Least modeled railroads: but why not?

[FJ and G]

Besides obscure sugar cane and sewage tunnel railroads, which railroads have NEVER or RARELY been modeled by the good folks of 3-rails like you and me; and, furthermore, WHY? (incidentally, I have my final basement inspection by the county on Monday so I'll see you all on Tuesday).

1. DC metro: why? 1. No models exist in 3 rails and 2. they are rather mundane (possibly ugly?) with a two-tone mud-brown and dull silver. Positives: the DC metro carries millions of people a year and has some spectacular trackage, both above and under the ground, and even along the inside the Highway 66 for 7 or 8 miles, going 60-70 mph while traffic on both sides is at a standstill.

2. Panama Canal RR (not the KCS affiliate). why? 1. no models exist in any scale, and 2. They are electric donkeys. Positives: would look rather cool having these donkeys pulling an ocean liner thru the canal. Pound for pound, these are the world's most powerful locomotives.

3. Pikes Peak or Mt Washington Cog. why? 1. no models in 3 rails exist, despite them being 3 rail railroads. Positives: these would be a dramatic floor-to-ceiling layout if you have a 12-ft high ceiling (my ceiling is about 20 feet in the family room).

4. Yakima Electric. Why? 1. I don't believe that these models exist in 3 rails and 2. Involves stringing a lot of wire. Positives: I think the line is pretty cool and you could have a UP connecting line.

5. Narrow gauge railroads. Why? 1. No 3-rail models exist. As a matter of fact, I believe that the longest regularly scheduled run of a steeam loco tourist line is the Chama-Antonita line. Correct me if I'm wrong but Shays and Climaxes produced by MTH and I believe K-Line(?) are standard-gauged. At one time, thousands of narrow gauge lines existed.

6. New York City's new Air-Train that connects JFK with subways and Long Island RR. It's some 14 miles long, with about 2/3 of it on an elevated concrete structure. Why? 1. no models exist; and 2. it doesn't look like a New York Subway.

7. Fill in the blank for your own pick____________________.

dave vergun

Have a nice weekend!

[Big_Boy_4005]

How about something as simple as the Alaska railroad. Lionel has made a number of pieces with these markings, but I have heard of anyone modeling the Alaska Railroad. It has some wondreful scenery, I've been there.

[Dr. John]

How about the Chicago Great Western? I'm not aware of anyone producing any of their engines or rolling stock. Their F-3s were beautiful!

[ChiefEagles]

How about Canadian [Canadien] National? When I was doing the engines and rolling stock in the 80's, nothing in NC but a GP7 [or 9 if you added blisters] and a box car. I had to order my decals [which had to be custom as no one did them as a standard offering], paint my engines [orange noses and white striped sides] and decal and paint my rolling stock. Going to Mom's Sunday. Might just bring some back and photo them for you all. Got to check my walk in attic as a couple of boxes in there too. Now I will convert them to NS.

[wallyworld]

Illinois Terminal gets my vote. It ran heavy electric interurban freight, and sleeper service on intercity passenger trains complete with open observation cars into the 1940's. It also ran steam at the same time and survived up until the 1980's under diesel power with Alco and EMD power until absorbed by N&W.
Now thats variety..

[ChiefEagles]

Ok, East Carolina Railroad. It even has a historical society. Does not exist anymore. Has a big following. Only ran from Farmville, NC [by the way of Fountain, Macclesfield, Pinetops, Tarboro, Conetoe, Bethel, Willaimston] to Plymouth NC. Now if you can pronounce Conetoe correctly, you are from Eastern NC. It is NOT Cone toe. Indian name.

[cnw1995]

This is pretty interesting to think about...CGW has a (relatively) famous layout in N scale that's been featured in MR by Mike Skibbe (sp)

[Anonymous]

Has anybody ever modelled the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis? It was once one of the best electric railroads in existence. It hauled freight and passengers it was high speed (even by today's standards) and had many different kinds of locos and rolling stock. Also how about the old DC Transit street car system. It was before the DC Metro and also had interurban rail branches and had a freight line to the PEPCO plant in SE Washington DC that was served by two heavy electric locos. They also had some street cars converted for freight use and special tasks.

[ChiefEagles]

Ok, no one can speak Eastern NC indian. Conetoe is pronounced:
Co knee ta.

[cbq9911a]

Least Modeled Railroads . . .
. . .with a signifcant fan base: Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee.
(Because everything North Shore is brass.)
. . .with a significant impact on its area: Metra (Chicago commuter rail).
(Because it has boring paint schemes and operations.)
. . .with a lot of track: Chicago Great Western
(Because it had such a low profile.)
. . .of a particular genre: Railroad Museums
(How do you model a museum operation???)