A Tradepoint Rail SW1500 hauls a cut of centerbeams on a transfer run up to the north yard. Among my peer group the 1950’s were, and still are, the holy grail when it comes to modeling subjects. It’s a favorite for good reason. When working with customers over the age 60, the overwhelming majority want […]
Category: Opinion
Three Car Pile Ups
My third attempt at a layout….1985 give or take. What a mess. Gotta love those photographic skills! (Note: I actually do get to the point after the long initial rambling so stick with me) We know we shouldn’t do it. It’s shameful, but we’re all guilty of rubber necking those horriffic three car pile ups […]
Directing the Eye
No matter how much of a prototype modeler we’d like to say we are, the reality of our limited space is such that everything we do is ultimately somewhere on the “proto-freelance” spectrum. Since we can’t copy actual scenes exactly, decisions need to be made with respect to composition. One of the key principles of […]
Defining Model Railroad Design Success
A pair of boxcars sit in front of A-1 Farmers Choice on the switchback segment of my Downtown Spur layout. A successful model railroad design is one that provides a platform for several hours a week of relaxing hobby time…recreational time…..fun time. It doesn’t really matter how those minutes or hours are spent. If there […]
The “Finished Layout” Landmine
The mid-morning sun washes over Florida Bottling on The Downtown Spur layout. A landmine is something you didn’t see coming (but could have), step on, and then suffer the consequences. To that extent it’s not the same as being subjected to some totally random negative event. If you know you’re entering a mine field, you […]