Does anyone know of any reference books that would be a good guide to modeling freight rolling stock used during the 60's? Something with plenty of pictures and examples of everything from boxcars and coal hoppers, to tank cars and piggyback equipment.
http://morningsunbooks.com/
First pic looks like the East side of the Hudson, just north of Manhattan.
Quote from: jbrock27 on February 16, 2016, 05:06:57 PM
First pic looks like the East side of the Hudson, just north of Manhattan.
We have a winner! *ahem* I mean, yes, you are correct. That is Spuyten Duyvil, NY. The Amtrak train is Grand Central Terminal bound, and the wye tracks in the bottom left lead to the West Side Freight Line (later to be Amtrak's route into Penn Station from the Hudson line).
Thank you for the Kudos my friend. :) It is not something I am used to experiencing around here... ::)
Remember, in the 1960s you could easily see freight cars from the 1940s and, of course, the 1950s. In fact, it's probably safe to say that at least up until the mid 1960s, the majority of freight cars were 1950s with a lot of 1940s vintage cars around.
Also keep in mind your typical general freight train would be made up of mainly 40 foot boxcars, with still lots of ice reefers if reefers were in the consist.
A safe guide is if the car has a roof walk, it's good for the 1960s.
If you model after 1968, don't forget ACI labels.
Cheers
Roger T.
Thanks all!
Roger,
I got out a couple DVDs I had with some footage of railroads around the mid 1960s and watched them again. It definitely reflects what you said. From what I've seen, I guess it would be acceptable to have around 2/3 of my rolling stock in the same 40s-50s "transition era" equipment that many others model? I don't really consider myself a "rivet counter." If I can just capture the general look and feel of the era, I'm satisfied.
Quote from: Dakota7820 on February 17, 2016, 10:41:15 AM
I guess it would be acceptable to have around 2/3 of my rolling stock in the same 40s-50s "transition era" equipment that many others model?
It is about what is acceptable to
you and what pleases
you, that is important ;)
You're right jbrock, gotta make sure we're still allowing ourselves to have fun! That's the most important ;D
Quote from: Dakota7820 on February 17, 2016, 10:41:15 AM
Thanks all!
Roger,
I got out a couple DVDs I had with some footage of railroads around the mid 1960s and watched them again. It definitely reflects what you said. From what I've seen, I guess it would be acceptable to have around 2/3 of my rolling stock in the same 40s-50s "transition era" equipment that many others model? I don't really consider myself a "rivet counter." If I can just capture the general look and feel of the era, I'm satisfied.
That is what I strive for though in my case it's the late 1950s, 1958 to be exact.
I want people to look at my GER and think it is/was a real railroad set in 1958 in southern Quebec and not just one I made up.
By doing this, I automatically limit my spontaneous purchases and so don't buy anything just because it's "cool". If it doesn't meet the, "Typically used in and around Montreal in 1958" criteria, then I simply don't purchase it.
Save a lot of money. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
Thank you sir, sounds like sound and simple advice!
Quote from: rogertra on February 17, 2016, 05:50:39 PM
I want people to look at my GER and think it is/was a real railroad set in 1958 in southern Quebec and not just one I made up.
Cheers
Roger T.
But wouldn't those people only know otherwise, only if you
told them?
And there are tons of weighs to save $$ ;)
Quote from: jbrock27 on February 17, 2016, 08:23:55 PM
Quote from: rogertra on February 17, 2016, 05:50:39 PM
I want people to look at my GER and think it is/was a real railroad set in 1958 in southern Quebec and not just one I made up.
Cheers
Roger T.
But wouldn't those people only know otherwise, only if you told them?
And there are tons of weighs to save $$ ;)
Sorry, I don't understand. Told them what? It's not a model of a real railway? If I had to tell them that then I think I've achieved my goal, modelling something that looks real enough to have been a real railway. :)
As for ways to save money, I agree but limiting impulse buying is a good one. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
Quote from: rogertra on February 17, 2016, 09:23:46 PM
Sorry, I don't understand. Told them what? It's not a model of a real railway?
Cheers
Roger T.
Yes, unless you pointed these things out to them, how would they know: A) that only cars representing 1958 were present; B) it was Southern Quebec and C) it was not a layout you just made up? What I am saying is, unless you went out your way to tell these people it was not any of these things, how would they possibly know?
