Modeling The Prototype

Until recently I wasn't really interested in building resin rolling stock kits. With the disappointing news of Athearn discontinuing their line of the famous blue box kits I had to turn to something else. As a model railroader I like to do just that... model. Now I have turned to building Funaro & Camerlengo, Sunshine, Wright Track, or Speedwitch Media. Not only do I like the kits because of the challenge, but also because of the great detail that you get out of the finished product. I used to think that it was a waste of time to worry about accurately detailing rolling stock, but now I have changed my tone on the issue. Think about it, a lot of us look to make our railorads more realistic by adding locomotives with sound and lighting effects. In my case I try to find Pennsylvania steam engines that have the correct belpaire boiler and top mounted headlight. We talk in operating about following the guidelines that the real railroad follows and try to mimic them. So why not make everything more realisic and detail our rolling stock to look like the prototype? Plus we'll have fun modeling it in the process.

Helpful Information

Not that anyone has really read any of this blog yet, but if you are reading then there are some great sources of information on the web for modelers of all interest. Check out www.mrrforums.com or www.railroad-line.com, both are great forums with all sorts of model railroaders with different levels of expertise. Also if you want to listen to a great podcast, then check out The Scotty Mason Show. Between Scotty mason himself, Dave Frary, Jimmy Deignan, and Doug Foscale you can't really go wrong. Plus they always have some other very noteworthy model railroaders that they interview. It's a fun show to tune into and you always come away with a new idea about something dealing with the hobby. Just go to www.scottymason.com and look for the link to the shows.

Just the other day I got my newest copy of Model Railroader, the May 2010 edition. I have to say that they really came through this month with the featured railroad. I usually get frustrated with the huge dream layouts that they often publish. At least for myself its frustrating to see a great idea for a railroad only to find out that in order to achieve such realism you would have to have an available 1200 plus square feet to do it in. This layout has an unbelievable amount of operational capabilities. It really gives those of us with a smaller amount of space a glimpse of the fact that realistic operations is something that can happen on any size model railroad. If you are interested in operations at all, then be sure to check it out. Even if you are one of those fortunate few that has the space to create a large walk-in style layout, the article still contains a good overall view of a great operational plan.

At the current time my available space is 22x4. I have these absurd 22" radius curves to accommodate some of the larger locomotives. Although I have to tell you that the recommended radius for my Pennsy J1 is 22" and that is not a great estimate by the manufacturer. It will make it but not very long before one of the many drivers derails. It also looks ridiculous with the way that it leans because of the tight radius. So plans are starting to take effect for a possible change in my current loop to loop track plan. This will create more room for industry sidings, run-arounds, and other operational opportunities. The current track plan had the potential viewer or visitor in mind, but since over the past year that has only been a hand full of folks it's time for some changes.

Intro

The sound of a mighty steamer rolling through the Appalachians, with it's large puffs of smoke and it's screaming whistle. Maybe it's the rumbling sound of a new diesel that you see every morning on your way to work. Whatever it is it has stirred a passion in so many of us over the years as adults and as children, has turned into a great hobby.

So why call it Model Railroading 3.0? Well for a few reasons, I just turned 30, and because the hobby has come such a long way with technology. Models are more and more real. With better details and realistic sounds. There are more products to chose from now than ever. They are easier to get now than ever. If your local hobby store doesn't have it and it does exist, you'll find it on the internet.

This blog will be mostly about my own personal railroad, The Montour Branch. The time will be set to 1946 when the Pennsylvania Railroad took over the line. Why? Well because about 90% of my motive power, which will all be steam, is lettered and modeled for the Pennsylvania. The model railroads main source of income will come from moving coal from mines to a prep plant, then on to it's consumers. So I'll hope that you will follow along during the construction and continue reading whenever the goal of realistic operation takes place.