Descriptions and galleries – written in English

All these descriptions with exception of galleries are saved on external servers. A click on links opens a new window for reading.

Please click on pictures for enlarged views including a short picture description.

 

Topics:

 

 

Engines – steam of course


A Ten-wheeler of Chicago, Burlington & Qincy Railroad which I will like to use as motive power for a short old-time passenger train. Now the model runs excellently after some repairs and digitalizing!

A nice model of a ten-wheeler of Chicago, Burlington & Qincy Railroad that needed some repairs and a new digitalizing with one of my favored WOW-sound stem decoders.

Model is finished now and is excellently painted. Please follow this digitalizing job on an album on Facebook.



A really nice racehorse, my new Atlantic of CNW. Planned as motive power for an one car Extra train for the CEO.

I love my new model of Chicago & North Western class D, especially now after a heavy repair. But now after that the model runs very, very well!

A gallery shows the problem and how I solved that. Digitalizing will follow in next time – please look the gallery including a first video of the smoothly running loco on Facebook.


 

A nice small Consolidation, this N&W class G1 which needed a digitalization for its first use as motive power of an Xtra-train.

A relative small engine from my collection, this N&W class G1 built in 1897 which needs less repairs only, but I had to digitalize the model, before I could use this loco as motive power for an Xtra-train.

Read a description including some comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.
All photos of prototype can you see because of owner restrictions only here in my gallery – with English captions.

This is the idea of an Xtra-train for transporting this extraordinary and large pressure tank.
You find further information about this tank a bit more below, please scroll down to Loads.

 

 


The prototype and my model of N&W class M twelve-wheeler – a rare but nice looking brass model that will be used as motive power for my 1930 freight train after some modifications and a digitalization.

You can see a complete gallery of this modeling job here on my website with captions in English, of course.

 

 

As I love it, to the model of course also a picture of the prototype. Here the locomotive looks almost more powerful than the model. Permission by NWHS.org

I have thought that this model of Norfolk & Western class Z1b mallet would be the last N&W loco model that I purchased, and which completes my collection of older N&W steam engine models now. But that only was a bad thought! I was so excited about this model that it was come directly onto my worktable after receiving to rework the first digitalizing done by a former owner into one after my wishes and equipped with a TCS WOW-sound decoder, of course.
All in all, a very nice detailed and smooth running model!
 
You can follow this project on Facebook on an album where as last I added a new video.



The youngest model, Reading 2-8-8-2 class N-1, a really interesting designed locomotive! Not a Mallet but an articulated, which I immediately loved!

Saw the prototype, looked for a model, found it and bought it! And because I liked this Reading 2-8-8-2 of class N-1 so much, I immediately worked on it and digitized it! And now I have a great runner in my roster! Painting follows!

You can follow this project on Facebook on an album and a video shows the model’s great running characteristic.



A very small switcher of the Pennsylvania railroad, but a very nice model from Sunset.

The smallest loco model in my collection, a Pennsy A5s switcher. A very nice model with less repairs or changes and a digitizing without problems. Seldom have I had so little work with a brass model!

Please spend a look at this model on Facebook, unfortunately a video is missing doing its switching jobs.


 

The right model for my Suburban train with an excellent paint job, but also with unexpectedly much repairs! But now with the decoder - an excellent running model!

My Pennsy E6s has been giving more problems than I initially expected. But I was able to fix everything and especially the model got a chuff control that probably can’t be better.

Please have a look at this solution and see the matching video at the end of my album on Facebook.


 



The prototype and my model of Espee’s #3000 class A-6 Atlantic – a very nice model and a good base for a fast digitalization as a very good runner for my future five car Sacramento Daylight train.

Read a description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.

You can see all pictures also here on a gallery including all those of the Daylight train while an exhibition in Dresden, Germany. Sorry, captions not available in English.

 

 

The prototype of my brass model - Southern Pacific 4-6-6-2 class AM-2. Courtesy George Elwood - www.rr-fallenflags.com

Since many years is this model of Southern Pacific cab forward class AM-2 part of my small brass collection. But now, after selling the UP Bull moose (see next model) I would like to digitalize a next large model for my freight train with cars around 1915 and maybe also as motive power for a future passenger train. However, there was the need for exchanging the motor however, this was a bit more difficultly than I have thought before.

