Messages

1

General Discussion / Kingsbury Street

« on: August 08, 2023, 11:34:03 PM »

So I was looking through Flickr this evening and came across this photo.  Even though I have a great interest in Chicago railroading, I'll admit that I am fairly new at understanding the Milwaukee/Soo operations in the city.  Any idea where they may have been heading to?  Neat to see a small string of CNW RBL boxcars.

Thanks

https://flic.kr/p/KdGL5F

2

General Discussion / Re: Peerless Confection

« on: February 28, 2018, 08:53:03 AM »

I’m just using the Peerless factory as a prototype to get ideas from and apply it to a layout.

I’ve always liked the FM’s. Something about them. Just working with what I got at the moment. With that said, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on an EMD locomotive, but they are hard to find.... especially the MP15’s.

3

General Discussion / Peerless Confection

« on: February 27, 2018, 12:34:24 AM »

Hello,

Can anyone describe the operations of the Peerless Confection Co. specifically during the 70's? From the pictures I've seen, I always thought it was an interesting industry with modeling potential.  My plans are to model a proto freelance shelf switching layout in HO scale based on the Milwaukee Rd.  While it seemed as though EMD power was the norm for this line, I plan to use a Fairbanks Morse H10-44 and currently a transfer caboose ( I like their looks coupled together ).  I assume that the Tangent Dry Flo Covered Hoppers would work for accurate cars for inbound sugar?  I don't have a clue on corn syrup tank cars so I could use a little help on what to look for. 

On a side note, there is mention in the Chicago book by MRHA on page 33-34 that showed that in 1979, Peerless only received 21 carloads for that particular year. It later goes on to say that in 1985, Peerless received anywhere from 1-3 carloads twice a week which equals to about 6 million pounds of both sugar and corn syrup a year.  So with that said, was 1985 an above average year for Peerless? Even at the low end at 1 car, twice a week; that equals over 100 cars for the year.  A much more impressive number compared to the 1979 numbers. 

The majority of pictures I've seen of the railroad operations of Peerless are during the Soo era.  None the less they showed a tank car along with a dry-flo covered hopper car.  Am I correct in assuming that this was also a common consist for the Milwaukee?  Was Peerless only able to take in 1 of each car at a time?  Or were there multiple doors for more than 1 car of each type?  And finally was Peerless able to unload the car's contents all at one time into the building or did they unload as the production warranted? As mentioned above, I assume this was a twice a week operation? And finally, was there a time where only sugar was delivered or has there always been a need for corn syrup?

Eventually I would like to model the other nearby industries.  But for now, I'm just interested in the Peerless operations and their relationship with the Milwaukee.

Thanks

4

General Discussion / Re: Introduce Yourself!

« on: February 21, 2018, 10:03:40 PM »

Hello,

My name is Steve and I live in Janesville, WI.  I always had an interest in history especially when it comes to manufacturing and transportation.  Naturally living in Janesville, my main railroad interests revolve around the Milwaukee Road and the C&NW. Sadly, I saw neither in operation, so sites like this are invaluable to me.  My other railroad related interests are car ferries of the Great Lakes and New York City, urban and branch lines and freight cars. 

I don't have a whole lot to offer to this forum, but I'm glad to be apart of it and I'm looking forward to learning more about the subject at hand.  Eventually I would like to apply this info and build a small HO scale proto-freelanced urban switching layout based on the Milwaukee Road.

Thanks