Small prototype RR's to model

[truck1882]

My first post here and I thought I would mention my local railroad. I live near Williamsport, PA and think that the local shortline would be an awesome prototype to model. The Lycoming Valley RR runs from Jersey Shore to Montgomery, with the main yard, shops and offices in Williamsport. The thing that I think is great about the railroad is the companies it deals with. At Jersey Shore, they deliver used railroad rails for recycling to Jersey Shore Steel, at Williamsport, adjecent to the rail yard is Transco ( I hope that is spelled correctly) who refurbishes and repairs rail cars. Currently they have been working on double and triple deck enclosed auto carriers, so there is always a string of them sitting in the yard. At the far end at Montgomery, there is a Cogeneration power plant which burns old railroad ties, and I believe there is a railroad tie manufacturer there also. There are many other business along the line which they work, but how much neater can it be to have a short line, approxiamtely 25 miles or so long, that has railroading businesses as some it's primary business.
As I said, this is my first post here, and I am new to the forum. I think it would be great if MR Would do an article on this line and give us some ideas for modeling in N scale. Hint, Hint. I do want to try to model it myself. I just bought my first house, after many years as an apartment dweller, and have a spare bedroom, and a basement ( very damp and cold) that I can use for a layout. I have been thinking about an E shaped layout for the bedroom Lycoming Valley N scale line. Only time will tell. Tons of work to be done on this old house and I hope things can come together.

Darin

[rogerhensley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by truck1882

I think it would be great if MR Would do an article on this line and give us some ideas for modeling in N scale. Hint, Hint. I do want to try to model it myself.

I could suggest that you put together an article based on what you just wrote and submit the outline to MR to see what they think about it. Most folks can write better than they think. Ideas about industry, switching and through traffic at a particular period in time could interest them, I would think.

There are many short lines that would make great models. We had one here in Central Indiana that several folks are now looking to model as more information and photos have become available. (See http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ci_1973.html for a sample of the railroad.)

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed Blair Kooistra's articles in Trains and Great Model Railroads about the Walla Walla Valley Railway. You could look at these articles for ideas on modeling a shortline. The Lycoming Valley RR sounds like an excellent prototype to model. I watch two local shortlines in action, Progressive Rail and the Minnesota Commercial and have often thought about modelling them. One of these days....

Gary

[Wdlgln005]

If you have a digital camera, you may be able to make your own tour of the line. Find out if there are public places trackside to take pictures. You may need to ask permission to visit other places. Just don't get in the way of any crews & do not tresspass. Then you can go out and try to find models that look like the items in the pictures. You may end up cutting cereal boxes to make buildings look right, then kit or scratch build them. Getting pictures of power & other equipment will help you decide what models you need to buy.

A short line with 25 miles to depict may be just the right size. The scenery in Nscale will be just as important as the structures to give your pike a sense of purpose. In the meantime, go to and check out an Ntrak club or layout in your area. It will give you an idea how to set up 4ft modules that make up different scenes for your layout. As time & money permit, you can always add another scene!