Funnest to Model?: Shortline, Regional vs. Class I

[Anonymous]

Which type of railroading do you prefer to model?

Shortlines and regionals such as Morristown & Erie and Montana RailLink typically offer up an interesting mix of older locomotive power, perhaps ALCOs or GP30s on less well kept lines that the Class Is gave up on. Their operations are smaller and slower, yet highly customer oriented when compared to many Class I operations.

Class I operations on railroads such as Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific offer the most modern horsepower available like AC44s and SD70Ms. Their fast paced mainline focused operations are fast-paced in comparison to shortline/reginal railroads and offer a larger variety of freight trains to model. Additionally, they operate out of modern, state-of-the-art facilities that are typically quite large.

So which type of operation do you prefer modeling and why?

[Anonymous]

Which type of railroading do you prefer to model?

Shortlines and regionals such as Morristown & Erie and Montana RailLink typically offer up an interesting mix of older locomotive power, perhaps ALCOs or GP30s on less well kept lines that the Class Is gave up on. Their operations are smaller and slower, yet highly customer oriented when compared to many Class I operations.

Class I operations on railroads such as Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific offer the most modern horsepower available like AC44s and SD70Ms. Their fast paced mainline focused operations are fast-paced in comparison to shortline/reginal railroads and offer a larger variety of freight trains to model. Additionally, they operate out of modern, state-of-the-art facilities that are typically quite large.

So which type of operation do you prefer modeling and why?

[CP5415]

In my design, I have incorporated a Class 1 & a regional. I'm using a modied version of the Wisconsin Central from Kalmbach's 101 layout book.

[CP5415]

In my design, I have incorporated a Class 1 & a regional. I'm using a modied version of the Wisconsin Central from Kalmbach's 101 layout book.

[Anonymous]

I prefer shortlines.

I think it is because it is more customer related.

I also like making my own locomotives and equipment so modelling a shortline allows me to exercise my imagination.

I also have to say that if it doesn't drink water you won't see it pulling anything on my layout.

[Anonymous]

I prefer shortlines.

I think it is because it is more customer related.

I also like making my own locomotives and equipment so modelling a shortline allows me to exercise my imagination.

I also have to say that if it doesn't drink water you won't see it pulling anything on my layout.

[BentnoseWillie]

I'ma shortline/regional modeller for similar reasons as Neil gives, though my engines only drink water when the radiators are leaking. [:)]

I like the more laid-back style of operations on a regional, and the variety of motive power and paint schemes is stimulating to model. I won't be caught up to the prototype in locomotive types or paint schemes for a long time!

[BentnoseWillie]

I'ma shortline/regional modeller for similar reasons as Neil gives, though my engines only drink water when the radiators are leaking. [:)]

I like the more laid-back style of operations on a regional, and the variety of motive power and paint schemes is stimulating to model. I won't be caught up to the prototype in locomotive types or paint schemes for a long time!

[BNSFNUT]

I model a modern class 1 (BNSF) with an branch line.
I get the best of both worlds, high speed intermodel and a couple of GP38 poking around on a branch.

[BNSFNUT]

I model a modern class 1 (BNSF) with an branch line.
I get the best of both worlds, high speed intermodel and a couple of GP38 poking around on a branch.

[Anonymous]

Combo burger: Class One and short line.

[Anonymous]

Combo burger: Class One and short line.

[vsmith]

Short, very short lines.
My layout is narrow gauge, mining, with an industrial (distillery) siding. All equipment is either second hand or home made so I can anything that strikes my fancy and really gives me a creative outlet.

To me its no fun having to mimic a loco or a railroad exactly, I would rather build my own or at least my own varient of an existing type as it would be modified for use on my line.

[vsmith]

Short, very short lines.
My layout is narrow gauge, mining, with an industrial (distillery) siding. All equipment is either second hand or home made so I can anything that strikes my fancy and really gives me a creative outlet.

To me its no fun having to mimic a loco or a railroad exactly, I would rather build my own or at least my own varient of an existing type as it would be modified for use on my line.

