Hi Y'all, Take a look at these gems! The first shipment of 36', 38' and 40' cars arrived today from my friend who builds one-of-a-kinds! They are so gorgeous I'm afraid to even think about weathering them, let alone try! Enjoy! The SABRR is coming alive! Manny Chief Cook and Bottle Washer San Antonio de Bexar Railroad Company
Railroads must have been very colorful back then - before they all agreed to ban the "billboard" cars. Too bad. "Freight car red" gets a little boring, although there must be hundreds of shades of it, from red oxide to brown. Ken
I absolutely love the older cars, billboard, truss rod, outside brace, or whatever. Manny, those are truly beautiful. Chuckled when I saw the Ottumwa, Iowa, car. Wasn't that where "Radar" (MASH) was from?
Yes sir! I am right there with you. I love the old time cars. That's really railroading. I can't wait to have them rolling behind some Frisco steam. I am really focused on capturing 1890-1930.
I love the old billboard cars. I just traded my beer train for new equipment that will let the railroad continue to grow. [ sigh!] But, in large scale, it was a good investment, not usually found in trains. Dan
Manny, as much as you like that time frame, you must go to the website of one of the local modelers, Don Ball. Don is an exquisite modeler and has done some wonderful things. He is also the consumate gentleman. Check out his Timetable/Train Order operating railroad: http://sandcrr.com/ Do take time to read through his Construction log and look at all the pictures.
Hey Keith, I took a quick look (right before I head to bed). Thank you so much for the info. That is amazing. Yeah, I'm gonna try and capture the real look of Texas back in the 1900-1930 period. I hope I'm successful. I'll look at his site tomorrow more. I'm beat. Thanks! Manny
I just got another small shipment of cars from my friend. One Heinz and one AB Beer Ice car. The others are advertising cars of the era. Totally cool if you ask me. I also got two stock cars; one B&O; the other M&O. My next shipment will be 25 stock cars of the SA&AP in their two scheme's. I'm looking for real Frisco stock car decals so I can make some of those up. Enjoy. Manny
Keith - Is Don related to the late Don Ball, author of many RR picture books, who grew up in Lawrence, KS? The N. Lawrence UP depot there is on "Don Ball Curve". Ken
Keith - Thanks. FYI, I bought a book about a year ago at a used book shop in Lawrence called "Kansas Curve", by Robert Olmsted. Its subject is "Don Ball Curve" in North Lawrence, where the UP main line, coming into the Lawrence area from the north, curves 90 degrees to the east to avoid the need to cross over the Kaw and to head over to Kansas City. The Lawrence depot (really in N. Lawrence) sits on the south side of the UP tracks about mid-point through the curve. It's still there - serving now as the city visitor center. The city of Lawrence, and the KU campus, both sit on the other side (south) of the Kaw. The late Don Ball took a lot of pictures there at the curve - they can be seen in almost all of his many books. How would you like to have a portion of the Union Pacific main line named after you? Ken ps - For those who are wondering - the Kaw is the local Kansas name for the Kansas River.
Well, I got a very nice surprise last night which was well needed. I've been in the hospital with Kidney Stones since Sunday. My friend who builds my specialty cars emailed me pics of some of the new batch coming. Here is a sneak peak. Enjoy! Manny
Keith, thanks for the link. I love Don's layout! I sat up and took note of the phone system... I wanted to do something on the N&F like that, but the price of the phones are a little steep for me. I ended up going the cheap route and put walkie-talkies in the call boxes. But someday.... maybe I'll have enough locomotives and devote some money to communications.
Manny--Are these "billboard" boxcars and reefers commercial kits? They're really neat, you never see them in color, all the old photos are b/w. Tom
