1930s - 1940s
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Thanks Kennedy, thats very helpful.
The 1930 to 1940 era brought some big changes to the railroads so they looked very different in 1930 than they did in 1940. One example is that in 1937 the Interstate Commerce Commission bans "billboard" type advertisements on railroad cars. This doesn't mean that the "billboards" went away, they just could not go through the interchange.
During this time the railroads were still trying to get rid of all the USRA stuff they had aquired during WWI, but then hit the depression head on.
There were many changes such as those two that almost dictate picking a specific year to create a believable railroad during that time period.
There were a few box cab diesels introduced in 1924 (also a few gas & gas-electric). The first GM switching units were 1934. The Zephyr Diesels came out in 1934. It wasn't until 1941 that the GM FT unit was introduced. Even then it didn't get into service in a big way because WWII hit. GP units didn't appear until 1949.
So for Diesels in 1930-1940 you get a few early (seldom created in model form) switchers and a few passenger locos: EMD NW1-NW4, the "transfer" locomotive, SW1 (1939), Alco H600 & H900(1937), Baldwin VO660(1937), E1s & E3s (1937).
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OldGettysk
Running the MC & Buffalo
Steam Locomotives with some early Diesels in the forties .
GWT&P
Member
As was said, medium to large steam and a few early diesels in the 40's.
As far as freight cars go, wood box cars (from outside braced to double sheathed) and steel side AAR design in the late 30's to 40's. The Accurail web site has built dates for each type of car they sell, which is helpful. Just remember, you can have older cars than your era (and some were around a long time), but you shouldn't have newer ones.
As far as freight cars go, wood box cars (from outside braced to double sheathed) and steel side AAR design in the late 30's to 40's. The Accurail web site has built dates for each type of car they sell, which is helpful. Just remember, you can have older cars than your era (and some were around a long time), but you shouldn't have newer ones.
Maxitrains
Member
well from the little I know, I guess the 50 to 60's eras had a bigger mixture of diesels, and also steam, because steam was used for a long time even after the diesel was commonly used. Correct me if I'm wrong.
OldGettysk
Running the MC & Buffalo
The Norfolk&Western used steam right into the seventies they where one of the last holdouts !
HaggisKennedy
Coal Shoveler
Branch line or mainline? If branch line, then you're talking about smaller steamers, like ten-wheelers and smaller. You may see the occasional Pacific (older 4-6-2 relegated), same with 2-8-2s.
If mainline, then you could do the Superpower thing besides the more modern 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s. 4-8-2, 4-8-4s, 4-6-4s.
For diesels, basically F-units and endcab switchers. Alco roadswitchers as of '41. E-units for passenger work.
Freight cars, there's a book published by the NMRA called the Postwar Freight Car Fleet. But, it covers freight cars from 1898 to 1947. Which basically means that depending on where you are, you could see a lot of these cars roaming around. 40yr lifespan, you know.
Book is pricey, $65 for non-members. I want to get a copy eventually, once I find my NMRA membership card....
Kennedy
If mainline, then you could do the Superpower thing besides the more modern 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s. 4-8-2, 4-8-4s, 4-6-4s.
For diesels, basically F-units and endcab switchers. Alco roadswitchers as of '41. E-units for passenger work.
Freight cars, there's a book published by the NMRA called the Postwar Freight Car Fleet. But, it covers freight cars from 1898 to 1947. Which basically means that depending on where you are, you could see a lot of these cars roaming around. 40yr lifespan, you know.
Book is pricey, $65 for non-members. I want to get a copy eventually, once I find my NMRA membership card....
Kennedy
brubakes
Member
Branch line or mainline? If branch line, then you're talking about smaller steamers, like ten-wheelers and smaller. You may see the occasional Pacific (older 4-6-2 relegated), same with 2-8-2s.
If mainline, then you could do the Superpower thing besides the more modern 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s. 4-8-2, 4-8-4s, 4-6-4s.
For diesels, basically F-units and endcab switchers. Alco roadswitchers as of '41. E-units for passenger work.
Freight cars, there's a book published by the NMRA called the Postwar Freight Car Fleet. But, it covers freight cars from 1898 to 1947. Which basically means that depending on where you are, you could see a lot of these cars roaming around. 40yr lifespan, you know.
Book is pricey, $65 for non-members. I want to get a copy eventually, once I find my NMRA membership card....
Kennedy
Thanks Kennedy, thats very helpful.
