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dl85vette · ‎03-28-2005

Tried going through old threads and didn't find anything. Has anyone have a similar problem (if it is a problem) Does anyone just have the cars needed for their layout (I know some have hundreds of cars) What I mean is do you try to follow a scheme at all on what cars you run? It seems like I don't NEED all the cars I have for my layout but some of them I buy because they are unique or look cool. Now I find I almost don't have enough industries for all the types of cars. I have a bunch of 90 ton (coal) hoppers and now I got a couple of those new MTL Ortner hoppers as they look (almost) similar to the ones nearby. Guess I'll just have to expand my layout when I get a house so I can have a couple of different mines, coal and gypsum, etc... Dave Will movers wrap each RR car individually in paper? I wanna be around for that with my 150 cars ]:) And I haven't forgotten...it's MY layout and I can run whatever I want.

ginzokid · ‎03-29-2005

Dave, I'm going to let Mike get into the nuances of what length cars were from what era, when roof walks were removed and why, the introduction of 50 foot plus and longer cars, coupler and truck designs etc. What happened to the caboose and its demise. You have basically asked for a history of railroading. As to your moving, hopefully you have kept all the original boxes for your cars. When we moved from AZ to NF, the moving company said they would not be responsible for my "collection". Therefore, I just bought a bunch of U-Haul medium boxes, packed them myself,put them in the old station wagon and transported them myself. I wrapped built up structures in newspaper and peanuts in more boxes and brought them with us too. If your movers will be responsible for the insurance claims on your RR damage, if there is any, let them pack everything. We moved 4100 miles and the movers broke nothing. These guys pack stuff very well. Just check if they will cover your railroad items. Anything you have that you feel is not replaceable, move it your self. Even a money claim will not get that item back. B-)

untabubba · ‎03-29-2005

Dave, I don't know what you have in the way of "jewel boxes" for your cars. I have many "boxless" cars. Most of which I bought off ebay auctions. I bought two of these and I love them. http://www.featherrivertrains.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=hi_freight&txtsearchParamCat=... It says temporarily out of stock, but you don't need them immediately Other links for more boxes: http://www.featherrivertrains.com/FRTS_HIRP.htm http://www.high-iron.com/ http://www.high-iron.com/pricing.htm Marc

untabubba · ‎03-29-2005

Dave, To answer your other question. When I first got into N scale, I "found" ebay about the same time. I started buying wildly. I thought, "WOW! Look how cheap this stuff is"! I bought lots of stuff from transactual's auctions. I paid no attention (nor was I "schooled" in) era, theme or any other "technicality"! I just wanted to "get the numbers up"! Well, that's over for the most part. I still buy things because they "look cool". Like I am a total sucker for the red, white and blue "State of Maine" cars! I like colorful consists. Lately I've been focusing on the 40' range, thinking they fit best with my "early-mid" diesel theme. I've also tried to focus on acquiring rolling stock mostly from the eastern U.S. Although, I've seen cars from far flung places in real trains. I do have a couple modern diesels (Dash 8-40CWs) and enough 50' stuff to build a modern consist too. I don't think the "Era Consistency Police" are ever going to come to your house! IMHO: If you like it, buy it! If you buy it, run it! I don't believe in "collecting" either! (Yes, I will eventually drink each and every expensive Bordeaux in my cellar!) Marc

trmwf · ‎03-29-2005

Dave, First off, you will be much better off to wrap and pack them yourself. If they do it at all, they will grap four or five cars, stack them in a little pile then wrap newspaper or wrapping paper around them, grab 4 or 5 more and continue the process until they have all your stirrups and couplers broken. You should pack and wrap them and put them in a well padded box that they will then mark and handle on the truck with a notation that it was owner packed to absolve themselves of any responsibility. I always packed and moved all my rolling stock and engines and took them with me by car along with any fragile buildings. Secondly, I keep my rolling stock strictly to the era that I model and go even further to keep them limited to what there is a purpose and need for. In other words, since there is no piggy back ramp on my layout you will not see any TOFC cars either. Every car must have a purpose and be usable at at least one of the industries that I have. Since I model in the late 40's , early 50's most of my stuff is short with only a few early 50' cars. There are still plenty of the wooden box cars, both inside and outside sheathed and they are realistically pretty drap with only a few colorful reefers, none of which are mechanical, getting iced at the dock or spotted at a couple of produce warehouses. The coal hoppers are all 50 and 70 tonners. I run steam and early diesel most of the time but occasionally bring out the second generation units for a brief stint and will change the rolling stock accordingly when I do. When I do this, every car still must have a purpose so there are still no TOFC or multi-level automobile cars around. I don't know what era you are modeling if any but if you need some help with what would be around during that time I would be glad to help you but I am no expert if you need exact dates that the last wooden boxcar was around, or when the first mechanical reefer appeared. prof

