A Proper Introduction

[mickoo]

Perhaps, ummmmm, N scale might be a more pragmatic choice?

Mmmm no, O is fine it's not the train you hang on the back that interests me, it's the loco it's self and after Richards recent Gauge 1 (Spur1) postings I'm finding a hankering for something bigger as my interests continue to evolve. I'm not a big fan of Big Boys but much prefer the Challengers.

Simon, Peter oh dear that's a slippery slope you drag me onto , I'm guessing this might be O gauge ? very impressive.

Simon, DD40AX is basically a Double sD40 A - cab and I think X is for xtra large cab, previously you had the DD35A and DD35B which were double SD35 with standard cab (A) and double SD35 booster without cab (B). In fairness you are forgiven in Jims picture (very nice) the second water tender (yellow) behind the Northern (4-8-4) is a converted Gas Turbine oil tender. Sticking with Turbines, it's the Veranda's that tick my boxes and I've been collecting data for some time now, same for the U50C and Challengers....one day...when I've finished inventing my machine to days 28 hours long

 

[Dikitriki]

after Richards recent Gauge 1 (Spur1) postings I'm finding a hankering for something bigger as my interests continue to evolve.

You know you want to Mick It's great fun doing something totally different

.when I've finished inventing my machine to days 28 hours long

Blood hell Mick, that's setting your sights low. It came as a great shock to me recently when I found out I wasn't entitled to 36 hour days

Cheers

Richard

 

[mickoo]

You know you want to Mick It's great fun doing something totally different



Blood hell Mick, that's setting your sights low. It came as a great shock to me recently when I found out I wasn't entitled to 36 hour days

Cheers

Richard

Yes I do, more than I think I even imagine myself and will expand that vein elsewhere in due course, I don't know where it will go, I've no idea of a destination, or specific subject matter (though I do have a 'very' short list, five or six items to pick from), but that does not phase me as I've realised it's the traveling that I get a kick from the most, not the arrival.

36 hours, pish man, 36 is easy, I did a 44 hour day to finish a flight sim project for publication once, mind I was buggered for the next 72!

 

[Compton castle]

Hello and welcome along, I model British outline in 7mm but I'm just starting a HO Norfolk & Western mid 50's layout, the allure of American steam was too much

Jim,
welcome; I look forward to seeing your progress. Does your UP interest go as far as any knowledge about the coal towers at Laramie of Cheyene? we are after some detail information.

SimonT

http://www.westernrailimages.com/Union-Pacific-Railroad/Union-Pacific-Railroad-1950s/i-GZLXZfB Try this web page for some fantastic pictures

 

[ceejaydee]

Hello Jim and Welcome to WT

Great intro.

 

[SimonT]

Try this web page for some fantastic pictures,

pure BigBoy porn!

 

[Big Train James]

Hello and welcome along, I model British outline in 7mm but I'm just starting a HO Norfolk & Western mid 50's layout, the allure of American steam was too much

http://www.westernrailimages.com/Union-Pacific-Railroad/Union-Pacific-Railroad-1950s/i-GZLXZfB Try this web page for some fantastic pictures

Yes, I had seen that thread on the N&W. A worthy subject for sure. I presume you have been following on line the most recent restoration of the N&W J class 611? I remember, back in the late 70's/early 80's when they first put it back into service. My dad and I chased it around for a while. I really need to go through his slides and see if I can find any images of it. It truly is a beautiful locomotive.

Regarding that Westernrailimages site, I stumbled on it last night while looking around for coaling tower photos. Like I need another distraction to eat up hours of my day.

I'm certainly no expert on the N&W, but if you have questions or need assistance from this side of the pond, let me know. I spent my youth around the less interesting flat parts of the N&W, in northwest Ohio. No bridges there like the rather grand one in your photos. I'll also suggest that you take a look around the site for the N&W historical society. They are very well organized and have an incredible amount of content available online. And one can order copies of most photos and drawings from their store.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Big Train James]

pure BigBoy porn!

I've got three of them within 100 miles of me. One theoretically under restoration for return to active service. Now if only the once vaunted UP steam program can get it's act together and finish anything, I'll be in prime position to witness under steam a Northern, Challenger, and Big Boy, possibly all at the same time!

As an aside, there is a lot of blather on forums over here about the UP steam program. For the first time in a long time, if not forever, the program doesn't have a single steam locomotive in operable condition. It's interesting to note that the 4-8-4 has never actually been retired from active service from its build date in the 40's.

At any rate, this past weekend the UP ran the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo train from Denver to Cheyenne and back. Normally this would include all streamliner era passenger equipment pulled by one of the UP steamers. Not this year or last even. Last weekend they used the dd40ax and their brace of three streamline era passenger units. A fellow posted a video of the trip on the OGR forum. I cannot help but notice that there is almost nobody chasing along with the train, nor even that many at grade crossings or other vantage points. Unless the videographer had a police escort he essentially had the event to himself. This is a far cry from the past years with steam heading up the train. Impenetrable traffic pacing along the train, with hordes of people waiting track side all along the route.

