short intro and questions

[CSXTer]

New guy here. I've been armchair modeling for about 6 years now. Saw this site and looks very intersting and seems a little more "advanced" than the others I've been to as far as knowledge and skill level. People seem to be more critical here but in a good way and I like that. My interest in trains and model railroading has been around since I was young but it really grew when one of my friends and his dad built an N scale layout. I've decided to get all the knowledge I can before attempting my own layout. My biggest inspirations so far are Mike Confalone and Lance Mindheim. I like their work. My interest in model railroading goes in cycles. I get bored with it for a while but I always come back to it. When I do finally start I will be modeling CSX 1987 - 1994 or there abouts. I like all of the mixture of the mergers and the variety of locos and rolling stock, particularly L&N, Clinchfield and Western Maryland. No real reason I just like those. In fact my first loco will probably be this one.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=203682&nseq=4



I will probably be basing it very loosely on the old CSX line near my home ran by the (omnitrax) Alabama and Tennessee River Railway now.. Traffic included moslty grain, scrap metal, and timber products. This brings me to my questions. Does any company make woodchip hoppers like these?

http://www.railfanningwesternpa.info/images/December05/SLCwoodchip.jpg

http://www.railfanningwesternpa.info/images/December05/seaboardhop.jpg


Thanks in advanced.

[Philip H]

For N scale wood chip gons:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N_Scale_Woodchip_Gondola_Cars_s/1763.htm

And there are similar for HO.

Welcome, these guys are fun, but the WM types and the Conrail types do occassionally gang up on the CSXT types! Being a KCS modeler they mostly look at me amusedly, all the while shaking their heads.

[Mark5]

These are close but not exact:

http://www.deluxeinnovations.com//rolling/rollingchipdeep01.html

Mark

[CSXTer]

Dang that was fast. Thanks alot guys !!!!  I don't know how I missed those in my search. Can I ask one more question?  How do I change my avatar on here? I haven't seen anything but pictures of actors and musicians.

[Philip H]

You have to have a certain number of posts and then you are granted that ability.

[CSXTer]

ah !!  okay Thanks again.

[wm3798]

Welcome to the fold.  Nice choice for the first loco project!

Sounds like a nice concept for a compact yet functional layout.  What kind of space are you working with?

Lee

[CSXTer]

Sounds like a nice concept for a compact yet functional layout.  What kind of space are you working with?

Well I'm looking to buy a house right now, so I have no idea what kind of space i'll be working with. I'm not big on operations, just running trains and good scenery. I would like for it to be operational though so it "looks" realistic. I'm hoping for an around the room shelf style layout, maybe with a "blob". Doesn't have to be huge. Small spare bedroom would be fine I don't need to overdo it on my first layout anyway. I'm in no big hurry. I'm hoping that if I wait long enough N scale locos will come standard with DCC w/sound, ha ha. In the meantime I collect rolling stock here and there. I want to start weathering some of them before long. I looked at the pics of your layout. I like the paper mill. Very nice. That is probably going to be the one big industry on my layout. I just don't know much about modeling one yet.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ah, I was JUST in that position.

Keep in mind, the more "finishing" the layout space will need, the higher the chance the layout won't ever happen.

Nice to have you man!

[Mark5]

Dang that was fast. Thanks alot guys !!!!  I don't know how I missed those in my search. Can I ask one more question?  How do I change my avatar on here? I haven't seen anything but pictures of actors and musicians.

If you want one based on a RR logo PM me I might be able to help.

Mark

[Wlal13again]

Ah, I was JUST in that position.

Keep in mind, the more "finishing" the layout space will need, the higher the chance the layout won't ever happen.

Nice to have you man!

I second that. look for the finished basement, it`s the only way to go... And welcome aboard..We`ll try not to beat up CSX too much...

[CSXTer]

 Although I want to start small my ideal layout would be same line and era but with interchanges with Norfolk Southern and FEC. I don't think I'll ever have the space, time, or money to model the scenery transition from the appalachian foothills to the Florida east coast.

[asciibaron]

welcome.  don't show Lee the CSXT on the WM unit, he'll have another "episode."

i suggest building a door sized layout - i should have done it 4 years ago.  i'd be running trains and laughing instead of cursing myself for wasting 4 years.

once in the house, you can run the door while you build the larger layout.

-Steve