I’ve been a modelor for some time now, but I have trouble getting information or pictures to show proper placement of detail parts given by the many product manufacturers out there to give realism to locomotives I have in my collection. I want to portrait any locomotive to its full potential and would like to make it look as real as possible. Take Proto Power for instance. They give you several different variations of parts, but no real direction as to what to do with them or where to place them. You certainly want to place them in their proper place. I was wondering if someone could tell me if there’s an easy way to find the information I need to detail whatever locomotive I have in my collection? Any help from anyone would be a step in the right direction.
Well, the question becomes, what is your prototype…? Manufacturers may include parts for different roads, as they often had a standard or practice that varied from other roads that may have had the same “base” engine. Same goes for the “after-market” super detailing parts - different styles of (for example) horns may be available based on what the particular railroad installed.
The “Fallen Flags” railroad site is a good place to start your prototype research - lots and lots of photos, and some drawings, etc…
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/
Then try the historical society for your particular road, builders (if still in business),etc.
Andrew
It’s worse than that to do it accurately. You need to get pictures of individual units you want to model. Believe it or not they will differ in many details like grab irons, repairs, piant schemes, features, production changes and a host of other reasons. yes you can asume that most engines as delivered are pretty much the same but there will still be differences unfortunately. One other thing you can count on - no matter how much research you do and how much effort you put into it some rivetcounter will tell you it is the worst version he has ever seen.
This is great. I appreciate all the input. I mostly deal with Western Railroads, such as: Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Sante Fe, but I also have BNSF and Burlington Northern railroads. I certainly know that many roads and prototypes will very, but I just want to ensure I’m using the correct parts and placing them in the correct position. There’s nothing worse than finding out that you’ve made a very bad mistake on a locomotive and have to change it later. I’d rather do it right the first time. I have everything from C44-9’s, SD45’s, SD40’s & -2’s, SD70’s & 75’s, SD90 MACS, GP60’s Standard Cabs. Period’s range from 1970’s to present.
This site that was mentioned will it provide close-ups of areas I need to concentrate on as far as detailing? Thanks for the input and I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Since you model what I would call the contemporary era you will likely see in operation prototypes you want to model. I’d suggest you buy and always have with you a digital camera. Also do a search in the Magazine index. As you are interested in specific railroads you may want to join groups which concentrate on your favorites, they publish occasional prototype information.
The Southern Pacific archive is located in Costa Mesa and staffed by a part time archivist who may be helpful to you. Contacting them may generate other leads.
As mentioned above, you are likely to have the best results by being VERY SPECIFIC in your research. Concentrate on only a few prototypes, by individual engine number and year if at all possible. In my experience its half the battle won when you do.
Keep a DEDICATED NOTEBOOK and write down every scrap of information which comes your way, even ideas and leads which don’t work out. Index it by date. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing you saw a piece of information which you can’t locate.
Once you have made your selection(s) post requests for photos in this and other likely forums. Be persistent, eventually what you need will surface.
Good Luck
Randy
The Fallen Flags site relies on contributions of photos, so what you see is what you get. It is a huge site, so I imagine that you might find at least a few useful things there. Since you are modelling a more modern era, Randy’s suggestions about a camera and notebook are good. (You’ll have a much better chance of getting a shot than I - I model 1920s and 1930s, and almost nothing remains of that era…). Also, if you manage to get some great shots, Fallen Flags would like to have a copy. I have managed to get one shot up there - it’s of a Sperry Rail Car.
Good luck!
Andrew
you didnt mention where you lived but if live close to a bnsf mainline or bramch you can get pics of bn and atsf locs even bnsf and foreign power to detail your motive power consists
some pics on rr-fallenflags are close ups others you’ll have to guess at
tom
Oh thank god,I thought this thread was going to tell me i had to either weld or bolt all those misc. little detail parts to my Athrean engines…Whewwww !!!
Wait…you’re NOT going to weld or bolt as required? Anybody got the realism police’s phone number?
Realism doesn’t mean real…
Hey guys /and girls. I just noticed that it is that time of year again. Time to send in your donation to The Fallen Flag Website. Check out the website for donation information. George Elwood is the owner and he does this on his own time. So he need our HELP. I will send in my $25 next week. Check out the names on the contributors page. You will recognise many of them!!
Mike Dickinson