I have been collecting engines, rolling stock, and other items related to the railroad I am modeling for over 20 years. Now I have started a model railroad, but I am finding I have rolling stock from the 1940s to the 1980s. I really like all of the items I have and I don't really want to sell any of the items yet. However, I am looking for input from others who also have a time era that spans over 40 years. Are there others out there who are having this modeling problems and if so what are you doing? I am feeling since it is my railroad I can do what I want within reason. I have tried running trains with equipment that would be prototypical to the motive power that is pulling the train. This has made for some interesting running sessions.
Remember that rolling stock can stay in service for a long time, especially with small modifications. Some of these would be upgrading air brake systems and removing running boards from box cars. A lot of railroads also took old boxes and flats and turned them into single trailer piggyback cars, so your "old" equipment could conceivably be used as is, modified slightly or modified a lot. The best bet is to check with books or magazines related to the road your modelling.
Several years back, there was a layout in Model Railroader whose owner would model a certain era each year or so. You could do the same on your layout- run, say, the 1940s and 1950s one session, then the 1960s another, and the 1970s to the end another time. My 2 cents' worth...
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Railroadteacher: I have been collecting engines, rolling stock, and other items related to the railroad I am modeling for over 20 years. Now I have started a model railroad, but I am finding I have rolling stock from the 1940s to the 1980s. I really like all of the items I have and I don't really want to sell any of the items yet. However, I am looking for input from others who also have a time era that spans over 40 years. Are there others out there who are having this modeling problems and if so what are you doing? I am feeling since it is my railroad I can do what I want within reason. I have tried running trains with equipment that would be prototypical to the motive power that is pulling the train. This has made for some interesting running sessions.<hr></blockquote> I model the 1950's to the present day. You can get by with this by not having many buildings and similar things that "date" the layout. Such as a modern office building would not be apropriate for a 1950's setting and I wouldn't have such a building on the layout if you plan to model a wide time period. DPM style buildings are great for these types of layouts because they existed in the 50's and they still exist today. When you change eras on the layout, make sure you have the apporpiate vehicles to go with it, since this also "dates" the layout.
I'm sort of in the same category. I model Norfolk & Western circa 1955, yet I do have some newer Norfolk Southern equipment. I really just put all my newer stuff on the back-burner so to speak, as I want to focus on one specific time period. But, as others said, changing vehicles and a structure or two could make time change on any layout.
I do much of the same thing - I collect rolling stock and engines from several different eras and railroads and my layout has a generic midwestern look - so by switching buildings and equipment - I can do different eras - not at the level of fine detail yet! Doug
I've seen old equipment running on prototype 1:1 scale freights. A couple of years back, a B&M freight pulled through Andover, MA with a slew of "dated" equipment that was still in revenue service. There were Erie, EL, Pennsy, LV, and PLE (with NYC logo) cars going through. The equipment was very weathered, but operational. I was really excited to see this and it gave me some ideas. Run the old equipment, but rust it up quite a bit. The other thought I had is suppose Conrail took over all these lines, but never repainted the equipment to the Conrail brown? This could also be done to represent the merger-fusion as it's happening - just like when Guilford merged in the B&M, MEC and DH. There were mixed old and new equipment of all of the roads. Just my 2-Cents worth. John
I had much the same quandry. I wasn't as much worried about the cars (since as others have pointed out they often stay in service for many years) as I was the locomotives. I really love steam but not the first generation diesels. I always loved second generation diesels BUT began to collect all the wonderful new modern power we have. When it became clear that there was not enough good N scale steam to satisfy my desires (though I don't mind bashing, an entire fleet was more effort than I wanted to give because I love to RUN trains) I decided to use some licenseand include second generation diesels BUT that didn't satisfy me either. My final plan gelled about that time. I am building a three level three era layout, and though all the levels are connected and you will see a Mikado drift past a modern engine facility and a Dash 9 running past a coaling tower that still appears new I only pickup and cut cars on the "correct" level. My first level is ~1951 (late steam era on the Southern) the second level is ~1981 (NS right after the NW/SRR merger) and the top level is ~1999 (NS post CR aquisition) This lets me run most any engine owned by SRR/NS owned in the last 50 years in any paint scheme and lets me also run NW schemes that were around at merger time and CR schemes and engines at aquisition time. Further due to all the "run-through" power on the Modern NS I have few limits! This and Kato/Atlas release schedule lately is HARD on the wallet! This is my solution to my desires and I accept the non-proto aspects of what I am doing BUT in the end I am happy. If a rivet counter comes by to operate they will be able to keep to a single level. I have learned tacking such a layout as a lone wolf is certainly slow but trackwork on the second level begins as soon as I get my paws on the Atlas code 55. Vandy