You can follow this project on Facebook on a gallery which will updated as the project goes on.



This model has given only a short guest role in my collection because this loco with this design was a model of a time after 1938. And short after purchasing I sold all my car models of the 1930 era. With this I did not longer need this model and so I sold again it for a good price.

There was a good offer for this UP Bull moose and I thought that it would be a good loco for my 1930 train. I repaired the bad runner and received a really good running and powerful model! However, a short time later I sold my complete 1930 freight train, and the loco was left over and has been sold again!

An album on Facebook shows how I changed the model to a really good running model.


 

Two narrow gauge models - not for running on a layout, no, they will be loaded onto flatcars and will be used as engine transport (from the maker to their future destination railroad).



The first narrow gauge model which took its place onto a flat car for transporting to the futore destination.

Two engine models in size HOn3, however they will never run on a layout as motive power. I have planned to build flat cars for locomotive transport and these models will be ride on the top! First, I had to rebuild the small 0-6-0T engine model and now the first model is ready for use.

You can follow this project on an album on Facebook.



Die für mich beeindruckendste Dampflokomotive aller Zeiten, die 2-10-10-2 class AE der Virginian Railway; bereits 1918 gebaut und bis 1953 im Einsatz.

A long time dreamed wish – running my Virginian class AE as a digitalized model! All needed mechanical reworking was done since a longer time already, only the digitalizing was to realize yet.
And now the model is ready for its first use!

An album on Facebook shows how I changed and digitalized the model to a really good running loco model.



Reading B8a, which needs a new motor, maybe also a new gear - and definitively a digitalizing!

A really small and nice camelback, this Reading B8a switcher, which was standing for years in my showcase only, so I have sold it. But the new owner asked for a new motor and a digitalizing – and here is a description in pictures.

An album on Facebook shows how I changed and digitalized the model. And now I’m asking because I have sold it? Ok, the new owner is a very good friend and the model is in good hands now!



A Frisco Russian decapod, new in my small collection and needing a digiattalizing, of course!

A locomotive model of the Frisco Russian decapod with the wheel arrangement 2-10-0, of which I had none in my collection so far, a model still from an early Japanese production of high quality! Lucky, I probably don’t have to do much to it, except digitalizing of course!

An album on Facebook shows how I digitalized the model.



Virginian class US-A 2-8-8-2 Mallet, A brass model where the owner asked me to

A nice brass model of the Virginian Ry. mallet with the 2-8-8-2 axle sequence, that just wouldn’t run! Unfortunately, the drive was in a really bad condition, but I could fix all these problems and faults – and now the locomotive has actually “learned to run”.

An album on Facebook shows how I digitalized the model.


top

Brass models



This old brass model of a gasoline railbus of NH needed a reworking especially of running gear. Together with the digitalization I received a very rare and well running model.
Read a description in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist including comments of readers.



Three old brass gondolas where the prototypes were built in 1890 with a lenght of only 27'. However models needed a lot of repairs and some new details.

Three small old time brass gondolas of the NYO&W, where the prototypes were built in 1890, which fit very well my 1900-train. However, I had to make some repairs, and they all have received an additional detailing!

Read a description including comments of readers on my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.


Pennsylvania Railroad X23 box car, an early 40' box car with steel frame which very well fits my 1900 train

My new PRR X23 box car, a brass model that required many changes to make it a model that matches the prototype!!

Read my description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist or look a shorter version as pictures on my gallery here – with English captions.


A new model, a caoose of Norfolk & Western class CG. A steel caboose planned for use with my 1930 train - and now ready after some changes and an excellent painting and weathering!

A new Norfolk & Western caboose for my 1930 freight train. However, it needed some changes to receive a correctly detailed and well running model!

Read my description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist or look a shorter version as pictures on my gallery here – with English captions.


top

Scratchbuilt models

The prototype of a heavy load platform car (flatcar) of the Wabash RR. with a mighty shaft - on a picture of 1901.

The prototype of my first complete scratch-built models –
a 16-wheel heavy load platform car of Wabash Railroad, built in 1889 – with a heavy and very impressive load!