The Nickle Plate used steam in mainline service until 1958, one of the last Class 1 roads to use steam that late. If you're going to model the 1930' to 1940's, that's a broad range for the NKP and I suspect a lot of other railroads. For example, in 1939, the NKP had a few EMC and Alco switchers and everything else was steam. By 1949, all the passenger trains were being handled by PA-1's and most freights were powered by GP-7's and various ALCO units. Steam switchers had virtually disappeared, with the high priority through freights still being hauled mostly by Berkshires. Modeling the era from 1930 to 1949 was an era of great change in railroading and it's not easy to get that whole 20 year span right on one layout.
brubakes
Member
I really am not looking for strict historic accuracy, just more of a general idea. I was mostly using the 1930 - 1940s range as more of a guideline or best guess for what I want to build. What I mean is, I love steam locomotives and want them to be the center of my layout, however I still do want some diesel just to balance it out. I just wouldn't want to put a locomotive from the 1980s on the layout or something that would be WAY out of place. When I was little I loved the 4-4-0 "Jupiter" locomotive, and I plan to have it on my layout if just for fun. Did that make sense?
HaggisKennedy
Coal Shoveler
The standard 'American' 4-4-0 lasted in some areas until the early '50s, I think. These were pretty much the last 4-4-0s that were built, or older 4-4-0s that were heavily rebuilt. Mostly with piston valves, Westinghouse Cross-compound air pumps, and other modern equipment. You'd find them on the super-rural branch lines; so remote that relegating a newer loco could well be overkill.
I think Bachmann Spectrum just released a 4-4-0 that is either DCC-Ready, or actually has their sound decoder in it. I know I have one.
My usual wish list for steamers is the small stuff, for those of us who don't have the 'Rod Stewart' layouts. We're the guys with the small table-top ones, or a spare bedroom-sized empire. These steamers are the 4-4-0, 2-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-6-2, 4-4-2. These will do the 18" radius easily, and would be perfect to pull up to 7-8 cars on a local freight.
Kennedy
I think Bachmann Spectrum just released a 4-4-0 that is either DCC-Ready, or actually has their sound decoder in it. I know I have one.
My usual wish list for steamers is the small stuff, for those of us who don't have the 'Rod Stewart' layouts. We're the guys with the small table-top ones, or a spare bedroom-sized empire. These steamers are the 4-4-0, 2-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-6-2, 4-4-2. These will do the 18" radius easily, and would be perfect to pull up to 7-8 cars on a local freight.
Kennedy
GandyDancer
Member
March 1960 to be specific.
GandyDancer
Member
Hmmm, sounds more like you want to model 1940-1950s.
The 1930 to 1940 era brought some big changes to the railroads so they looked very different in 1930 than they did in 1940. One example is that in 1937 the Interstate Commerce Commission bans "billboard" type advertisements on railroad cars. This doesn't mean that the "billboards" went away, they just could not go through the interchange.
During this time the railroads were still trying to get rid of all the USRA stuff they had aquired during WWI, but then hit the depression head on.
There were many changes such as those two that almost dictate picking a specific year to create a believable railroad during that time period.
There were a few box cab diesels introduced in 1924 (also a few gas & gas-electric). The first GM switching units were 1934. The Zephyr Diesels came out in 1934. It wasn't until 1941 that the GM FT unit was introduced. Even then it didn't get into service in a big way because WWII hit. GP units didn't appear until 1949.
So for Diesels in 1930-1940 you get a few early (seldom created in model form) switchers and a few passenger locos: EMD NW1-NW4, the "transfer" locomotive, SW1 (1939), Alco H600 & H900(1937), Baldwin VO660(1937), E1s & E3s (1937).
OldGettysk
Running the MC & Buffalo
Gandys right although they still used there famous J-class right up till ninety for excursion tours !!!
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
I would #1, settle on a roadname. Then #2 settle on a specific date. You can then look into the location of the area you want to model and come up with industries. This will tell you the types of cars you need.
Believe it or not, getting specific helps you focus your layout design and saves you money in your purchases.
One thing that helped me was that there are built-on dates stamped on the sides of the car. Also the logos of the road name change over the course of time.
I model the PRR in 1950. The logo at the time was was the Circle PRR. A couple years after my layout period, the logo changed to the Shadow PRR and the cars were repainted. Thus if I was modeling 1955, I might have some of the cars on my layout that I have now, they would just have the wrong paint.
