I got my January 2015 issue of Model Railroader in the mail, and read through the beginning article on the new N scale project layout (CB&Q in Red Oak, IA, circa 1960s). Certainly not their first HCD N scale layout, but not too shabby. I'm still moving ahead with my HO scale layout, but I must admit I like the looks of this one. A minor adjustment or two (an obvious Frisco-theme), and I could easily be persuaded to switch BACK to N. Aside from the obvious folks who look down their noses at anything from Milwaukee (you know who you are), has anybody looked at this particular issue? If not, I suggest you take a look, either the print issue or on their website. Looks like it should be interesting.
Unfortunately there's no place remaining in this area to access a copy. That it utilizes an HCD sounds quite interesting, and 1960's as well.
I can't say anything about one in the magazine itself. However, forty years ago in their first "N Scale Primer", (1974), they did one. It was called the E-Z & Quick. (Not sure if I've spelled it all correctly.) Perhaps a search of the magazine index on-line would answer that question? I bought a copy when it first came out, and still have it.
Well, if they put it in a book, then it came from the magazine. I guess I never realized HCD was such an old idea.
I've used HCDs since I was in high school. I built one of the layouts in the original Atlas book Nine N Scale Railroads (I believe it was the Unhinged and Horizontal) on a HCD. I'm really looking forward to MR's new project layout. It's going to provide me with some much needed inspiration!
I probably have mine somewhere, too. I'm terrible at throwing things away, especially books and magazines. I still have all of my model railroading books from when I was in high school and even before that. Somewhere, I still have the Atlas book King Sized Model Railroad Trackplans, my original Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong and Linn H Westcott's Scenery for Model railroads and his 101 Track Plans. I learned so much from those old books that I never threw them away!
I looked through it a little on my iPad, but I'm waiting for the print version to arrive. I feel like they haven't done an N scale one in a while, and since I'm switching to N scale, I'm quite excited to see this. I'm also going to be doing mine on a HCD. I haven't been around here for a bit (was out of the hobby for a while), so forgive me, but are there people here that dislike my fine area?
Haha, I got that. They aren't too far from me. I didn't know they were disliked. Just was curious. In either case, I love the magazine and their books though.
I just got my copy. That is a really nice looking layout. If I wasn't so deep into mine with Unitrack, I think that I'd give it a try. I like the staging and branch options. I wonder if it could be changed to a WP Central Valley location...
It's called the Carolina Central, which was built in 1995, and has been the impetus for many an HCD layout. The Red Oak Route will be their second such.
INteresting thing about this railroad and my family hsitory- on my birth father's side. I had a great-grandfather, several great-grand-uncles, and a grandfather who all worked for the CB&Q, in Creston and Red Oak, IA; Denver, CO; and Ottumwa, IA. IIRC, my biological grandmother's father was a roundhouse foreman in Brookfield, MO, also on the Q. Maybe that's where I get my love for trains......at least the Midwestern variety.
True that- that's the first one I noticed, and the first one that made me realize that HCD layouts are great for dwellers of apartments & small homes.
Although I'm already waist high in my own CB&Q mid 1960's layout, I'm still going to purchase this issue. I'm stoked that they chose the CB&Q as it is a road that is not shown as much as the others. Bring on the Chinese Red GP30's!
Between you, me, and the fencepost, I really like the Chinese Red & gray scheme the Q had. Were I not into Frisco as much as I am, I could have easily modeled the Burlington, if not the 60s-era UP.
I might be able to score a copy at the local bookstore. I'm a sucker for Chinese Red and Blackbirds. D&RGW and CB&Q were great partners over the years. (think California Zephyr)
John, this looks like an excellent start point for modeling Oroville, or Marysville...potentially Sacramento Northern based. Lots of opportunities.
