I am a novice teenager who lives in the home of real estate, New York City. My brother is moving on to college, and where his bed was leaves a blank space… 4x8, to be exact. While advice is helpful, I am asking only this one question: “Which protoype would be best to model for me?” Here is some info about what I’m looking for:
This will be in N scale… not as small as you might’ve thought five seconds ago. So maybe we could go farther than the Stocking River Ry. [:)]
I have no preference for regions of the U.S., nor specific railroads, though I would like to model in Class I. (CSX-NS-BNSF-UNP-CP-CN-KCS-Amtrak)
As you could probably tell by the list of Class I railroads I just gave, I am more interested in the modern era, what I consider maybe 1960’s and up. Anyway, why would a teen like me be interested in modelling something I am completely unfamiliar with?
It’s all personal prefrance. Some people like the Applation Mts., some the Midwest, some the Rockey Mts, and some the Cascades. You could model NorthFork and Western or NS. You could model CSX, or BO, or Chessie System. You could Model Milwaukee Road, or Soo Line, or Burlinton Northern. You could model Montana Rail Link, or Rio Grande, or Southern Pacific, or Chicago North Western. There are SO many choices. You could also model, you could guess, Wisconsin Central. But if you don’t want any of the Other railroads, you could make a Freelaced railroad. I would like to model one later on called the Montana Western, Basicaly it’s MRL.
If I were you I’d probably do a bit of reading on each of the roads you’re interested in and then see which one “speaks” to you. You’ll find one that seems a little more interesting then the others. Then it’s just a matter of homing in on that prototype and learning about what about it interests you the most, and then model that.
Think about the kinds of industries you might like to model, and then associate them with geographical areas, and finally look at what railroads serve those areas. I personally find coal interesting, but you could consider containers (think coastlines here) or general small-load deliveries like furniture (older rust-belt, New England.)
John Armstrong’s “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” is a worthwhile investment, about $22 at Borders. For a small layout, it’s probably better to lean towards small industries, rather than mega-sized unit trains which are hard to model realistically, even on a large club layout.
Also, think about what sort of scenery you’d like to model. A fishing village doesn’t belong along the main line of the Rio Grande.
You’ve narrowed down your timeframe a bit, but 1960-now is still pretty broad. In 1960, the engines and cars were shorter, and looked better on tight turns than today’s locos and rolling stock. Again, that’s an advantage in a small space, although less so for N than for HO. Your railroad’s era, though, can be manipulated a bit by swapping out engines, rolling stock and automobiles, as long as you avoid anything that’s “too modern” (like a Taco Bell) or “too old” (like an old Western saloon.)
And one more thing - buy slowly. Don’t get more than you can digest at once. It’s tempting, when you’re at a train show or see a great bargain, to stock up for the future. As often as not, though, you’ll end up with purchases you’ll later regret, and you’ll be tempted to follow them in directions that aren’t really what you want.
Why don’t you pay a visit to your local hobby shops, (LHS’s) and see what on your list is available. It would make things EZ if you can get your stuff locally. I live in Tn. but I model CSX and CP Rail. The shops near me mostly sell southern lines like L&N and Family Lines, so I’m stuck buying everything off the internet or mail order.
Is there a particular scene that sticks in your "mind’s eye’ when you think of an Amtrak passenger consist? Amtrak has trackage rights on freight railroads.
What is the larger picture in your railroad world?
Where will the trains come from beyond the layout?
Where will the trains be going after leaving the layout?
Example: For flexibility, you might consider which railroads interchanged with each other as prototypes for geographic location(s), motive power, and rolling stock. So, you might model a primary freight railroad, interchanging with another freight railroad, with Amtrak track rights.
For maximum flexibility, you could even model a free-lanced railroad, a bridge route, that connects to a Class I at the east end and another Class I at the west end.
N Scale gives you permission to run a railroad in the same space that HO Scale only allows you run a train.
Go to you library and thumb through a stack of railroading magazines until you see a couple prototypes that you like. Then look at where they run and see if you can get a feel for what kinds of industries they service.
I’d also suggest reading my beginner’s guide clickable from my signature.
