP40-2) Got a few model contest certificates(a 2nd and 2 3rds) plus aphoto contest winner(best color prototype and popular vote) for a shotof 2 GP-40's and an SDL-39 on Byron Hill in the snow.
LatelyI've cut back on my modeling/railfanning due to a promotion at work,but I get out to check action at Shops(a half mile from my house),Byron Hill, and occasionally action on the WSOR near my job sites(Iwork construction)
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
wctransfer wrote: Go look at the book, Mike Guss is a huge contributor. The cover is a shot of a coal train leaving New Brighton (Not his shot, but its my stomping grounds).Alec
Go look at the book, Mike Guss is a huge contributor. The cover is a shot of a coal train leaving New Brighton (Not his shot, but its my stomping grounds).
Alec
That's where I heard the Name! I was going to say the book but.....That's pretty cool.
I'm from a really small town in the western part of the state. Right across the St. Croix River, about 45 minutes from down town Minneapolis/St. Paul. I live along a UP line that gets about 4-5 trains a day. Usually 2 are the Triple Crown train and then a few of the locals running from the cities to Eau Claire/Altoona yard. I live 3 blocks from the track through town. I can just go down to one of the crossings and watch or up by the high school baseball field is a great wide open space behind a tree line. It was always cool watching the trains go past during a game or practice. Also the fields at one of the parks face the tracks which is pretty cool, but distracting.
I have Hobby Junction in Eau Claire that is a great place to go and pick up stuff. Otherwise it's just shows up in the cities that I go to.
I also go to school in Winona, MN. Right along the Canadian Pacific main line heading south. My apartment is right next to the tracks and my bedroom window faces the tracks. Who would have thought I would have chosen that room, even if it's the smallest in the apartment. Down there we have a small hardware store/hobby isle that has some decent stuff.
wctransfer wrote: Another out of state WI modeler here. Im just a skip across the river though, over in the twin cities. I model the WC and the SOO Line, but I dabble in the CNW also. Havent got a layout yet, but It will be here once I get some room. You guys want the bandits, well, heres some stuff as recent as two days ago. The bandits live in the Twin Cities here. http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1020818xp5.jpghttp://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1030174xb6.jpgThe last shot has 3 ex MILW units in the consist, the third back is still in bandit paint also.WCFan, that book your talking about is authored by a good friend of mine. Frank W Jordan, good guy, glad you like his book. He also made a SOO Line,and a CNW one also. Mike Guss sound familiar? He is also a great guy.Alec
Another out of state WI modeler here. Im just a skip across the river though, over in the twin cities. I model the WC and the SOO Line, but I dabble in the CNW also. Havent got a layout yet, but It will be here once I get some room.
You guys want the bandits, well, heres some stuff as recent as two days ago. The bandits live in the Twin Cities here.
http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1020818xp5.jpg
http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1030174xb6.jpg
The last shot has 3 ex MILW units in the consist, the third back is still in bandit paint also.
WCFan, that book your talking about is authored by a good friend of mine. Frank W Jordan, good guy, glad you like his book. He also made a SOO Line,and a CNW one also. Mike Guss sound familiar? He is also a great guy.
Yeah, I love that book. Great Refrence. I wish they would make a 1996-2001 one. Finsih it off. Also I have been looking for the SOO one. I think My LBS (Local Book store) can find one off line. Wow, that's pretty amzing that you know him. I have heard of Mike Guss, but I can't rember where.
BTW: I've always amired your pictures. Great shots.
Another Wisconsin modeler. Obviously from Green Bay, based on my handle. Enjoy canoeing a lot! Model the WC in HO.
Just heard from wctransfer and B. Erdmannn that WC SD45 7495 is heading up to the Twin Ports. It is parcked up in the Stevens point Round House. wctransfer said it's most likely to be painted in NP colors. If you haven't heard already.
Any body going up to Stevens Point Tuesday for some railfanning?
SpaceMouse wrote: My wife's family has a cottage in the Northwoods on Lake Nikomis. There's a local that comes through every day that I've pretty much only seen from below.WC, I might be there in about 2 weeks if I can work it out.
My wife's family has a cottage in the Northwoods on Lake Nikomis. There's a local that comes through every day that I've pretty much only seen from below.
WC, I might be there in about 2 weeks if I can work it out.
My Mom and my dad wrote their name on that bridge (underneath and on a girder) on their honeymoon to Canada in the 80's. My dad used to fish up on Nokomis in the 60's and 70's, and remembers vintage and modern SOO power crossing it while in a boat with his dad. He took us up there in the 90's, and I have photos of a WC ballast train going through there. It was a impressive sight for a young railfan!
Unfortunetly, the campground there went out of business, and was being turned into condos as of a few years ago. Too bad, as it was a really good shot of the bridge...
Phil
WCfan wrote:I haven't been there in along time. I've heard that there was a huge layout there. Does it model the Stevens point to Wassau line? So I haven't been to up to date. I'll have to check that out some time. Thanks.
