No, not yet. I'm waiting until all my track is completely finished--painted, ballasted, etc.. Then I'll do all the track, clean all my wheels, and only then apply the No-Ox-ID. I've read an awful lot of good stuff about it. I know what you mean about putting a film on the track, but I'm not sure it will be a problem. The stuff was actually developed for making good electrical contact and maintaining it no matter what. Now you've got me worried, though: here in the Southwest, dust is a constant problem. OTOH, all I'd have to do if grime developed is clean it off with rubbing alcohol.
It's a handsome paint scheme. About the lettering: Alco made things difficult by putting a door in the middle of their PA and FA bodies. Railroads solved this in various ways. They might put the name on the right and the emblem on the left as you have it or vice-versa, or even both on the same side (often the right). I haven't seen the ampersand ("&") put on the door. So per the preceding discussion, the locations of your lettering and emblem are just fine for that engine--though I usually see the lettering smaller and put lower down on the side. It really just depended on where flat surfaces could be found.
The last thing I want to do is get you worried Chaya! It sounds good what you mentioned and it seems that you are ahead of me so keep me informed about the results. I will do some testing on a little oval to see what happens. Rob, thanks for the response. You are right about the pitfalls. But I can reach it from under the layout and know when I lay down the track properly I don't have to worry about it. Now about that paintscheme. Made a few more so we can vote about it. lol Your votes please, gentlemen. Regards. Ron.
They all look great. I'd xhoose the lower scheme, but center the "Hudson & Catskill Railway" lettering on the green, and find a more stylized font. Also maybe add another color to the top of the nose.
I'd go for the first one. I'd prefer to see the lettering dropped down lower, though--like the other two are.
Thanks Greg and Chaya. I am liking the first one also, changed the place of the lettering and made it a little smaller. After that I got a little carried away and put a caboose behind it. There was a post about the doodlebug which I liked so I hope to get one. The hard part will be to buy one since it is out of production, there were a couple on E-bay but it is getting very difficult to find a seller who is willing to ship international. Most of them don't. Regards. Ron.
For a 1940s-50s railroad, the lettering would be in all capitals. I can't think of a railroad using lower case for its name prior to the 1960s.
I have photos of "Rio Grande" lettering (using lower case) from at least 1946. The red Rock Island herald is pretty old, too: I have a photo of a steam loco wearing it.
I like the middle version myself, it looks like what a railroad would like to see (spacing wise) on the locomotive. On the lower version, this is an area that gets pretty dirty, a RR might try it. But weathering issues might cloud it up pretty quickly. One thing you might try is somewhat smaller lettering (just a tad) all in all a nice paint scheme and pretty good lettering options. R
Ron - In this thread so far, I've not been able to quite determine if your layout is simply to be freelance but using Hudson Valley names, or is meant to in some way actually represent the region. If the layout is indeed intended to represent something more or less prototypical, then since I happen to live in this area I can perhaps offer some insight and point out some areas that might need re-thinking. Of course, if it's supposed to be completely freelance, disregard this post. Major logging was long gone from this area by the mid 20th century, having been reduced to mainly some small family operations by then. A vast area of the Catskill region had been set aside as a state park around 1912, so lumbering had ended. Between 1940 and 1950 most of the motive power being employed by railroads on the west side of the Hudson were aging steamers (O&W, D&H, U&D, et al.), plus some doodlebugs. Modern (for the era) diesels were mainly limited to the NYC on its West Shore line. Passenger traffic inland from the river was largely comprised of taking tourists to and from the Catskill Mountain resorts in the summer. Major industries along the Hudson and to an extent inland were brickworks, cement plants and bluestone quaries. Milk was also a major product to be moved and to a lesser extent, farm products and farm supplies. You make mention of including a segment of the Erie Cannal on the layout but this was situated a considerable distance north from this area (up by Albany). The D&H Canal was nearby in the region but had ceased operation back at the turn of the century. NYW&B
NYW&B It is freelance. But I wanted some history in it. Always liked the NYC and most of the rolling stock I have is from the NYC. Did a lot of research about the NYC in Manhattan in the 1900-1950. On the other side I like the logging operations, scenery etc. Tried to design a layout that was based on Manhattan but I had to make so much consessions that I stopped trying. That is why the H&C Ry was born in my mind. A little bit of both themes I like. So I looked a little north of NY to find the woods I needed. But close enough to have that urban switching and a big excuse to use my NYC stock. You were not sure to determine it means to me that I did my homework not so badly. Did some research about the Catskill area and I am familiar with most of the things you mentioned. The bleustone quarries are new for me so I have some research to do. The Eriecanal and a piece of the Manhattan High-line ( end of the switching area ) were simply things that I wanted on the layout. So thank you for your input it is most welcome. Triplex. You are right about the lettering, well almost. :tb-biggrin: Chaya mentioned the Rio Grande and there were a few more. Look at the picture and I'll rest my case, but thanks for mentioning it. Picture date 1946. Thieu and Rob thanks again. Regards. Ron.
