Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 15:25:36 GMT -8
This is a very interesting topic. On a related issue, sometimes I have noticed that RR Modelers or Railfans that have a minimal amount of fame from printed media, the internet, etc. often let it "go to their head" and display a similar kind of impolite behavior. I think I have learned long ago that the expression often applies: "Don't confuse the Artists with their Art" meaning that just because a fellow has got some genuine modeling talent or is a good author or whatever, that definitely does not guarantee that he has a friendly 'Type-A' personality . . . . My 2 c. Very valid statement. At an N&W Historical Society convention back in the mid-1980's my friend went up to congratulate and maybe talk a little to a very published person, also a member of the Society, about modeling. He came away with nothing but contempt for the arrogant, stuck up, impressed with his own self importance and a few other choice words person. TO THIS DAY.....all I have to do is MENTION the name of the person and my friend will still bristle. To all people that have been published, all I can say is remember we are after all just talking about toy trains. This is not brain surgery. You have not cured cancer or made world peace. You wrote an article about what 99%+ of the population considers a toy. Being civil with someone that appreciates your work and effort will not cause the price of oil to triple! Remember these are toy trains not national secrets. |
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Post by WP 257 on Sept 25, 2014 12:10:11 GMT -8
I cannot agree more.
Even having been published, just only one time, causes me to deal with my faults because I realize in hindsight things that could have been done better or more accurately in that one article. So even though a few people maybe liked it, I'm really not all that proud of it because slight errors of omission have come to light that I kick myself for having missed. (My employer did scan it and actually post it on their website since it dealt generally with transportation, which is what we do).
It also taught me to better appreciate some of the writing by other people, now that I have a better taste of what is required to get accurate information out.
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PeeCee
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Post by PeeCee on Sept 25, 2014 12:52:42 GMT -8
Even having been published, just only one time, What was the published article, please? Confess it Brother, set yourself free! ;-))  |
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Post by WP 257 on Sept 25, 2014 13:58:40 GMT -8
I wrote an article regarding the history of Santa Fe Alco RSD-15's for Diesel Era. I was able to locate two engineers who had operated them, one of whom (routinely operated them over Cajon Pass) had a couple rather interesting stories and comments which basically made the article. Then the magazine's staff made me look good by having their photographers contribute all kinds of images. Other than my time and research of multiple sources, it was pretty easy to write--just took some time.
If you can provide them the text, historical info. etc. they will provide the photographs and the best thing is you actually get paid a little bit--at least enough to buy yourself a pretty nice HO diesel.
I went to online forums and just asked if anyone knew anybody who had operated the Santa Fe RSD-15's--and got two very nice responses back that also gave me permission to publish their comments.
If/when I ever do another article, I'll try to find something interesting about the engine in question--something that makes the article come alive--as opposed to boring facts and figures which most of us can find online given enough time and research. I think you have to tell a story that makes the reader want to finish the article, while providing accurate information for the modelers--what engines received what paint scheme or other modifications and the dates they were applied. Much of the technical information is actually out there online already (at least for popular roads like Santa Fe), but you have to dig long and hard to find and compile it in a relatively concise manner.
If writing about a road like ACL or SAL, finding info. online is much more difficult, because what is online is more limited. They just weren't covered in as much depth, or the material has not found its way online yet--so I consider those roads to be a challenge (and with Mexico, I have a language barrier to overcome, though the folks on the forums seem to be quite friendly).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 15:02:00 GMT -8
I don't know if this is considered to be a published author, but I wrote a feature article for the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Associations magazine "The Mainstreeter" in the mid-1990's. I had obtained permission from Pullman Technologies, a division of Bombardier, to use the Pullman-Standard builder's photos and lot specifications for Lot 6781. The late noted passenger car photographer John H. Kuehl took the then present day photos.
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Post by WP 257 on Sept 25, 2014 20:34:24 GMT -8
Well, obviously I'd consider that "published" and would say that sounds really cool.
In my line of work there is emphasis from the employer to write articles for trade publications (that the company can also put their name on and use for pr)...and they would often be of shorter length than the average train-related magazine article, but it's also more difficult to write anything remotely revolutionary about my work as it's rather mundane at best.
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PeeCee
Junior Member
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Post by PeeCee on Sept 26, 2014 11:29:04 GMT -8
Pretty impressive contributions to Publishing, boys!
I've never read the Mainstreeter, but I'm an avid follower of Diesel Era and I know all their articles are well-written and interesting . . . .
