The team track is bustling with activity as workers are gearing up for the Christmas Holidays rush.|-|
I agree with Jim! This is nicely put together. I always enjoy your layout photos and learn something every time. Thanks for posting.
Each of us has his own Frisco memory of the Christmas Rush. For me it was the swollen passenger consists....lots of end end traffic with extra cars of sealed mail and express... ....perhaps an extra coach... ...topped off with an extra unit in the engine consist.
I rode #4 home from Rolla to StL at Christmas time my sophomore year at MSM (Dec 1961) - I think on a Friday night. The SLSF had some fellow dressed up as Santa in the Rolla depot that evening, playing it up for the good sized crowd of adults and kids in the depot who were either waiting for the arrival of the "Will" that night, some to meet people arriving, some to get on the train to StL. I thought that was pretty nice. The "Will" was even close to being on-time, which was not always the case. I remember two Racehorse E's (don't know the numbers), lots of heavyweight head end cars, and three heavyweight coaches. I spent a lot of my time on the trip hanging out of the vestibule dutch doors on the second coach. I think the third coach was Ft Wood Army troops only. But, it was a nice way to start the Christmas week! Good memory! K
Neat scene and concept! I've often thought that, for the passenger modeler especially, picking and sticking with a mid-to-late December era would make for plentiful traffic, especially on the head-end. As Karl and Ken have described, one doesn't have to choose an earlier era in order to make for some interesting modeling and busy switching moves. Best Regards,
That's a great Story Ken, I can always imagine the operations by your words, but thats all I know. Being form the "boondocks", I never saw any passenger trains. I was barely able to roll over in my baby crib in Dec 1961. There was a thread sometime back about how yard modeling wasn't getting much "love" in posts. I will agree and also say the Passenger operations don't get much attention or "love" in modeling posts. By my time, the famous and infamous passenger traffic on the Frisco was dwindling and all but gone. I wonder if passenger operations would have been viable for longer if it weren't in the way of freight operations, they are making quite a comeback in recent years. Regards
I distinctly remember walking up Pine Street (Rolla's main drag) to get down to the Frisco depot and noting how nicely decorated the shops were for Christmas, with Christmas carols playing from speakers on the lamp posts. This, and Santa being down at the depot, really got me in the Christmas spirit that year following a tough week of studying. Shortly after coming back from the Christmas break, semester finals loomed. Ken
Great stuff John, I always enjoy seeing new places, with all the buildings and structures on your RR, nice work on the crossing too.
In all seriousness, you should submit your work to Trackside Photos or something. Very well done. Great models, composition and photography.
Very nice work John. A real great snap shot into time. Do as Jim said. Submit your pics for consideration. Promote the Frisco!
I was taking some stuff down to the dark basement this afternoon and the sun was shining through a window and was lighting up a small section of the layout. I couldn't resist a quick snapshot before the sun set. I just thought it looked cool and thought I would share it.
That is a great effect Jim, you really have the eye for it. As always the trees an natural sunlight help complete an excellent scene. Shows you dont have to have a train in every photo for it to be great.
Neat scenes! Geep07 what is the origin of the engine house/shop building in the background? It that a kit? Kitbash? Scratch? Thanks, Tom
Tom, The building is from a Walthers kit. It is called "Vulcan Manufacturing" (933-3045)I used it as a powerhouse/supply for the MFA Mills industry on the layout. Thanks! John
