Are there any other Trainboard members who model SP or westcoast or any other roads in Melbourne , Australia. regards vicsmodels
Not exactly sure what you are asking --- If you are asking about the Southern Pacific and the west coast of the US -- I do. But, if you are inquiring about Australia -- then, I do not (As I am in California). Sorry, for my confusion, Wolf
Same here. SP (specifically the NWP) in California. Be careful with Wolf, his stuff is beautiful...it can damage ones own modeling ability.
Hi Guys, sorry for any confusion, I am wanting to know and get in contact with any other N scale Trainboard members that model SP or western roads that live in Melbourne, Australia. Or any other SP modellers that might want to talk to a fellow SP modeller here in OZ. best regards Vic Fitzpatrick vicsmodels
Hi Wolf, thanks for your reply. I have been modelling in N for almost 50 years now. I have liked the SP for about 40 of those years and still do. Nothing like that red nose ha? Though having a long run involved in Ntrak until about 15 years ago, then a buddy of mine said lets do something different and we did the Thompson River layout , with me liking CP and he the CN. But moving on from that i have rekindled my interest with the SP I have a 26' x 13' shed almost finished to house a layout which is not designed as yet as much of it is in my head. Though i am having trouble picking an era and a place? But it will be great to gather ideas and info from others who have already ventured. with best regards Vic fitzpatrick vicsmodels
Hey Vic, Great to have another SP fan rejoining our ranks. A little about me: I have been in N Scale since 1971 (Received an Arnold Rapido set for my 8th birthday). I have been modeling the SP since 1982 (After getting married). She has been putting up with me ever since -- LOL. I model the coast line (I am calling it Oxnard, Montalvo and Saticoy). Set in 1955. However I have equipment ranging from 1950 to about 1958. I chose this era because I fell for the black widows, tiger stripes and of course the Daylights. My layout is 14' X 9'. With a 7' X 4' pit in the center. I do have a whole bunch of bloody nose units. I also have ATSF, UP, WP, GN and some Rock Island units. These units make an occasional appearance on the layout. I must say - I am envious of your shed -- 26 X 13 is awesome. Looking forward to seeing your progress!! If I may - here is a little glimpse of my layout - hopefully, for a little inspiration for which ever era you choose -- Of course, it is a work in progress OK @JMaurer1 -- your turn. LOL OH - thanks, for the kind words. Talk to ya, Wolf
Well thanks guys for your replies, love your layouts. I will write more tomorrow just got home at midnight working 2nd shift so will have my eyes open wide in the morning my time as you are about 19 hours behind me, so i will get some shut eye for now. with best regards Vic
I warned you about Wolfs modeling...his close up shots of his engines are even 'worse' (meaning better). I started modeling in the 1980's when the now ex-wife wanted me to get a hobby where I stayed home (and then wished I would leave, but that's another story). I've ALWAYS been an SP fan, but not of the primer coat paint schemes. SP had so many great paint schemes only to settle on the most boring plain primer coat. Since moving to Nor Cal, I got into the NWP (the perfect railroad...except it was killed by the SP, but it's trying to resurrect itself). Currently I've been in an NTrak group so I don't really have my own layout but that is about to change since I've just decided to start building a layout of my own. I'll try to get some pictures to post of the modules I've built. If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to help.
Hi Vic there are a lot of us SP fans around. I grew up surrounded by SP in the Los Angeles area and never really got it out of my blood. I have had 3 layouts over the last 25 years covering different parts of the SP system. 1 - Freelanced Los Angeles area Alameda Street line in 1960s. 2 - Northwestern Pacific in 1960's. 3 - Palisade canyon Nevada paired track line with WP in 1970's / 1980's. This is the current layout. I keep a blog on my current layouts progress which has links to some photos of the old layouts. Link is at bottom of post.
Found some old pictures C-28 On Module by JMaurer1 posted Jan 31, 2019 at 5:15 PM GP-9 2 by JMaurer1 posted Jan 31, 2019 at 5:22 PM GP-9 On Module by JMaurer1 posted Jan 31, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Well hi Wolf ,Jeff and Brad, Firstly thanks for your replies and your pictures. I have been in N gauge for about 50 years now, American prototype has always been my thing even know my first two trains sets were Triang Hornby O gauge clock wind up and second 3 rail HO OO I was about 9 or 10 i think, but then one day i saw an Lima N GP30 and a 44 ton switcher i was hooked on N. My next memories were of these big grey and dirty engines with a big red nose pulling an endless train. Over the years reading more and seeing more of the SP I was fascinated with there Cantilever and signal Gantries and there searchlight signals which were unique to the SP. So much that i started to make some, the first couple were crude attempts but I gradually perfected them now i make photo etched ones. American N scale was very popular here in the 70s to late 80s as it was about all that was available as there was no Australian models around unless you sratchbuilt or cast your own. But i stuck it out. In the late 80s i went to my first N scale convention in Sydney, Australia where i met a bunch of guys from Melbourne where I live who were all interested in the same idea of running long trains and Ntrak. In due course we formed an N track club in our local area, which lasted for about 20 years or so but due to a number of circumstances the club dissolved but we still have a great informal group guys who still get together in a round robin and run on some of the layouts. After that a good friend of mine said to me one day lets do something different ? So we decided on the Thompson River Canyon layout as he like the CN and I liked the CP. We built the layout as a show layout and started to exhibit at all the shows, we won best layout numerous times and then started to get invites from interstate clubs and shows to come and show but travelling 1000kms with fuel, food and accommodation was out of the question so after about 6 or so years we decided we had enough of that and sold the layout. I had over the years I have been to the US about a dozen times for N scale conventions and covered 47 of the 50 states though I havent been since 2010 Things turned sour for a few years with a nasty ex wife and a divorce settlement which took 3 years in which she try vigorously to get hold of my trains and anything else that was worth money. So in that period i just concentrated on making my trucks and signals mainly. But since meeting my new partner about 2 years ago it has inspired me with her support to get back into the hobby, having built a shed to house a new layout I and ready to go. I just need a plan, I like industrial switching with long train running. A location and an era, though I like from the 70s to end and a little after. I also like all the other western roads as well as some of the eastern roads which i have a lot of locos from each. But the layout will be SP number one road. I hope that tells you a little for now, Looking forward to talking more and seeing more, email if preferred best regards Vic Fitzpatrick vicsmodels@bigpond.com
Well, I'll throw my hat into the ring too. I am an SP man all the way, my father had 44 years in engine service and my brother 32 years as clerk and call boy. Here are some of my SP favs. BTW, I like most all of the paint schemes they used through the years. I even liked this attempt at being cheap.... One of my steamers. DIY bash job........ BTW, my dad and brother worked for SP but I worked for PFE in El Paso. Iced a few 100 car trains of Cali. cantaloupes bound for points East. Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking, Carl
Well thanks guys for your photos and welcome into SP land I am liking very much what i see, that is my kind of modelling. Unfortunately the only pictures of my last layout have been posted already though i might here a few more of TRC. Have plenty of the other stuff I do trucks and signals. I would love to email with you guys and trade ideas and show and tell SP. I have not seen an iconic SP Cantilever signal bridge yet one of my favourite things about the SP and the searchlights? Looks like someone cornered the switcher market? (-: Thanks guys with best regards Vic Fitzpatrick
