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In an all-new MRVP mini-series, David Popp takes you through the steps for turning an interesting layout concept into a specific plan. In Part 1, David gets things started by revisiting memories of his favorite midwestern fallen flag. He then shows how recollections, historic photos, and research can be used to narrow the focus of a blossoming layout design.
I want to build a layout that you show in HO. However I want to build it in N scale. Is there a way to convert the benchwork from HO to N scale? Thanks
Just discovered this new series. Awesome concept as I am researching the DRGW from Helper, UT to Soldier Summit. Another MRVP series to binge watch to get caught up!
As an aside, I was skeptical when I first signed up for MRVP. I honestly think it is some of the best money I have ever spent on my hobby. Thanks!
As one of those people with out such a wonderful library I noticed that that historical society web page also had PICTURES. I am sure that these would be helpful in designing a railroad. As you made copies of pictures in the magazines. I wish you would have added this small feature. PS Our Tucson Library dose not carry much in the line of Railroads.
David, I have been enjoying many of your video series and find them very helpful. I am building a small early 1950’s era C&NW layout. I grew up just down the road from you in Barrington. Having been born in 1947 I have many wonderful memories of C&NW steam locomotives running through town. Barrington had a typical brick depot, (which was moved and is now part of a restaurant), crossing shanty, crew bunk house, a water tower, and turntable until the diesels took over in the mid-50’s.
Great Intro to the series. The problem is doing all the research without the David P. Morgan Library!
Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for. Look forward to the next episodes.
Looking forward to this series. I grew up in Wilmette which was on the Chicago to Kenosha line. There was an A&P grocery store on Green Bay Road right across from the tracks. My mom used to let me wait in the car while she grocery shopped so I could watch the commuter trains go by. I remember the green and yellow bi-level coaches pulled by F units and occasionally by E units. They were truly a sight to behold.
you need a full name to look up a railroad William, it is Wichita Falls & Northwestern
Wow, David, I was raised in Crystal Lake and spent many an hour train watching there at the depot, and frequenting Franks Barber, Toy and Hobby Shop which was a half block from the main line tracks on Main Street, kiddy corner from the depot. Can’t wait to see how you develop this track plan! By the way, your mother was my brother Bob’s, 3rd grade teacher!
Great research video. I am also modeling portions of the St. Louis area and working on a track plan of the Manufacturers Railway (MRS) by the Anheuser Busch Brewery at the Foot of Arsenal Street. Your Milwaukee Brewery Series was very rewarding toward how to operate my switching puzzle and this series looks to bring my goal to the next step. Looking forward to your research and design. MR Video Plus is really proving to be a great enhancement to the MR family.
The full name of the railroad is the “Wichita Northwestern Railway”. It ran from Pratt Kansas to about 15-20 miles north of Larned, Kansas. About 100 miles of track. Started life as the Anthony Northern in 1912 to haul wheat thus the motto: “Wheat Belt Line”. Connected with the Rock Island at Pratt, Crossed the Santa Fe at Belpre and Kinsley and Missouri Pacific at Larned. Name changed to Wichita Northwestern in 1919. Never went to Wichita. Ceased operations in 1940 and tracks were pulled up the same year. Dust Bowl and depression did them in.
The only place the original grade can still be seen is across a pasture west of Byers. About 3 miles east of our farm that the rails ran across. And cement bridge embuttments over a dry creek east of Trousdale. Used to be the Rattlesnake River.
Great vid David thank you.
David, my aunt and uncle lived in Crystal Lake, IL, and I would stay with them often in the early 1960’s. Their home was on John Street, and I remember standing on a stool to look out their kitchen window as yellow and green C&NW F units and Geeps sped by with freight and passenger consists. We used to pick up my uncle at the Crystal Lake station since he took the commuter trains into Chicago for work. This was the era of the bi-level “scoots.” I have many fond memories of Crystal Lake. I am really looking forward to watching you develop this track plan. P.S. – Frank’s Barber and Hobby Shop was one of my favorite haunts!
Well done David… looking forward to all of the follow-on series for research/planning!
Cool, David. I spent my childhood & early teen years, 1960-1967, in Cary IL. I remember me and a friend would sometimes hop the C&NW commuter train in Cary and ride it up to Crystal Lake. We’d hop off, cross the street, and spend a couple hours at Frank’s Hobby & Barber Shop. (Or was it Frank’s Barber & Hobby shop?) Then take the C&NW back home. Of course, mom was usually quite upset with me when I got home. Ah… great memories.
Maybe your series will give me another avenue to search for a rail road that was abandon and the rails pulled up a year before I was born, (1941) So far I’ve only been able to find one history of the railroad and bought the book. Other than that no one else has ever heard of it or at least published any other articles or books on the Wichita & Northwestern Railway.
Will be watching for your next episode!
Great video David, I’m looking forward to this one as always, another great MRVP, how to video.
I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life!!! Thank the MR Gods!
Well David, we now know how old you are and if you where another 14 years older you’d be the same age as me! I would love to know how you came up with the design for the Canadian Canyon’s layout.
Awesome, very much looking forward to learning more!
David, this is exactly what I have been waiting for; layout design around historical research. I’ve been researching the St. Louis rail scene with my membership of the TRRA (Terminal Raroad Association Historical & Technical Society) to design and build a layout. So many Class 1 railroads traveled through St. Louis in the early 20th century; so, there is both freight and passenger rail opportunities. My biggest challenge has been how to isolate a piece of all the information I’ve amassed to design an interesting and fun layout; for both the building aspect of the hobby as well as the fun of running trains in a prototypical way. I hope this new series will help me achieve this goal.
As always thanks for the amazing content you and your team provide in MRVP!
Gary
Thanks! Excited for future installments.
From the little nut the mighty tree grew. You know what is there, or was there at one time, and how does your memory fit it together. Of course, looking at pictures, then maps and other documents will help fill in the gaps. You might once in a while say, that ain’t right, but it usually was despite what your memory says. Now the fun comes, after gathering all this info, how do you make it fit on the ever popular 4 x 8 sheet of plywood.
Thanks David!
This is going to be an interesting series. I am looking forward to all of it!
The track planning series has arrived! Just as the prophets of old hath foretold.