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Post by Spikre on Sept 26, 2014 12:27:17 GMT -8
 NdeM, enjoyed that article !! how about the Hi-Nose Santa Fe Gators next ? or the PRR Gators ?? still cant figure out how a later built Alco Gator can have a lower serial number than an earlier built unit ?? or how a PA-1 built for a never coming CN order can be termed a PA-2 and sold to Erie 2 years later ? Alco can throw some loops,thats for sure !! any one recall the "Never Was RS-1" that was sent to the Oakridge Nuclear plant and masqueraded as as a Southern unit thru the 40s and early 50s ? X2200 South had a pic of it around 1975 in the "Old,Rare, Obscure" page when they did their RS-1 series. Spikre 
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Post by WP 257 on Sept 28, 2014 17:54:58 GMT -8
Spikre-- Actually, by definition, a Santa Fe high-nosed Alco can't be called an "alligator" since that was the term given by railfans to the low nose versions due to the very long and low-slung appearance. They are really dwarfed in height next to a big Century. Santa Fe's high-nosed Alco's also were not true RSD-15's, but if I recall correctly were actually late RSD-7's (road numbers 600-611). The fifty alligators were numbered 800-849. www.thedieselshop.us/Alco_RSD15.HTMLThere has been considerable confusion about this over the years, but according to The Diesel Shop, the high nosed units actually were RSD-7's. On other rosters they are mis-identified as being RSD-15's. This btw is a classic example of why you must take everything posted online with a grain of salt--not all roster or model information is accurate. If you look around a bit, there are dvd's out there that show the high nosed Santa Fe RSD-7's in operation. My real challenge is I don't always have good first hand sources--people who actually operated this or that... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 12:17:29 GMT -8
Spikre-- Actually, by definition, a Santa Fe high-nosed Alco can't be called an "alligator" since that was the term given by railfans to the low nose versions due to the very long and low-slung appearance. They are really dwarfed in height next to a big Century. Santa Fe's high-nosed Alco's also were not true RSD-15's, but if I recall correctly were actually late RSD-7's (road numbers 600-611). The fifty alligators were numbered 800-849. www.thedieselshop.us/Alco_RSD15.HTMLThere has been considerable confusion about this over the years, but according to The Diesel Shop, the high nosed units actually were RSD-7's. On other rosters they are mis-identified as being RSD-15's. This btw is a classic example of why you must take everything posted online with a grain of salt--not all roster or model information is accurate. If you look around a bit, there are dvd's out there that show the high nosed Santa Fe RSD-7's in operation. My real challenge is I don't always have good first hand sources--people who actually operated this or that... Deja vu... ATSF 600 - 611 were all model RSD-7. All 12 had tall short hoods. The 600 & 601 were ex-demonstrators (DL-600) 16-244G powered, 2,250 HP. The 602 - 611 were production RSD-7s (DL-601A) 16-244H powered, 2,400 HP. ATSF had 50 RSD-15s, 800 - 849. All were low short hood, 16-251 powered, 2,400 HP. Rosters from The Diesel Shop should be double-checked. They say the RSD-7s have 12-244s, which is clearly wrong. ATSF Historical Society rosters: www.atsfrr.net/resources/CrossetGene/ATSF_master_diesel_roster/index.htm |
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Post by WP 257 on Sept 29, 2014 15:54:07 GMT -8
Omaharoad--
Thank you for the clarification. I didn't even look at it that closely...have seen other online sources that referred to those RSD-7's as having 251 engines...lol. Thanks again.
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Post by Spikre on Sept 30, 2014 10:07:28 GMT -8
 NdeM, lots of Mistakes in Printed sources also,see the problems with EL 801-803 in the other thread. or for years the C&O RSD-7s were listed as RSD-15s,but they did have 16-244s chugging away in them. even X2200SOUTH has Errors at times,found a reference there that said the PA-4s had 16-251Bs in them,and caught plenty of flack for repeating that.while the D&H PAs rebuilt by M-K did have 251s,they were 12 cylinders,of various sub-letters. its a hard job getting facts in order as time passes on soon to be Extinct loco models. Spikre
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jhuteman
New Member
Whut cho doin there Bo?
Posts: 46
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Post by jhuteman on Apr 25, 2016 2:37:10 GMT -8
The 'closed club' vibe has been very disappointing! Some even seem to get very angry if you do what they cannot or will not do! When I taught people things I was always proud of the students who developed more skill than I have in whatever it was I was trying to teach, it means I'm a good teacher! Some of the guys can't seem to grasp that attitude.
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