19th Century Farms

In researching tools for the 19th century I came across two websites that I found very helpful.

The first is the Dalziel Barn, a Pennsylvania style barn in Ontario, Canada. Their website is chock full of interesting data on life for early and mid 19th century farms, architecture, tools and life.

The second is Bushong Farm,  a 19th century farm near New Market, VA that figured prominently in the Battle of New Market. The farm is now a museum. It would be a perfect prototype farm  for ACW model railroaders to simulate.

Many years ago I visited this farm and then built a 1/250 scale model of the main farm house for use in 10mm (1:160) scale war gaming. I tended to selectively compress  my war gaming model structures by making them in a smaller scale than the figure scale. This was due to the ground scale being much smaller, typically 1:900, than the figure scale, which was 1:160. If the farm house was built to 1:160 scale it would be about the size of a foot ball field on the gaming table.

I had always wanted to try some figure wargaming where the ground scale was the same as the figure scale. Once I did build a small european town in 1:700 scale and scratchbuilt some 1:700 scale armor vehicles to try some WWII gaming, but never did complete the project. I still have the kits from this and may go back to it a some point.

Potomac Division Minicon 2 April

I will be giving my talk on Introduction to Modeling the Railroads of the Civil War at the NMRA Potomac Division Minicon on April 2, 2011 at the St Matthews Church in Annandale, VA. They have an interesting slate of speakers lined up including special guest Model Railroader Editor Andy Sperandeo. I don't believe you have to be a member of the NMRA to attend the Minicon, but there is a $10 registration fee and you may have to join the Potomac Division for a small fee.

My talk has been updated with some new graphics and photos including  some finished scenes from my layout. If you are a blog reader, please stop by to say hello.

Off to the races...

...See ya next week. In the meantime check out the 12 hour American LeMans Race at Sebring this Saturday.

Another piece of the puzzle

In reviewing the copies of the train orders I copied from the National Archives, I noticed the following message dated March 1, 1863.

Here is a transcription:

United States Military Telegraph

Received March 1, 1863

From Falmouth

To WWW  (ed. note: this is W.W. Wright, superintendent)

32 the switch leading to engine track is being taken up. Stop at upper switch when you come and see that all is right before passing over. 

Clinton & Elms

Since I don't have period map of the track plan for Falmouth, I have been piecing together clues here and there to get some idea of what was there.  This message tells me there was some type of engine track at Falmouth. During General Burnside's command, the USMRR was required to keep an engine at Falmouth steamed and ready to go in case the commanding general needed it. I am not sure if this continued during Hooker's command. I did see some message traffic about a special train transporting General Butterfield, who was Hooker's Chief of Staff

From other messages I know there was a water tank or source at Falmouth as several train orders mention getting water and wood there. Other messages mentioned a depot at Falmouth. I also know that the original RF&P station was burned.  J.B. Clough was planning on putting in a wye at Falmouth, but they never got to it. One by one the pieces come together.

Interior Decorating

I had some time this weekend to do some interior decorating, on my layout that is. It is a rite of passage for an O Scale modeler to detail a tool shed. So after lighting the appropriate candles and incense, I took my crack at the ritual.   I also added a stockaded Sibley tent to the Falmouth turntable area. In both cases I added details to the interiors as these structures will be close to the layout edge and interior detail can be seen.

A stockaded tent is one where the occupants add a log wall built like a miniature stockade to increase the tent head room.  I used twigs to make the stockade. I added some cots, blankets on ground with straw underneath,  hard tack boxes, some personal clothing in rolls and a small fire. As a visitor, if you crane your neck you can see into the tent.

I struggled with finding a good place to put the tool shed as the engine terminal at Falmouth is running out of space. I want a spot where the viewer can look into the shed and see the interior details. The spot in this photo is probably where it will end up. Some of the other details I am adding at Falmouth are visible in this shot.

I will make the roof of this shed removable so the interior can be viewed. With a roof the
interior is quite dark.

The workbench is removable for access and photos.