Guys: I’ve been dabbling in Model Railroading ever since I attended a model railroad show in Albany late last year and we (Santa & Mrs. Claus) got our sons some trains for Christmas…which is why my armor production and time on the forum has been off lately.
I, of course, am pursuing the realistic weathering model railroad cars and locomotives demand…and it’s a natural progression from armor weathering. I look forward to working on scenery and buildings too…the steel and coal mill buildings are REALLY COOL! The kits are pricey, $75.00-$200.00 for the ones I’m eye-ing[8-)] But the challenge has piqued my interest.
I still get over here often and try my best to chime in on the threads. I expect my expanded repitiore(sp?) and newly aquired skills will help me in the long run with my armor and dio’s. And hey, if there’s some railroad guys out there, we may even see each other on Kalbach’s sister forum for Model Railroader Magazine.
Think of the diorama possibilities in 1/87 scale! A anti-tank train with flak cars… tank battles. all in a 2’ squared space. I would like to see the two fields combined more with 1/87 Dora, Gustav and the 180 mm series of railway guns Leopold ect. There all ready is very detailed tanks in 1/87 scale, just the two off shoots of scale miniatures never really blended well do to stigma between the scales?
This sparks interest as I have planned in the recesses of my mind for a few years a Kursk battle in 1/144 scale. 1/87 scale would work even better…off to search Squadron mail order!
Well, all I can say is Welcome to the hectic world of having a 2nd hobby that is almost identical to the first.
Like you, I enjoy realistic weathering of model railcars and locomotives (that may explain why all of my model cars turn into rustbuckets in a mudhole somewhere about 1/2 way through the build) and I have been able to apply my skills to model railroading.
It’s kind of funny, accually, watching me balance my budget (60.00/month) between a cheep (mostly Revell cars) models and cheep locomotives (mainly Model Power and Life-Like, with a fair share of Athern and Walthers Proto 2000 thrown in, on sale) so I can have something to work on.
I’ll keep my eyes open for you on the MR forums, and, if you whish, feel free to visit my website at the link below:
There’s not a whole lot to it, as most projects stall (mainly from lack of money) and never start back up. It’s also all words, no pictures, because my computer and camera knowledge is really poor (not helping is that I use a cheeper Kodak Easy-share camera) so uploads are rare. There are some photos floating around in that slice of cyber-space,though.
SMJ, welcome to the dual hobby world. I’ve enjoyed both for years and totally agree that the techniques we use here in armor apply equally to the railroading. I’ve even combined both into one project using 1/48th armor and O scale rail. Those interested in dioramas can learn alot from the model railroaders, they do some serious landscaping. I’ll look for you on the rail forum.
Welcome to the rails. Ive been dabbling in the railroad hobby for about ten years now. Nothing too serious but have a few locos and decent assortment of rolling stock. I finally have somewhere to build a layout and am in the process of designing one. As you have noticed it can be quite expensive, keep an eye on ebay, craigslist, yard sales, flea markets. Look for LOTS usually you can get a bunch of stuff for very little. Often only one or two items are worth the $ but you have plenty of dio material left. Also for us armor inclined, there is an HO scale set of WWII German railcars and locos out there, oh but so very expensive.
Spent a few hours searching for HO scale tanks and find its mostly German WWII. I really would like to see more Soviet WWII tanks, there are a few great resin offerings like the 120 mm mortar mounted on tracks. The supply panzer IV is also available in resin. Both are rather expensive at 75 + 25$. Interestingly enough there are a few photo-etch detail sets for HO scale tanks. The figure sets are a great value and include many different poses, one interesting one was of German POW’s. A combination of them, a Soviet set and a few German knocked out tanks along with the refugee set would make a excellent diorama.
mg.mikael: I know trains SOUNDS like blasphemy, but the time with my sons will be worth it. They are into models still but trains seem to be their thing right now.
The Colosseum did become a shelf queen…but it will resurface eventually. I plan to buy/build a grain elevator in HO scale and weather it…and like I said before , the train stuff should help my armor skills…masonry bulding weathering, etc…perect skill to try before the Colo’
SupressionFire: I plan to do train industry dio’s…not military…yet…
Railfan: Your names says it all’ I’ll look for you if/when I go to the other forum.
tellis: I didn’t know there were ANY model bldr’s and train fans. Good to hear you like both, too!
modelbuilder: I was WELL aware of the $$$ involved in the railroad hobby. It’s definately a long term thing versus a one month tank build! There are a TON of sales, but you’re right, most of it is worthless. I got a lead on 15 PRR hoppers (accurail) for $5 a piece recently, not bad, huh!?
Not bad at all for the hoppers. What railroad or railroads will you be modelling? I am sticking to Norfolk Southern CSX and the previous roads here in NC and SC. Gonna model them as though they were still in operation with new equipment with some of the classic paint schemes. Oh and byt the way, really look into going totally DCC. You can do so much more. And dont be afraid to buy undecorated or other roads names and paint and decal you own stuff. I have done several locos for my friends and I.
