ATTN: retailers & manufacturers

One of the most frustrating things about this 'hobby' is the time period of equipment. I wish that more manufacturers gave more details about dates of equipment. I know that the information is out there, but I shouldn't have to do research to find out what length PFE reefers are in the 60's, 70's, etc. I have a collection from 40' to 57' reefers. All I want to do is get those Hood River apples to market.
As us newbies get into the hobby more, we will do the research. But it is frustrating not to know the dates of GP-9 SD-40's SD90's when I go into the hobby shop. I don't know of any other hobby (airplanes, maybe) like this where dates are such a factor. Can my EMD SD90/43MAC be carrying a load of old growth to the mill? Or should it be carrying silcone to the 'chip' factory? Aghhhhhhhhh

 

Believe it or not, but Mexico has been running steam for a long time. And then they switched over to Diesel, and they actually have things like the DDM45, which is nothing more the a 45 unit with a double set of B Trucks under both ends.

And then China is still using thier old steamers.

So when it comes to era, if you go forward, you won't have aproblem. Going backwards might be a problem, though. Then some things did not exist yet.

 

thanks, good points. But what about rolling stock? 40' boxcars for example, are they still manufactured? Or is everything 50' or longer now?

 

Generally, the 37 footers were the older cars. 40 footers came in around 1920-1930. 50 footers came in with the replacements for the early diesals, about 1960 or so. This is no means a comprehensive list. Remember, that the railroads drove the manufacturing of cars. Some railroads still run 40 footers, some don't. Its all a matter of cost and availability.

 

To the fellows in the Portland, Oregon, area: There is an N-scale event called Meet-N-March being held this weekend at William Walker School in Beaverton. You can probably find someone there that will be happy to answer all the questions that you have. There will be a large Ntrak layout on display and swap meet tables. Wish I could be there! For more information:

http://www.hobbysmith.com

 

I understand your frustration, but to many, myself included, doing the research is a very important part of the hobby. The historical nature of the hobby is one aspect that attracts people to it.

It couldn't hurt though to have more manufacturers put a brief blurb about the history of the car on the box, a la Microtrains. Deluxe Innovations does this, as well as Atlas puts a blurb on the sides of the locomotive package.

 

A valid point, Barry. MTL is putting this information on their rollingstock now, so it would be very easy for any manufacturer to do the same as most have done the research for the model and paint schemes.
AJB points out deLuxe and Atlas are doing so as well.

To gain a good insight into the time periods various types of rollingstock, at least those made by MTL, were used, have a look at George Irwin's Unofficial Micro-Trains Release report page - http://www.irwinsjournal.com/umtrr/ - and read up some of the release reports. They give time periods particular cars were in use according to information retrieved from the Official Railway Equipment Registers (ORERs). Very helpful information but relates to Micro-Trains' cars.

With locomotives, it is just as hazy. The Conrail Cyclopedia - http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/locomotives.html - has information on the many models that Conrail rostered listing their build dates. That would give a good idea of time frames up to the mid-90's.
There is plenty of written material available such as Kalmbach's Locomotive Spotter's Guide. Diesel Era is a good source of information on locomotive models and those still kicking around. Extra 2200 West is another.

As ajb said, research is part of the hobby... as frustrating as it can be at times!

Gary.