[Anonymous]

I love modeling short lines for many reasons. Tight curves are prototypical. Funky, old diesels look great pulling 2 or 3 modern freight cars. Lots of various industries to switch cars at. And best of all: modeling a short line with a small roster keeps peace and harmony in the family when it's time to create a budget!

[Anonymous]

I love modeling short lines for many reasons. Tight curves are prototypical. Funky, old diesels look great pulling 2 or 3 modern freight cars. Lots of various industries to switch cars at. And best of all: modeling a short line with a small roster keeps peace and harmony in the family when it's time to create a budget!

[cp1057]

I started off modeling a shortline, branchline to be precise. Now I'm rebuilding my layout to include a mainline, junction and a branchline. It will give the excuse to run more trains and also run more variety because after all, everybody knows that the track and bridges of a branchline won't support large mainline locomotives. This gives me license to run short trains pulled by switcher diesels or perhaps a Mogul or Ten-Wheeler.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[cp1057]

I started off modeling a shortline, branchline to be precise. Now I'm rebuilding my layout to include a mainline, junction and a branchline. It will give the excuse to run more trains and also run more variety because after all, everybody knows that the track and bridges of a branchline won't support large mainline locomotives. This gives me license to run short trains pulled by switcher diesels or perhaps a Mogul or Ten-Wheeler.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[douginut]

Trolleys, Elevateds and heavy electrics.

Interurbans,

and whatever else is on sale at local hobby shop!

Doug, in Utah

[douginut]

Trolleys, Elevateds and heavy electrics.

Interurbans,

and whatever else is on sale at local hobby shop!

Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

I prefer to model shortlines and regionals. For me class one's are a little bland. I find the plethora of similiar modern units (usually only one or two types are used for most trains) quite dull. I prefer the oddball, older and worn equipment that can be found on the shortlines and regionals. Often times the equipment used on shortlines and regionals are painted in various paint schemes thanks to it being bought used and their lack of capital to repaint. The facilities and yards that are used by these railroads are usually a fraction the size of many class one's. I feel that I can come closer to modeling these types of railroads more faithfully due to this. I also enjoy the slower paced action. If I had the space to model, I think incorporating a junction with a class one would be great. In this manner one could add even more variety in locomotive power and operations.

[Anonymous]

I prefer to model shortlines and regionals. For me class one's are a little bland. I find the plethora of similiar modern units (usually only one or two types are used for most trains) quite dull. I prefer the oddball, older and worn equipment that can be found on the shortlines and regionals. Often times the equipment used on shortlines and regionals are painted in various paint schemes thanks to it being bought used and their lack of capital to repaint. The facilities and yards that are used by these railroads are usually a fraction the size of many class one's. I feel that I can come closer to modeling these types of railroads more faithfully due to this. I also enjoy the slower paced action. If I had the space to model, I think incorporating a junction with a class one would be great. In this manner one could add even more variety in locomotive power and operations.

[Anonymous]

Let's hear some more opinions!

[Anonymous]

Let's hear some more opinions!

[Anonymous]

I model A regional railway that is a bridge route for a transcon. That way I get the locals and small operations of switching, but then have runthru trains for the transcon. plus I added a little commuter for the large city on the line.

A mix of everything and the operators are never bored.

ElPrez

[Anonymous]

I model A regional railway that is a bridge route for a transcon. That way I get the locals and small operations of switching, but then have runthru trains for the transcon. plus I added a little commuter for the large city on the line.

A mix of everything and the operators are never bored.

ElPrez

[Anonymous]

I model a branch of a class1. it is a 4x8 layout and is a branch of my fictional Oklahoma, Mexico, and Gulf. the branch is located in western Oklahoma. Ilike branchline/shortline modeling in the mid-50's because it alows me to run steam along with diesels and prototypcle sharp curves.

alex in the sooner state

[Anonymous]

I model a branch of a class1. it is a 4x8 layout and is a branch of my fictional Oklahoma, Mexico, and Gulf. the branch is located in western Oklahoma. Ilike branchline/shortline modeling in the mid-50's because it alows me to run steam along with diesels and prototypcle sharp curves.

alex in the sooner state

[DavidH]

Secondary line of a class 1.

David

[DavidH]

Secondary line of a class 1.

David