1950's Modeling

poozinsc Oct 22, 2001

  1. poozinsc

    poozinsc TrainBoard Member

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    A few questions pertaining to modeling the 50's...

    1. I'm interested in the new Bachmann Consolidation, but would they still be working in the 50's?? A switcher perhaps?

    2. What kind of freight trucks were predominant in this era?

    3. Love the new Sharks, but am disappointed they cancelled their single unit runs. Need to really consider taking the financial plunge for the A-B set, but they are truly part of the early diesel world.

    Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Chris
     
  2. slimjim

    slimjim Passed away January 2006 In Memoriam

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    They made more Consolidations than any other steam classification. They ran until the end.

    Trucks. Archbar on MOW only. Outlawed from interchange in about 1941. Others include, Bettendorf, ASF A-3, Andrews and Vulcan. Actually just about anything with friction bearings.

    <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by poozinsc:
    A few questions pertaining to modeling the 50's...

    1. I'm interested in the new Bachmann Consolidation, but would they still be working in the 50's?? A switcher perhaps?

    2. What kind of freight trucks were predominant in this era?

    Chris
    <hr></blockquote>
     
  3. Scott Siebler

    Scott Siebler Profile Locked

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    <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by poozinsc:
    A few questions pertaining to modeling the 50's...

    1. I'm interested in the new Bachmann Consolidation, but would they still be working in the 50's?? A switcher perhaps?

    2. What kind of freight trucks were predominant in this era?

    3. Love the new Sharks, but am disappointed they cancelled their single unit runs. Need to really consider taking the financial plunge for the A-B set, but they are truly part of the early diesel world.

    Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Chris
    <hr></blockquote>

    Chris,

    A consolidation such as the bachmann one is a perfect short line/swicthing loco for a 50's era layout. If you are looking for a diesel, then an Alco S1-S4 or a EMD SW9 or SW12 would be a good choice.

    Bettendorf trucks were the most predominant of the 50's

    The ER Sharks are a first generation diesel which would be appropriate for a 50's era layout.
     
  4. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    Other diesels you may consider are F3s and F7s (from Kato), as well as the GP7s and GP9s (from Atlas) and the SD7s (from LifeLike). Alco diesels are also good- the RS2, RSC2, RS3, RSD4, and the FA1/FB1 work well here. The RS2 and RSC2 are Kato, the RS3 and RSD4 are Atlas, and the FAs are from LifeLike. And don't forget the Es and PAs, if you wanna run passenger trains!

    For rolling stock, stick with the 40-foot stuff, small, single-dome tank cars, steel and wood box cars, and steel reefers. Steel and wooden cabooses fit really well.

    Your buildings are wood and brick in construction.

    Hope this helps..... [​IMG]
     
  5. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    In the early 1950's, all box cars, reefers, etc. had roof walks and top-mounted brake wheels. I don't remember exactly when the ICC allowed cars to operate without roof walks, but I think it was around 1960.
     
  6. poozinsc

    poozinsc TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the information.

    I decided on the 50's because I like the short cars w/ the roofwalks and such. Cabooses are still around also. Just looks more like a train.

    I already have a couple of RS3s, two SW1200s, a GP9 and a Mikado. I'd like a couple more engines. The layout is basically a small divisional yard that is tied into a branchline. It will have a local job for the branch as well as a job that works the main.

    I'm facing what has become the classic N problem. If I want the motive power I desire (Sharks, and such), I need to buy them now. However, if I buy the motive power, my shortline will continue to be the 5 inch straight sitting on my workbench.

    Oh well.....

    Chris
     
  7. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I got an idea Chris, maybe you can get someone to buy a section of track for Christmass.

    That way you can buy the engines and extend your 5" shortline, to 10"! :D
     
  8. marc

    marc E-Mail Bounces

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    Hi Poozinsc,

    Don't let Watash burn your hope :D
    Some shortlines are just 2 or 3 miles long, linking an industrial park with a big boy's mainline through a small interchange yard.
    The future Bachman steamer is just what you need
    to power your consist for a small branchline in the 50's.
    Usually, this kind of RR has been created by some industrial or agricultural barons who wanted to have their plant linked to a mainline at lower cost.
    I remember reading an article in "Trains" some months ago, titled "before there were tourist RR"
    and descripting such shortlines in the 50's.
    You will need an old and shaggy enginehouse, a water tower (homemade style,coal and sand facilities and your engine will be ready to pull some cars for your "down the corner" RR.

    Have fun,
    marc
     
  9. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Hey Chris, I was pullin' your leg! I meant it to be funny!
    [​IMG]

    [ 22 October 2001: Message edited by: watash ]</p>
     
  10. ajb

    ajb TrainBoard Member

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    The 50's is such a great era to model, first generation hood units, late phase cab units, the waning days of steam, passenger service.... Baldwins, Alcos, EMD's aah the variety, much more so than todays lookalike winged widecab GE's and EMD's pulling container and roadrailer trains.

