Wednesday September 3, 2008 Lethbridge, Alberta
6:30 am
I am definitely getting back into this hobby. One weakness in my background has to do with making realistic looking scenery. Another is learning to use an airbrush. I think I will join the local model train club and see if that helps.
Web surfing is a time sink. But I have located the following web sites:
- Ship It! software for operational running
- Trains Canada online store
- QSI sound systems for DCC
- Edmonton Society of Model Engineers
- Edmonton Model Railroad Association
- Supertrain conference in Calgary in 2009
- Canadian Association of Railway Modellers
- NMRA Canada
- Southern Alberta Model Railway Club
- Calgary Model Railway Association
- Canadian Scale Rail online store (Olds, Alberta)
Many of these sites provide examples that I may be able to adapt to my own situation.
Here are some notes on the latest issue of Canadian Railway Modeller:
Canadian Railway Modeller
Train 16 Track 2: May - June 2008
p. 10
- This is a very impressive review of the new TrueLine Trains CN caboose. As a result of this review I will order two of these for my layout.
p. 15
- Book reviews of "Trackside Around Montreal 1955 - 1979", "Canadian Trackside Guide 2008" & "Vanishing Sentinels".
p. 16 - 18
- This is an excellent description of how to build operating switch stands in O scale. The next issue will do the same for HO scale. I am looking forward to this.
p. 32
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CN Lines
Volume 14, Number 3: May 2008
p. 6 - 15
- This is a very comprehensive description of the Bombadier 6-axle freight diesel locomotives produced for CN in 1982. The locos are called HR-616's and had road numbers 2100 - 2119. This is the first article of this kind that I have read in detail. Fascinating. Here are a few points that I noted:
- Baombadier (BBD) was the former Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW)
- MLW was building locomotives under license from the American Locomotive Company (ALCo)
- These locomotives were nicknamed the Draper Taper, after W. L. Draper who designed the full-width car body.
- the engine was 16 cylinder, were rated at just over 3,000 h.p., and had a 75mph gearing.
- in order to comply with USA standards the cab windows were bulletproof.
- There were 3 compartments behind the cab:
- electrical
- main engine
- radiators
- There were many operational problems with this series and it was not repeated.
p. 16 - 22
- A superb description of the ice collection on Yellowhead Lake. I can recall the icehouse in the yard in Jasper. Another great memory jog.
p. 41 - 43
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The description of the Bombadier HR-616's triggered a memory of when I used to take photos of trains in Jasper. Now to find them and see if I had any photos of this type. Reviewing the photos, I did not see any with that road number.
Here are a few of the more common names of steam locomotives, based on their wheel arrangement:
Wheel Arrangement |
Name |
2-6-0 |
Mogul |
2-6-2 |
Prairie |
4-6-2 |
Pacific |
2-8-0 |
Consolidation |
2-8-2 |
Mikado |
4-8-2 |
Mountain |
4-8-4 |
Northern |
I am slowly getting the hang of the terminology. Repetition will help.
Branchline
September 2008
p. 3 - 6
- This provides a good description on where one can watch trains between Lethbridge and the Crowsnest Pass. Perfect timing.
This magazine has motivated me to begin doing some train spotting again. My interest lies in Canadian National rather than the Canadian Pacific. Either I should broaden my interest or I need to find a couple of good spots in Edmonton.
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