Quote from: rogertra on February 17, 2016, 09:23:46 PM
As for ways to save money, I agree but limiting impulse buying is a good one. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
I don't disagree that limiting impulse buying saves dough, but, LOL!, you'd have me believe that modeling in this fashion means that it prevents any impulse buying? I don't think so :D
Quote from: jbrock27 on February 18, 2016, 07:24:23 AM
Quote from: rogertra on February 17, 2016, 09:23:46 PM
As for ways to save money, I agree but limiting impulse buying is a good one. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
I don't disagree that limiting impulse buying saves dough, but, LOL!, you'd have me believe that modeling is this fashion means that it prevents any impulse buying? I don't think so :D
First off, going back to the original poster's question... Kalmbach's guide to 1940s and '50s rolling stock also touches on what stuck around and what changes were coming in the 1960s.
As to impulse buying... I'm modeling in both HO and N scales, and I've fixed both to specific times and locations. This has curbed my impulse buying only so far as I won't be buying any Big Boys or GG-1s, but my credit card statements bear witness to the fact that I still impulsively buy things that fit within my time periods / operating region / etc. - not to mention prototype rule books, employee and public timetables, and period photos or postcards of the towns I intend to model. Research, even for a proto-freelanced pike, can be loads of fun - albeit expensive fun. ;)
Quote from: Piyer on February 18, 2016, 09:31:06 AM
As to impulse buying... I'm modeling in both HO and N scales, and I've fixed both to specific times and locations. ...my credit card statements bear witness to the fact that I still impulsively buy things that fit within my time periods / operating region / etc. - not to mention prototype rule books, employee and public timetables, and period photos or postcards of the towns I intend to model.
Thank you my friend, for assisting in illustrating my point :)
Quote from: jbrock27 on February 18, 2016, 07:24:23 AM
Yes, unless you pointed these things out to them, how would they know: A) that only cars representing 1958 were present; B) it was Southern Quebec and C) it was not a layout you just made up? What I am saying is, unless you went out your way to tell these people it was not any of these things, how would they possibly know?
I get it now. But I'd have to do the same thing if I modelled say the CPR in the same or any other era and based it on Farnham Quebec. :)
At least on the GER they won't see a mish mash of different road names on locos and cabooses, blatant mixing of eras with steam alongside the latest techno-toasters. Hopefully, it's one harmonised picture that conveys the era and region I am attempting to portray. Even though I freelance, I like to think I'm a prototype modeller. In other words, I base all my modelling on what the prototype does.
That's my goal, not to say others who just like to run trains regardless of the prototype are wrong, it's just different strokes for different folks.
Cheers
Roger T.
Well...There are a few of us who have prototypical mish-mashes of "steam alongside the latest techno-toasters" by modeling a railroad museum.
Specifically, my layout (when it's not boxed up) is the KL&B Eastern Lines Railroad Museum, on what was a 35 mile branch line that was going to be abandoned by the Class-I that owned it at one time. I posted most of the back story some while ago.
Len
Len,
That's a very interesting modeling concept. How can I find your story on your railroad, and do you have a locomotive/rolling stock roster posted anywhere? I'd enjoy reading about it.
Quote from: rogertra on February 18, 2016, 11:27:42 PM
...blatant mixing of eras with steam alongside the latest techno-toasters
Cheers
Roger T.
LOL !! I just knew it was only a matter to time, before you would inject "techno-toasters" into the discussion :D Thanks for not disappointing ;).
Quote from: Dakota7820 on February 19, 2016, 11:18:28 AM
Len,
That's a very interesting modeling concept. How can I find your story on your railroad, and do you have a locomotive/rolling stock roster posted anywhere? I'd enjoy reading about it.
The short version is here: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,30035.msg221213.html#msg221213
Len
Sounds like lots of fun. A very good way to realistically run what you like no matter what the era. Thanks for sharing!
Quote from: jbrock27 on February 19, 2016, 12:23:06 PM
Quote from: rogertra on February 18, 2016, 11:27:42 PM
...blatant mixing of eras with steam alongside the latest techno-toasters
Cheers
Roger T.
LOL !! I just knew it was only a matter to time, before you would inject "techno-toasters" into the discussion :D Thanks for not disappointing ;).
Techno-Toasters, one of my favourites. :)
Cheers
Roger T.