    Don't forget the Classic Metal works cars and trucks - late 50's early 50's styles are great for transition era.

    Chris brings up the dilemna that most of us face - put off working on the layout to buy that limited run Sharknose (or any limited anything!)
    or get it and sacrifice funding on the other aspects of the hobby - but thats a whole nother thread.

    The gov't tried to ban the roofwalks in the 60's, but was not able to do so until well into the 70's but then only on cars in interchange service - roofwalks were not completely gone until well into the 80's.
     
  11. poozinsc

    poozinsc TrainBoard Member

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    Not a problem -- I appreciate the humor.

    I guess I'll bite the bullet and decide on a Consolidation, no wait..., a Shark, no wait...

    Oh yeah, if I do go to two 5 inch sections, will I need to block each of them to handle multiple trains?

    Seriously, finances are a major consideration in my case. I was planning on beginning the layout after the first of the year, but a financial setback (read major plumbing emergency) may push it back further. It doesn't make much sense to have some of the finest engines if there is nothing to run them on.

    The new Atlas line of track intrigues me, but would virtually double my track costs. It is something to think about.

    I appreciate your answers and information. I'm out here pretty much on my own and TrainBoard has always been an excellent source of information and entertainment.

    Chris
     
  12. slimjim

    slimjim Passed away January 2006 In Memoriam

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    Hey, my layout is bigger than your layout :D . I have a full 24" at the moment. It even has 4 rails, HO, HOn3, Sn3. Even have ballast on it.

    <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by poozinsc:


    I'm facing what has become the classic N problem. If I want the motive power I desire (Sharks, and such), I need to buy them now. However, if I buy the motive power, my shortline will continue to be the 5 inch straight sitting on my workbench.

    Oh well.....

    Chris
    <hr></blockquote>
     
  13. JCater

    JCater TrainBoard Member

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    Chris,
    I used to model the late 1800s in HO...talk about hard to get good equipment :rolleyes: !! I moved to N scale and chose the 1950s because I could still use steam but run some cool early deisel as well. My Santa Fe Southwestern will have a branch to a coal-mining and natural gas indistry section that will be serviced by nothing but consolodations :D . This is fairly correct for the era, because the steamers could get coal from the mines they serviced as part of the transportation agreement (like an archaeological site I recorded in Wyoming last year...the Burlington and Quincy got so much tonnage of coal from the mine as part of the deal).
    Some other things to think about...streamlined passenger cars for longer runs are great, but alot of the second class guys and branch roads revamped older passenger cars and used them. I remember seeing cars from the 1800s still in service in Denver in the 1960s :eek: !! The SFSW will use a mixture of streamlined cars on the mainline and 1920s cars on locals and branch service. And...don't forget the Doodlebugs! Those things are just too cool...hope to have at least one on my layout.

    Cost, cost, cost....the Chief Financial Officer (also known on the railroad as Woman Implementing Financial Executions or W.I.F.E. :D :D ) has put the brakes on spending for the railroad this year...too many school books etc. to buy! See my post in the Inspection pit about this...it may help you from getting discouraged!!
    Happy Modeling!!
    John
     
  14. dbn160

    dbn160 Passed away January 16, 2004 In Memoriam

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  15. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Chris,
    You dont need to have a huge layout to start off with, why not just a small shelf layout with a couple sets of switches and an industry???

    I do have a layout but I get just as much enjoyment switching my grain terminal. By doing a small shelf layout you can practice all your modelling techniques.

    Here is a link to my operating page on my webpage just to give you an idea.

    Operating Page

    Below is a track diagram of my Grain terminal.


    [​IMG]
     
  16. slynch

    slynch E-Mail Bounces

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    Yup, the LIRR ran the 2-8-0 as freight switchers as long as possible until the end, Fall 1955.

    Best, Steve
    www.NYandW.com
     
  17. poozinsc

    poozinsc TrainBoard Member

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    Wow !!!

    Lots of good information. I especially appreciate the tip on the Yahoo group. I signed on and am looking forward to learning more.

    I currently have a small 3 x 6 foot layout (Scenic and Relaxes -- Atlas) which I have used as a learning/playing testbed. It really is a nice little layout and I enjoy messing with it. I'm just ready to take the next step. I've got the train room (usually the toughest part). It's just time to start the layout.

    Appreciate all of you advice. As things progress, I'll keep you all posted.

    Chris
     
  18. gordon

    gordon TrainBoard Member

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    CHRIS TNE NEW BACHMANN 2-8-0 IS A GREAT RUNNER AND WOULD WORK PERFECT FOR A SHORT LINE OR BRANCH LINE , AND ON THE FRIEGHT TRUCKS , MOSTLY BETTNDORF IN THE 50'S , GOOD LUCK!!
     

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