Hello From Oklahoma

My name is Andre Ming.

Some of you FMIG Old Heads may remember me from waaaaay back. During my HO years, I modeled the Frisco off and on (mostly on) from about 1974 until sometime in the mid-90s. Moved in '98. Layout space was much downsized. For my layout modeling, I have settled on an S scale, urban switching theme set in KC during the mid-sixties. Frisco will be among the roads represented. |-|

HOWEVER...

Over the past several years, an adjunct to my (lacksidasical) model railroading efforts is "V scale". (My term to describe "Virtual Scale"... aka computer simulation of trains.) My chosen V scale medium is Microsoft's Train Simulator with all the latest hacks/fixes/patches/etc.

My current V scale project is to recreate the "Coal Belt" region that existed from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and south/southeast toward Mansfield, Arkansas and eastern OK.

As of now, this includes the Frisco's Ft. Smith to Mansfield branch, the Midland Valley's Ft. Smith to Excelsior and Excelsior to Hartford lines, as well as some other railroad tidbits that have turned up. The era is about 1908. (Which yields some FABULOUS railroading.)

One of my primary reasons for joining this group is to learn more about the Frisco's early steam roster up to the target era of 1908 (or teens, even). In addition, I'm interested in learning more about: The Midland Valley; the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, KCS... shucks... any of the roads that ran in the region. However, the V scale route effort will primarily feature the Frisco and Midland Valley. The other railroads of the region will be represented as needed (as accurately as practical), but not on the same scope as the SLSF and MV.

I have already poured over and gleaned from my long time friend Dr. Mike Condren's EXCELLENT web resources on the Frisco and the Ft. Smith region. (Much of his information is foundational for what I am attempting.) Mike, if you're a part of this forum, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make your information available via the internet.

Welp... so much for a short intro. I shall now step away from the microphone. Eventually I'll start hitting you with specific SLSF (and related) questions!

Andre Ming
Poteau, OK

 

Thanks for the welcome, fella's.

Ken:

Wonder how many miles those engines have logged between your and my use???

yardmaster said:

"Looking forward to hearing more on your V-scale efforts."

Well, the circa 1908 Coal Belt project is a big undertaking, akin to building a large layout in model railroading. I have "real" miles of track to lay. Same with actual miles of real estate to populate and scenic!

For a sampling of V scale more in keeping with many tastes found here, I offer a selection of Frisco F's created by a V scale friend of mine using my textures. The units are posed on one of my route creations (The A&O Sub)....

Andre

 

Beautiful work Andre, Probably not the time frame that U are talking about, but somewhere along your travels, whip out a "Texas Special E".
Welcome and, BTW, "Where the heck is Poteau ?"
Sherrel Weems

 

Hello Sherrel:

Thanks for the welcome. As to Texas Special E's: I haven't a clue what lurks in the mind of Gaetan Belanger in regards to a "next project". (Gaetan is the chap that made those V scale locomotive models.) The Frisco F pack was created last summer. He's been on an SP binge lately.

Poteau is about 26 miles south/southwest of Ft. Smith. It is very near the Coal Belt region that I speak of in another thread here. Takes me 36 minutes (one way) to commute to/from work.

Andre

 

Hey, I know you!! LOL!!