This is a great layout! I live just blocks away from where the Rock Island swing bridge was in Inver Grove. The west end of the bridge has been preserved.
Very nice video of just watching the trains going by. I really like the light weathering on the passenger equipment. As always enjoying to watch. -Tony
Mike, I enjoyed the new video. Those auto racks look great, very nice job adding the vehicles, especially the one with the pickup trucks. That is not something I have seen modeled very often. I have also noticed the improvements in your video work and editing. I am looking forward to your next video.-Tom
Hi Tom - I've had fun with the auto racks; however, there are more empty ones than loaded ones ...... expensive model vehicles!! :) Thank you very much for your comments. Mike
I'm currently painting backdrops so I'm noticing those right now. I really like your painted backdrops, especially in the segment in the first minute of the video.
I really like your layout and the speed in which you run it.. I subbed and clicked the bell.. nice find on this rainy morning in Florida awaiting a tropical storm.. Tom
Mike, I see some different motive power arrangements, I guess the motive power foreman decided to mix it up. Also noticed some different pieces of rolling stock. As always great job. Thank you for sharing.
A mighty fine model railroad! Excellent modeling skill that has come together in a gorgeous layout. Very nice sir. I do think your trackwork is considerably better than the RI's!
Hi Detlef - I appreciate your nice comments and thank you for watching. Yes, the Rock Island's track was in pretty tough shape beginning in the late 1960's ....... sad to watch it deteriorate through the 1970's. Thanks again! Mike
Mike, enjoying all your videos and the article in MRR. Glad they finally found you, and thereby allowing me, and others who didn't know your channel here, to enjoy your great work. I'm an Hill Lines guy who discovered BSB GN with Atlas N Scale when I was about 8, just before I started seeing them on the Amtrak Rainbow trains running behind our school yard. I see you fold in many NP and GN maybe from your BN days? I noticed that you have skillfully worked in many flats and photo backdrops, even for Downtown Des Moines and by the plans in MMR, you really don't have any room for more depth on the decks, even though in the MRR article it sounds as if the room was designed around the layout. So I was curious what might have been your Givens and Druthers that guided your choices? Completing in 8 years, seems to be quite an accomplishment as well! Anyway, kudos on a great project and many happy years of enjoyment with what you have accomplished!
Hi Greg - I appreciate your note. Since my layout is set in the pre-BN time period, and as you have noted, I do incorporate a good number of CB&Q, NP, GN, and SP&S pieces of rolling stock (I'm a true BN guy at heart). My basic Givens were a 30'X40' room; minimum aisle-way width of 24"; capability to reach everything on the layout (within arms reach); and no duck-unders. My basic Druthers were a long main line run; some open country running locations; large switching yards; minimum 30" curve radius; and the capability to run long trains (up to ~60 cars). Thank you for your kind comments and for watching my videos. Mike
Great stuff as usual. Look up Rock Island RR 1966 on UA-cam for some 8mm videos from Tinley Park Ill. 8mm transfer to video is a little rough but it is history.
Hi Tom - I have looked at several Rock Island videos on UA-cam including the ones your referring to. As you say, they are a little rough, but they are worth viewing. Thanks for your comment. Mike
Modeling Rock Island diesels must be fun as no two seemed to have the same paint scheme. Did the Plainsman do any switching of head-end express cars between end terminals?
Hi Bill - Good question ..... I'm not aware of any intermediate switching in or out of express cars between MSP and KC. The only location where it may have occurred is Des Moines, but I don't think it took place. Mike
Do you feel that the Rock would have survived, in some part, if the Union Pacific debocal would have gone through? I know that there are still some lines in use, but would more have survived if the merger would have gone through? And would the Chicago Northwestern now be a part of the Union Pacific if the UP and Rock would have merged?
Hi Todd - I don't think that the network of rail lines would be much different than it is today. If UP had absorbed the RI, there still would have been rationalization of mains, secondary mains and branch lines. The end result would likely be similar to what exists today. I do think the C&NW would still have been absorbed by UP if the UP had taken control of the RI. The C&NW and UP were well connected for many years due to the Council Bluffs/Omaha to Chicago route of the C&NW. It seems that it was just a matter of time before the C&NW became part of UP. Mike
Was the Rock Island known for hauling a lot of their own cars? Seems that the pictures that I have seen, and what I have seen on your other videos, is that there are many RI cars in the consist.
