Update: Crazy busy at work. (68.75 hours in six days.) Not much energy/desire for trains (hobby or otherwise) right now. (I'm going thru one of those "train overload" phases.) However, I continue to watch for HO items that will be useful in the future, such as the upcoming BLI release of their Paragon2 CB&Q NW2. That will definitely be useable on the ol' KC Lines theme. And this brings up another issue: Over the past couple years I've been obtaining nice examples of some of the key trains of my childhood. In this case, models from the "Lindberg Line". I now have an example of all known roadnames that Lindberg offered their SW1 in: The Baltimore & Ohio (this was in my childhood set), the ATSF, a rare Illinois Central version... and the colorful C&NW SW1. That last one sort of poses a bit of a quandary for me. I know that the C&NW didn't reach Kansas City until it absorbed the CGW in the late 60s. Well, I intend to model the early 60s. BUT... I really like that C&NW green w/yellow and yellow stripes switcher scheme. (The one's with the "400" emblem, or script written "Route Of the Streamliners"). Here's some examples of the scheme of which I speak: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cnw/cnw0127dsa.jpg http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=4&pid=79#top_display_media http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=4&pid=78#top_display_media http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=4&pid=628#top_display_media http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=4&pid=772#top_display_media Yes, it would be easy to want such a switcher in that scheme... but in KC in the early 60s? Okay, all you knowledgeable types: Besides the "it's your layout you can do what you want" reason, what sort of plausible rationale could put a C&NW switcher in KC in the early 60s?
Okay, some sanity is returning (sort of). I realize it would be a stretch to "justify" a CN&W engine plying about KC in the early 60s. So, I'm trying to leave that idea behind and looking at better motive power options that more fully support my theme. (Trying to avoid impulse spending.) First up is to preorder one of the upcoming Paragon2 equipped BLI NW2's in CB&Q "black and grey" livery. Second: I intend to preorder a second BLI NW2 in Undec. The Undec will become a CB&Q black and grey with the block font "Burlington" on the side. I have purchased the needed decals off of eBay for the Undec. Next is a queer bird that really ought to be represented: The KCT's Alco HH900 #50. According to the George Elwood site, the #50 survived until 1964, well within my "early 60s" time frame. Here's an "as delivered" pic of the prototype: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/kct/kct50m.jpg Now, here's what I'm wondering, and I hope you KCT fans can help me out: Would the #50 still be painted in the AS DELIVERED scheme in the early 60s, or in the yellow stripes scheme? Hmmmm. Big question. Reason for the question, it just so happens that Atlas is re-issuing their HH model and one of the liveries is the spittin' image of the KCT #50, except for the name on the hood sides! It's a model of a Tennessee Central prototype, which was apparently purchased in the same Alco-offered pinstripe scheme... including the same number! Here's a picture of the Atlas model in question: http://shop.atlasrr.com/p-39276-ho-master-hh660-locomotive-gold-tennessee-central-50.aspx I have a strong suspicion that it was in the somewhat "interim" scheme depicted by this picture of S-2 #56: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/kct/kct56m.jpg Note that #56 still has the same pin striping on the side sill as found on the #50 HH900. However, it would really be nice to know if late in its life if the #50 was still in the original pinstripe scheme, or in the "interim" scheme, or the full stripe scheme. Anyone know? All fer now!
What a coincidence. I've pre ordered the Tennessee Central #50 from Walthers for the exact loco your doing. I'm adding a Tsunami sound decoder (thanks Keith) and will operate it on Greg Stouts upcoming KCT layout. I'm not sure if the paint scheme changed later in it's career but I'm leaving as delivered and will weather it robustly. I don't look forward to adding the "Kansas City Terminal" lettering. It will be tedious to say the least. The radiator should be widened to represent an HH900 but I might overlook that. Let me know if you have any info on as delivered lettering decals.
