I know we have a couple people around here that will take...liberties with kitbashing and what the run on their railroad. Which is all well and good and I'm all for it. My question is, do any of you come up with a logical backstory for what you've done? For example, on my freelance road, I'm toying with the idea of having a locomotive manufacturer/rebuilder online. In my makebelieve world, This company will probably operate as a sort of combination of Motive Power Industires and Railpower technologies. A lot of rebuilds, maybe it homebrew engine or two and alternative fuels and such. Has anybody else come up with such a background?
I'm a member of the Proto-Freelance SIG group on Yahoo! Groups, and there are several members there who have fictitious motive power companies (Stephens Railcar comes to mind). Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pfmsig/ and check it out. You may have to join to read the messages, but it's free, and the moderators are good folks. (edited to put in correct address) [ July 07, 2005, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: friscobob ]
I keep my motive power realistic to what would be found between 1965 and 69. Allows me to mix GP30's, F3, GP9's, GP40's, SD24's,etc... for interesting, yet realistic lashups. I do have a couple "odd" locomotives. One is a GP9 with a Western Maryland-style chop nose, which is Chicago, Pittsburgh & Eastern #2411. It is currently a work in progress. (maybe a pic tomorrow for W.E.F.F.) I am also planning to create two what I will call "RB22" which is a 2,200 hp Road Booster unit (cabless of course) from a GP38 and a GP40. All rebuilt CP&E units come from the main locomotive facility in Parkersburg, WV. I just look at prototype rebuilt units (Paducah-Built GP10's & 11's, ATSF GP60B's) and let my imagination run free.
I guess this sorta says it all: I do have a story for most if not all. 1) 2) Steam will be used for excursion trains 3) The reason I don't need overhead wire for my Bullet and Boxcabs: 4) In my world the GN took over the UP. Engines painted at the "Hemi Skunk Works" 5) The GandG will have at least 2 and maybe 3 industries dedicated to building “new” cars and engines. My “beast” will be the first. 6) The Grey and Grandure serves the Grey Valley with the interchange at Grandure. The GN and CP Multimark move heavy tonage from parts unknown to Grandure. They pick up product from the Grey Valley. While the GandG has it's own scheme, (Picture in my sig), they have negotiated with the BAR to buy and not repaint a couple of GP38s. The GandG home scheme GPs will be used in DPU service and rented to the GN and CP for long haul to Points Un Known. [ July 08, 2005, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
I have my own locomotive leasing company (MATX) that I use for my friend Bill Boyd's Kearney & Black Hills. Basically, we do everything to electrical and power upgrades for railroads to buying old units and, leasing them out or selling them. We do a lot of work (right now) for the UP and the Kearney & Black Hills. Units that have had work done on them get small MATX reporting marks somewhere on the cab. Otherwise, we'll do everything (including paint) to get the loco up and running for the purchaser as quick as possible. Here's one of our sold off units: And one with our reporting marks (front of the cab):
My home railroad (DARR) has it's own leasing branch as well Deanne & Anthony Rail Lease (DARL). Currently, they have a single SD60M, a former UP engine. They will have some others soon, consisting of entirely patched over UP locos (i'm a little grumpy at Uncle Pete's lawyers and accountants, so this is my way of striking back). Just need some more time and trim film to add to the fleet! beast
Moriches Truck And Electric (MATX) has been the exclusive supplyer of motive power to Gregory Terminal (My brothers N scale layout)
Now there's someone with a very fertile imagination! Boxcab E50 </font>[/QUOTE]And a day off from work all to himself with no dates, obligations or worries. Bonus: I'm sober
Logical back stories? Sometimes, yes. The PRR acquired a New England railroad sometime in the early 50s. This accounts for non-PRR engines running through New England, and also for PRR engines running through Boston. Sometimes, no. Or at least a feasible one. My beastie kitbash resulted from two Mehano FA-2s colliding head-on at their typical lightspeeds, and fusing into this:
I wish my backstory was better developed, but up till now it's been more of an availability issue. Got a good deal on some CR units, patched to be less noticable. I've played with different schemes, but nothing that can be concidered absolute. My problem is with my era the dash 8s are too new to be used equipment, and not sure if we're big enough to afford new engines. So they will eventually be replaced or I need to fast foward a few years.
The backstory on my layout is that its a beltline thats only been running for a few years and is showing a healthy profit. Hence it runs several steamers and some 'new fangled' diesels. Set around 1965, they are stretched to capacity so dont waste time painting the original road colors off their 'new acquisitions' (which are used locos from other roads) and simply paint the new logo directly over the old roadname. (I'll show you my logo when n-scalar gives it to me...damn vacations !!)
The newest MATX rebuilds going into service on Gregory terminal is a F7 rebuilt into a road slug, it is currently at the Louis Ave shops awaiting paint and couplers.
I run Anything From Diesels to High Speed Electrics and when I get asked where do the High Speeds Get there Electricity from I just Tell them the Truth : They are Fed Electricity from power Pickups in the Track... Subway Style..Although Having Cantenery for the High Speed Electrics would look good, the expense cannot be justified and kind ruins the Country Out lay I plan..
So, for you modern guys, what about Alco? Anybody keeping your alcos running in a class one? Anyone whatifing Alcos? I was thinking that my made up company woudl deal with Alcos. Maybe not always the full engine but at least the bodies and trucks (road slugs). Unless I can figure out some decent logic to account for the EPA allowing all that turbolag smoke and an inexpensive way to handle upkeep.