Hi Todd - Generally speaking, all railroads handle a good deal of their own cars in their trains. Obviously, with interchange between the railroads and customer needs for goods that exist on other railroads, you'll see many cars from other railroads mixed-in with the home road's equipment. Thanks for watching my videos. Mike
Hi Mark - The Iowa Terminal Railroad crosses at Clear Lake Jct. This is an electrified railway that is still in operation today but is now called the "Iowa Traction Railway". Thank you for your comments. Mike
@@rimodeler7963 thank you. I may try and make something as an homage to this when I find a kit as it is a unique piece of rolling stock that catches the eye.
Just asking, something happen to the Plainsman or just a roadpower change. I noticed that for shot 1, units were both A units, but in shots 2 and 3, the second A unit was a B instead
that is absolutely a tremendous train. love the old car carriers. well done. good weathering too.
Thanks very much for your positive comments! Mike
This is a great layout! I live just blocks away from where the Rock Island swing bridge was in Inver Grove. The west end of the bridge has been preserved.
Thank you for watching and for your comment. Mike
Love the "elephant" style on the covered wagons!!!!
As always, enjoyable time railfanning your layout! John
Greetings John - Thank you for watching and for your comment, I always appreciate it! Mike
RImodeler79 are you a member of any railroad club
What engine power do you have
Well Done! Nice layout. Love those high hood GPs!
Hi Joe - Thank you for watching and I appreciate your comments! Mike
Intermediate switching of express cars at Des Moines might be fun for the crew of the Plainsman at your next operating session.
A mighty fine line, thx for sharing.
Hi Joe - I agree, the Rock Island is/was a mighty fine line. I appreciate you watching my videos. Mike
Love that Alco FA that reengined to EMD.
Thanks for sharing, very entertaining - you have a great layout. Looking forward to seeing more. Especially enjoying the auto-racks...Anthony
Hi Anthony - Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing ....... I really appreciate it. Mike
Very nice video of just watching the trains going by. I really like the light weathering on the passenger equipment. As always enjoying to watch. -Tony
Hi Tony - Thanks much, I appreciate it. Mike
Mike, I enjoyed the new video. Those auto racks look great, very nice job adding the vehicles, especially the one with the pickup trucks. That is not something I have seen modeled very often. I have also noticed the improvements in your video work and editing. I am looking forward to your next video.-Tom
Hi Tom - I've had fun with the auto racks; however, there are more empty ones than loaded ones ...... expensive model vehicles!! :) Thank you very much for your comments. Mike
Fantastic job! Definitely one of the best I ever seen. Thanks for posting.
Hi James - Thanks for taking time to watch and I appreciate your comment! Mike
A great show as always!!
Hi Todd - Thanks much for your comments, I always appreciate them. Mike
I'm currently painting backdrops so I'm noticing those right now. I really like your painted backdrops, especially in the segment in the first minute of the video.
Hi Chuck - I used acrylic craft paints for the simple backdrop. Thank you very much for your comment and for watching. Mike
Now, that is what I call rail fanning 👍🛤🇬🇧 More railroad goodness😊 Thank you.
Thanks much for watching and for your comments, I really appreciate it! Mike
Your videos are" Da Bomb!"Thanks for some real classy wagons you have good Sir!
Thanks, Chad, I appreciate your comments. Mike
Great job and video. Another Rock Collector.
Thanks much for watching and I appreciate your comment. Mike
Love them non enclosed autoracks! Great video, very well put together
Hi BFU Railroad - I really appreciate your comments and thank you very much for watching! Mike
I really like your layout and the speed in which you run it.. I subbed and clicked the bell.. nice find on this rainy morning in Florida awaiting a tropical storm.. Tom
Greetings Tom - Thanks so much for watching, commenting and subscribing ...... I really appreciate it! Stay safe and dry in Florida. Mike
Mike, I see some different motive power arrangements, I guess the motive power foreman decided to mix it up. Also noticed some different pieces of rolling stock. As always great job. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Wyatt - Thank you for watching and for your comments. Mike
A mighty fine model railroad! Excellent modeling skill that has come together in a gorgeous layout. Very nice sir. I do think your trackwork is considerably better than the RI's!
Hi Detlef - I appreciate your nice comments and thank you for watching. Yes, the Rock Island's track was in pretty tough shape beginning in the late 1960's ....... sad to watch it deteriorate through the 1970's. Thanks again! Mike
Cool trains there. Love it
Thank you for watching and commenting. Mike
Mike, enjoying all your videos and the article in MRR. Glad they finally found you, and thereby allowing me, and others who didn't know your channel here, to enjoy your great work. I'm an Hill Lines guy who discovered BSB GN with Atlas N Scale when I was about 8, just before I started seeing them on the Amtrak Rainbow trains running behind our school yard. I see you fold in many NP and GN maybe from your BN days?
