US Steam Locomotives

[ChaoticRambo]

I think it needs more crossovers, some mountain streams, and a few more farmhouses.

Actually,

it is extremely accurate representation.

The crossovers are all in their appropriate locations, and the houses are properly placed. It is so mountainous in this area, that there are very few farms (got to go further west for that).

Also, very few streams oddly enough - although the guys over at RSC did make one error, the tunnel that goes under the tracks at horseshoe curve is actually for a small channel used to direct water - it was never a railroad or auto tunnel. There is also a river going just next to the auto tunnel under the curve.

An interesting note also about horseshoe curve is that their used to be two separate Ys that went off of each corner of the curve up to different branch railroads.

[Toripony]

Actually,

it is extremely accurate representation.

The crossovers are all in their appropriate locations, and the houses are properly placed. It is so mountainous in this area, that there are very few farms (got to go further west for that).

Yes, so I am learning. I realize now that I'm more familiar with the south side of PA and the northern part is different.

[ChaoticRambo]

Yes, so I am learning. I realize now that I'm more familiar with the south side of PA and the northern part is different.

I live in Northeastern Ohio, and as my dad and I are railfans, we have traveled to horseshoe curve many times as well as the Pennsylvania RR Museum at Strasburg and the Museum at Altoona. When we go to Horseshoe Curve, we typically stay in the Station Inn, which is right next to the tracks in Cresson just bellow where the helper service area and Y is. Another note, RJ Corman still operates the coal trains coming out of that Y onto the mainline where NS takes over the trains, can be entertaining seeing the vast assortment of RJ Corman locomotives.

[Kali]

As a funny note - I would have to imagine that if a Brit went to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum without knowing much about US Steam, I bet he was surprised by the size of them. The British Standard Gauge engines were tiny by US comparison.

I was 8 the first time I saw a US train, you can imagine how ridiculously large it appeared :) UK trains are small by European standards, let alone US. I don't think I've seen any US steam in the flesh unfortunately, the scale must be stunning.

And Interesting note I found when looking some stuff up. The German BR 52 2-10-0 was LIGHTER than a US Narrow Gauge K-36.

Well, it was a bit of a run-anywhere design. If you want heavyweight narrow gauge you need to look at Africa...

If anyone does locate some drawings for a NYC S-1 ( S-1b is probably best given there were more than one! ) in a book or similar, please do let me know; I'm not averse to buying books for plans, provided they're not ridiculously priced.

[ChaoticRambo]

If anyone does locate some drawings for a NYC S-1 ( S-1b is probably best given there were more than one! ) in a book or similar, please do let me know; I'm not averse to buying books for plans, provided they're not ridiculously priced.

Best place to look for drawings are museums. Try contacting a few and be sure to mention why you want to see them. I would suggest start searching fro NYC railroad museums

[scl]

Some US Narrow Gauge engines would also be very cool.


As a funny note - I would have to imagine that if a Brit went to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum without knowing much about US Steam, I bet he was surprised by the size of them. The British Standard Gauge engines were tiny by US comparison.

And Interesting note I found when looking some stuff up. The German BR 52 2-10-0 was LIGHTER than a US Narrow Gauge K-36.

LOL! I've never been to the Pennsylvania RM, but I did see first-hand a logging Mallet stuffed and mounted on a length of track by the roadside near Flagstaff, Arizona. That was an impressive sight, and that's a baby compared to standard gauge Mallets!

Still, at least some of your locos weren't giants . I really wish the Sandy River & Rangely Lakes RR and its compatriots would be covered in RW (sorry TS2012!!).

Ken

[LandN]

I have a lot of Railroad Model Craftsman and Model Railroader magazines which carries plans regularly of steam locos. Would be glad to scan them for anyone interested in building a US locomotive.

Jay

[Kali]

There must be some forums somewhere for US scale modellers? over here we have RMWeb. While it's aimed at people building physical models, as you can imagine it's still a valuable resource for us building virtual ones, our research needs are similar.

I also came across this book which looks promising for anyone, actually; just wondered if anyone had it and if they could check - even if there's no plans of this specific engine one of you might find some inspiration for a different one. I'm aware there's a book on NYC steam, I'm looking for reviews of that.

To build a model you need either an accurate scale drawing with one known dimension you can scale all the rest off, or a less accurate one with all the dimensions known, and then lots and lots of photos. Or well, you can find out a few dimensions and try and eyeball it, but I'm not sure how well that is going to work out for a complicated shape like a steamer :p

[Toonces]

I guess what would really light me up would be some of the streamliners that were developed and used late in the steam era. Like this one, for example (at the Baltimore railroad museum):

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bomuseum/co490.jpg

but there are a lot of other really cool ones that were made. I suppose the advantage from a modeling perspective is that a lot of the engine is covered in a smooth metal skin.

[plethaus]

I guess what would really light me up would be some of the streamliners that were developed and used late in the steam era. Like this one, for example (at the Baltimore railroad museum):

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bomuseum/co490.jpg

but there are a lot of other really cool ones that were made. I suppose the advantage from a modeling perspective is that a lot of the engine is covered in a smooth metal skin.

I agree, I would LOVE to see some of the streamlined ones!

[nickelplate]

If anyone does locate some drawings for a NYC S-1 ( S-1b is probably best given there were more than one! ) in a book or similar, please do let me know; I'm not averse to buying books for plans, provided they're not ridiculously priced.

Here you can get a CD with NYC S-1 mechanical drawings. http://nycshs.blogspot.com/search/label/books

The price is high but I will purchase it for you if you build, a Niagara, Mohawk or Hudson.