Kudos to J3a for reminding us that IC was a Harriman road, too.  Too often when I think of Harriman roads, all the come to mind are UP and SP.

Les

Mark,

First, I want to say you have a great website that is a resource for the hobby.  It is very through in its scope.

I don't think I ever saw the Bachmann-produced Erie-builts.  I did see some Con-Cor-V Line UP Erie-builts at a model train show in Amarillo in the 1990's.  I was tempted to buy one, but passed it up in favor of a Con-Cor 5-car MP passenger car set.  Then as now, only so much money to spend on a hobby, and it was one or the other.

The MP set was more important to my plans than the UP loco.  I think it would have been a good loco, as I have a two-unit Con-Cor PA set that is only on its second power chassis since 1979.

Although the Erie-builts were low in numbers produced, they were widely used by railroads in the East and Midwest.  I can think of examples operated by UP, ATSF, KCS, MILW RD, CNW, NYC, PRR, and possibly more.
CP in Canada.  Some of these railroads operated them in freight as well as passenger service.

Les

In another post on this subject, I suggested Bachmann produce N-scale Erie-Builts.  I did not know a previous run done as a subcontractor was the subject of litigation.  Nonetheless, I believe these would sell.

The fact remains that there has been a dearth of streamliner-era passenger cars for the past 40 years.  Most of the cars currently available are models that were introduced prior to 1975.  Not the prototypes, mind you, but the models themselves.  Most of these have been improved over the years only by the addition of knuckle couplers.

These 1970's-era models (of 1950's-era cars) form the backbone of my N-scale passenger fleet, and see regular service.  Most of these were converted from Rapido-type couplers to MT couplers around 1998-99 (just before the MT patents ran out).  I converted 350 passenger and freight cars and locos at that time.

This lack of streamliner-era models has led to the strange situation that most of my passenger car models are in fact older than the cars they were modeled after at the time I bought them.  About the only exception I can think of are the complete passenger train consists from KATO: the California Zephyr and the Silver Streak Zephyr.  I had a CZ about half completed by kitbashing Con-Cor cars when the KATO version came out.  The Silver Streak had a couple sleeping cars added to it and serves as the Texas Zephyr.

Walthers releases a few streamlined cars every once in a while, but not enough to model a complete train.

We really should not have to depend on 40 year-old models.  There must be a latent demand for state-of-the art passenger train models if only someone would step up to the challenge of producing them.

Les

I am always interested in N-scale passenger cars.  The Bachmann Budd-built full-length dome is a nice car, but Bachmann makes no companion cars to go with it.

In a different direction, how about a Pullman-Standard smooth-side full-length dome?  I currently have a repainted Budd full-length dome substituting for a P/S Milwaukee Road Superdome.

An ACF dome diner would be a nice addition.

In the heavyweight cars, 4-wheel passenger coaches would be nice, even a re-run of the "shorties" would be appreciated.  These things have become so scarce, I resorted to making baggage cars and coaches by splicing baggage-coach combines.  A real dining car in this series would be appreciated.  Something that seems to be totally lacking in either "shorty" or full-length cars is a solarium-observation with an enclosed observation end.  These cars were common at lone time as replacements for open-platform observation cars (which there are plenty of).  Enclosed observation cars were used in service longer than open platform obs cars, right into the 1960's and maybe even later.

What about locomotives?  I have only two suggestions here.  We could use a FP7.  And an Erie-built.

Les

If you are going to model a shortline in the Deep South, especially one after 1930, don't forget the kudzu!
This obnoxious weed was imported from Japan as an ornamental, like ivy.  It was used to stabilize stream banks.

This stuff grows at a rate that has to be witnessed to be believed.  It grows two feet per day.  When I worked for a shortline in Mississippi, I would cut the stuff with my locomotive wheels going south in the morning, then when I would return that afternoon, it would have grown back over the rails and I would cut it again.  I have also had trains stall in the stuff on hills.

One time, I took a GP7 through a double-ended siding that had not been used in years.  A huge pile of kudzu accumulated on the pilot.  I tried to pick up an armful to clean it off.  It was like trying to lift a washtub full of water.

