Is anyone modeling the RBMN? I’m planning a new layout now and am thinking about taking it on because of the modern architecture but still primarily a coal hauling road. I’d love to find out if anyone else is modeling this road that could share some of their research – it’s darned difficult at times getting it all put together!
Thanks,
-Greg
I started too, before I backdated my layout. The best source for Reading & Northern info is their website http://www.readingnorthern.com/.
In HO, Athearn produces a R&N SD50, Con-Cor did a run of hoppers (I haven’t seen any for a few years), but you’ll have to custom paint everything else. Microscale and Highball Graphics make decals for the locos, but I don’t know of any decals for the cars.
Nick
I noticed there were some RTRs out there for RBMN and figured I’d have to custom paint the rest. Ugh. Not much of a painter though - might be more than I can handle!
It just seems like such a PERFECT road though - modern with ties to regional hauling.
Having grown up in PA (and Nick, I might end up as a neighbor to you – my family might be relocating back to PA in the near future and Phoenixville/Collegeville are areas we’re looking at) in the 70’s and 80’s it’s what I know.
Bleh - I hate trying to figure this stuff out. Maybe I’ll go with my original idea of an alternate history where Conrail actually didn’t unload all the “marginal” secondaries and instead kept running them and their branch lines.
I’m still interested in anyone who’s done RBMN though - I’m on the fence and I really WANT to be convinced!
Greg,
Sorry, I’m modeling the Reading mid-40’s to mid-50’s, but I see the RBMN in action quite often. I think modeling the new Yuengling Brewery would be real interesting. They’re a regular customer of the RBMN (pictures on their website of the inaugural 2003 delivery). The brewery is located between Port Carbon and St Clair, right where the old Reading classification/service yard was. The approach to the brewery is screaming to be modeled, in my opinion.
Also, I think the scenery along the Schuylkill River in Port Clinton makes a great prototype to model.
Good luck and welcome to the forum.
That’s one of the things that draws me to the RBMN - it’s regional, it’s the “area” I want to model and it hauls coal in addition to other “neat” stuff like beer. 
I just with Google Earth had better data on the region - you can’t zoom in very far in the Port Clinton area to get a good overhead view of the rail lines and finding maps isn’t the easiest. Maybe I’ll try to contact RBMN directly and see what they have to say.
Something to concider, with the exception of it’s locomotives, and coal hoppers, R&N has almost no other rolling stock.
Yes, the paint on the locos may be a little complex, but the Highball Graphics decal set includes all the yellow striping as decals. And for a long time, the hoppers where plain black, with a red end, and simple white lettering…just the reporting markings, no logos. Although, the hoppers now have the “Road of Anthracite” logo. You might be able to fudge it with just a black diamond.
Also, R&N has run through agreements with both NS and CP. So, there’s some more variaty to add to your operations.
Nick
True - that’s one of the things that drew me to it - the fact that mainline operations has run throughs for CP (I didn’t know about NS).
My life would be a lot easier if I actually wanted to model steam .
Yea, you’d only have to figure out how to put a Wooten firebox on an existing locomotive. LOL
Don’t confuse the issue with the facts!
Still working on the RBMN details – I wish they had a more detailed system map up on their site or some ZTS maps. I guess I can reference old Conrail maps for the information and then try to add in the new track RBMN has laid down since then (like to the brewery).
For anyone else interested in the R&N there’s actually a Yahoo group that includes railfans and employees.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReadingandNorthern/
I’m hoping to get more information such as track charts from someone through there but it’s an interesting mailing list with lots of pictures!