Notes on Designing, Building and Operating Model Railroads

A recent summer weekday was spent in a library, specifically, the special collections room in the Michael Schwartz Library of Cleveland State University. Upon entering, my eyes were drawn to several large images of Cleveland’s past and a large collection of O scale model trolleys positioned atop a long shelving unit. This is really one cool joint. Among the railroad archives collected here are documents from the Nickel Plate, Erie-Lackawanna, Wheeling & Lake Erie, and the Newburgh & South Shore. I went in search of W&LE maps and N&SS images. I did not find those specific items, but I did find and review W&LE images and N&SS maps. Reviewing these items were well worth the time.
(more…)

I have an interest in freight cars and marvel over the advances made in freight car construction between 1919 and the end of the steam era in the late 1950s. The late 1926 period I am concentrating on for this layout is fascinating as steel-sheathed box cars are just gaining a foothold on the US freight car fleet. The Wheeling & Lake Erie fleet is also quite interesting and a number of freight cars will be challenging to build and produce. A review of the 1925 and 1926 Official Railway Equipment Registers offer a good picture of the W&LE fleet. These ORER volumes are available on disc from two vendors. Donald R.Hensley, Jr., offers the October 1926 ORER. Al Westerfield offers a 1925 ORER.

(more…)

An offshoot of model railroading that has given me much enjoyment is researching different aspects of the prototype. As you can see in the previous post, I get a little excited when some historical details combine to offer an interesting modeling opportunity. What I failed to note at that time are a few related resources that many people may have considered earlier in the game. I had actually consulted a few of these resources, but forgot to note them.

John B. Corns has published two books on the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway. These volumes offer fine historical overviews of Ohio’s Iron Cross line. Motive power, depots and facilities, and rolling stock are featured. Combined, both books offer a significant understanding of the W&LE and ar recommended. Titles are simply The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (copyright 1991 by TLC Publishing, Inc.), and The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Volume 2 (copyright 2002 by TLC Publishing, Inc.). Only two images of the East 93rd Street Yard area are featured, but the locomotive details and freight car images are very useful.
(more…)