Hi Jim! Well, if no one can step in and offer an answer at this site (many KCT fans here), then the answer probably isn't available or known. Like you, I'm going to overlook some of the minor discrepancies of the Atlas model vs the KCT prototype, and be happy there's a model that's "good enough" to stand-in for a KCT HH900. I already have two engines earmarked to become KCT units: A pair of Undec Atlas S-2's "Master" series with DCC/Sound factory installed. These will be done in the full striped version. And now I'm hoping to add a third engine, the Atlas "Master" series HH, via the Tennessee Central version. Now we will wait with bated breath for either a definitive answer to the paint question, or a darn good guess. FWIW: IF I were to guess, I would guess the KCT's HH900 was in the interim stripe scheme in the early 1960s as depicted in the picture of S-2 # 56.
According to this web site: http://www.thedieselshop.us/KCT.HTML the 50 was off the roster before the end of 1964, so I doubt it was ever repainted into the yellow stripe/diamond herald livery. As far as the North Western switch engine goes, don't give up so easily. It could have drifted down to Kansas City on loan, short-term lease or second-hand purchase via the Great Western, Milwaukee or Rock Island (might want to use a tasteful "patch job" renumbering). As frequent guests of railroading's Skid Row Hotel, all three would have experienced motive power shortages at one time or another. GS
Hi GS! Yup, that roster coincides with the roster I previously referred to. Ah... but within the rosters lies a bit of a "could be seen this way or that". For example, BOTH the HH900 #50 and the S-2 #56 were disposed of in 8/64, one (#50) to a second hand dealer, the other (#56) to the scrap pile. However (and here is where the plot thickens), we have visual evidence that the #56 did indeed make it into the interim stripe scheme with diamond herald via this pic I linked above: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/kct/kct56m.jpg Thus, I'm still inclined to think that the #50 was also adorned in such a livery. Truth be known, I'm probably getting ready to create some KCT faux pas in that my version of S-2 #52 will be painted/liveried like this: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/kct/kct52.jpg I can't prove to myself one way or the other that #52 was painted like this in the early 60s... but I think it's going to be on my layout. That scheme is just so striking it's really hard for me to pass up... and I can't conclusively prove it to myself to be WRONG for the early 1960s... so why not? As for other S-2 I have, it will likely become the #58, which (according to photographic evidence I have) was painted just like #57 as late as the mid-60s. Below you'll see an example of that paint scheme. So, there COULD be three different liveries on my three KCT engines!!! Now... where to find decals for them???? Now, as for the C&NW Switcher in the yellow stripe scheme... Indeed, I thought of leased power, the CGW quickly came to mind. Alas though, during my short research into such a project, I didn't find a commercially painted option for such a switcher, nor did a quick check of the scant remaining decal sources yield an appropriate decal set, so the idea went immediately to the back burner... the waaay back burner. This KCT discussion has been an enjoyable exchange!
NEWS FLASH!!! I "MAY" be getting new space for a layout. Long story short: Looking at the possibility of obtaining an outbuilding to house my hobbies. Said building would include a workbench for my workbench hobbies (control line model airplanes and slot cars), and will have to accommodate storage for them, too. Tentative dimensions would be either 14' x 20' or 16' x 20'. The walls could be used for a new version of the KC Lines theme. Same basic plan: Narrow shelf around the walls on which will go a switching layout based on the KC West Bottoms area. Would still keep it manageable in complexity/scope... just wouldn't be as cramped. Time frame: If this is a go, the building could be in place by spring/late spring.
Got a guy gonna' be here in a few minutes to look at the property to determine if pre-fab/moved-in will work, or build on site. Have settled on at least a 16' x 20' out building if I do this. Preliminary sketching indicates that even with the building doing multi-tasks (workbench, paint booth, control line airplanes and their supplies, general hobby storage), available layout space will be a significant gain over what I currently have to work with.
Sounds like exciting times in Poteau, Andre. I've been giddy with excitement over the realization that adding a swing/drop-bridge to my KC area lines can open up an entirely new realm of possibilities. I'll look forward to seeing/hearing your ideas as they develop.
