A bit overwhelmed. Need some pointers from some old pros

[ChadStrat]

Hi all.

I've been dabbling in the hobby for the last few years now.  And have done some fun shelf switching layouts quite successfully.

I'm now entering into the "research" stage for my next project.  

I have two specific small Montanna Towns in mind that I am interested in modeling mid-late 1940's. Columbia Falls MT and Whitefish MT.

In my minds eye, I want to closely examine the industries, towns, and culture before I enter into any planning.  But I am having a really hard time getting started.  

There's lots of information available regarding the GN Empire Builder, and certainly passenger operations will be a component of the layout. But I really want to learn more about the specific logging, coal, and Depot operations.  I can only asume there was some semblance of a yard?...but I am having a really hard time finding any written or visual.

It appears as though the Minnesota Historical Library has some pertinent information...but I don't live there and it's not available online :-(

There seems to be some of what I am looking for archived there:  http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/01064.xml

I'm hoping perhaps someone here has researched this area some, or recalls some other resources that have more detail to proto from.  Or even have some pro tips on how to research from afar.

Many thanks for your input and suggestions.

ChadStrat

 

[Schuylkill and Susquehanna]

Hi ChadStrat!

Some of my favorite references for information are Google Maps and the sites related to a specific railroad.  I know of several good ones for the Pennsy.  Also, a good book on the history of the railroad you are interested in is very helpful.  I recently got The Centennial History of the Pennsylvania Railroad copyright 1940s.

There is no real right way to do your research.  Personally, found that I liked the Pennsy, then I found the era I liked, and then the place.

Good luck with your research!

S&S

[tomikawaTT]

Just took a satellite view of the two towns in question and the connecting rail line.  No major engineering works except a bridge at the west end of the Whitefish yard.  Whitefish has a large yard, still has a turntable, roundhouse (sector house?  About 60 degrees total) and appears to have diesel shops where steam servicing facilities would have been in earlier days.

Columbia Falls is a junction, and has a rather interesting 'wye within a wye' track configuration.  The yard is at the east end of town - what's left of it.  The Mission Mountain RR (MMT since 2004) diverges from the BNSF main and runs to Kalispell.  It was a BN branch that extended beyond Kalispell in two directions.  Those extensions are now abandoned.

Since you're concentrating on two specific communities, I suggest you check both for local historical societies.  That might be more rewarding than trying to view them from the state level.

I don't know how far you are from the area.  Most of my own modeling is done from photos I took and field notes I scribbled down during a long visit to my area of interest.  Walking around and talking to people is still the best source of obscure facts.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[NorthWest]

Microsoft Train Simulator has modern day versions of Whitefish and Columbia Falls on the Marias Pass line. Plus, it is a fun game!

[DSchmitt]

The earliest USGS maps that show any detail are 7.7 min series Whitechfish Mt and Columbia Falls Mt (North & South)  They are dated 1962 and  Columbia Falls North has revisions in purple from the 1980's.  But the tracks are probably mosty as they were in the 1940s.  There is a gravel pit just west of Whitefish and an alunimum plant (probably built during WW2) east of Columbia Falls.

Free pdf downloads at

http://www.usgs.gov/

[BRAKIE]

ChadStrat

I want to closely examine the industries

I looked into this area for a possible modern free lance short line between Columbia Falls  and Kalispell.A thought I haven't completely given up on as a possible Kalispell switching layout.

From my limited research the number one industry in that area was lumber and wood chips.Maybe logs depending on era.

I hope that helps you.

[locoi1sa]

ChadStrat

  I can not stress the importance of joining the historical society of the prototype railroad you want to model. One can get information overload easily. Not only writen information but there may be some railroaders that acctually operated out of the towns you want to model and get first hand knowlege of day to day operations.

        Pete

[ChadStrat]

Great thoughts and input here fellas.  I very much appreciate the suggestions.  

I am flying out to Whitefish end of February.  So I plan to hit up the museum and take pictures from the yard.  I might try and connect with some local modelers if possible. (although timeline is tight).

