Right-of-way as a prototype

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Someone on another board mentioned that he could tell I modeled the PRR just by looking at the right-of-way, even without seeing the rolling stock.

This was a great compliment, of course, [:I] and at the risk of seeming too proud, I’ll offer the thoughts to you guys I offered over there on the subject:

“Thanks for the kind words! I guess I’m lucky in that the PRR right-of-way was SO distinctive… Keystones everywhere, PL signals, stone arch bridges (I have one of those, too), two-tone brown interlocking towers, lots of line poles, etc… It’s pretty easy to get it almost-right with only a modest amount of research. Other railroads may not have had such unique engineering, and their rights-of-way might not always speak for themselves. Signalling systems are one way to mark your ROW as belonging to a particular company.”

In other words, the reason I got it almost-right was because the PRR is such a distinctive prototype that almost everyone knows and that is unique to it.

How about other railroads? If I saw an A-frame signal bridge, I’d say Santa Fe even before I saw the war-bonnet F3s.

If I saw an interlocking tower on metal stilts, I’d be thinking NYCRR in the midwest.

If I saw narrow gauge track in the mountains on a steel bridge that looked like it was built for standard gauge, I’m thinking “D&RGW San Juan Extension.”

If I saw color position light signals, I’d say B&O!

If I saw square lattice-girder catenary over four tracks, I’d know it was New Haven even before I saw the FL9s.

My point? If you model a prototype, the right-of-way is as important as the equipment in setting the scene. Some railroads (like mine) slap you in the face by telling you exactly who they are, and others may be more subtle. But all have something, from lineside structure color to signals, that says “this is who we are.”

My PRR right-of-way:

[img]http://kc.pennsyrr.co

2

Dave, affrimation like that is really easy on the ears, isn’t it? It must have been quite satisfying to have heard that compliment. And, yes, I believe I understand what you mean. You know your railroads, in general, even though you model the one (best, as it happens…[:-^]), so you can say what you did about recognizing various settings, such as the rights of way.

Is guess freelancers, such as I, must be content with what we derive when we don’t have fidelity to one prototype. I was never keen on modelling, per se, only in making something believable. In that respect, and with a few improvements to come, I think I can be content with that. For someone such as yourself, with what you have placed before you in the way of a goal, I can think of no other more satisfying thing than to have another say you have done something well.

-Crandell

3

Dave,As a former PRR brakeman I hope your track is in better condition then the real track.[:O]

Your track does look good.

4

Thanks, Brakie!

Unlike the prototype, my track is reliable… no derailments except when:

  1. I forget to align a switch properly, or

  2. (as many N scalers will attest to) an Accumate coupler drops its pin and another car hits it, or

  3. One of the kids and/or dog hits the layout, or

  4. A no-kidding bad-order car. Those are whisked away to the workbench where they are either repaired or cannibalized for parts.

I’m a firm believer in the hobby starting with flawless trackwork. I’m less concerned with appearance (hence Code 80) as I am with ensuring trouble-free operation.

I ran my layout at the last show for 16 hours (8 each day) with maybe a dozen derailments, all but one of which could be attributed to a reason above.

5

Thanks, Crandell! I’ve been a fan of your modeling for some time.

Even freelancers can do this, such as someone modeling an Eastern US railroad using eastern-style interlocking towers and stone bridges… A freelanced Western railroad might have adobe or mission-style stations or wooden trestles.

On the one hand, prototype modelers have less “explaining” to do to visitors.

On the other hand, prototype modeling hs its pitfalls. The PRR, for example, has such a hardcore following, many Pennsy fans (SPFs) can spot an oversized signal head disc or improper signal configuration, and will say things like “Looks good, but that wall on your model of ALTO tower is about 30% too long” or “Nice, but you model 1956 and the tower on Lewistown Jct station was removed prior to 1956…”

I’ve heard that said about railroads like the RGS. For example, we have all seen so many pictures of Ophir Loop, for example, that even a non-RGS fan would notice if the Alta tramway was missi

6

I agree with the “no-kidding bad-order car” rule. Most of my fleet either dosn’t have knuckle couplers, or is bad order. I have around 20 operable cars (including passenger cars) at the moment, with less than half being in the correct era. (most of my cars were inherated from my great grandfather.) I am in the process of repairing my bad order ones, although it is happaning VERY slowly.

7

Pitty you didn’t get to work there when their trackwork was called the Standard of the World.

8

I don’t know that it was their track that was refered to as the standard.

Most folks I know believe the “Standard Railroad of the World” referred to the idea that all of its locomotives and cars where built to standard plans and had interchangeable parts.

For example, the K4 4-6-2, L1s 2-8-2, and I1s 2-10-0 used the same boiler and cab (firebox size did differ).