Successive Approximation

 We are fortunate to live in a time where very accurate railroad models are broadly available, whether in kit form or ready-to-run, in many scales and for many eras and railroads.  This may be most true for HO scale, where some amazing models are being produced for us to enjoy.

While I enjoy building models and am working to further develop my modeling skills for adding accurate details, there are times where models that are fully assembled and ready-to-run, or nearly so, catch my eye and my wallet.  An advantage of this is that my fleet of rolling stock has grown with some beautifully produced cars that can immediately be admired and eventually run on the layout.

These three Great Northern caboose models are meant to represent steel wide vision caboose designs from the 1960's and are an interesting example of the evolution of ready-to-run plastic models.

Athearn & Atlas Models

(click to enlarge)

The model on the left above is a custom printed Athearn model that was once produced by Track One from the Athearn wide vision caboose.  Track One has a Facebook page and may still be doing business, although the last post is from 2019.  While the model itself is not highly accurate for GN (the model is closest to a Rock Island prototype), the printing is well done, including the signature GN safety slogan, but without the "radio equipped" lettering.   The X-101 was a wide vision caboose built by International Car for the GN, so the general appearance is similar., although a third side window is lacking.

This model is what many would call a "stand in" due to some non-prototypical design features.  I have added more appropriate trucks with metal wheelsets and Kadee 58 knuckle couplers.  It really isn't bad for an Athearn blue box model with molded on details like the curved grab irons, but does lack GN specific details.

On the right is the Atlas version of a GN standard vision steel caboose.  Note the difference in the width of the cupola.   This model is closer to the actual cars that the GN ordered from Morrison International in 1963 and 1964, but still not exactly prototypically accurate.  Unfortunately the silver roof color is incorrect.  This car came with steel wheelsets and knuckle couplers.  It is lacking the GN tool and battery boxes on the side, and the unique GN end gates, with minor differences in the side window arrangement, among a few other details.  Again, beautifully painted and printed with crisp lettering and it has separately applied wire grab irons.

Walthers Mainline Model

The recently released Walthers version of the Morrison International caboose is very nearly accurate for the GN right out of the box, with just a few specific details that could be added.  The window arrangement is correct for the GN.  Interestingly, as this is a Walthers Mainline model, it does not include any grab irons.  They are available as an add on detailing kit, however, and there are molded drilling dimples on the car to help in placing them.  I have not yet installed these as I just recently got this car.  It does include the distinctive GN tool boxes and end gates.  Unfortunately, Walthers quickly sold out of this car decorated for GN.  I was able to find one available from a dealer online after finding that my pre-order through another dealer was not fulfilled by Walthers.

Atlas, Athearn and Walthers Ends

(click to enlarge)

The end view shows some of the differences, with only the Walthers model on the right having the correct end gate, although no GN Rocky logo.  This model also has the smoke jack correctly placed, unlike the others.

It isn't a major challenge to add to or modify these to better represent the actual GN caboose they each represent.  For example, adding the tool boxes and end gates, a firecracker radio antenna to the cupola, perhaps decal additions where appropriate, preferred couplers (Kadee scale head are my standard), are all relatively simple changes to improve on the existing level of detail.

I like each of these models and they graphically illustrate the progression of ever more accurate mass production models that are being produced.  There may never be a "perfect" exactly prototypical model with every detail and feature replicated but the standards seem to continually improve.

The Current State

 A popular phrase used in business these days is "current state," which refers to where the organization, or a particular process or practice in that organization, is now: the situation as it currently stands.  Defining the current state is usually step one in considering where the organization wants to get to.

In the case of my modeling and my model railroad, this is my current state:

Workbench (click image to enlarge)

My work area is well set up for my purposes, consisting of an old stamped steel topped wooden table with self-healing cutting mat and cardboard on top, a swivel arm lamp, soft jaw swivel vice, foam cradle and sheets for model work without damaging paint or details, and flat tile pieces for cutting and glue puddling surfaces.

The small drawers hold small detail parts like grab irons, ladders, rivets/nbw, brake wheels, couplers and screws, while the larger plastic drawers primarily hold tools, small clamps and jigs.  The ceramic mugs are convenient holders for frequently used tools.  Adhesives and the like are readily at hand.

Yes, I am a tool guy.  Jack Burgess has written extensively in Model Railroad Hobbyist and elsewhere of his appreciation for good tools and a plentiful variety of them, and I am an eager disciple of that philosophy.  The two blue handled Xuron specialty pliers sitting on the bench are recent purchases.  Future posts will indulge my interest in useful specialty tools of high quality, while rationalizing that tendency by demonstrating how it has improved my modeling.

