Hey everybody,
Well, I have finished the 'white paper' write-up for my railroad.
Please check it out, then let me know what you think....
http://www.ericcable.net/railroad
Love it! I have become hooked on the Seaboard Air Line in the 1950s-1960s and hope to do a "dream alyout" one day. The concept bouncing around in my head is very similar to what you have placed on paper for your ACL branch.
One suggestion: I see that your SAL interchange is actually represented "off stage." Take a look at this picture someone just posted recently on RailPictures.net:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=243835&nseq=0
It depicts a southbound SAL freight through Alberta, VA in 1955 (right in your era!). Alberta, VA is where the SAL mainline between Raleigh, NC and Petersburg, VA had a junction with the Virginian mainline running from Norfolk, VA to Roanoke, VA. The VGN actually passed over the SAL on a bridge; the photographer in the above photo must be standing on this bridge. There was an interchange track, and what I find most interesting is that the SAL and VGN both shared the same passenger depot on the northwest corner of the junction (this is the structure you can see to the left in the above photo). The SAL platform was on the lower level and the VGN on the upper; there was an elevator in the depot to allow passengers easy access up and down. Such a modern convenience for a little speck out in the middle of nowhere! Anyway, you could easily rename Alberta, VA to Sanford, NC and add it to the modeled version of your layout. You could substitute your ACL line in place of the VGN mainline and have the SAL pass below, with the interchange track providing good switching opportunities and the unique depot serving as a passenger spot.
Sorry for the long rambling post, but I was just discussing this very scene yesterday with a friend, at it seems like it would fit in nicely with what you have planned. And besides, Aunt Bee needs somewhere to switch trains when she goes to visit the kin folk in Ralieigh!
Jamie
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