I noticed that you have skillfully worked in many flats and photo backdrops, even for Downtown Des Moines and by the plans in MMR, you really don't have any room for more depth on the decks, even though in the MRR article it sounds as if the room was designed around the layout. So I was curious what might have been your Givens and Druthers that guided your choices? Completing in 8 years, seems to be quite an accomplishment as well!
Anyway, kudos on a great project and many happy years of enjoyment with what you have accomplished!
Hi Greg - I appreciate your note. Since my layout is set in the pre-BN time period, and as you have noted, I do incorporate a good number of CB&Q, NP, GN, and SP&S pieces of rolling stock (I'm a true BN guy at heart). My basic Givens were a 30'X40' room; minimum aisle-way width of 24"; capability to reach everything on the layout (within arms reach); and no duck-unders. My basic Druthers were a long main line run; some open country running locations; large switching yards; minimum 30" curve radius; and the capability to run long trains (up to ~60 cars). Thank you for your kind comments and for watching my videos. Mike
Great stuff as usual. Look up Rock Island RR 1966 on UA-cam for some 8mm videos from Tinley Park Ill. 8mm transfer to video is a little rough but it is history.
Hi Tom - I have looked at several Rock Island videos on UA-cam including the ones your referring to. As you say, they are a little rough, but they are worth viewing. Thanks for your comment. Mike
THANK YOU...for sharing.
ELSDP-45 - You are a loyal viewer of my videos and I always appreciate it. Thanks, Mike
Modeling Rock Island diesels must be fun as no two seemed to have the same paint scheme. Did the Plainsman do any switching of head-end express cars between end terminals?
Hi Bill - Good question ..... I'm not aware of any intermediate switching in or out of express cars between MSP and KC. The only location where it may have occurred is Des Moines, but I don't think it took place. Mike
Do you feel that the Rock would have survived, in some part, if the Union Pacific debocal would have gone through? I know that there are still some lines in use, but would more have survived if the merger would have gone through? And would the Chicago Northwestern now be a part of the Union Pacific if the UP and Rock would have merged?
Hi Todd - I don't think that the network of rail lines would be much different than it is today. If UP had absorbed the RI, there still would have been rationalization of mains, secondary mains and branch lines. The end result would likely be similar to what exists today. I do think the C&NW would still have been absorbed by UP if the UP had taken control of the RI. The C&NW and UP were well connected for many years due to the Council Bluffs/Omaha to Chicago route of the C&NW. It seems that it was just a matter of time before the C&NW became part of UP. Mike
Was the Rock Island known for hauling a lot of their own cars? Seems that the pictures that I have seen, and what I have seen on your other videos, is that there are many RI cars in the consist.
Hi Todd - Generally speaking, all railroads handle a good deal of their own cars in their trains. Obviously, with interchange between the railroads and customer needs for goods that exist on other railroads, you'll see many cars from other railroads mixed-in with the home road's equipment. Thanks for watching my videos. Mike
Mike, these are super videos. Your railroad is outstanding. Question - which railroad “crosses” at Clear Lake Junction?
Hi Mark - The Iowa Terminal Railroad crosses at Clear Lake Jct. This is an electrified railway that is still in operation today but is now called the "Iowa Traction Railway". Thank you for your comments. Mike
I am curious what company that reefer with the mountain backdrop painted on it is as I can’t tell.
The refrigerator car is Pepper Packing Company in Denver, Colorado. Thanks for watching the video. Mike
@@rimodeler7963 thank you. I may try and make something as an homage to this when I find a kit as it is a unique piece of rolling stock that catches the eye.
I got a rock island grain train of 20 cars
Just asking, something happen to the Plainsman or just a roadpower change. I noticed that for shot 1, units were both A units, but in shots 2 and 3, the second A unit was a B instead
You have a good eye; the videos were actually shot on different days and, as a result, there were power changes. Thank you for watching. Mike
Great fun to watch! Thanks. Are you located in Iowa? I'd love to see your layout. I'm out in Davenport.
Hi John: I currently live in Texas, although, I grew up in Iowa. Thanks very much for watching and for your nice comments. Mike
Fun Fact of the Day: Why didn't CGW F units run elephant style? No MU connections on the nose.
Hi Tom - That is a great "Fun Fact" that is totally correct. Thanks! Mike
Are those open sided autoracks Accurail kits?
The open auto racks are Athearn Genesis models. Thanks for watching. Mike
I have the same model trains collations and engines
I plan on getting 20 meat reefers in the future
I don't like freight cars on passenger trains!
Great ride along video, always enjoy your layout. Bob, Longshadowsmodeltrees.com
Greetings Bob - Thanks much for your comment and for watching. Mike