prototype Vrs Freelance

[Sir haydn]

Now heres a debate that always rages on.

Me..I like both but prefer to model prototypes.

How about you out there?

[Endless, Nameless]

Freelance because I like the freedom that gives me, but based firmly on prototype practice.

For example, I've no problem with a Roundhouse "Atlantic" in lined black with a rake of blood n' custard liveried bogie coaches... but if the coaches are vac. braked then I wouldn't be completely happy if the engine didn't have matching pipes.

[taliesin001]

For me it has to be prototype, all my stuff is either a model of or based on a prototype. Having said that I do like the idea of getting a basic frellance loco and making it into my own thing, I tried this though, couldn't make my mind as to what I wanted to do (kept changing my mind) so gave up and got something else!

[pauly]

Freelancers FTW!

[MoelygestLR]

A bit of both I like, as my line is not based on any prototype and is a could-have-been so I have a mix of freelance stuff and prototype stuff. I also love taking photos of my prototype flying flea and getting realistic pictures and thinking is that model or is that real.

[MDLR]

For me it has to be prototype, all my stuff is either a model of or based on a prototype.

My line, locos and stock are based on a prototype.............. Unfortunately, it never got built!

In all seriousness though, when you're freelancing you should (I think) try to make things "railway like" and have a back story for everything!

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

My line, locos and stock are based on a prototype.............. Unfortunately, it never got built!

In all seriousness though, when you're freelancing you should (I think) try to make things "railway like" and have a back story for everything!

My way of thinking exactly! I am a prototype modeller only people forgot to build the prototypes. I think that all imaginary prototypes should have been feasible and practical and designed around the need of the railway and surrounding area. The WLLR stock is entirely different to the FR stock as they had different needs. This is why I have no large coal or stone wagons for example. That's my theory anyway (ech-hem)

[plewsy2105]

both of em much more to choose from

plewsy2105

[MuzTrem]

...when you're freelancing you should (I think) try to make things "railway like" and have a back story for everything!

Fine in theory but, as I've discovered, if you have enough imagination you write a back story that explains away anything - and thus ends up completely unbelievable! I'm definately a freelancer myself...

[Pendo Pilot]

Freelance for me, for a start it's cheaper & you have much more options to choose from RTR or kit. Plus I can make shoddy rolling stock as I like. I guess mine falls into the "based on something that never existed" theory, hell I'm even planning on building a 2 car DMU for the line!!
It will however be a real line when it's finished (or even started ) Light railway style & feasible operations for that.

[bessytractor]

I like a bit of prototype modelling now and again but for the most part I like freelance stuff. It just gives you free reign over what you run and nobody can say "oh that type of loco wouldn't have run next to that type" etc.

For example, both my garden line and my indoor On30 layout are freelance. The On30 in particular, the motive power couldn't be more mixed (though I do make a point of only buying locos the railway would probably have ended up buying if it had existed - prototypical freelancing?)

[Pendo Pilot]

ARRRRGGGHHH!
Keith, Nooo more pacer pics!
Bloomin horrid things, thankfully in my ATW days I never had to sign them (although did drive a few whilst training in Cardiff).
Nodding donkeys/ bouncy castles are two of the names that I can repeat here for the things. A result of the 80's torys meddling in the railways & trying to sell off Leyland abroad. You either get ill from seasickness in them or just go deaf from the flange squeal as there wagon based chassis attempts to negotiate curves. The bus body rattles & lets in all sorts of draughts. Oh & originally they came with cable operated brakes!!! A few pacer vs stop block incidents later & they got proper brakes at least, although they still like to catch fire or drop engines into the 4ft...... Not a fan of pacers!


A better picture of a pacer (on shed at canton 2006).

[Pendo Pilot]

Now you are talking.............

I signed 158's mostly the Perkins engine version & must say I do like them...



Your taste has improved....

[TommyDodd]

...when you're freelancing you should (I think) try to make things "railway like" and have a back story for everything!

Fine in theory but, as I've discovered, if you have enough imagination you write a back story that explains away anything - and thus ends up completely unbelievable! I'm definately a freelancer myself...

Depends on your approach: I've started with one implausible assumption ( a British narrow gauge line surviving as a 21st century common carrier, like some in mainland europe) but for everything else I adopt a "prototype-freelancing approach", IE use what I know about traffic, trains, stations and gradients in the imagined history to create the model- so the back story is used to design the railway, not excuse it.

[MuzTrem]

Aye, I think that approach probably does give a more convincing result in the end. Trouble is I'm just too lazy

But in any case, I take an impressionistic approach to garden railways: the overall atmosphere of live steam in leafy countryside is what I prize, and you don't need a huge amount of detail to acheive that.

[bobkerry]

Well i think both are important and useful......one main thing is how we are managing it. if we are managing both of them properly then only we can genearte better outcomes.