Two in-progress models are on the bench; a Proto 2000 tank car nearing completion in a foam cradle, and an Intermountain Milwaukee (MILW) 40 foot box car.  I tend to work in bursts, completing a step or two on a model, then working on another while glue dries or creative energies are replenished.  

Not shown are additional detail parts stored in small plastic totes under the workbench, and a variety of styrene and wire in the desk drawer, along with measuring and drafting tools that come in handy.

Current Layout "Status"

The layout, on the other hand, is not as "developed" as the modeling workbench, as shown above.  The sheet of 2" blue foam was purchased some time ago, but has languished on the opposite side of the room from my workbench with no progress to speak of.  This will be the surface of the shelf layout, to be supported by future benchwork, possibly Ikea shelving.  Various other "supplies" and rolling stock (kits and RTR) are stored in boxes.  The plastic wrapped dark green material is fibrous furnace filter mats for evergreen trees, while another box holds scenic materials such as ground foam and some readymade trees and brush.

The goal is to work on the first shelf module during the rest of this year, even if it becomes a "practice" layout that gets reworked later.  I've procrastinated this step long enough.

I'm itching to put those completed models and sound equipped DCC locomotives on a track so I can advance the throttle and move a train, even if just a few feet.

Beginnings

 The beginning of a story (or a blog about railroad modeling) sets the scene and points in a direction of travel or narrative.   The main characters are also revealed, although not always right away.

My scene is a proto-freelanced subsidiary of the Great Northern Railroad in the Puget Sound region of Western Washington in 1965, with an emphasis on forest products, particularly paper mills.  I model in HO scale and enjoy building models that are reasonably accurate and detailed.  Currently, my layout is only a concept although my intention is to begin construction of a shelf layout module this year.  My workbench is active with model building projects ranging from straightforward plastic kit builds to resin or mixed media kits, along with some superdetailing and kitbash projects.  Scale vehicles are an aspect of my interests and will feature here from time to time as well.

In this case, the direction is topics around my interests in the hobby of model railroading, as well as the history of my chosen railroads, and related subjects that capture my interest or may be of interest to others. 

I'm no modeling or historical guru.  My blog is intended as a creative outlet and a way for me to share my efforts as I continue to build skills and knowledge.  It's also a means to give myself some encouragement as well as accountability to work toward my hobby goals.

Set Box Top & End From My Collection

The model railroading bug started for me when I was about eight or nine and my dad brought home an Athearn starter set.  This is the box that set came in, which currently is in use as an open topped tray to hold a few structure models.  Although the picture is a steam engine with passenger cars, the set was a diesel engine with freight cars.

This was a typical beginners set that included the engine, a few freight cars and a caboose - all Athearn classic "blue box" models that were ready to run, along with an oval of sectional brass track.

The photo below shows those set cars as well as a few items from those that my dad purchased to expand our small Plywood Pacific over the next few years.  There were others as well, many still stored in my boxes of rolling stock, some kitbash or upgrade fodder.

The boxes in the set are distinctively different than artwork for Athearn blue box cars sold separately, with the rolling stock boxes being nearly all light blue, no image on top.  Even the locomotive box is different in that it has the blue band on each end of the box top.

You will note a few things here.  First, the locomotive and caboose are Southern Pacific, not Great Northern.  At least there are two Hill Lines box cars in the set, the Northern Pacific mechanical refrigerator and the Great Northern plug door box.  Later purchases trended more closely toward my growing fascination with the GN and other Hill Lines (NP, CB&Q, SP&S and Pacific Coast RR).

The Tyco C420 locomotives are both fantasy schemes, although to my eyes they were very attractive at the time!  Many hours of fun model railroading were provided by these locos, which featured working headlights and had a massive look.  My deep appreciation for Alco diesels may have just started with these two models.

The Roundhouse covered hopper kit is one of those early cars that I have started to kitbash and upgrade.  It is getting square hatch covers from Details West, along with wire grabs and ladder rungs, more detailed brake gear, new trucks, paint and decals.  This is one of those on again, off again projects that sits and waits patiently for inspiration.  

From this start, my interests in building models developed, as did my focus on the Great Northern.  Much later I settled on 1965 as my  modeling year.  This was due to a number of reasons, including the type of equipment operated, roof-walks and a somewhat contrary attraction to the struggles of railroads at the time from the competitive pressures of trucking, consolidations and fading passenger traffic.  Last but probably not least, I found Glacier Green to be a favorite rolling stock color scheme, while not sharing an appreciation for Big Sky Blue with the simplified Rocky logo, which was introduced by the GN in the next year.

Later posts will expand on these themes but for now this gives you some idea of what I am about.  I hope that you find something that is of interest and I welcome the opportunity to hear from you as the journey progresses.