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We've been hearing what era folks model on a previous post. It got me wondering, what is the most difficult problem that you have in modeling your particular era? For me, it is finding accurate models of the era, both engines and rolling stock (not to mention buildings and people). I now scratch build most of the buildings , but the other problems remain . Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John
------------------ Colorado and Southwestern, the Top of the Rockies! http://jstrainstation.homestead.com
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John, You know what's really interesting? How much of what peoples lives were like such short time ago, that has been forgoten. I model the late 1930's. Trying to find informnation on industries, passenger car movement, freight movement, buildings etc is really tough. It seems as though we know more about the pharos of Egypt than we do how our grandparents got there groceries. I got a story from a lady at the Pueblo historical society about her mother, in Salida, Co. getting the first fresh oranges and bannanas they had ever seen---they were delivered by railroad. What does all this have to do with model RRing? I guess it adds a dimension to our models that gives them a lot more personal meaning-historical (in my case somtimes hystarical)modeling. Anyway, trying to get it right is the toughest part of the sport for me. Scott
Posts: 127 | From: Gunnison, CO, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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Well put Scott!! I think this is also a major obsticle for modeling my era, and perhaps all eras. Research is fun if you have access to the right materials. I think I may have mentioned this before, and if so bear with my weak memory: my company excavated two section houses along the RGS line near Dolores last year, and did some work at Carbonera along the old Uintah line. Once the data has been crunched I hope to write some popular articles regarding these. I am thinking MR or Shortline Gazette, but may also look to post these somewhere on the net. The artifacts tell a very interesting and personal story of the folks who lived and worked in these areas... maybe of some use to you when they are done. Happy Modeling!! John
------------------ Colorado and Southwestern, the Top of the Rockies! http://jstrainstation.homestead.com
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My biggest problem with my era is finding the correct prototype. I model the N&W up to the merger. Not too many manufacturers offer hi-hood versions. Also when they do offer a model that is correct for the railroad, it is a model that didn't show up very often if at all in coal country. The unit was one that was acquired via merger and may have had a low short-hood and no dynamic brakes. I will admit though, that manufacturers are becoming more sensitive to this in the past year or two. Hopefully this will no longer be a problem. Stewart is putting out feelers for a hi-hood C628; Atlas is going to come out with hi-hood GP38's and GP40's; LifeLike (non p2k) has toy GP38 shell with a high short hood, the will work on an Athearn GP38-2 chasis and LL P2k did a good job on a low-hood GP20 with Dynamic brakes that the N&W got second hand. So maybe times are a changing for N&W and Southern fans too.
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The big problem with modelling even the current era, is limited runs
If you came in too late, or can not afford a particular locomotive, or whatever at the time it appears - too late! You have no chance to get one later on, except by maybe picking one up on the used market.
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, but the other problems remain 
. Good luck and Happy Modeling!!
