What non-auto model did you get today?

[Brian Austin]

Is Jonn Allen's sense of humorous approach still valid today?  Numerous discussions elsewhere complain about the name of his railroad for starters.

[Ace-Garageguy]

47 minutes ago, Brian Austin said:

Is Jonn Allen's sense of humorous approach still valid today?  Numerous discussions elsewhere complain about the name of his railroad for starters.

It really depends on whether you have a mind of your own, or need someone else's opinion to tell you what to think.

Allen himself supposedly remarked occasionally that he regretted the Gorre and Daphetid name.

I always liked the Stegosaurus "organic switch engine" Emma, and most of the rest of the little surprises he hid everywhere.

                                      

But there's a phrase in model railroading that probably sums up his position perfectly: "my railroad, my rules".

There's no shortage of people trying to tell other people in the hobby (any hobby) that they're doing it wrong.

I personally think that people arguing about the name of his railroad might do well to take a little more time appreciating his craftsmanship and vision.

Edited 17 hours ago by Ace-Garageguy

[Big Messer]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

The space I was counting on to finally build a sizable layout will most likely not ever be available, so I'm looking at what some guys have done with small layouts, "shelf" layouts, and modular construction.

I learned that bigger is not always better. A shelf layout made out of great scenery vignettes will probably look better than a vast empire. But remember what I posted a while ago about opinions...

[FoMoCo66]

59 minutes ago, Big Messer said:

I learned that bigger is not always better. A shelf layout made out of great scenery vignettes will probably look better than a vast empire. But remember what I posted a while ago about opinions...

I really want to build a shelf layout. Burlington Northern merger erra (70-75) somewhere in rural Iowa focused around a grain elevator. I have all the motive power (modified and detailed 90s athearn blue box) and handful of relevant rolling stock that I tuned up and weathered last winter (thats where I disappeared to and what caused my absence on here). IMHO its way cheaper than a full layout, way more space efficient, and the details can be focused on a hell of a lot more. Ive also seen guys make a game out of it by shuffling up their way bills for cars to go is different places.

[Big Messer]

31 minutes ago, FoMoCo66 said:

 'Ive also seen guys make a game out of it by shuffling up their way bills for cars to go is different places.

Those are layouts intended to mimic how a real railroad operates. You need to decide before cutting the first piece of wood what kind of layout do you want, because one intended to display trains going around will be totally different from a one to operate trains. This decision will affect EVERYTHING: scale, the type of rolling stock, the track layout, the scenery, etc. City or country scenery, towering mountains, rolling hills or a large city and so on. If you are not sure I say you try to visit model railroad clubs and talk with the modelers there. A small "practice" layout may be a good idea, designed to learn and built in a way to allow changes and ultimately to recycle as much as possible into the next one. And don't try to cram very large conflicting features into a small space. You will not believe how much space exact scale buildings with prototype curves curves take. And do not follow some master's design to the letter. It will be your layout with your ideas.

In my last one I started drawing a scale plan of the usable space in the room, then around-the-room modules that were comfortable to work (everything within arm's reach), then developed a track plan that I liked, then made a 3D model of it out of paper and cardboard to figure everything including grades until I was happy. Then actual construction started.

Another good idea may be joining a model railroad forum.

Edited 15 hours ago by Big Messer

[FoMoCo66]

16 minutes ago, Big Messer said:

Those are layouts intended to mimic how a real railroad operates. You need to decide before cutting the first piece of wood what kind of layout do you want, because one intended to display trains going around will be totally different from a one to operate trains. This decision will affect EVERYTHING: scale, the type of rolling stock, the track layout, the scenery, etc. City or country scenery, towering mountains, rolling hills or a large city and so on. If you are not sure I say you try to visit model railroad clubs and talk with the modelers there. A small "practice" layout may be a good idea, designed to learn and built in a way to allow changes and ultimately to recycle as much as possible into the next one. And don't try to cram very large conflicting features into a small space. You will not believe how much space exact scale buildings with prototype curves curves take. And do not follow some master's design to the letter. It will be your layout with your ideas.

