G'day all, Following a suggestion from SwissRB on the N-scale board, I would like to know which, from North American to European prototype, you prefer and the reasons (or lack of them) behind your choice. Speaking for myself, although being French, I am fond of US and Canadian RR and would not go back to French proto modeling for anything. Someone stated that european trains show more variety because there are more countries in Europe than in North America. I respectfully do not agree with that opinion. Since European railways were nationalised just before or after WWII, there have been a strong rationalisation in motive power purchase and fitting (including paint schemes) leading for a sort of uniformistic looking. For instance, France, which is equivalent in size to 2 western states, has got 1 RR company (SNCF), nearly 1 paint sheme (motive power and rolling stock) at a time, since 1938. I don't think it is what one call variety. The same apply to nearly every other European countries. Regarding operation,when a rural US or Canadian station had an average of 5 online customers by the 50's,a same French station had rarely more than two, including a freighthouse and house track. Regarding passenger consist, in the days of Super Chief, 20th century Ltd and the like, French passenger varnish had the same pullmann green cars everytime, everywhere.(the same applies to British Railways or German Deutsch Bundesbahn) IMHO, North American prototypes are more challenging than European, if not from a raifan point of view, at least from an operator point of view. Now, what do you think ?
Having got attracted away from UK railways to US railroads only 5 years or so ago, I have often wondered what it was that pulled me. I think in my case it was the functionality of it, which falls into two categories. One is that most of the equipment (excepting the early 'streamlined' diesels - which I don't much care for anyway) is built to work with little regard for appearance. That appeals to me aesthetically. The other is the way the railways were built originally - flatten ground, ties on ground, rail on ties, run trains. And in the US many or most railways preceded the habitation so they have prime position. The European railways came long after the population and so had to wind their way around existing towns, etc. It makes for a different 'feel' somehow. Operationally I doubt there is much in it between US/Europe, but as with the construction of the lines themselves I think the US has a slightly more casual and frontiering feel to it. There is also a definite freight bias to US, whereas Europe has a very high passenger proportion. But the bottom line for me is that at present I'd take an SD40 over a Class 66 any day - even though inside they may be very similar.
As an American, i never thought about modeling any other countries railroad since i had a real love for what i had grown up around-the Pennsey. What i like about European RRs is their double cab models. My favorite locomotive is the GG-1, and it has the ability to "swap fronts", and it seems alot of the ones i see pictures of in Europe have that same ability. I've been told American locomotives don't have cabs at each end because of the expense involved-the "Little Joe" was a noteable exception. I like the sleek, smooth lines of "A" unit type locos myself. The DE-AC33C Blue Tiger that IHC is selling is my idea of a really fine looking loco. Thanks for asking, Curt
I have always loved the European steam locomotives, seem I was brought up on them. My dad has this really cool OO 0-6-0 Toy Steamer, "Pano the Train" as also a european steamer. And they go real nice in any expansive scenery with its little tight quiet towns along the way. American for size(unless you look into the russian steam...they had some real giants, 8 foot guage track...the works!, and european for that real character(every steamer I have seen isn't really a duplicate, or it seems.
At Warley Show yesterday, was an N scale modular layout which was running a very large range of prototypes. We noticed: BNSF double stack BNSF piggyback (with two sets of my spine cars!) German Pacific steam locomotive and passenger train A superb (Kato, I think) Japanese high speed train British diesel railcars, several types French TGV Several British diesel locomotives on freight and passenger trains Several British steam locomotives on freight and passenger Japanese Railcar, again a superb model Virgin Railways HST and possibly several more Each train was correctly matched with at least one module as it passed around the layout! and they seemed to be having fun [ 21 October 2001: Message edited by: Alan ]</p>
Hi Alan, This is a neat exemple of global railroading, the "best of everything" Sometimes, I dream of a big layout where I could have linked dioramas representing prototypes, locales and eras I like: New England with BM Pacific Northwest with NP and Milwaukee, Midwest with CB&Q, CNW and UP Southwest with ATSF and RI Mountains with WP and DRGW and at last, "old South" with SOU or SAL Not very realistic, unless you own a stadium and have a crew of 100 operators, but fun to think of. marc
I grew up in North America, and have lived here my hole life, having never left North America. Personally I like to model what I see. However, that being said about 2 weeks ago I spotted the Class 170 DMU from Bachmann in the Midland Mainline paint scheme and I thought it looked sharp. From the railfan point of view I am starting to look at both NA and Europe. But I think I will always prefer NA just becuase I know it so well, and see it almost every day! Happy Railroading! Dane