Read a description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.




And, in addition, I had to build two more models after my first car, absolutely!
These two loads were in my stock, and this car was the right base to transport them.

 

 

The prototype! To me a very long time fascinating car. Look for the many details on underside and how the body is additionally arched up!

This is the very extraordinary prototype of my scratch-build project – a 66′ gondola of Lake Terminal RR. built in 1899 with 16 (!) trussrods and arched up by rain and humidity.

Read a slightly shortened description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.




It was a must to build a few of these models with their very unusual length of 66′ at their time and I would like to build such models with their extremely large number of details – 12 truss rods under the frame and four more over the side boards!

Click the following links to see the full description including many more pictures
- Beginning of project and Detailing of models – here on my website, in German.

 

 

The sketch of a reefer from that I was fascinated a long time - until I started to build a small series of such models.

I was fascinated for a long time about this reefer with its off-centered doors and a very nice looking decoration on side walls – this White Swan reefer where I found the sketch in a reprint of a Seattle Car & Foundry company from 1913.

Read the second part of description including comments of readers in my thread on Big Blue train forum.




Please open the following link seeing a complete gallery with all steps of this project beginning with frame and the skatch after which I built these – White Swan billboard reefers – here on my website with captions in German.

 


An old flatcar which I need for a small but interesting load which I received from a friend as a gift. The model is finished and waits for its first use together with my other old time models.

A model of an old so called Canda flat car where the prototype was built in 1893 and which I need for this interesting load, a gift from my good friend Rob from England.

Model is finished now and extensively documented. Please follow this project on an album on Facebook.


 


The picture of prototype which I wanted to build - a relatively short but heavily built flat car from a period short before 1900.

There was the need for some new flat cars which I needed for transport of interesting heavy loads. I have built two models for use with my trains and a third one as a gift to a very good friend in England.

Models are finished now and these additionally pictures show wherefore they are needed. Please follow this project on an album on Facebook.



 


Arms Palace Horse Cars Co. - A car looking like a passenger car and thought also for running with such fast trains!

A picture of this Palace horse car has given me the idea building two of such seldom seen and less documented cars. With a little bit fortune, I have found some dates about the prototype and a new project was born.

Two models were built and documented on Facebook. Painting is realized and the models can go into service now.



Acid tank cars from 1901 with all typical 1900 accessories, built from wood, truss rods and wooden sideways and scratch built tanks!

Acid tank cars from 1900, built after a prototype picture. This tank car really contains all the elements that were so typical of the construction of railroad cars in this time, exactly what I love so much!

Three models are now built and documented on Facebook. Painting is realized and the models can go into service now.


top

Passenger cars and trains

These two passenger cars were built from 60 year old kits and are fine examples of passenger cars around 1900, equipped with additional details, of course.
Two old time models, these Selley passenger cars which I started to build after a long time of delaying. However, they are the base for a nice looking short and very old train from a time around 1900.

Follow this project on an album on Facebook.

 

Two passenger cars of the PRR, the Clocker train can now become reality - with RPO and and a coach as first
Two Pennsy passenger cars were the start – now six different coaches make a Clocker. All car models have been reworked and with this a new train is in my collection!

Follow this project on an album on Facebook.


 

The starting point for a very special passenger train - a Pullman observation car, with which I would like to set up a new train!

A rather quickly realized model work, a Pullman Observation car for a fast Extra train of the Railroad president. As nice as the model looked, some repairs still had to be done. Please see a gallery on Facebook.

Please see also a video with this model as an Extra train for the President’s business trip on YouTube, pulled by my just finished CNW Atlantic.

 

top

Kits, kit-bashing and loads

Reefer models by ATLAS - which I changed to real model train cars with a 1900 era fitting wood frame and a correct detailed outer design.
Reefers with a roof lettering, these Decker meat reefers – I wanted to run some of them with my 1900 train! However, they should look like good models and not toy-like!

Read my description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist.


Watermelone cars, very old and very close to the prototype built in 1893! This was my idea as I started a rebuilding project with an old and cheap industrial model.
Three Watermelon cars, only two pictured, which should be a bit more detailed and closer to prototype, which was the idea as I started a rebuilding project with old and cheap industrial models. And each of these models should receive its own and specific appearance!

