I recently saw an article about how anyone who models prior to WWII is really in a bind because the model rail industry really has its focus following WWII. Although this may have general merit, I think there are some great On30 (and other scale) models from the 19-teens out there as well. My trouble is that I model the specific year 1899. Now, here is where the modeler does seem to be forgotten: the 19th century. Backdating cars and locos is just plain hard to do. I literally have spent hours looking for manufacturers of parts that predate 1900. Now, for some folks this frustration would simply be too much. But I refuse to model an era where automobiles were the common form of transportation, rather than trains and so I find it a challenge rather than a frustration. What I can't find, I simply make from the spare parts box. In the end, I have models that are not EXACT to the year, but fairly close. The fun part is researching the old photos and then asking if you can take a commercial model and "backdate" it. I have several such projects in the works and look forward to sharing them with you. In the meantime, your thoughts on this would be great and if you know of any parts manufacturers for pre-1900 locos and rolling stock, list em out! John
I believe that one attraction for the folks who model On30, (HOn30, Sn2, etc), is the pre-1950's potential. Of course that was the last of the major human interaction era. Afterward, the cuts came swiftly. Depots closed. Processes were ever more automated. My perception is of a freedom. Even the prototypes were at times somewhat whimsical. Especially the two footers. Having modeled a prototype, and even proto-freelance, there are days when I still have felt somewhat channeled down a rather narrow right-of-way. And thus the enjoyment can be minimized. It's a different world. Is that the attraction? Boxcab E50
I agree! I do think the further back we go, the more free we are BECAUSE few really know what the prototype was like. Sure we can get down to rivets with photos, but how many rivet counters will really be able to chide us if we don't "get it right"? My line will be a proto-freelanced version but the reason I chose 1899 is that is the year C & S took over several defunct lines, inheriting a lot of engines and rolling stock. There was confusion in paint schemes, and there was a lot of diverse equipment at the time. This means that I can add a piece of equipment that may not have REALLY been there, but it certainly is not beyond the relm of possibility that it COULD have been there. So back in time I go. I really almost modeled the same line when it was the D S P & PRR and with Bachmanns new Forneys I was sorely tempted to push the date back to that line. But who knows...C & S did inherit one Cooke mason bogie (they immediately sold it though...but who really would know??) so maybe, just maybe one will show up on the current C & S line. John
John, Glad to see you posting again. For me one of the perks of modeling an era that is beyond my years is the opprotunity to learn more about the history of all things related to the railroad. I model the transistion era and while doing some research, I found out all sorts of really cool things about my family members involvement in the RR industry. That type of research is fun for me. Eric
Hey Eric, Good to be back! YES...there is the historical aspect as well. I was born and raised in Colorado as you know, and have always been interested in its history (of course being an archaeologist one would expect this!). It is SO cool to look at the old photos of places I have either lived in or been through in my home state and add them to my model world. Having direct family ties to the railroad industry would make it even better! The transition era likely is a bit easier to model from the standpoint of "off the shelf" type models as made by current manufacturers?? John P.S. A GREAT source of old photos is the Denver Public Library online. Thousands of images of Colorado railroad and mining through time!
Or, in some cases, there were as many prototypes as there were prototypes, i.e., that some things were very non-standard. I have been looking through books and magazines with photos of narrow gauge logging and one of the things I notice is that there are a lot of adaptations that take place. Someone doesn't like getting rained on while running the donkey engine so they build a cover out of scrap. Somebody else takes two locomotives from the scrapyard and builds them into one Frankenloco to get back out there and move some logs.
Some loggers were indeed "quite creative." This was especially true of the smaller operations. Which obviously had a tighter operating budget. Whimsy in a 1:1 setting! Boxcab E50
Again, what is nice about the year I model (seems strange to model one specific year and not a range...) is that when the C & S took over they had engines and rolling stock from the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison, the Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf, the Denver South Park and Pacific, and even some CC stuff. This allows not only for diversity in rolling stock BUT adds a lot of color to the layout (well...when the layout is an actual layout!!). It also allows for the whimsy you mention. In some early posts I have some free-lance water car shots. Since then I have added another water car (pics soon, I promise!!). Neither of these cars existed, but the COULD have. Having said this, I am also trying to model specific locos and cars from the C & S fleet (more pics soon!!). No, they wont be exact 1 to 1 replicas because I simply can't cut that much of the "out of the box" stuff up. They certainly will be as close as possible with the commercial stuff that is available. Man this is Fun!! BTW...looks like I may be building a "Thomas" layout for my son in his room. He loves the battery operated stuff and is quite the train controler (he had 5 trains going yesterday without a single wreck!! Not bad for being 4!!). Anyway, here's to Thomas, early Pre-War modeling, and Whimsy!! Best, John
I do some "inventing" of paint schemes when I can not find any photographic evidence of what things were painted. I create something that has the "look" of what it may have been.
Thanks. They are standard gauge N scale. I upgraded some Bachmann old timer box cars with finer truss rods and brake wheels and changed out the trucks. Here is what I pull them with.
Thanks, now narrow gauge on the other hand is really easier to obtain for me anyway. I bought up a bunch of MT Nn3 cars both decorated and undec. Do have to work a bit to get the locomotives I need.
Whats wrong wih the one at the head end in your pic? Looks like a 2-6-0 or 2-8-0? Either way I like what I see!! John
Yes, it is a 2-6-0 that I modified a bit. It came as a C&S locomotive with a huge spark arrestor on the stack and a dinky tender. I changed all that but in reality, the D&RGW did not have any narrow gauge Moguls so this is just a made up number. I do have a few Mikados that I am working on.
Well now, THAT is exactly what this thread is about...well sort of!! No DRG did not have any Moguls...but they could have!! Besides...a great bash job like that DESERVES to be run. I like it John
