Excellent article.

There's a great discussion about this on the forum, here: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/33430

My response to the question "Am I a prototype modeller?" was that I do consider myself a prototype modeller, though my modelling style is somewhat more abstract.

To further explain, here's a reply I put into the thread verbatim:

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I recently made the effort to try and model a Southern Railway specific freight car - a woodchip hopper converted from a 40' boxcar.

I think this qualifies me as a Prototype Modeller as I am trying to model a freight car which only the Southern had (other railroads had similar cars, but not the same), which people would be able to look at, along with many other Southern specific practices which I either have or intend to model, and say "yep, that's a Southern layout".

However, to make the car I had to use what I had access to - an old Intermountain 40' car kit. Is it 100% accurate to the prototype, down the the last rivet? Heck no. Perfect example, getting hold of suitable decals in the UK was pretty much not going to happen, so I just used Microscale decals designed for a much more modern car.

Not being able to find any information what the inside of the car looked like beyond "they had drop bottoms and slope sheets", I just went for my best guess as to what the inside of the car should be modelled like.

So those two aspects of the build (at least) aren't accurate to the original prototype, but anyone familiar with the Southern that's seen it so far has said something along the lines of "Wow, someone actually went out of their way to make one of those woodchip cars? Cool!" 

Not a single one has said "Well that lettering is totally wrong."

This is what I meant by my earlier comment of "I'm a prototype modeller but my artistic style is abstract". It's not exactly right, but it captures the FEEL of the prototype to such a degree that those familiar with it recognise it for what it's supposed to represent. That, to me, is the very essence of being a prototype modeller.

Let me know if you agree/disagree?

For those interested, here's the model - it's O scale:

Thanks,

- Dan

Mr. Rose

Always enjoy contributions from Mike Rose. 

Thanks!

Lessons from experience and focus on what matters

I enjoy Mikes column and following the changes in his railroad. I like that Mike shares his difficulties in modeling as well as all the success. Taking a large layout and changing it for the better, even if it involves removing track

( Modelers worst nightmare ) to improve it is a plus. Looking forward to more from Mike and the others who keep it real.