Kudzu spreads through runners from a central root, like strawberries.  It will completely engulf anything that stays still long enough.  I have seen it overgrow freight cars that have been parked too long on side tracks.
It also takes over trees and telephone poles.  It will kill a tree.

Kudzu has large. triangular leaves.  It has delicate little purple flowers that smell like grapes.  You can make jelly out of the blossoms.

You could model kudzu in HO by using green thread and little paper leaves.  Sacrifice some surplus freight cars and abandoned buildings to it.  It would be a very typical addition that I have never seen modeled.

Les

When I started in HO in 1968, brass rail was the only type widely available.  The stuff does tend to oxidize and require frequent cleaning.

Nickle silver was (at first) available only in flex track in my area.  It was more expensive than brass, but didn't require as much cleaning.  Actually, nickle silver rail is a type of brass alloy.

I really never had any experience with steel rail.  I think either brass or nickle silver rail would be superior to steel, as steel rail actually rusts.  Steel rail would be more difficult to cut, and probably would be impossible to solder to.

The question is: why is steel rail even produced?  No one seems to like it, and everyone seems to advise against it.  The production costs between steel and brass must be small.

Les

Nice job!

In Holly Springs, MS, is an old railroad hotel that looks like it could be the prototype for the Pola railroad hotel once marketed by AHM and still available in HO and N under the Model Power name.

I think it once served an Illinois Central line.

Les

When I first saw John Allen's railroad in the January 1969 issue of Model Railroader, it really blew me away!

Les

Roger,

Sidings used as passing tracks generally will not have derails, unless they are also used for storing cars unattended.  The assumption is that trains in a passing situation will not be left unattended.  I know from experience that such is not always the case.  Flip-type derails are cheap and easy to install, and can prevent bad accidents.  They are marked by a nearby post or sign.

Flip-type derails are not always reliable.  They can break or be hopped over if hit hard enough.  They also are directional.  A car hitting one from the direction opposite from what it is supposed to be protecting can hop over the derail and stay on the track.  They are also cast, which makes them brittle and subject to breakage.  For situations where there is great danger of cars rolling out, split rail derails are used.  A split rail derail can be modeled by taking a regular track switch and removing one point rail, so only the point that lies against the stock rail (in the derailing position) remains.

One night, while running a Geep long-hood forward, I was mistakenly directed into a derail.  It was set in the derailing position, but oriented to derail cars coming out of the track I was going into.  The lead axel of my locomotive hopped over the derail and stopped.  Everything was still on the rails, the derail resting on the rail between the first and second axles of the truck.  We flipped the derail to the open position, and continued.

It is important to always check the position of the derail whenever opening a switch.

Les

Roger,

Not all sidings and secondary tracks are built downgrade from main line track.  This is what derails are for.

I have never seen operating derails on a model railroad, although a split-point derail could be made easily from a turnout.  It could even be power-operated.

Split-point derails are fairly uncommon on the prototype.  "Flop-over" derails are common.  Their small size would make them difficult to model.

Les

I think the enginehouse is Revell.  This kit went back to the early 1960's and maybe even older.  This series of building kits featured really nice, detailed die work.

Les

Ken,

Your railroad looks like you are off to a great start.  You may want to explore why your Athearn cars are not rolling freely.  It has been many years since I worked in HO, but I remember my Athearn passengers cars as being free-rollong.

In the top photo, it looks like you might have a reverse loop at least mostly there.  That could solve your train turning problem.  I use a reverse loop to turn trains on my N-scale railroad.

Les

Roger,

Thanks for sharing these photos of your wonderful railroad with us.

It hurts to tear up a nice finished railroad because of a move.  You lost a nice one, but at least the photos survive.

Les

If you don't like the color of the EZ Track roadbed, why not paint it?

Les

I seem to remember Woodland Scenics selling a pretty complete set with scenery you build and building kits, trees, etc. but no train or track.  By buying this outfit and adding track and a train you would wind up with something pretty close to what you have described.

You might try a Google Search of Woodland Scenics.

Les