In my last one I started drawing a scale plan of the usable space in the room, then around-the-room modules that were comfortable to work (everything within arm's reach), then developed a track plan that I liked, then made a 3D model of it out of paper and cardboard to figure everything including grades until I was happy. Then actual construction started.

Another good idea may be joining a model railroad forum.

Oh im not new to model railroading, I was a part of a local model railroad club and have lots of friends there. I have reserched the BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH out of this and have drawn and redrawn plans, nothing im happy with. I also cant really afford building a layout right now. My main reason for this would be for a programing track and running space for models when im not at the club. The reason I haven't built it yet is because im on a really big model car kick and the trains are in the closet in a box.

[Big Messer]

2 minutes ago, FoMoCo66 said:

Oh im not new to model railroading, I was a part of a local model railroad club and have lots of friends there. I have reserched the BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH out of this and have drawn and redrawn plans, nothing im happy with. I also cant really afford building a layout right now. My main reason for this would be for a programing track and running space for models when im not at the club. The reason I haven't built it yet is because im on a really big model car kick and the trains are in the closet in a box.

It would have been nice to say so in your previous post. I reads like you are a total neophyte. I was trying to help.

[FoMoCo66]

Just now, Big Messer said:

It would have been nice to say so in your previous post. I reads like you are a total neophyte. I was trying to help.

Oh, sorry about that 🤣, I can see how that would read that way. I appreciate that you went out of your way to explain that, hopefully someone who glances upon that will get use out of it. I was originally just throwing it out in the air of a quick blurb of my "master plan" in my head.

[Big Messer]

4 minutes ago, FoMoCo66 said:

Oh, sorry about that 🤣, I can see how that would read that way. I appreciate that you went out of your way to explain that, hopefully someone who glances upon that will get use out of it. I was originally just throwing it out in the air of a quick blurb of my "master plan" in my head.

NP. No damage done.

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, Big Messer said:

 

In my last one I started drawing a scale plan of the usable space in the room, then around-the-room modules that were comfortable to work (everything within arm's reach), then developed a track plan that I liked, then made a 3D model of it out of paper and cardboard to figure everything including grades until I was happy.

Excellent idea. I do most of my real-world design work in CAD (cardboard aided design), so why not model trains too?  

[Ace-Garageguy]

Probably overpaid for this little guy, but I couldn't leave without him. Only $8.

It's an old lower-end Model Power HO scale Central of Georgia PS-1 boxcar in the "football" livery...purple and silver, which I don't know for sure was real...in perfect condition, and somebody's upgraded the wheels to metal and mounted a horn-hook coupler on one truck to act as an adaptor car between Kadee-equipped and horn-hook cars (yes, I know; the photo is from the web and has Kadees on both ends, so sue me).

Definitely a 'train set' toy-quality piece, but it's another roadname I didn't have, and with a little detail work and weathering, it'll look fine in among a bunch of other boxcars in a yard.

Edited 14 hours ago by Ace-Garageguy
accuracy

[Big Messer]

Who else remembers the drifter from NWSL?

https://avaluer.net/explore/59170934-ho_the_drifter___momentum_box_car_chassis_model_099___101_fits_ahm_ath___rnd_hse

[FoMoCo66]

1 hour ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Excellent idea. I do most of my real-world design work in CAD (cardboard aided design), so why not model trains too?  

Yeah, my local club did this for there wild mushroom concept layout that they are building, it essentially doubles your track in the same space. The cardboard model really helped visitors visualize what the end goal was going to be like.

[Earl Marischal]

This website might be of interest to anyone contemplating a shelf layout:

https://lancemindheim.com

His books have certainly give me food for thought in regards to future projects.

steve

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 hours ago, Earl Marischal said:

This website might be of interest to anyone contemplating a shelf layout:

https://lancemindheim.com

His books have certainly give me food for thought in regards to future projects.

steve

Thanks. I'd come across his "Downtown Spur" layout in one of the model mags, but didn't follow up.

Thanks again.

[TonyK]

As much as I enjoy building model cars, I can look at this train stuff for hours. Glad you guys post your love of the hobby.