https://bigbluetrains.com/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:39:37 +0000 MyBB https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9143 Wed, 17 Jun 2020 23:53:25 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9143 Here's a Slogan game that makes you think. A lot of these slogans appears on HO 40' boxcars..

1. Don't Stand Me Still.
2. Route Of The Robert E. Lee
3.West Point Route.
4 Around-not through Chicago.
5. The Good Track Road.
6.Main Line of Mid-America
7.The Natchez Route
8. The Dixie Line
9. The Shawmut Line
10. Cotton for the looms of West Point.
11. Spans The World
12.Follow The Flag!
13. Main Street of the Northwest
14 The Alton Route
15.Route of the Whippet.]]> Here's a Slogan game that makes you think. A lot of these slogans appears on HO 40' boxcars..

1. Don't Stand Me Still.
2. Route Of The Robert E. Lee
3.West Point Route.
4 Around-not through Chicago.
5. The Good Track Road.
6.Main Line of Mid-America
7.The Natchez Route
8. The Dixie Line
9. The Shawmut Line
10. Cotton for the looms of West Point.
11. Spans The World
12.Follow The Flag!
13. Main Street of the Northwest
14 The Alton Route
15.Route of the Whippet.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9098 Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:55:31 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9098
Tri-State Polymers. In plastic pellets and plasticizer. Out: empty covered hoppers and tank cars.

Pattons Distribution. In tobacco and alcohol beverages.  Out: 50 and 60' boxcars. 

Weston Manufacturing. In Steel coils and occasional empty gon . Out Empty coil and mill gon. A occasional  load  of production scrap in 50' gons.

Zimmers Frozen Foods. In meats and vegetables . Out: Empty 64' reefers. 

Hunnicut Printing Corporation In rolls of paper and ink.  Out: Empty 50' boxcars and tankcars.

Standard American  Recyclers Inc. In scrap rubber and empty covered hoppers. Out: Empty 50' boxcars and covered hoppers of rubber graduals.

Considine Industries. In Carbon Black and a occasional empty 60' boxcar. Out Empty carbon black hoppers and occasional load of rubber automotive floor matts in 60' boxcars.. 

Mid State Tire Distribution. In automobile and truck tires in 50' boxcars. Out: Empty 50' boxcars.

Reliance Universal In  canstock and empties. Out: Empty 50' and  loaded 50' boxcars of  food cans.

The Transload track is still in the planning stage and will include a lumber and home improvement company, structure steel shape distributor and  a crush glass shipper.

The new Slate Creek will be 18" x 16'.. I plan to include a trailer drop lot, two street crossings-where's the fun if you don't block street crossings during switching moves?- and a three track yard for holding cars for Tri-State Polymers and Hunnicut   Printing.  

Slate Creek will be home to Summerset Ry, Slate Creek Rail and CR's  Slate Street Industrial Lead which of course is fictional. I  have several CR GP38-2s, 2 SD38s and a SD40-2.  I might add NS Slate Road Industrial since I have two Atlas NS high hood GP38s.. 

Back on SSRy the owner a Mr. Thoron owns several locomotive lettered for SCL, Seaboard System  and a C&O RS-1 all of these engines are stored serviceable and is used from time to time at his direction.  


He also owns a Santa Fe 2-8-0 that sees service two or three times a year.. A steam locomotive crew is hired from a local steam powered museum.  Mr. Thoron keeps his locomotives in a warehouse he owns that features two inside tracks. His long term plan is to build a three stall diesel house where the warehouse now stands. He also owns seven cabooses and a heavy weight observation that is stored on SCR.]]>
Tri-State Polymers. In plastic pellets and plasticizer. Out: empty covered hoppers and tank cars.

Pattons Distribution. In tobacco and alcohol beverages.  Out: 50 and 60' boxcars. 

Weston Manufacturing. In Steel coils and occasional empty gon . Out Empty coil and mill gon. A occasional  load  of production scrap in 50' gons.

Zimmers Frozen Foods. In meats and vegetables . Out: Empty 64' reefers. 

Hunnicut Printing Corporation In rolls of paper and ink.  Out: Empty 50' boxcars and tankcars.

