Model Railroad Podcast

  





hosted by: Ryan Andersen & Will Ayerst
Model Rail Cast #15
Wed, Jun 4, 2008
Posted by: Ryan Andersen

Notes for Show #15

Crew Lounge
ATSF in N gauge, LMRR in HO and the usual site/show update summary.

Railway Postoffice
Thanks to all who have commented!

Round House
Are YOU an armchair modeller? Let's change that!

Coaling Tower
Joe Fugate's Operation Sessions Vol. 2, and Model Railroader July 08

Archives
Running a railroad using timetable and train orders.
(click here for a MRC railroad map and sample train order)

Branch Line
This Random Year in History: 1907

Interchange Tracks

 

Please don't forget to call 206-202-2395 to leave your comments and let us know that you listen to the show.

Download the enhanced (ACC) version of the show for iPod and iPhones, with chapters: MRC Show 15 

 
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Posted by: Will MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.modelrailcast.com
Just as a quick bit of errata for the show - The semaphores should be on horizontal = go, diagonal = approach/grab TO, and down = stop/sign for TO.

My apologies, I was a bit flustered at that point!
Posted by: jimsmodeltrains on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.stanfordhosting.net/jimsjunction
Hi Ryan and Will.

Well done on show 15. Love the sound effects in the dramatisation!

I have read in various places that getting bogged down in research is a sure way to kill one's enthusiasm for model railroading. I find the best way to defeat 'analysis paralysis' is to start building the layout, and THEN start researching, similar to what you mentioned in the show.

I thought your defense of the 8x4 and small layouts in general was well done. I have had a number of layouts around that size since I started modelling back in 70's, and each time I have learned something new from the layout. And when I started my current layout (about layout #12) a few years ago I started with an 8 x 6 feet 'L' shaped layout, and expanded it over time to it's current 18 x 9.5 feet 'U' shape, and each time I expanded it I simply added a 6x2 feet module.

The TT&TO stuff was great! From what I understand TWC (Track Warrants) doesn't have any real safety relation to a Timetable and they were initiated by the train crew, whereas TT&TO required some sort of timetable and train orders were initiated by a Dispatcher (I think).
Posted by: Jay Smith MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     neclayout.webs.com
Another great show, even though it was missing the great cohost from last week! Pretty jealous though, I'm still waiting on my June '08 Model Railroader.

How bout something on the PRR, the "Standard Railroad of the World"?

Keep up the great work and let me know when I can help again!
Posted by: Will MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.modelrailcast.com
Jim, you're right about TWC being initiated by the C&E. Each station would inform the dispatcher as a train went past (which is how the dispatcher would know if a train was running slow) and the dispatcher would make the call to change meeting points, etc. And he/she would create the orders for the extras to run as per the recommendation of the freight agents and yardmasters..
Posted by: rustyrails on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.passingloop.com
i loved all the squealing, screeching and the tooting in your "drama"!

i liked your talk about starting out in the hobby. i am an armchair/virtual hobbyist and the thought of a full blown layout scares me (making mistakes/costs etc)

Anyway, i am working around that by thinking of making a diaorma (to learn scenery making) or a micro/mini layout. i believe, you had a link to a micro/mini layout plans site a few episodes back.

just wanted to add to your suggestions for people like me to try a micro layout. it will be cheaper (in terms of materials needed) and it will let u perfect your modelling skills.




Posted by: dbrent MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008    
This Random Year in Railroad History: 1969

Alco stops building locomotives.

From Wikipedia:
After the termination of locomotive production in 1969, the locomotive designs (but not the engine development rights) were transferred to the Montreal Locomotive Works, who continued their manufacture. The diesel engine business was sold to White Motor Corporation in 1970, who formed them into White Industrial Power. In 1977 White Industrial Power was sold to the British The General Electric Company plc (GEC) who renamed the unit Alco Power, Inc. The business was subsequently sold to the Fairbanks-Morse corporation, who continue to manufacture Alco-designed engines in addition to their own design.

As far as show 15 goes...another great effort! The show has a very proffesional feel to it now. What did you decide on doing more Videos? Looking forward to show# Sweet16!

Don
Phoenix, AZ
Posted by: Ironsiderodger MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008    
This show hits with all cylinders... or pistons firing/pumping! A trainload of great info here, I love that it seems like I can count on over an hour of info and guys just talking trains. The skit was so much fun- it really adds some wonderful spice. Having Vicky close it out as well as open is so brilliant- it really opens up the program and completes that pro-broadcast edge. Well done guys- Will great to have you back!
Posted by: dmcree MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.tamvalleyrr.com
Hey it was great to have Will back. I added a photo just for him that I took after hearing the show and hearing him talk about 2-10-2 pushers on the Santa Fe. It will be at the top of that page until more photos get loaded and then it can be found in the Tam Valley RR photo set in the gallery. The Santa Fe is a great subject - it had diverse operations from fruit blocks to ferries across the San Francisco Bay. The warbonnet is one of the best diesel paint schemes.

