To the contrary. If done with a reasonable degree of care and accuracy, the scale that is modeled is not at all relevant. On the other hand, building a layout in any crude fashion one sees fit, lacking any attempt at an approach to a reasonable degree accuracy and realism, is not model railroading at all. Rather, it is just playing with toy trains, like kids did with their Lionels back in the 1950's. Incidentally, regarding an "NMRA mentality", I would point out that participating in even a single evening's NMRA convention layout tour (be it at the national, regional, or even by division level) will serve to show you more examples of real model railroading than you'll find displayed on these general forums in the course of a year or two. That level of accomplishment is what sets those truly deserving of the title model railroader appart from those who simply just "play with miniature trains". NYW&B
I don't doubt that there are some awesome layouts- I have seen some in person. However, you constantly seem to deride anyone who isn't modeling, say, 3:15 PM Sunday August 4. Sorry, but that drumbeat is getting a bit old- I don't look down my nose at anyone who participates in this hobby. ANd it doesn't matter if the modeler is, say, Tony Koester or some newbie- they are all simply playing with trains. It's how serious onw gets that is the difference. SUggestion: lighten up.:tb-sad: It's a hobby, for crying out loud. RRfan- my suggestion to you would be to limit your modeling to one specific decade, say, the 1950s, '60s, or '70s. Dig back in some of the model RR mags as well as some other periodicals to see what vehicles, buildings, etc. were most seen, what locomotives were used, types of rolling stock, etc. Don't try to nail it exact the first time out- it's a learning process, and you should have fun as you learn & grow in this hobby. I model in the late 1970s, but still operate some diesels from earlier eras (why? because I can) once in a while. Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to have fun, regardless of what some folks say.
Exactly! Thank You Friscobob, that about sums it up. Some of us need to not take themselves so seriously. Ease up, brothers, there's room for all of us in this hobby.
i think i will try to model the 60s with some modern trains because most of my stock is modern freight
Despite this rather pointless debate I'm seeing, I'd like to throw in a couple of thoughts. Regional differences certainly come into play here..While the 70's was rough for Northeastern railroads, it was prosperous for the South. Modeling efforts should reflect that. During the 1970's, a lot of local traffic in the North/Midwest was going to trucks. The opposite happened in the South and Plains region. During this time, every Southern town had a propane dealer, a woodyard, a TOFC ramp, and some kind of feed mill. The flexibility of the Southern railroads (SCL, Southern) allowed them to attracted huge new manufacturing and warehousing facilities, adding significant traffic to their lines. Early intermodal boomed during this time period as well. Another icon of the 70's was Amtrak, using some of their first generation power (and using a lot of 'local' power) for their trains. There are a lot of differences between what is 'Modern' and what it was in the 70's. For example, during the 1970's, 40' trailers were everywhere. Later, during the 1980's, 45' was prominent. So the point is, if you stick your fancy 50'+ trailer on a 70's era train, it'll look out of place. Small details like that set the time.. Also remember that 85' flat cars were also widespread during this time, so you can't use your modern 89' TTX cars. Other vehicles also can determine the time period. You can look at any older picture and tell when it was taken just by the various cars in the background. My layout is interchangeable. I model a Seaboard Coast Line branchline in the 70's, but by changing some buildings, locomotives, and other details, I can transform it into the modern day shortline that operates the branch. The key is being flexible. Hope this sheds some light on the original question.
i dont have alot of older equipment and all i have is a wide collection of 89' or 85' foot flats i mostly have modern equipment and i want to use concrete ties for the outside main really badly and wooden ties for the inside main
Sorry but I have to say that using concrete ties will solidly set your era to post 90's if you are truly trying to set some type of remotely realistic era. Some things can be fudged, generic, or replaced...but concrete ties don't fit into attempting to stretch an era.
Not necessarily. Concrete ties were applied by the Seaboard Coast Line railroad on the Americus Subdivision in rural Alabama as early as the mid-70's. They were experimental though, and the idea never really caught on. Of course, they were not widespread by any means, so that wouldn't fit into the average 70's era layout.
i will find a way to manage to put it in a remote area of the layout where it will look more modern will that weathered track where the ties are not evenly spaced fit into a 60s 70s ara or will that be too modern for modern shortlines i am so exited about this hole this
If you're going back in time and you feel you want to back date the scene, remember those box cars, catwalks and friction journal boxes... It ain't just automobiles... And while you at it, get those cabese out of there... Have fun guys... Who knows... It could be the 844 for the UP, helping out on a freight once in a while...
For the late 60's and 70's be sure to add ACI markers to your freight cars. ACI markers were a black panel with multi-coloured stripes use to keep track of freight cars and so on. The ACI marker on the caboose is between the hearld and the car number.
The ACI system worked well as long as the marker was kept clean so the scanner could read it. Dirt was the enemy of the system so it was replaced by a magnetic identification system.
That's exactly right. I have a booklet from the SCL showing diagrams and standard locations for the ACI markers. Quite a revolutionary system that was ahead of its time.
