dckuk

Wilmar Minnesota? Sioux City Iowa? I know there are similar ands identical names of towns and cities, often even within the same state, but having lived not too far from Wilmar Minnesota, it just kind of leaped out at me! Wherever the locale, these options you listed present some great opportunities. Depending upon the era you pick, a working Interurban line can easily be incorporated based on a local service company in or near an on-line city. It would be reasonably simple to include segments of the line without the terminal infrastructure, unless that is something you desire to do. The overhead wire will get you respect enough. A significant amount of traffic anywhere in the northern part of the West and Midwest was lumber; it is a great through traffic product. Wood products would move from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin in all directions, as well as East and South from Washington, Oregon, and parts of Montana. In later years (where the interurban might be challenging) coal unit trains could also be added. And GN had some very nice paint schemes through the years, and Interchange alo opens this up even farther. Looking forward to seeing the plan unfold!

10th of August this year? I ordered some tools that could not be sent to my address on the diplomatic circuit, and they took about six weeks! So anywhere in between the two should be "normal". Service-wise, yes, it is completely regulars for things not to move for a period of time, as there is no service standard for international shipments. And GlobalPost is a separate company, not USPS, so your item may actually be on it's way as we speak but not reporting in the USPS tracking system...

The vertical brake wheel suggests a WW1 USRA design box car. Similar cars were built during WW2 to conserve steel for the war effort, but most pictures I have seen feature the more familiar horizontal brake wheel of more modern cars high on the end. One of the troubles of modeling as you probably know is that sometimes cars are made available to sell, rather than be totally accurate, so if your theme is 1914 - 1950ish, you should be able to get away with these, though the "new" or "blt" date (cannot read them from your photos) may narrow this...

Here, quietly. Being one of the resident Americans I try to help answer where I can, but given the current environment and my responsibilities, time is a killer...

No. DCC in any event will be a significant challenge. I own several, and have since the 1970s...

During the Passenger train era there were certainly brakemen on passenger trains, even the premier trains of the road. While the Internet is poor at finding factual information, other than discussion on the current argument over train crew size, I was able to find a site that reinforces my memory on the subject: "Freight trains of this era normally carried two brakemen, one on the head-end, riding in the locomotive's cab, and a "flagman," which rode in the trailing caboose. Each man had very serious responsibilities that included protecting the train through roll-by inspections (watching for hot boxes or some other problem with the equipment) and physically walking down the tracks to warn approaching trains of a problem (remember this was during the era long before radio or other wireless communication devices)..." While this specifically mentions freight, the crew size was mandated, and the front and rear brakemen on passenger trains were more less the conductor's assistants; the conductor ruled the train, and brakemen would extend his capability, as well as undertake operational tasks along the journey and in station. One common place to observe the brakeman was collecting orders along the line, often suspended on posts or passed up in long handled hoops. The best advice is as always; find what specifically interests you, such as railroad, era, train, etc., and research the heck out of it.

Varney; that goes back many years. An iffy representation of a B&O wagon-top box car...

Often these would follow a pattern; a particular wheel arrangement would have a letter designation (or series) such as the “K” for a Pacific, and major version changes would progress the number. Minor changes to a series (such as converting fuels from coal to oil, or adding a particular type of feed water heater) might bring a “subclass”. best bet is to research the particular railroad and see what you can learn...

John and all, more often, at least in my case, spare time can be used for working on the layout, or writing about working on the layout. When that available pool of free time shrinks, well, I’d rather selfishly get my enjoyment doing the work than being on line. it doesn’t help that most of the OTHER time is spent in a futile feeling search for new employment; to say I’d rather walk away from the screen and keyboard is the understatement of the century. i am trying to balance it all, so with luck it is a temporary thing. I am also just relatively new ‘round these parts, so have not yet made my mark. Give the boy time! There has to be some benefit of being a real honest to good American in a group of American (using the term as it may be) enthusiasts! So, as we say, until then... Dennis

Just in case anyone is in the area; in additional to the International N Gauge show happening this weekend, I'll be exhibiting at the Kettering and District Model Railway Society - Annual Model Railway Exhibition. Hopefully next year I can get my layout into the N Gauge show... https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/19629-KetteringandDistrictModelRailwaySocietyExhibition

Two shows in two days the week before I can’t justify this one. However, when next year’s is being planned I have a US layout that is easily portable...

It’s worth finding a dealer that has them, and will send it to you. A sheet of decals will fit in an envelope that does not have to cost a fortune to mail. and yes MG Sharp closed years ago; i stopped in on a trip through, and was able to pick up a few dusty sets of freight cars...

A friend posted this on facebook today; let Rich know your thoughts as well as any interest: http://www.rslaserkits.com/Modular-Building-system-starter-kit-concrete_p_4204.html

Peterborough? It’s a shame you said HO, or it would be a case of “come on over”! I too model the Chicago area roads, but in N scale. i’ll keep this subject in mind, as you never know when another local will “turn up” to make this happen. I know there are HO modellers around, but keeping track of them hasn’t been an easy task. good luck! Dennis