Chris: It will get more exciting as the time nears to move in and occupy it. I'm not EVEN looking forward to the work of finishing out the building, moving all this crap out to it, etc, etc!! Drop bridges: I have built a total of three over the years on two different layouts. Designed and executed properly, they will work and work well. This last one is hinged to raise upward when not it use. It's held in place in the up position with cabinet magnets. Works great. Consider designing-in a way to adjust the level/height of the bridge to allow for settling of the floor, bench work, and what have you over the years.
Reassuring words, Andre - thank you! I'm leaning toward a swing bridge; I haven't sketched it out yet, but the portion that would be "drop" might need to be occupied by either Schutte Lumber or Thompson-Hayward Chemical, in which case I'd like the option to leave buildings on the bridge. Best Regards,
Shouldn't be an overly difficult deal to semi-permanently mount the wanted buildings on the hinged bridge. Building height may be a "watch out for" deal. FWIW: To keep my bridge smoothly sitting in the receiver plate through the years, I used a small flat top screw at each corner of the receiver plate (for lack of a better term). The bridge actually rests on the screws and not the receiver plate. Doing this allows me to slightly screw up/down at each corner to keep things lined up. You'll figure it out.
I just typed a long post on my West Bottoms that did not post(?) Think I got disconnected because got a message I was not signed in when hit post button. Anyway, my West Bottoms lives with improvements, will be posting pictures. John
John: Don't know what the deal is with this board sometimes... just goes dead and won't post/edit/whatever. Then a few minutes later all works fine. Just had it happen on an edit to my above post. Looking forward to an update on your West Bottoms effort! Tip: BEFORE you hit the "Post" button, do a quick COPY of all your text work. That way, if the forum software vomits and doesn't post... you've saved your work for another try.
It's not the site guys. It's the cookie on your computer. When you sign in, if you don't check the box that says "Remember me" the cookie will expire. Check the box and your problem will go away unles you use software to kill cookies. Charlie
My cookie box for this forum stays checked with the "Remember me" instruction. Thus, when I arrive here, I'm already logged-in. It can/will happened right after finishing composing a reply/post and the forum simply locks up and won't do a thing. In the forum's defense, it could very well be my installation of Internet Explorer doing the dirty work. I really ought to download/install Firefox or something.
Back to the "KCT HH900 and WHAT PAINT SCHEME WHEN??" question: I think I have found some photographic evidence of the HH and how it was painted toward the end of its life. I offer this pic: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2300465 Of course, in the foreground is S-2 #53... HOWEVER... Look at the distant background. There you will see another KCT unit. That engine is definitely NOT an S-2 (hood end too tall) and for sure isn't their only EMD at this time. To me, that tall hood that appears to be level with the cab roof indicates that to be #50 HH900. If that is so, then it is the Interim Stripe Scheme. Based on this, I'm now leaning toward my version of the KCT's #50 being painted likewise.
UPDATE: * It's a "GO" on the new out-building. It will be 16' x 20'. Will start the process in a few weeks. It will be built onsite. * Doing a KC Lines theme is expensive!! Do you realize I have something like 13 RR's I can represent? So far, I have: Frisco: 2 VO's, 2 SW's, 1 (undec) RS-1, 1 (undec) RS-2, FA/FB set. KCT: 2 (undec) S-2's. ATSF: 1 S-4, 1 NW2 (Zebra's.) Rock Island: 2 RS-3's (Two different schemes.) Katy: 1 RS-3 CGW: 1 DS4-4-1000 CB&Q: 1 SW7 (Older "Quantum" series that may get replaced) MOP: FA/FB (Need a MOP switcher as well.) UP: Just ordered a BLI SW7. STILL not represented yet in any form: GM&O Wabash KCS Milw Thinking seriously of reserving: * Upcoming Atlas Gold Series UP S-2, MILW S-2, Tennessee Central HH660 (see above for its rationale). * Upcoming BLI NW2's: CB&Q in two different numbers. Also need to have some GP7/9s represented, as well as some EMD F units. Hey, all it takes is money!! All in good time.
