Help me choose a prototype location

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. My apologies in advance for the length of this message, but I need some help putting my railroad in the real world and would really appreciate your insights and advice. I have been thinking about this for quite a while, but I am still struggling with it.

I don't have a specific favorite prototype, so what is probably an easy decision for many folks is proving to be a challenge for me. My preference is a layout based on a prototype that is both plausible and meets my goals (below), although I am willing to abuse reality/history if necessary. The layout itself will be HO with a mainline of about 2.5 scale miles in an irregular, 500 sq. ft. area. It will be a single level walkaround with the mainline not repeating any scenes. I've settled on a mainline design, so what is left is specifying the grade profile and locating the towns, spurs, sidings and industries.

Desires:

• Colorado, Oregon or British Columbia/Alberta location, with good scenic opportunities (non-negotiable, as this was dictated by my wife[:)])


• Prototype railroads only, with widely available, good quality engines and rolling stock (I don't want to HAVE to deal with brass, custom paint jobs, etc.)


• Good sources of information on industries, equipment and location (I live in the midwest so my opportunities to see things first-hand are limited, although I have been to all the candidate states/provinces)


• Transition era, around 1950


• "Typical" model railroad operation opportunities: Mostly single track, local and through freight, local and through passenger, switching opportunities with a mix of industries, and a medium-sized yard


• I'm open as to the prototype railroad(s), but I do already have some UP equipment that I'd like to use

The Oregon Trunk is currently at the top of my list, although I don't have nearly as much information as I need. It would require some fudging (e.g., I believe the prototype tends to run trains at night) and I might have to beef up the industries a bit, but it would allow for UP and SP&S equipment, good scenery, etc. One option I'm considering is to assume that the UP built south of Bend and connected to the WP instead of the GN, which would allow for UP through traffic in addition to local traffic to Bend. The Prineville line might also make for an interesting branch.

Another option I've seriously considered is the Tennessee Pass area, which has great scenery, the Leadville branch, and a wealth of information available. The downside is that it's hard to fit the UP in, has limited industry, and most passenger traffic went via Moffet, so I think that making it work for me would stretch plausibility a bit farther than the OT approach.

From a pure scenery standpoint, the Canadian Rockies would be high on my list, but I haven't seen a lot of good resources on the CP, nor do there seem to be many good quality, non-brass, era-appropriate locomotives available.

Finally, as I have to move farther from the prototype in putting the layout together, I haven't completely ruled out just stealing elements from several areas (which would be my wife's preference). Although not currently my first choice, there is an appeal to combining a favorite scene from Colorado with a favorite scene from the Canadian Rockies. It just seems a lot harder to get right so that it doesn't end up looking like a hodgepodge. My thoughts would be to work the scenes South to North, base the layout on real places that meet both operational and scenic goals, and treat it as a subdivision operationally using equipment from 1-2 railroads that would have operated in those regions. I know that the bias these days is toward prototypical layouts, but suggestions by people who have pulled this off would be great.

Thanks for reading. I'd love any insights into how to improve the options I mentioned or any better options that fit my goals.

--Todd

[Anonymous]

CNW Powder River Basin

[Anonymous]

UP's line from Cheyenne to Laramie over Sherman Hill. Where else?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

UP's line from Cheyenne to Laramie over Sherman Hill. Where else?

CNW's Powder River line.[:D]

[Anonymous]

The prototype railroad I chose was where I grew up and where I still live. It really doesn't matter where that is. (CSX Henderson Subdivision) The area you model should be something that inspires your model railroading genius. A place that you know first hand or could be easily researched.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Roger W.