Greetings all, and my aplogies if I am breaking any taboos as far as where to post, but just wanted to introduce myself as a newbie… but not. I have actually been a hobbyist for quite a few years, then life got in the way, and now I find myself re-entering the hobby at 52 years of age. I am new since there has been so many changes in available ‘equipment’ and new techniques, but when I was younger had quite the layout in my basement. I now have a 2 stall garage to play with [:D] and am eager to get back to what I enjoyed as a kid.
I can remember growing up in Minnesota an old system called the Minneapolis Northfield and Southern as well as having worked in the old Soo Line mail room for a year as a teenager. I am interested in modelling either something from that era (60s) and area or something from West Texas, which is where I am now. Any help for finding info on MN&S or info on what lines may have run in west Texas would be appreciated.
Where in west Texas, I’m from El Paso , left there at 18 to go in the service, never went back, miss it though. Thats why I model the Southern Pacific, Bid yar in downtown was an SP beehive when I was young.(that was a long time ago) 58 now.
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] to the forum rkasparek! Nope you haven’t broken any rules… This is the place to say hello! Glad to have you back in the hobby and don’t hesitate to ask (and answer) questions here at the forum. You will find us to be a generally friendly and helpful bunch.
Do a Google search on “Minneapolis Northfield and Southern”, lots of information shows up.
And of “west texas railroads”
In the '60’s the CB&Q (now BNSF) ran through Amarillo from the joint line in Colorado towards Ft Worth. The RI came in from Oklahoma City, towards Tucumcari NW. I believe that the AT&SF was also in the area.
MAN, 1 post! Boy, you really are a newbi, but not!
Welcome back.
I think you’ll find that there are many here who can help you with info on either of those lines, just not me. I model a freelance based on the Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR in Maine so I’m not going to be able to help you a whole lot.
It’s nice that you have some real square footage to work with. Thats a luxury that alot of people don’t have.
Hey stop by the Coffee Shop ( a thread on this forum) and introduce yourself. Fine bunch of guys in there and a real laid back atmosphere. We talk about jsut about anything in there, not just trains.
Wow! What a great response from you guys! You make a fella feel welcome - thanks!
As far as what to model, Still jumping between the two - Midwest or West Texas. Hafta say that although I do love West Texas, amd still maybe missing the lusher greens of the midwest as well as the fall colours, so maybe that’s what I may do to combat the 'homesickness" ::
I don’t suppose you’d be at all interested in backing up about 10 years? If you were to do the transition era for your road, and maybe on up to the 1964 timeframe, you could still run steam and the most modern diesels for the time…fudging things a bit, of course. If you are not particularly interested in running steam locos, then back to 1960 you go. Just a thought so that you don’t paint yourself into a corner unecessarily.
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