Standard American  Recyclers Inc. In scrap rubber and empty covered hoppers. Out: Empty 50' boxcars and covered hoppers of rubber graduals.

Considine Industries. In Carbon Black and a occasional empty 60' boxcar. Out Empty carbon black hoppers and occasional load of rubber automotive floor matts in 60' boxcars.. 

Mid State Tire Distribution. In automobile and truck tires in 50' boxcars. Out: Empty 50' boxcars.

Reliance Universal In  canstock and empties. Out: Empty 50' and  loaded 50' boxcars of  food cans.

The Transload track is still in the planning stage and will include a lumber and home improvement company, structure steel shape distributor and  a crush glass shipper.

The new Slate Creek will be 18" x 16'.. I plan to include a trailer drop lot, two street crossings-where's the fun if you don't block street crossings during switching moves?- and a three track yard for holding cars for Tri-State Polymers and Hunnicut   Printing.  

Slate Creek will be home to Summerset Ry, Slate Creek Rail and CR's  Slate Street Industrial Lead which of course is fictional. I  have several CR GP38-2s, 2 SD38s and a SD40-2.  I might add NS Slate Road Industrial since I have two Atlas NS high hood GP38s.. 

Back on SSRy the owner a Mr. Thoron owns several locomotive lettered for SCL, Seaboard System  and a C&O RS-1 all of these engines are stored serviceable and is used from time to time at his direction.  


He also owns a Santa Fe 2-8-0 that sees service two or three times a year.. A steam locomotive crew is hired from a local steam powered museum.  Mr. Thoron keeps his locomotives in a warehouse he owns that features two inside tracks. His long term plan is to build a three stall diesel house where the warehouse now stands. He also owns seven cabooses and a heavy weight observation that is stored on SCR.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9020 Mon, 21 Oct 2019 01:13:10 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9020 If you had to restart the hobby from ground zero knowing what you know now what would you do?
Would you:
A: Choose another era? All steam? All early diesel? Both? The 60s? 70s? 80s? 90s? Today?
B. Downsize your "dream" layout and use the "kiss" method?
C. Prototype or freelance?
D. Go with how you currently model?
----------------------------------------------
For me:
A. I would model the 60s or if freelanced 1958/59.. 
B. I would stick with industrial switching layouts..
C. This is a tough question for me to answer. While I like and did model the C&O, I always had a secret desire to model either the U.P or M.P-I like M.Ps Jenks Blue scheme.
D. No way! I would cut out the multi road names and return to my roots-one road name prototype or freelance.
As far as freelance I would stay with Summerset Ry with a twist.. I would use two Atlas RS-1s for motive power since the era would be 58/59.. What can I say? I like those West India Fruit & Steamship boxcars with the railroad car ferry on the side.
I would without a doubt keep Kiss in mind and probably stay with simple DC operation since I still enjoy using my Control Master 2 or Control Master 20.
 
 ]]> If you had to restart the hobby from ground zero knowing what you know now what would you do?
Would you:
A: Choose another era? All steam? All early diesel? Both? The 60s? 70s? 80s? 90s? Today?
B. Downsize your "dream" layout and use the "kiss" method?
C. Prototype or freelance?
D. Go with how you currently model?
----------------------------------------------
For me:
A. I would model the 60s or if freelanced 1958/59.. 
B. I would stick with industrial switching layouts..
C. This is a tough question for me to answer. While I like and did model the C&O, I always had a secret desire to model either the U.P or M.P-I like M.Ps Jenks Blue scheme.
D. No way! I would cut out the multi road names and return to my roots-one road name prototype or freelance.
As far as freelance I would stay with Summerset Ry with a twist.. I would use two Atlas RS-1s for motive power since the era would be 58/59.. What can I say? I like those West India Fruit & Steamship boxcars with the railroad car ferry on the side.
I would without a doubt keep Kiss in mind and probably stay with simple DC operation since I still enjoy using my Control Master 2 or Control Master 20.
 
 ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8904 Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:28:27 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8904 I recently bought a United Models Santa Fe 1950 class 2-8-0 and decided to model a freelance Santa Fe branch line set in 55/56 in Louisiana or Missouri. I will be using Accurail 40' cars.
I have studied several on line photos of 55/56 and had mixed results..My own 1956 railfan experience is questible at best since as a eight year old I was more interested in taking photos of PRR fading steam and shiney new diesels. A sad trend that would follow me several decades of my railfaning.
So,my plans call for a end of the branch line switching layout complete with station,water tank and house track/team track with three other industries of which one will require inbound loaded reefers(Santa Fe,NP and PFG). 
So.... Should I use a combination of wood and steel cars or all steel?
Been decades since I modeled a steam era layout and to be honest I'm a tad beyond my dieselized ISLs experiences..]]> I recently bought a United Models Santa Fe 1950 class 2-8-0 and decided to model a freelance Santa Fe branch line set in 55/56 in Louisiana or Missouri. I will be using Accurail 40' cars.
I have studied several on line photos of 55/56 and had mixed results..My own 1956 railfan experience is questible at best since as a eight year old I was more interested in taking photos of PRR fading steam and shiney new diesels. A sad trend that would follow me several decades of my railfaning.
So,my plans call for a end of the branch line switching layout complete with station,water tank and house track/team track with three other industries of which one will require inbound loaded reefers(Santa Fe,NP and PFG). 
So.... Should I use a combination of wood and steel cars or all steel?
Been decades since I modeled a steam era layout and to be honest I'm a tad beyond my dieselized ISLs experiences..]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8837 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:45:16 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8837   Needless to say my health has improved since there is no easy to grab goodies or cans of diet Coke.

As of now I'm stuck in a nursing home that has no hobby area but, that should change as I will be transferring to another home with a hobby area so,my plans is to build 1' X 6' N Scale ISL.   I plan on modeling the late 50s or perhaps the 60s.]]>   Needless to say my health has improved since there is no easy to grab goodies or cans of diet Coke.

As of now I'm stuck in a nursing home that has no hobby area but, that should change as I will be transferring to another home with a hobby area so,my plans is to build 1' X 6' N Scale ISL.   I plan on modeling the late 50s or perhaps the 60s.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8691 Thu, 03 May 2018 09:22:46 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8691
Who would have thought?


https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/lo...-repowers/]]>
Who would have thought?


https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/lo...-repowers/]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8496 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 02:38:01 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8496
I never knew she remembered the magazines I read.]]>
I never knew she remembered the magazines I read.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8180 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:59:23 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8180
1. Stepping on a rail would bring the trainman/carman bad luck.


2.Leaving the front engine coupler open or the caboose coupler open would cause all the luck to run out.


3.Turning a engine against the sun would bring the engineer bad luck.Turning a engine against the sun would cause the sun light to hit the engineer's seat. I was told my Great Grandfather cursed out a hostler for doing that.


4.A engine that has killed several of its crew in derailments was called a cursed engine and was widely refused.


5.The number 13. Engineers would refuse to operate a engine if the last two numbers was 13.


6.666 any engine baring three sixes was a cursed engine and refused by engineers. Of course the "fool hearty" engineers ran these engines had no problems.


7. Urinating on a firebox by a fireman would cause the engine to become hard to fire.


8.Seeing a black cat during your run would bring bad luck.


9.Seeing a white cat during your run would bring good luck.


10.Seeing a large black dog during your run was a sign of impending doom.


11.If a railroad man marries a redheaded railroad widow he was bound to the same death her husband met.

12.Laughing at superstitions will bring ill luck.]]>
1. Stepping on a rail would bring the trainman/carman bad luck.


2.Leaving the front engine coupler open or the caboose coupler open would cause all the luck to run out.


3.Turning a engine against the sun would bring the engineer bad luck.Turning a engine against the sun would cause the sun light to hit the engineer's seat. I was told my Great Grandfather cursed out a hostler for doing that.


4.A engine that has killed several of its crew in derailments was called a cursed engine and was widely refused.


5.The number 13. Engineers would refuse to operate a engine if the last two numbers was 13.


6.666 any engine baring three sixes was a cursed engine and refused by engineers. Of course the "fool hearty" engineers ran these engines had no problems.


7. Urinating on a firebox by a fireman would cause the engine to become hard to fire.


8.Seeing a black cat during your run would bring bad luck.


9.Seeing a white cat during your run would bring good luck.