I was raised in the Catskills. You are correct about the logging. Most was minor, for local local sawmills. However, at least a couple of those sawmills made the wood stock for baseball bats. Still do today. Good outbound traffic. Bluestone was small time by this point, replaced by cement. A couple of carloads a week, maybe. Most homes in the area were still heating with coal into the late fifties/ early sixties. Maybe a couple of carloads a day. Farm supplies were pretty important. The Catskill Mountain branch was running 8-10 cars of feed, fertilizer, etc a day. Tractors on flatcars, and some autos in boxcars would be good. A car for LCL would be appropriate. As for dieselization. Most smaller railroads tried to upgrade early. O&W was all diesel by 1948, as was NYS&W. Lehigh and New England, 1949. New Haven had the Maybrook line all diesel by 1947, as I recall. NYC dieselized the Catskill Mountain Branch by 1949. My independent U&D will be all diesel by 1948, in an effort to improve service, cut costs, and hold on to the lucrative milk business, ala Rutland. Collie-2, I like the paint scheme. And the logo. How about trying the herald on just the nose. It might make the side look less "busy". The O&W didn't even bother with the name or initials on their diesels. Just the logo. Keep up the good work. It's your railroad. Do things the way you want. Frank
You mean like this Frank. It was just rolling out of the paintshop. But may be I have to send it back, the stripes are a little to big I think. That painter did not listen when I explained it. The rest you mentioned is most helpful so thanks for that. But the H&C Ry will keep some steam engines on the roster because most of them are not that old and doing a very good job. And we have our own coalmine. Think we ( the H&C Ry ) are doing very well so perhaps we will take over the NYC in 1968.:tb-biggrin: Have fun and regards. Ron.
Yes, they should be thinner. Looking at te stripes on page 3, I prefer the thinner ones. You can't have the ultimate paint scheme. Real rr's made mistakes too: the white of the Soo attracted dirt and therefore looked grimy, the BNSF scheme looks like a candybar :tb-rolleyes:, Penn Central had everything except plain black, and PRR changed its striping all the time. :tb-biggrin:
The plan does look interresting. My only comment would be all the hidden track. I really like watching my trains run from town to town, even if just a local freight, and here they are covered for most of the trip. I'd consider moving one the lines close to the front and have it wind through the hills, in the open, with the branch line above in the mid to rear. That would make for some nice running. thanks, Kevin
I actually hate to even bring this up...but are you going to want to paint and decal this design? It looks pretty hard to me.
Kevin : "My only comment would be all the hidden track." I agree that there is a lot of hidden track but that is the main line. The emphasis is not the main but the branchline. The main is just a run around and the connection to the big city. I think that the scenery on the layout is perhaps more important than the trains. If you can get that part good and real your trains will even look better and more realistic. But that is my opinion. Thanks for your comment. Chaya : " I actually hate to even bring this up...but are you going to want to paint and decal this design? " I had to laugh when I read it.:tb-biggrin: Yes you are right it will be a little hard! But : I plan to do most of the locs first in photoshop to see how they look. Keep it as simple as possible. Same stripes etc. Make an inventory what I need and order custom decals. That will left the paintwork and that will be not so hard and not the first time that I do it. It takes time but that is worth it. ( and I have the time ) And may be I can find some green or yellow shells.:tb-wink: Now the big reason why I had to laugh. I am planning to use as much wooden building kits as I can and do a lot of kitbashing, even design them myself or copy from bigger scales. So what will be the hardest part, you think. :tb-biggrin: But it will be great fun to do it. Regards. Ron.