I may start a new thread called "the GN Columbia Falls - Whitefish division" once I get a healthy amount of information.

Again, I'm more interested in the less obvious industries, buildings and waybills than the transfer and passenger thoroughfare.  I think it's these details that will draw out a more engaging layout I can expand and build on.

Initially I am thinking a 15" , 7' x 7' (depending on room size - we are moving so this is TBD) shelf layout end-capped with mountains to form a "valley" feel that you find in that region. And then backdrop that with scenic mountain painting for more of that same feel.  Whitefish yard on one end and Columbia Falls on the other, and hopefully some interesting spur points along the way. (the last part needing the most research)

I'll check out some of the mentioned resources here and try to connect with the local societies as well. 

Thanks again,

ChadStrat

[cowman]

If you are  heading to that area and want to meet some local modelers, go to the General section of these forums and place a thread with the names of the towns in the title.  I think folks are more likely to see it there than here in Prototype section.  You could ask them to PM you, so that you could get in touch with them when you were in the area.

Just a thought.

Good luck,

Richard

[wjstix]

As good as the internet is, sometimes your best bet is still old-fashioned books. There have been quite a few out there on GN history, and on the Empire Builder itself.

http://www.signaturepress.com/GNL/gnlw.html

The GN and NP Historical Societies have their railroad's archives at the Jackson Street roundhouse in St.Paul MN. The roundhouse is operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum. You should be able to contact them thru MTM's website, or thru the NP or GN historical societies.

By the way, one problem with modelling GN in the 1940's is that, except for BLI's USRA Heavy Mikado (assuming you're in HO), there's really no GN steam engines out there except for brass. GN was a fairly early diesel user, so you may be able to model the 1940's with a largely diesel roster.

[Geared Steam]

tomikawaTT

Columbia Falls is a junction, and has a rather interesting 'wye within a wye' track configuration.  The yard is at the east end of town - what's left of it.  The Mission Mountain RR (MMT since 2004) diverges from the BNSF main and runs to Kalispell.  It was a BN branch that extended beyond Kalispell in two directions.  Those extensions are now abandoned.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964) 

Chad

I grew up in Libby , about 100 miles to the west in the 60's and 70's. To add to Chuck's comments about the branch line to Kalispell, it was actually the original Great Northern mainline to Seattle. It went through Kalispell and over Haskell Pass, down into the Fisher River valley where it connected at the intersection of the Fisher and Kootenai river, close to the route now used through the Flathead tunnel, when the route was moved for Lake Koocanusa. Haskell Pass was quite unforgiving in the winter so they eventaully changed the route to go NW from Whitefish to Eureka, west to the Kootenai river drainage then down to Libby.

One historical fact is a branch line went south from Kalispell down to Somers MT on the shore of Flathead lake where there was a large tie mill that supplied the GN ties to build the transcon. It ran beside Hwy 93 until the rails were pulled when the plant closed. The plant had two fireless steamers, S1 and S2. 

As Larry mentions one of the large industries was wood chips, lumber, logs etc. Although over the hill from Whitefish, the "Libby Logger" would leave Libby twice a week to pick up loaded log cars along the river and bring them back to J Neils Lumber Company. 

There is also an aluminum plant in Columbia Falls which still exists, back in the 60's the mountain behind the plant was devoid of all vergetation because of the chemicals which was used back in those days. There were also several sawmills in the area, and forget the construction of Hungry Horse dam up river a few miles

The sawmills you see in Columbia Falls on Google maps have been there forever, so count on those for another industry.

Ron Nixon was a photographer employed by the Northern Pacific, his photo archives are located here at the Museum of the Rockies. Use the "search by location" menu to see pictures of Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

Link here: http://morphotoarchive.org/rvndb/frame-link1.html

Great Northen Historical Society

http://gnrhs.org/

Very good Historical data here

http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/default.aspx

Of course when visiting Whitefish, visit the museum in the train station, good stuff!

PM me if you have any questions