I haven't been there in along time. I've heard that there was a huge layout there. Does it model the Stevens point to Wassau line? So I haven't been to up to date. I'll have to check that out some time. Thanks.
Sorry for the delay. I was in Fond du Lac when I wrote my first response, and am now back home in Indy. The RS&W Model Railroad models the Wisconsin Central Valley Subdivision from Wisconsin Rapids to Wausau. Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, and Wausau are all there. They've taken a bit of artistic license and have added on parts that aren't on the Valley Sub, but all around it is a nice layout. If you're not a member of the club you probably won't be able to run trains on the layout, but membership doesn't cost much. I believe my father said it was $50 a year. Can't beat that!
RRRerun wrote: There are a few model railroaders here in western Wisconsin. I live in Trempealeau just NW of La Crosse, overlooking the banks of the mighty Mississippi and the BNSF. I spend a fair amount of time on the deck watching river traffic and railfanning the BNSF, with the beverage of my choice. Oh, did I mention there is a 16' x 33' HO layout in the basement.
There are a few model railroaders here in western Wisconsin. I live in Trempealeau just NW of La Crosse, overlooking the banks of the mighty Mississippi and the BNSF. I spend a fair amount of time on the deck watching river traffic and railfanning the BNSF, with the beverage of my choice. Oh, did I mention there is a 16' x 33' HO layout in the basement.
My Wife use to manage the gas station in Trempealeau. She is now the district manager.
I live on the northside of Milwaukee, about a mile or two from Walthers, and shop there regularly. The surrounding area is not so great, but Walthers itself is very secure, fenced in and quiet. I have never experienced anything bad there.
I would recommend it to anyone visiting Milwaukee -- the availability of merchandise is great, the staff is friendly and they give customers a punch card. For every $25 spent they give you a punch -- 20 punches is worth $50.
I model HO freelance southeastern Wisconsin, and grew up here, playing along the Glendale/North Milwaukee yards and the beerline.
Does anyone model Wisconsin Southern? They own the No. Milwaukee yards now, and have a shop on Villard Ave., in the old Lakeside Steel bldg.
Looks like I am in the wrong part of the country to model Wisconsin.LOL
Living in Texas and modeling the Soo, Milw, and Cnw in the 80's is different. Everyone down here models the borg or the bean sniffer.
Being born in GREEN BAY!!!! I model what I remember.. Lived in WI, and ILL. rail faning during the 80's was great. GBW alco's,,,,, Green street engine facility at Bensenville... Diamonds at Duplainville... Were all within reach since I lived the suburbs of Chi-Town,,,,, and the railfanning around there,,,,,,, was great.
I am planning on modeling the central Wisconsin area in the Mid 80's on a two level N scale garage sized layout. I have purchased about all the books and vids/dvd's on the area and the railroads,,,,,, So we will see how well I can interpret my memories and facts from books into a layout.
Adios Wyatt
BigZee wrote: WCfan wrote: I live in Wausau, West side. So what you guys want to talk about here. There aren't amny clubs around here. But we do got some pretty good Hobby shops, Popes Hobby Land is good on prices and a good slection. But Hobby Connection has a Huge slection, but higher prices. WCfan,You were only about 20 feet from one of the best model railroads in the Wausau area. I was just there over this last weekend. The RS&W Model Railroad is located in the basement of the Hobby Connection store. Just walk in the front door, head straight ahead to the back of the first room (not to the right where the train stuff is) and you'll see a sign on the door that says "RS&W Model Railroad Club - Open 10-5", or something like that. Go on a weekend, and go during those hours. My father will likely be there if you get there early on Saturday. He usually opens up the club for the shop owner on Saturday mornings.
WCfan wrote: I live in Wausau, West side. So what you guys want to talk about here. There aren't amny clubs around here. But we do got some pretty good Hobby shops, Popes Hobby Land is good on prices and a good slection. But Hobby Connection has a Huge slection, but higher prices.
I live in Wausau, West side. So what you guys want to talk about here.
There aren't amny clubs around here. But we do got some pretty good Hobby shops, Popes Hobby Land is good on prices and a good slection. But Hobby Connection has a Huge slection, but higher prices.
WCfan,
You were only about 20 feet from one of the best model railroads in the Wausau area. I was just there over this last weekend. The RS&W Model Railroad is located in the basement of the Hobby Connection store. Just walk in the front door, head straight ahead to the back of the first room (not to the right where the train stuff is) and you'll see a sign on the door that says "RS&W Model Railroad Club - Open 10-5", or something like that. Go on a weekend, and go during those hours. My father will likely be there if you get there early on Saturday. He usually opens up the club for the shop owner on Saturday mornings.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
WCfan wrote:I live in Wausau, West side. So what you guys want to talk about here. There aren't amny clubs around here. But we do got some pretty good Hobby shops, Popes Hobby Land is good on prices and a good slection. But Hobby Connection has a Huge slection, but higher prices.