Hey Ryan if you are looking for some improvements to the site, how about inline photos in the podcast comments?

I liked the bit about getting out of the armchair and getting some modeling done. I got out of the armchair some years ago and have never looked back and its been great fun!

Duncan
Posted by: Will MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.modelrailcast.com
Now you're just making me blush. :) Thanks for the nice comments. Just an FYI, the train order we spoke about in the archives section is now uploaded into the MRC show gallery, there's a link in the show notes that you can click if you're logged in and it'll take you straight there.

Duncan, I agree with pretty much everything you said about the SF, thanks for the pic of that steamer. Kato does a Mikado in N that I could decal for the ATSF but apparently it's a real pain in the butt to convert to DCC so I don't know if I'll actually have steam pusher ops, but it's nice to see it's there if I do go that route...

Rustyrails - building a micro layout is totally different to building a small 'regular' layout in approach and result - not to say it's less by any means, but a micro layout can't hold my attention by it's own premise! :)

Tchuß!
Posted by: RobHinkle MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008    
Another great show guys.

The old standby 4 by 8 is always a good place to start with for someone who's just starting since it doesn't involve much wood work or construction. There are a couple items that most people have with the 4x8 sheet. First being that it's difficult to move a full sheet of 4x8 plywood around, second you will need a room size of at least 12x10 if you wanted to have a full walkaround layout. One alternative that's been done is called the Heart of Georgia (http://www.hogrr.com) which is designed to be operated from the open pit in the middle of the layout. It's an interesting concept and something that I've looked at. It allows a larger radius for the track and since it's designed for operation from inside it can be used in a smaller space.

On the TT&TO operations I operated last year at he Operations Road Show (http://www.railsonwheels.com/ors/opershow.shtml) which is a modular style layout that was setup to teach that type of operations. For the train orders they would have a position that would take them from the dispatcher and put them at the train order locations on the layout. The signals would be set to show that there were orders and you would have to stop and check to see if they were for your train. I've got some photos from that layout which I've posted. They have the rules posted that they use on layout (http://www.railsonwheels.com/ors/quickopsguide.shtml)
Posted by: dmcree MRCS Pioneer on Wed, Jun 4 2008     www.tamvalleyrr.com
Some suggestions for making a 4 x 8 layout much more interesting. First use a 2' piece of foam instead of plywood as Ryan suggested in an earlier podcast. Second for a much more visually interesting railroad, place a second piece of foam about 18" high vertically across the middle as backdrop and provide a couple of tunnels at each end for the track to pass through. Now you have two visually separated scene. You can paint the backdrop sky blue or glue on a commercially available printed backdrop. Elevate the track use the foam risers that Woodland Scenics sells that you can buy at most hobby shops. Use some of the black foam to make a roadbed. You can stick the track down with Arlene's tacky glue (Michael's craft stores). I weight the track down with soup cans until it dries. Where you want a town or a yard next to the track just glue a piece of foam on which to build it. Roads can be made using cardboard. Using foam like this, you can build the basic layout in no time and make one that will be much more interesting than the basic Plywood Pacific. Also a foam layout is lightweight and can be easily moved. My 2cents.

Duncan
Posted by: dmcree MRCS Pioneer on Thu, Jun 5 2008     www.tamvalleyrr.com
OK guys I tried to find something interesting in the history of the Southern Pacific in 1969. I have 5 big thick books on SP history and I have concluded that nothing remarkable happened in 1969 on the SP. A lot of diesels were used to run a lot of trains and that seems to have been it. Sorry!

I also have a book on the history of SDA&E. It interchanged with the Santa Fe at one end in San Diego and with the Southern Pacific at the other in El Centro. Southern Pacific bought it and operated it until the SP abandoned it. Now you can ride a section of it as a tourist railroad starting from Campo east of San Diego.

Duncan
Posted by: Douglas on Fri, Jun 6 2008    
Another great show guys. I always enjoy your skits. It is a great way for this newbie to learn new things.
Here is some quick railroad facts from 1969:

Colorado, where I was born - In 1969, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad line was listed by the National Park Service as a National Historic Landmark. The film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed on location at the Durango and Silverton line around this time.

Arizona, where I grew up - Due to unprofitable branch lines being either abandoned or sold, the last ATSF passenger service was in 1969 in all of the Arizona cites and towns. Amtrak took over passenger service shortly afterwards.

Maryland, where I live now - The Western Maryland Railway, an American Class I railroad, which operated in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, introduced the Red White and Black speedletter paint scheme in 1969.

Keep rocking the model rail scene.
Posted by: sajay MRCS Supporter on Sat, Jun 7 2008     bs-and-t.com
Great show as usual, Ryan and Will! Sorry I didn't get a mug shot in before your deadline. I've been a little tied up (errrr... ) make that bandaged up.

I did a number on my thumb with a table saw earlier in the week and haven't been able to do much since. If you use a table saw and don't have, or use, featherboards you should. It would have saved me a lot of inconvenience.

Scott
 
 
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