Hello S-Heads!
<< WARNING: Long post filled with philosophical crap follows. >>
(There. You have been warned. If you continue reading then it's your own
fault.)
Speaking of drivel (re: my previous post/response to Ed L.)... I thought I'd
pose a question.
Do any of you "proto-lance", and if so, why? (i.e. "Proto-lance" -
freelance modeling based on prototype practices.) I am interested in
reading your reasons for doing so as I am contemplating a slight shift for
my KC Lines in the hope of the concept having better "focus".
In my case, I'm thinking about returning to proto-lancing for my in-process
KC Lines layout. Originally, I figured I would just model the KCT, Frisco,
et al, and run whatever blew my skirt up at the moment. However, the
"desires a degree of plausibility" that is a part of me has me second
guessing that idea. Namely, I don't think you would see switchers of the
KCT, Frisco, Katy, CB&Q, etc, ALL switching the same industries. Making
appearances in Transfer Drags yes... but not serving the same industries in
the same area. Thus, I think it would be more PLAUSIBLE to have ONE
railroad switching the layout... and the others making cameo appearances via
the Transfer Drags, etc.
This brings up the question of WHICH PROTOTYPE? Well... I have scant
"factual" knowledge of the KC area "back when". (Only mental images of
railroading.) So, I don't actually KNOW what railroad switched what
industries. BUT, I know how railroading works... and likely one, maybe two
railroads served the West Bottoms region that I am trying to capture the
feel of. However, I don't know which, and really don't know if I want to
know. (Once I know something for sure, it can bug me if I don't "fix"
whatever is not accurate in my modeling efforts.)
Sooo... having typed all of the above drivel, this brings me back to my idea
of proto-lancing.
I am contemplating either creating my own switching line (Perhaps called the
Kansas City Connecting RR?)... or supplementing history and embelishing the
KCT's roster with my own "enhancements".
Downside to creating my own line is that I have a real weakness for black
switch engines with yellow hazzard stripes. (i.e. Frisco, KCT, etc.)
Therefore, I KNOW that I'll end up with a scheme that looks like the
Frisco's, or the KCT's, or.. you get the idea. That will make the eventual
Frisco and KCT units that show up somewhat redundant and "more of the same".
Upside is that I can do what needs to be done for the KC Lines layout
without overmuch concern that the Frisco, or KCT, didn't DO IT THIS WAY.
However, the OTHER very tempting idea is to embelish the KCT and add a new
class to its roster. The actual KCT's roster of the mid 60s looked like
this:
40 Class - S1's (Most stored by the early-mid 60s)
50 Class - S2's
60, 61 - Modified NW2's (scrapped in '64, as I recall.)
70 Class - SW1200's
Now, the "problems" with the above roster is that there are essentially no
undec SHS SW engines to be had. (I scooped up ONE off eBay many months ago,
and it was plagued with non-SHS problems that I had to fix.) Plus, the only
S2 readily available is a nice kit, but very labor intensive. (Been there,
done that... getting too lazy, I'm a'feared.) So, if I go with one of my
real "likes" about KC, to wit, the KCT... I don't have what I need in order
to do so READILY.
Now, my "idea": I'm thinking about using the readily available and
acceptibly nice AM Baldwin S12 and creating a new "class" for the KCT.
These would be the 65 Class and would be numbers 65-69. This new 65 Class
would just "happen" to be assigned to the West Bottoms district aka my KC
Lines layout. I know others have employed this modeling concept before, but
I never have. Instead, I either prototype modeled or created my own
railroad and its identity in its entirety. However, using this KCT
embellishment idea would allow me to have engines that closely reflect the
KCT "look", but are made from models readily available and already on hand.
Now, the downside to THIS approach is:
* It never happened. Would I mentally accept alien KCT units?
* There'll eventually be lots'a Baldwin's seen on the KC Lines layout: The
new KCT Baldwin's, plus examples of the Mop, Katy, even the CB&Q! That's a
lot of Baldwin's. (As the upcoming SHS SW/NW releases become available, the
Baldwin's will be watered down.)
Soooo... there you have it. That's some of the twiSted thinking that this
twiSted modeler is entertaining. However, part of the fun (for me) in this
silly hobby of model railroading is the enjoyment I find in pondering the
fate of my very own miniature world.
Wonder what I'll do?
Andre Ming
The Patootey Pontificator
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