10.Seeing a large black dog during your run was a sign of impending doom.


11.If a railroad man marries a redheaded railroad widow he was bound to the same death her husband met.

12.Laughing at superstitions will bring ill luck.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=7407 Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:27:37 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=7407
I consider myself lucky I got to witness the last days of steam instead of playing little league baseball or other normal childhood activities.I also got to see shiny new GP9s and RS11s.

Life was good.]]>
I consider myself lucky I got to witness the last days of steam instead of playing little league baseball or other normal childhood activities.I also got to see shiny new GP9s and RS11s.

Life was good.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=5223 Sat, 14 Jul 2012 09:27:40 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=5223

I won't be around to much starting tomorrow due to the club's open house during the week of the county fair(July 15th-21st).

On the down side this may be our last if the fairboard raises our rent again next year and that's a strong possibility.Our dues just doubled to $10.00/mo or $120 year and that just covers the basics like fuel oil and the needed layout maintenance items..Our train show profit barely paid the club's rent and insurance this year due to the fairboard raising the rent on the youth building and and the company that rents the tables raise their price by 20%.]]>

I won't be around to much starting tomorrow due to the club's open house during the week of the county fair(July 15th-21st).

On the down side this may be our last if the fairboard raises our rent again next year and that's a strong possibility.Our dues just doubled to $10.00/mo or $120 year and that just covers the basics like fuel oil and the needed layout maintenance items..Our train show profit barely paid the club's rent and insurance this year due to the fairboard raising the rent on the youth building and and the company that rents the tables raise their price by 20%.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4493 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:26:36 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4493
SC is 12" x 72".

Scale N Scale

Track: Code 55..

Peco Medium Electro-frog Switches

Micro Engineering weathered flex track.

Atlas C55 snap straights as needed.

There will be 2 non rail served industries.

Building flats will be used along backdrop.

Landstar Grains will used.

Walther's Superior Paper buildings will be used as separate industries..


]]>
SC is 12" x 72".

Scale N Scale

Track: Code 55..

Peco Medium Electro-frog Switches

Micro Engineering weathered flex track.

Atlas C55 snap straights as needed.

There will be 2 non rail served industries.

Building flats will be used along backdrop.

Landstar Grains will used.

Walther's Superior Paper buildings will be used as separate industries..


]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=1716 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:58:41 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=1716

So,I will kick it off.

Last night while out and about I saw 2 green looking locomotives on the CF&E and after a short "pursuit" these units turn out to be I&ORY GP50 5001 and HLCX MP15AC #1400.Thankfully I had my camera since I had planned on stopping at Col/San for some evening railfanning.

Notice the darkening sky..A T-Storm was heading my way and I could hear the thunder thundering. :o

CF&E is making a reverse move around the connector so it can enter NS's Sandusky main line in order to head to Transco and switch out the cars.


  002-22.jpg (Size: 56.34 KB / Downloads: 629)

After switching Transco the CF&E crew reverse moves back onto home track.


  005-10.jpg (Size: 32.53 KB / Downloads: 611)

Notice the wet street,,The storm has pass.


  007-11.jpg (Size: 32.04 KB / Downloads: 642) ]]>

So,I will kick it off.

Last night while out and about I saw 2 green looking locomotives on the CF&E and after a short "pursuit" these units turn out to be I&ORY GP50 5001 and HLCX MP15AC #1400.Thankfully I had my camera since I had planned on stopping at Col/San for some evening railfanning.

Notice the darkening sky..A T-Storm was heading my way and I could hear the thunder thundering. :o

CF&E is making a reverse move around the connector so it can enter NS's Sandusky main line in order to head to Transco and switch out the cars.


  002-22.jpg (Size: 56.34 KB / Downloads: 629)

After switching Transco the CF&E crew reverse moves back onto home track.


  005-10.jpg (Size: 32.53 KB / Downloads: 611)

Notice the wet street,,The storm has pass.


  007-11.jpg (Size: 32.04 KB / Downloads: 642) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=1261 Wed, 20 May 2009 15:35:24 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=1261


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cvWSx2o7Lo


I think I will break down and buy a HD camcorder..]]>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cvWSx2o7Lo


I think I will break down and buy a HD camcorder..]]>