I started building this Model RR based on a freelance concept but using plausible ideas and common carriers to give an operating plan. The QAP reached Floydada before 1916, but they could have reached the city of Lubbock TX (their intended route plan) in 1916, with intentions of building to El Paso. Which you gotta admit if had been realized, would be a gold mine for traffic today. This is a grain car decorated for the QA&P, the video is of a grain train operating on the QA&P with Frisco power. In my semi-freelance world the Frisco and the QA&P (a Frisco subsidiary) were never merged into the BN and still operate as separate carriers. Me thinks I could be a bit "touched" Thanks for checking in.
Just as an aside, two things are worth noting...First, not all of us approach the hobby in exactly the same manner. Some are detail sticklers, and some play a bit looser. It is, after all, a hobby. Second, as has been mentioned many times in Model Railroader through the years as regards many folk, Tom's modeler's license is current and valid.
There are many examples of cars built after 1978 that had the ACI labels applied. The former KCP&L coal gondolas that we see in both taconite and high sulfur coal unit trains come to mind. This one is from a group built in 1984, now owned by Helm: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3876598
Thanks Ryan, Jim, Eagle2 I have walked past 1000's of them plates stencils in my 24 years of service, didn't car about them then, don't care about them now. As long as the car has all the safety appliances, nothing dragging, or en-secure, plug doors closed and locked, no commodities leaking, no handbrake set, placards in place and as long as the air sets/releases, with proper piston travel and BP leakage OK, and the wheels are turning its going, all that other jazz I could care less about LOL. Prolly has graffiti over it anyway. I know that 24 years is really not all that much service time as my Grandpa had over 40 years pulling a throttle, with a lot of folks with many more years than that. I have never had a Conductor once, come over the radio and say, " dude we cant pull this car cause I cant make out a date on the Lube 3/5/10/15 part stencil, and it has a ACI plate on it, I think its Bad Order man". Now I have seen some folks come up with some rather interesting reasons to not pick up a car. I would like to see someone use this excuse in an investigation huh? As far as a model Railroad, HO scale, plastic, fictitious, freelance, freight car. I think I will continue as my esteemed colleagues have suggested, apply and use Rule#1 with reckless abandon. Please carry on my friends.
I find it better never to get in an argument about something with somebody who works in the job I'm foolish enough to pick nits over. Besides, this IS a hobby. And that IS a nice-looking covered hopper. Plus, I despise nitpickers with a passion. Keep sharing whatcha got, Tom- you're doing fine from what I can see.
I been working on this MofW train for some time keep adding a car or two until I got where I wanted to be. The flat cars are Red Caboose, and modified Athearn, the MofW equipment is Durango Press kits that were modified as well as a Custom finishing regulator. The tie down chains are PDC, this was quite a challenge to get them all tied down on rails I had spiked to the tops of the flats. Now to move a track over a few inches and cut a switch in, and lay about 15' of track to hold this MofW train. Thanks for stopping buy.
Looking at all those turnbuckles gives me flashbacks...Although the ones we used, the handles folded down and had to be wired in place to pass inspection.
Oh Yea I know the ones your talking about. These are made of some sort of resin it think. And if you soak them in water long enough they get pliable but didnt want to chance breaking them. The outfit has come out now with the boomer type tie downs you remember the one you used to put a cheater pipe over the handle and pull down til it cam'ed over and locked in place, lots of people hurt undoing them. Thanks for looking.
That's some great modeling, Tom. Great job on those MOW vehicles. I'm really impressed with the paint and weathering though. With all the construction and maintenance we've had here in the past few years those tampers and regulators are a common almost daily sight. They are so familiar and these models are so well done I had to enlarge the photos to be sure you weren't passing off prototype photos as models! The tie downs and rails on the decks look spot on. Not to mention the fact that yellow is a difficult color to weather without going too far. These machines are usually dirty but not beaten up. You nailed that look. Very nice!
Waaaay more patience than I could ever hope to achieve Tom! Those are real looking! You make museum quality models! Thanks for posting pictures!
I really like this layout! I'm a big fan of taking classic railroads and making modern interpretations of them. Family vacations always took us down US 287 through northern Texas, so the QA&P is a familiar name. Could you tell us what type of motive power the modern Frisco/QA&P typically uses? And what era do you model? (Forgive me if these questions have already been answered)
The modern QA&P uses primarily Frisco power, but they just dont have enough to cover the service so the QA&P uses Spartan cab EMD's thus far (dont be surprised if they buy some new power, but it likely be EMD). The used SD40/40T-2, GP60 market plays right into the QAP power needs. The original QA&P was the Acme Red River & Northern, Had to pay homage to that too. The intent is to keep it all late 70's to 2010ish, no roof walks on boxcars unless it is a period dedicated train. I offer the following, CF7 QA&P SD40T-2 748 QA&PGP60 799 QA&P GP60 798 QA&P SD40 747 QA&P SD40 746 QA&P GP7 This is based on a real GP7 the Frisco owned but lettered for the QA&P there were 3 GP7's lettered for the QA&P, note the sub lettering under all QA&P locos as SL-SF And the latest SD40t-2 QA&P 1976 Thanks for looking
Very nice! Wish those Frisco and QA&P diesels still dashed through the Texas plains. Good luck and can't wait to see your progress!
interesting roster, I wouldn't have ever thought about tunnel motors for a Texas road. What's the story behind the Bicentennial SD40-T2?
Ah yes, The TM's are from the used locomotive market, which is very plausible and reasonable The QA&P would have made it to Lubbock (on their way to El Paso) by 1916, had they not run out of money and settled on Floydada, as their original intent was El Paso. This TM was an attempt to celebrate the first 100 yrs of service.
Here we see the QA&P GP7 bringing some cabooses to the pit. With traffic picking up and the distance covered the QA&P has acquired some second hand cabooses from the mother road (Frisco). decaled and lettered for the QA&P now. They got this one from the MP RR