Follow this project on an album on Facebook.


The load master says, all ok with fixing of this unusual load. An interesting project with fine detailed fixing parts, built from scratch.
A large ship propeller is a rarely seen load on a railroad car, however it was modeled after a real picture. The load fixing was a very delicate work but with a good result, I think.

Click on link for downloading and reading The Keystone Modeler – Spring 2014. Description starts on page 22.


A mighty pressure tank precisely built after a picture. In my opinion a highly interesting work. And two additional flatcars for an Xtra-train of the year 1922 were parallely built with this tank.

A very large and extraordinary load on a flatcar – built after a picture of prototype – and that was very fascinating to me on the first sight! Now the model is ready including two more flatcars as a Xtra-train!

Read my description including comments of readers in my blog on Model Railroad Hobbyist or look a gallery here – English captions.


A coal tower built from a “kit” – and this is a large number of different wood strips and many pages of a construction description. However, the model was built and completed in two intensive working periods and some mechanical gimmicks were inserted additionally.

Please follow this project on an album on Facebook including some video clips.


Also built for a model railroad museum, this old water tower. Now finished with the last details!

A second wooden model, a water tower, which I have built from a “kit”, but the construction was not as difficult as the model before. Here, too, I gave the model a little life by adding a mechanical drive.

Please look this project on my album on Facebook also including a video clip.


Tank cars, a bit different from the usual! High-board walkways and a wooden planking for the self-advertisement! That's really something for me!

Two old tank car models for my collection, which are a bit different from the common ones. Therefore, I really wanted to build them because they fit quite excellently my model building period after 1900!

Please look this project on my album on Facebook and follow a step by step construction there.

top

Model building hints and a bit of technology

Universal joints, often a problem at engine models if cheap produced parts made from plastic or also brass are used.

There was the need to repair some parts of gear mechanism at one of my model locomotives.
Doing this I shot some pictures and so a new gallery “Universal joints – very easy to repair!” was created.

See this gallery on my website here.


A new technology to me, how I produce rivet strips and gusset plates, a quite simply method and that yet in a wide variety!

Here I write about a new technology to me for making of “Rivet strips and gusset plates”. I think this will be a relatively simple method, therefore I’m sure that you can achieve very good results, too!

Read a description including comments of readers on the US Train forum Big Blue.


A very simple way for an independent lighting and, nevertheless, switchable, also without a decoder. For the analogous as well as for the digital powered layout.

You can see a short video Lighted cars – without electronics! on YouTube.com how I added a car lighting, here especially a flashing end-of-train light which is switchably also without electronics. I’m sure that this is a very simple solution and therefore everyone can build this also!


An extended gallery how to build Illiminated oil lanterns in HO-scale with step by step instructions including a lot of hints or read an article in MRH Magazine 08/2017 issue.


Kerosene lamps for old time passenger cars! An idea where I followed pictures of prototypical lamps - and they were a good addition to my passenger cars!

I have written a bit above about my Selley passenger cars – and after finishing I was sure that they ought to receive time fitting kerosene lamps for inner lighting. These lamps are that what I built after real existing prototypes!

Follow this project on an extended album on Facebook which is thought as proposal for scratch building!


Classification lights and marker lamps - I love to equip my models with LEDs in order to get illuminated lamps and lanterns! And it's simple!

Lamps and lanterns a third time! After asking by friends, I have shot some pictures and commented them how I illuminate the classification lamps of locos. Also the lighting of train end lanterns for cabooses can be done on same manner – and I do it regularly.

Please follow this how-to-do tutorial on an extended album on Facebook and I’m sure that you will have success with your own illuminated lanterns and lamps!


 

 
Sorry for my not so good English in the descriptions. I have written all these texts with my relatively elementary school English. Nevertheless, I hope that you can understand of what I would like to inform, and I hope that you have some help by the pictures.
 

 

top

«
»

Copyright © 2012-2025 by Bernhard Schroeter, 01259 Dresden, Germany - All Rights Reserved.

Design von Presse-Artikel.org | Theme erhältlich bei Digital Download