1960 isn’t even close to the modern era. 1960 would be in the 1st Generation Diesel era. I put the current modern era closer to starting around 1994. Soon the modern era will become the 3rd Diesel era, and something else will be the modern era.
The thrill of learning something new and expanding one’s horizons? There is no shame in being interested in modeling modern equipment. If that is your interest that is great. In a bigger perspective if one doesn’t expand beyond what they are familiar with (not just trains), then they are doomed to lead a very isolated and boring life.
I beg to differ, but I would consider 1960 to be around the beginning of the second generation, with GP30’s and SD24’s, et al, being “modern” power of the time. But, I think I see your point, many first generation units still going strong.
At one time or another, somewhere in life (early on, or even later in our lives), none of us were familiar with what we model, or even trains in general. I didn’t really learn much about Southern Railway until I was in my 20’s. Now that’s basically my roster (at least for motive power), or about 90% of it anyway. I run a much more diverse freight car fleet.
I kind of see your point, though. If you live in N.Y., it’s a safe bet you would model a northeastern road as opposed to, say, Florida East Coast, or Wisconsin Central, or Indiana Harbor Belt (unless you have ties to any particular region). It’s not unheard of for modelers (anywhere) to model such huge lines such as UP, ATSF, BNSF, or others because t
I model 1885, and although my daughter, around your age, thinks I was around back then, I had to do a little research to get a feel for the era.
I can understand that you might not want to do any research on your layout, but if you don’t, your going to end up with a pretty lifeless layout that is about as much fun to run as running around the block in a little red wagon.
And as a matter of courtesy, you started this post several days ago. Some people put in a lot of working trying to help you. If you do actually read this, it might be a good idea to thank them for their work.
I’m with you guys on the era thing. I was born in the mid sixties, but I model the late 20’s through early 30’s. I have to do my homework, but thats part of the fun of it.
I didnt know there were professional teenagers! [8D] [;)]
and I agree with what everyone else has said…no one can pick a railroad for you…you have to figure out what YOU want to model…
New York City has a very diverse railroad heritage! you could model 1880’s elevated trains, with small 0-4-4 commuter forneys, you could model 1950’s era New York Central and PRR, with late steam and early diesels, you could model modern era with Metro North and Amtrak diesels, and CSX along the Hudson River…and it doesnt even have to be “local”…(although most people like to model what they know…) you could model Thursday, July 27 1876 in Christchurch New Zealand! [;)]
personally, I would model something New York City based…since thats where you live…
but the great thing about Model Railroading is “there are no rules”!
If you are interested in “modern” and “local” you have a very wide range to choose from.
CSX and NS both run all over the New York City area…any and all modern diesels that they currently run would be appropriate…from older GP38-2’s up through the latest SD90’s and GE dash-9’s,
Spacemouse, it was my mistake for not checking up on this particularly old thread. (It was on the fourth page when I found it). I completely forgot about its existence, because it already moved on to the second page the next day. Sorry about the feeling of worthless typing - I’ve felt that too in our massive HW overloads. Thanks a lot, everybody.
Considering my constraints (N scale 4x8), how about this:
I have always liked all of the Class I railroads (except KCS), so how about Montgomery, AL? It is modern (or call it 3rd generation diesel era), and I don’t have to stick to one railroad, because there is evidence of UP, NS, CSX and BNSF all around this region. My only question is, should I model a path between two main lines or cities, a yard, or an industry? I couldn’t find any existing yards or industries besides cotton fields, but I would like to start out with some kind of functional yard or industry. A shortline between two mainlines is the easiest.
It’s a neat place railroad-wise (although not great for a social life!). I was there in 1996 at Maxwell Air Force Base for Officer Training School and again in 2002 for Squadron Officer School. There are train tracks everywhere. Lots of neat old mill buildings too. And a beautiful old depot that’s been restored.
However, unless you’re somewhat familiar with it already, you’ll need to do some homework. It’s far removed from New York City, that’s for sure!
Well, I am not very familiar with the area, but I chose it because it’s a crossroads between countless railroads. And plus, I do recall someone saying that modellers can model things they’ve never seen before.
