Dave Nelson wrote: Here I think Dave makes a vital point. The cars you see when you visit a layout multiple times should not be the same cars every time. Of course the most eye-catching cars are

Folks, Even though this discussion "appears" to go on fo ever, Dick Argo did a good presentation on what was freight car distribution in the C&O Parsons Yard, Columbus, Ohio, in the 1950s. A lot of

Greg Martin wrote: Ah, got it. Dan's post proves your viewpoint, while Larry's is just an exception. Interesting. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA 2906 Forest

It would be nice if this topic would get integrated into the mainstream Model Railroad Hobby..... Having been in both the manufacturing and distribution end of the Industry, there is WAY too much

Jim Betz says: "Having said that - I personally do not think it makes a big difference whether you take the national percentages and try to match them for your layout. I -do- think it is important to

With respect to the 'purpose' ... I think it has been left unsaid that it is very common to go to an NP layout and see far too many NP cars - or to a B&O layout and see almost nothing but B&O

Ed, I built both of the Bowser/Selley tractors. They are pretty clunky by today's standards (I replaced some of the parts on mine), and I'm not even sure they have a real prototype. That said, you

John, No, it's not a typo. That's what the magazine says on both the cover and the title page. It is my understanding that the NRHS fell way behind with their magazine, not untypical of society

Have you checked Rio Grande Models web site for construction equipment? www.riograndemodels.com eric ************** Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on

Dave Nelson notes: "To be clear, just as the distribution hypothesis requires a large number of cars, observed over a period of time -- the length of which will vary by traffic volume -- so must the

Anyone familiar with the farm tractors that Selley offers? Do they require much work? Would several on a flat car be too heavy? Is there an on line site for antique farm machinery? Ed

I feel the need to respond to my own post here, for clarification. Full response at end.

I hope this is a typo! Jon Miller AT&SF For me time stopped in 1941 Digitrax, Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI user NMRA Life member #2623 Member SFRH&MS

We're still working on it :-) Dennis (hear no evil) Storzek

I must comment that this has been disproven by the mere existence of the internet.... :) Meanwhile, I do find the studies useful. They have helped me keep my fleet populated with 'typical' cars

Ben, you said: "Last weekend, I gave a presentation on the B&O's USRA freight cars at the B&ORRHS' Eastern Mini-Con at Harpers Ferry. I'll convert the handout to PDF and post it to the group files

Friends, Yesterday I received the Fall 2007 NRHS BULLETIN. This issue included an 18+ page article on stock cars and stock handling. It is will illustrated with photos of cars from several eras, four

Bruce Smith writes: "So for us lucky PRR modelers, we get to model a great percentage of the national fleet as it traversed Pennsy rails, but someone modeling, say the ATSF, would see very few of

Dave Nelson writes: "As for Mike's later comment that perhaps a years time is necessary to get sightings that conform to the hypothesis, I disagree. It appears around 800-1000 cars will come fairly

Bruce, One caution. For those Pro-Custom/F&C wagontops. Suggest you either use the Sunshine decals or piece together as much as possible of the lettering from the Speedwitch M-26 decals. The