the two towns i am thinking about includeing in the layout are Stockton, MN and up on to the prairie to Lewiston, MN( through the arches) as us in southeast mn calls it
robert aldrich
n scale i know and the alco line plus great northern
My layout is loosely based on the Alco line with a few (lost I think) iron ore trains in the mix. I bought a book in 1979 by Robert P. Olmsted called Prairie Rails, his photos (all B & W) of the alco line were my inspiration of what and where to model. His photos of iron ore trains in upper Michigan with Trainmasters and then Alco 628’s planted that seed as well.
I doubt you will have much luck finding a copy of that book now but there is a good feature on the Alco line in North Western Lines Number 1 2007, the Chicago & North Western Historical Society most likely still has back copies, check them out.
http://www.cnwhs.org/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=313
I also recently purchased the CD you mention (along with the iron ore ones ; ) ) but haven’t found time to watch it all, I’m waiting for the right time to watch it when I can enjoy it the most if you know what I mean. I find the lack of sound disappointing but understandable due to the time it was taken and I was aware of this when I purchased it as it is stated on the web site. I would just like to add I have watched the Vintage Ore Railroads DVD which does have sound for the FM Trainmasters and was very happy with it. Welcome to my world…
P.S. I might also mention that the Camas Prairie in the same time frame (late 70’s to early 80’s) was also in contention to model but lost out to the lack of interesting 1st generation locos compared to what the C&NW could provide. I don’t know about you but I see a prairie thing going on here.
That depot you see at the beginning is Mankato Mn, my home town.
You'll enjoy the Alco Line as a prototype. I live on the Alco Line, now DM&E and got interested in trains in the early 1980's just as the Alcos were being phased out for Geeps, etc.. I was able to get a number of pictures of the slug sets, etc. before they were gone. I am a member of the C&NW Historical Societyand have been to their conventions in Rapid City and in Huron, South Dakota. Another reply mentioned Rick Mills as a source. Rick lives in Hermosa, SD, and is a great guy. He is in the newspaper business and is the president of th South Dakota Railroad Historical Society. Th3e book, "The Alco Line", by Eric Hirsimaki, would be a great reference for you.
Dear Sir: You picked a fine line to model! You have to include Sleepy Eye and New Ulm on you layout, if only for their names. I too have an interest in the C&NW , as it is a component of my E. St. Louis Rail Group layout. The C&NW gained entrance to the St. Louis area by means of their subsidiary the Litchfield & Madison RR. I have 10 locos lettered for the C&NW on the layout, including an ALCO rebuild. I model in HO scale. Keep up the research, as that is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby.
The Ferroequinologist layoutconcepts@yahoo.com eBay store: Backshop Train & China Store Facebook: Model Trains, Train Sets, Buildings & Layout Concepts
If you do not alrady belong I strongly suggest joining the Chicago & North Western Historical Society and get info on available back issues that heavily covered the Alco Line. 2007 #1 would be a good start.
Also their website has a photo archive that you might enjoy scrolling through
http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/index.php?cat=3
Their 2007 meet was in Huron and photos of the meet are here
http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/thumbnails.php?album=55
There are several very worthwhile books (and some videos) on that line. Eric Hirsimaki wrote an entire book on the Alco Line, and Rick Mills has written three and perhaps more books on it. That is in addition to coverage in the other CNW books such as the Morning Sun series.
Dave Nelson
i have just found the railroad i am going to model and this is the one i am sticking with. watch?v=biEgJAmKG8Y i am from winona mn which is mention in this vid now i just need to get more info about the alco line.