dl85vette · ‎03-30-2005

I guess my post was partly a comment and part question as far as what you folks do for a scheme but I thank you for your time for posting. I don't expect anyone to type out a volume on this however PROF I would love it if you did a low level high speed fly-by on the topic. (sorry,expression) Basically just put in point form the evolution/decade/era of rollingstock (if you're willing) No need to talk about trucks as MR mag has had those topics. Just stuff like when mech reefers took over, did another type come after that? length of boxcars,lack of running boards, I have a vague idea of coal hoppers. presence of the longer mill gondolas fairly straight forward stuff. For your question, I am into the generation where BN started/existed up through to the BNSF merger. (made that mistake 'cause I wanted the itty bitty Atlas N scale green F150 extendedcab to resemble mine. D'OH! I like mostly the GP38 ,SD40-2, SW9,SW1200 locos. But I have a Dash8-40CW and a couple of SD60, 3 GP20s thanks to Doug 🙂 and plan on getting a GE AC4400 for my Canadian National "north America map" paint scheme. So I guess we're looking for 70 - late 90's for time frame. My rolling stock is horrendous. I buy what I think is cool so therefore I have stuff (husky stacks, twin stacks, autoracks)that won't serve any industries but rather run from one yard,thru my town, to someday another yard. For industries I plan to have; I have depressed center flats,bulkheads, Centerbeam Flats,boxcar, flats, covered hoppers, cylinder hoppers,gondolas, 90 ton coal hoppers, Ortner 3 bay hoppers, Grain car, tank cars- beercan,normal,33K. Most of my boxcars are becoming to be the 50 footers,with a few thrall all-door cars. It's pretty much a mess Prof. I just like the cool looking stuff that is out there. I know it's my RR and I can do whatever but I like others opinions of what they like/dislike,etc, thoughts for improvement, anything that make us enjoy our RR more. thanks in advance Dr Loco who lost his caboose.

ginzokid · ‎03-30-2005

If it don't have a caboose, it ain't a train. I'm old and that is that. I have more time than anybody, but I just don't feel like rewriting the history books. Maybe between prof and I we can come up with some web site to visit for history or suggest books on the subject. I'll look over the weekend to see what I can find. B-)

untabubba · ‎03-30-2005

Dave, Didn't you see my link to the new MR book about the history of freight cars from WWI to present? Marc

ginzokid · ‎03-31-2005

Marc, What link? Can't find it. Dave, try this one: http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/12450.html I'm still looking for more info. B-)

ginzokid · ‎03-31-2005

Dave, Here is another book. http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12190.html B-)

untabubba · ‎03-31-2005

Dave, Pete's link in post #9 is the book I was referring to. It looks pretty informative. Especially for guys, like me, who have very little "practical knowledge" of real railroads. Marc

dl85vette · ‎03-31-2005

Thanks. I'll check out the links. Dave

dl85vette · ‎03-31-2005

I saw the industries along trackside advertised in magazines. I thought that might be the next book I would get. Now that I see the freight car book too, it looks of interest. Anyone have these, are they worth getting as far as good material inside? dave

trmwf · ‎03-31-2005

Dave, I personally would think the "industry" book would be a waste of money unless it was area specific. All you have to do is drive around a little and look, do a little research on the area you are interested in etc. prof

dl85vette · ‎04-01-2005

Hopefully where ever I get posted to the RR industry will be much better than here. I will get to be like every one else as far as being a drive across town to see action and ideas. dave