If you have set a rule for yourself, even if no one else is aware of it, knowingly violating that rule is, “Cheating.” This applies with equal validity to model railroading and solitare.
In 1964, there were only six (count 'em) DD51 class diesel hydraulics on the Japan National Railways roster. I own two, deliberately given low single-digit numbers - and disregard the fact that the JNR would probably NOT have assigned them to a secondary main connecting noplace to nowhere.
The first DE10 didn’t appear until 1967 - so my model resides in a display case (but is available if the need for a diesel freight loco becomes sufficiently dire.)
I had questions about my oldest Bo+Bo catenary motors. Happily, I learned they actually survived into 1965, so I don’t have to apologize for using them to power unit coal trains.
As for the rest of my rolling stock - I actually had eyeball contact with every road number (locomotive, MU or non-MU passenger and freight car) on my roster, so I KNOW they are valid.
HOWEVER - once you cross over to the private railways, standard or narrow gauge, that interchange with the Kokutetsu, all bets are off!
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in 1964 - with tongue in cheek)
It ain’t cheating, it’s modeler’s license. And, since it’s my railroad, I can change the era to suit my fancy. Sometimes I run steam, sometimes I run the pre McGinnis maroon and gold, sometimes I run the Mcginnis bluebird paint scheme. Sometimes I mix 'em up. Forget about Guilford gray. There is no reason to deprive yourself of the pleasure of owning and operating rolling stock of any era. If you like it, buy it or build it, and run it. You can always invent a cover story if you care about such things.
I model as though the CNW bought the UP. I’ve got patched engines that didn’t get patched and someday I’d like to get some engines that the CNW didn’t have and letter ‘em up for the ol’ ball 'n bar. It was stated quite succinctly that there is a bit of artistic license involved with this hobby, but yet if you set a rule and break it…that’s a broken rule. Bottom line: do what makes you happy. Me personally I don’t think anything built before 1980 should be running and better yet if it’s 1990 and on. Each to their own…thats one beautiful thing about this hobby.
I started out to model the 50s and 60s era, with lots of f units, gp7s and 9s, and Alcos. Then I got involved in trainwatching, and had to have some modern power. So I bought some AC4400s C44-9Ws, SD-50s and 60s, which I run when the Prototype Police aren’t watching. This week, in my monthly toy order, I received a couple five unit intermodel cars, and a bunch of 20 and 40 foot containers. However, I still run cabooses on all my trains. But keep this real quiet and top secret. I’m getting ready to order a couple of those flashing EOT devices. [(-D]
I should add here, that I spent the summer of 1962 hoboing around the country on freight trains. Got several rides in F-7 cabs, and a GP-9. I also rode the L&N passenger trains home on leave, from Biloxi, Miss, when I was in the Air Force. So that era is close to my heart. Oh, I also worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio for 15 years, before they merged with the B&O. So my train preferences span several eras, from the 60s to today. Life is short. Have fun!
Is it me, or does Chesapeake and Ohio have a much nicer ring to it, than CSX Corp?[sigh]
“In 1990, CP Rail purchased the D&H, and the CSX-financed Dash 8-40B engines were returned. Also around this time, the NYS&W ordered a new Mikado-type 2-8-2 steam locomotive from the Tangshan Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works in China. The locomotive was built and placed on a Norwegian cargo ship bound for America. However, the ship sank in the Bay of Bengal, and the locomotive was lost. In late December 1992, the railroad completed the purchase of a similar locomotive from the Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut. This unit, known as #142, or “The 142,” was also built at Tangshan, in 1988.”
Just barely, but it’s close enough for me! [tup][:D]
Hey, I’m modeling the RDG - every one of their steamers had a Wooten firebox. You know how many models have a Wooten firebox? I can count them on one hand.
So, it’s either build, modify or compromise. I just don’t have the skills to do the first two yet, so I chea…er, compromise.
It’s not so bad - as long as I can get the right decals, I can fool some of the people most of the time -including me.
The guy that mentioned the excursion deal took the words right from my mouth. I have a few F units and old Alco PAs and FAs and a handful of some pass. cars that will be for the excursion. I cheat, but only with the numbers. I model the WC and SOO from around 1994-1999, and in the late 90s (97andup) the WC renumbered some of their SD45s into the 7XXXs from the 6XXXs. Thats about the only thing Im cheating on, and probably a small amount of my rolling stock. Oh, and some of the SOO units arent in CP or Candy Apple paint yet.
I run Steam Engines and SD75I’s at the same time. My layout is based on the Ontario Northland from its beginning to now. I don’t restrict myself to a time frame anymore, its just not what I want to do.