My focus in modelling the RF&P is both broad and narrow. Broad in the sense that whenever a
limited run of an RF&P prototype is released, I tend to acquire regardless of era. The recent
Overland brass Governors, Statesmen and Generals being notable exceptions, largely on price alone.
The narrow is the 1979-1988 era, with GP40s, 40-2s and SW1500s painted for various times from that
period.
123 and 147 represent 1984-85; 91 and 144 represent late 1987, and I have a 147 redition of 1979.
Atlas's recent announcement of their GP40 in the correct RF&P colors and non-dynamic brake verison
will add four more to the fleet. These ended up being delivered in the 1984-1987 scheme, which fits
right in for me. In 2002, I joined the Digitrax community at home, jumping right in with the Super Chief.
I joined the Prince William County Model Railroad Club (PWMRC) in the Spring of 2000, shortly after relocating
to Manassas. The majority of club members have Digitrax as the operating system, as that is used
for the club's modular layout, but a few members run North Coast. In 2005, I was elected its President. Also in 2005, the club began
its layout in the south room of the former RF&P Railroad Station in Quantico, Virginia.
The Manassas edition of the RF&P in miniature is still in the design stages. So far, the only constructed
portion is a 2' x 4' module representing the town of Ashland. About all I've decided is that the Ashland to
Doswell segment will be included, along with the South Anna crossing. Probably should do the Richmond
terminus as well, but that may end up being a staging yard. 5 narrow corners are operable, with 4 having two tracks
at 35 and 37 inch radii, with the 5th one having two extra tracks, one on each side of the main two. Another
straight module shell is done, but once again, design hangups have occured while trying to decide what to do with
the track on it. (The above paragraph was written in 2004, but still is true, with the exception of the corners being
scenicked since that point)
New since 2004 is the rebirth of PENNRAIL, the fictional 1980s regional line
that was represented on the Penn State Model Railroad Club's Fourth Layout (1985-1997). The new
set of pages were inspired after the 50th anniversary open house on the Club's 5th Layout. To this point they have consisted of
behind the scenes research of what the actual lines theorized actually looked like, in an attempt to document that, as well as the past modeled
history, in a new forum, as well as display what my own "Bedford Division" will look like.
This rebirth led to acquring several SD45s and a combination of GP38s, GP40s, SW1500s, etc., and assorted wide vision cabooses and freight cars to
be painted anew. Thanks to fellow PWMRC member Lynn, the first of these, a caboose, is finally in the paint shop after a year.
I still keep some ties to the Penn State Model Railroad Club, by
running free-lance freight cars amongs the RF&P trains...
Thanks for visiting the RF&P pages. Hope you enjoyed your stay!
|
I have several hobbies.. such
as:
Trains