Many beginners would say that they don't care if the paint is wrong, and you might not--now. But as you start reading and learning more and getting to be better at modeling it might start bothering you that you could have been a little more accurate in your purchases.
It doesn't cost any more to focus.
So don't start buying until you narrow your choices to
1) Roadname
2) Era
3) Industries
Knowing your industries will determine what type of rolling stock you need to service that industry. After all it won't do to have a fleet of ore cars if you don't have a mine on the layout.
The bottom line is if you focus, you don't waste money and you spend your resources in a smart manner and end up with a lot more of the really cool stuff that does fit your layout.
This is coming from a person who bought a lot of stuff, settled on what I wanted then realized I had spent almost $1000 foolishly. I was able to recoup most of my mistakes on eBay, but it was a lot of work.
Believe it or not, getting specific helps you focus your layout design and saves you money in your purchases.
One thing that helped me was that there are built-on dates stamped on the sides of the car. Also the logos of the road name change over the course of time.
I model the PRR in 1950. The logo at the time was was the Circle PRR. A couple years after my layout period, the logo changed to the Shadow PRR and the cars were repainted. Thus if I was modeling 1955, I might have some of the cars on my layout that I have now, they would just have the wrong paint.
Many beginners would say that they don't care if the paint is wrong, and you might not--now. But as you start reading and learning more and getting to be better at modeling it might start bothering you that you could have been a little more accurate in your purchases.
It doesn't cost any more to focus.
So don't start buying until you narrow your choices to
1) Roadname
2) Era
3) Industries
Knowing your industries will determine what type of rolling stock you need to service that industry. After all it won't do to have a fleet of ore cars if you don't have a mine on the layout.
The bottom line is if you focus, you don't waste money and you spend your resources in a smart manner and end up with a lot more of the really cool stuff that does fit your layout.
This is coming from a person who bought a lot of stuff, settled on what I wanted then realized I had spent almost $1000 foolishly. I was able to recoup most of my mistakes on eBay, but it was a lot of work.
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brubakes
Member
Thanks for the guidance and recommendations SpaceMouse. At this point (and it keeps changing) I was going to go with a fictional and custom road. Maybe bring back my “medina valley railroad” I used to run years ago. Custom color scheme also. Industry was going to be whatever I thought was “neat” or fun to model.
However, exactly as your posts states this really leaves the door open for buying this, changing my mind, buying that, using it for a week, changing my mind, having to get something else, ect… I am still a ways out before I lay any kind of bench work, but your right, I do need to get some details down.
Even if I did do my own road I know I still want to have a full SP Daylighter train to run sometimes just because I’ve always loved the look of it. I could model Nickel Plate to the “T” and still want to run that train.
However, exactly as your posts states this really leaves the door open for buying this, changing my mind, buying that, using it for a week, changing my mind, having to get something else, ect… I am still a ways out before I lay any kind of bench work, but your right, I do need to get some details down.
Even if I did do my own road I know I still want to have a full SP Daylighter train to run sometimes just because I’ve always loved the look of it. I could model Nickel Plate to the “T” and still want to run that train.
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
Exactly. My basement layout (not yet completely designed) has a fictitious railroad that leases a section of the Southern Pacific Overland Route between Sacramento and Carson City in September 1885. That allows me to run the Rock Ridge Railroad and the Southern Pacific along the same route. The RRRR runs the local freight service and the SP runs the through freight. It is half-way up the Sierras, all trains must change power in Train City.
I'd love to run more different kinds of trains. There are so many cool trains to choose from. But when you think about it, you can't have them all and they all cost a lot of money. Wouldn't it be better to focus your spending in a specific direction so that every buck counts?
By the way, a fictitious railroad is a lot more work and money to make happen. Can't you find a roadname you like and just run a fictitious branch. BTW: The easiest thing to model is not the layout you make up. It's the one the already exists. You don't need to figure things out. It's already done for you.
I'd love to run more different kinds of trains. There are so many cool trains to choose from. But when you think about it, you can't have them all and they all cost a lot of money. Wouldn't it be better to focus your spending in a specific direction so that every buck counts?
By the way, a fictitious railroad is a lot more work and money to make happen. Can't you find a roadname you like and just run a fictitious branch. BTW: The easiest thing to model is not the layout you make up. It's the one the already exists. You don't need to figure things out. It's already done for you.
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