Search results

  1. K

    Information/Explanation Request

    Yes. You tie down sufficient handbrakes, and in some cases lock the cab. You aren't going to "just sit on the main waiting for the block to clear" and lock up and go home. You're going to alert the dispatcher 2 hours before the expiration of your hours-of-service so that they can arrange a...
  2. K

    The Regression of Model Railroading

    Silly lurker me, I'm just trying to figure out how and why someone else's ability to buy anything they want pre made in any way takes away from my ability to enjoy the hobby? A pox on your '70s MRs. Go get a 1940's MR. Back then things had to be built from cardboard and spit. And guess what...
  3. K

    Model Railroading Unlimited?

    Whoa Roger, I think we were arguing at cross purposes and actually agreeing. You hit the nail on the head.
  4. K

    Model Railroading Unlimited?

    Blank DVD, editor's pay $45-70k a year. Blank VHS, editor's pay $45-70k a year.
  5. K

    Model Railroading Unlimited?

    I am not at liberty to discuss what if any magazines are making money at KPC now. It is, however, public knowledge that I *can* discuss that, in the past, certain magazines were published by KPC at a loss. For years. And years. Earth was one of them. They were supported because they diversified...
  6. K

    Model Railroading Unlimited?

    Is an editor's pay less because something went on disk rather than tape? Overhead is the same.
  7. K

    Model Railroading Unlimited?

    Kalmbach has always charged high rates for their books. As a small, independent publisher in a niche market, they have no other choice. As for the formerly free content on the sites, most of what was free still is now. The newswire is the only part that isn't free that used to be, and that is...
  8. K

    Immediate Inspection For CSX Trains

    It's been 8 years since the CR split between NS and CSX. If it were problems "inherited" from CR, they would have occurred far earlier. This is a result of CSX's maintenance defferal policy. Remember that at the time of the split CSX stated that Conral had been "overmaintained".
  9. K

    something unsusal (?)

    Sharknoses are Baldwins, not Alcos. The steam inhabitants of Brooklyn are: Southern Pacific 4449, GS-4 class 4-8-4 Spokane Portland & Seattle 700, E-1 class 4-8-4 Oregon Railway & Navigatio Company 197, 4-6-2 (not operable at this time, stored indoors) Diesels at Brooklyn: Spokane Portland &...
  10. K

    something unsusal (?)

    The other "F-unit" is not an F at all. It's an ALCO-GE FA-1, ex Long Island cab car, ex-ex BN FA1, ex ex ex SP&S 866A.
  11. K

    Modern Diesel Locomotive Length

    4-axle road freight locmotives have not been manufactured in the US since the early 1990s, with the EMD GP60/GP60M. The vast majority of freight locomotives are 6 axle engines. HO scale 22" radius curves are not very broad. In fact, I haven't used anything below a 30" curve in nearly a decade...
  12. K

    mixed a and b units

    David, regarding the LRCs, they used to be hauled by matching power units that were powered by Alco 251 blocks. Essentailly an FPA4 mechanical sucessor in a body that matched the LRC.
  13. K

    mixed a and b units

    All your questions regarding cab-unit consists, as well as general consists, can be found in this thread: http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=25010&highlight=Alco
  14. K

    Roadbed Height

    Bottom line: money. It costs a lot of money to lay nice track with good, high ballast profiles. So even on a fairly well-to-do class one, you'll see sidings and spurs given increasingly less profiling, less ballast, etc.... You might find the main well above the average land surface on a large...
  15. K

    Amtrak Cascades

    The fairings are generally known as "batwings". E-R Models imports the Spanish version of the Talgo; with the wings added and repainted it ought to be a serviceable model. I know a few people have done such in N scale, but I don't know of any HO kitbashes yet.
  16. K

    Steep Grade Problem

    I would very much add my voice to reducing the grade. I've seen and operated on layouts with a grade in excess of 9% and I can tell you that sliding is a major problem, even with just a car or two. In one instance a run for the hill was absolutely necessary!
  17. K

    Need help with a smaller than usual HO layout...

    15" radius is really tight, sounds like a little switching road. Interesting though, as there might be some possibilities here. For passenger, I don't think you'll get a lot of operating fun out of a passenger train on a layout this small. You might want to consider some creative options. One...
  18. K

    Do you work for a railroad?

    Conductor for the last 3 years, M-O-W worker for two years prior to that.
  19. K

    Wikipedia Rulz !!!!

    One note, wikipedia is not comrpehensive, and being user-based, there's a lot of inacurate information on there also. It's a great primer for a first dip into net research that is more comprehensive than Google, however. The rule of thumb for me tends to be this: 1.) Check wikipedia 2.) Check...
  20. K

    History question regarding Alco PA's

    To expand on Triplex's mention of union rules, many early roadswitchers were ordered without the capability to MU, as the union agreements of that particular road forbade it. In steam days, MU'ing was almost unheard of -- a double header required two crews. Although technology allowed diesels...