It's a sad state of affairs. In contrast, the N&W recently recommitted to their steam program, pulled the J out of a museum, refurbished, and had it back in operation in less than a year.

Jim

 

[Big Train James]

.... At the time I was there the NKP Berkshire was regular runner and I watched John Wilks single handedly build his NYC Niagara. So if you're building something we're interested!

Adrian, somewhere around here I've got pictures of the Berk from my childhood. It was a semi-regular visitor to in the northwest Ohio/northeast Indiana area. I'll have to dig out my dad's slides and see if I can find some images.

Jim

 

[Big Train James]

Peter and Simon,
I will send off an email to Bernie Winkler in your behalf regarding information on the coaling tower. I will pass along Peter's email address for a direct response, or alternatively I can act as the middle man and forward information along as I receive it. Fingers crossed that he is in fact the correct person, and also that he has said information.

Jim

 

[Big Train James]

...We are now great friends with the family whose daughter she roomed with - they live near Longmont and pretty much annual visits by us to them or them to us have happened ever since.

Peter, when next you are in the area feel free to shoot me an email. If you have any spare time I can drag you around for a bit and we can look at trains. Actually, this offer stands for anybody that might find themselves in the general Colorado area and would like to meet up in person.

Jim

 

[mickoo]

Actually, this offer stands for anybody that might find themselves in the general Colorado area and would like to meet up in person.

Jim

How much are internal flights in the US? say...Orlando - Colorado, probably do it in a couple of hours direct I reckon. I've long wanted some 'Big sky' photos in my portfolio, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, any state will do .

 

[Compton castle]

Yes I've been whiling away many hours on YouTube watching videos of 611 and I'm going to get a few DVD's with Archive footage of N&W steam in the 50's

 

[Big Train James]

How much are internal flights in the US? say...Orlando - Colorado, probably do it in a couple of hours direct I reckon. I've long wanted some 'Big sky' photos in my portfolio, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, any state will do .

Lol...of course it depends on the lead time for the ticket purchase, but probably about a four hour flight direct from Orlando if such a thing exists. Depending on timing and your ancillary needs (baggage, in-flight tv, in-flight liquor service, pre-flight liquor service, etc.), I would guess $300 to $400 round trip on one of the "discount" airlines - i.e. Frontier or Southwest. Fares on Delta or United will typically be higher unless deals are found, but they are of course full(er) service airlines.

A quick check of the Frontier and Southwest sites - time taken away from surfing the web reading super important model railroad forums mind you - verifies that both have non stop flights from Orlando to Denver and that prices fall into the range I've suggested above. Hotel or my couch as required. We can use my car, unless you're the type that prefers to rent exotic sports cars while on vacation. If so, then we can use your vehicle of choice. I love to feel my hair blowing in the breeze at high speed.

Flight times were roughed in as the middle of August and the middle of September. You mentioned on another thread recently your countdown to your Florida trip, but I only vaguely recall it was about two months hence. So these times were estimates. But the pricing wasn't significantly different.

If you get serious, remember that Frontier is ala carte and that everything beside the base ticket costs extra, even a normal to large size carry-on. Southwest may cost incrementally more for the ticket, but includes two checked bags and a carry-on plus a trivial soda and snack in-flight. Also, let me know as I get promo emails from Frontier on a regular basis discounting certain flights at certain times.

Let me know when you purchase your tic....err... decide that you might visit. I could try to arrange some layout visits in addition to prototype adventures. And possibly a tour of the UP Heritage program shops in Cheyenne.

Jim

 

[Jordan]

...Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, any state will do .

All this Dark Side talk.... I'm in a right state....

 

[Big Train James]

All this Dark Side talk.... I'm in a right state....

You have my sincerest apologies. But do try to keep it together, mate.

 

[Dog Star]

All this Dark Side talk.... I'm in a right state....

You have my sincerest apologies. But do try to keep it together, mate.

Jim.... Jordan does keep it together, maybe with the help of a fifth wheel coupling and some Susies.

 

[oldravendale]

Here is a shot of the model before I pull it apart to add more etched confetti.
View attachment 46322

Simon

Didn't know you did knitting, Simon.

B

 

[Big Train James]

For anybody that responded to my initial intro, that I have not specifically responded to, I would like to thank everybody for the warm and encouraging welcome to Western Thunder. I'm best positioned to contribute content and insight on US outline railroading, but I shall do my best to chime in when relevant and be as interesting as possible.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Big Train James]

Simon and Peter,
I've been on the phone with Bernie Winkler regarding the coaling tower discussion. I will send off an email tonight summarizing what I've found out.

Jim