What region is your model railroad based and why?

[SilverSpike]

My HO scale model railroad is based on railroads that operate in south east Louisiana in that the companies are the prototype and the landscape is fictional. That is I have motive power and consists for the Kansas City Southern, Southern, and Norfolk Southern. I am looking to also expand possibly to the Union Pacific, and the Texas and Pacific (older stuff). My landscape is fictional but have named the various towns after local areas in and around New Orleans.

- Ryan

[leonardbrand]

Southeast, Grew up next to ACL,CofG,L&N,Seaboard, GM&O and the Wof A / WP and remember the old Birmingham Southeasten. I call it the Seaboard Southern, A short connecting trunk line that runs between the NS and CSX ,and goes on to a harbor port which supplys most of the SS's incomeing. The SS use mostly late diesel, but there is a rail museum in one of the towns that the SS goes thue that has a big collection of steam as well as old diesels that run excursions over the SS which lets me run mostly anything I want.

[leonardbrand]

Southeast, Grew up next to ACL,CofG,L&N,Seaboard, GM&O and the Wof A / WP and remember the old Birmingham Southeasten. I call it the Seaboard Southern, A short connecting trunk line that runs between the NS and CSX ,and goes on to a harbor port which supplys most of the SS's incomeing. The SS use mostly late diesel, but there is a rail museum in one of the towns that the SS goes thue that has a big collection of steam as well as old diesels that run excursions over the SS which lets me run mostly anything I want.

[PistolPete]

I model a finctional BN division point with major facilities and interchanges in one direction with the UP and in the other direction with the SF. It also will have a small industrial switching section. The location is someplace in the west. The is no real main line run, just switching a yard, the interchanges and the industries. The layout is G shaped 8x10x12x13 and about 2 feet wide.
As for why, my first new engine was a BN SPD-40. I liked the looks and the color pattern.

[PistolPete]

I model a finctional BN division point with major facilities and interchanges in one direction with the UP and in the other direction with the SF. It also will have a small industrial switching section. The location is someplace in the west. The is no real main line run, just switching a yard, the interchanges and the industries. The layout is G shaped 8x10x12x13 and about 2 feet wide.
As for why, my first new engine was a BN SPD-40. I liked the looks and the color pattern.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to say "ditto" to what 4884BigBoy said. I liked the transition era steam units that UP was running (FEF's, Challengers and Big Boys) and decided that I would build my railroad empire around those units. I haven't yet built my layout, but I am planning to model the west, although not a specific location. I am planning to run the above mentioned units, so Sherman Hill would be the most accurate prototype to model. Having never actually been there, though, I am planning a more generic western US layout with mostly UP consists. Since I am particularly interested in the transition era, I am planning to run late steam and early diesel units on my layout, both freight and passenger. With the design of the layout that I have come up with, though, it could easily be Tehachapi, CA, since I will be building a loop like that in Tehachapi. Anyhow, since the terrain is freelanced, I suppose I could just call it "anywhere I want it to be!"

-Joe

[Anonymous]

I'd have to say "ditto" to what 4884BigBoy said. I liked the transition era steam units that UP was running (FEF's, Challengers and Big Boys) and decided that I would build my railroad empire around those units. I haven't yet built my layout, but I am planning to model the west, although not a specific location. I am planning to run the above mentioned units, so Sherman Hill would be the most accurate prototype to model. Having never actually been there, though, I am planning a more generic western US layout with mostly UP consists. Since I am particularly interested in the transition era, I am planning to run late steam and early diesel units on my layout, both freight and passenger. With the design of the layout that I have come up with, though, it could easily be Tehachapi, CA, since I will be building a loop like that in Tehachapi. Anyhow, since the terrain is freelanced, I suppose I could just call it "anywhere I want it to be!"

-Joe

[Anonymous]

Here is a quick run-down of my layout theme and era....

Deere Valley & Western, without motive power or rolling stock of its own enters lease and trackage rights agreements with ATSF, SP, WP and UP after purchasing some little used and abandoned right-of-ways in California with financial backing of the John Deere Company. John Deere uses its own motive power and rolling stock on the DV&W tracks and is a financial contributor in construction and rehabilitation of the rail lines. The line serves the agricultural areas of California from Sacramento to Los Angeles and sees a tremendous variety of freight and passenger equipment on its trackage. The ficticious town of Deere Valley is located in the rural outskirts of Stockton, CA.

The era is 1959/1960. A variety of soon to be retired steam and 1st generation diesels are common sights including the occasional UP Big Boy which is routed from Wyoming for special fast heavy produce freights to the East. A couple of times a Big Boy was even seen hauling a passenger consist when the diesel power broke down and no other engines were available to continue the run.

Photos of the current 4x8 (scheduled for demolition and replacement this spring) can be seen at Webshots. Just click on the link in my signature.

I chose this area of the country because I enjoy the western mountain and valley scenery and the big steam still used on the western roads in the '50s. I am also big into John Deere, and my layout theme revolves around John Deere equipment and the construction of a "John Deerre Western Parts Distribution Center" in Deere Valley.

[Anonymous]

Here is a quick run-down of my layout theme and era....

Deere Valley & Western, without motive power or rolling stock of its own enters lease and trackage rights agreements with ATSF, SP, WP and UP after purchasing some little used and abandoned right-of-ways in California with financial backing of the John Deere Company. John Deere uses its own motive power and rolling stock on the DV&W tracks and is a financial contributor in construction and rehabilitation of the rail lines. The line serves the agricultural areas of California from Sacramento to Los Angeles and sees a tremendous variety of freight and passenger equipment on its trackage. The ficticious town of Deere Valley is located in the rural outskirts of Stockton, CA.

The era is 1959/1960. A variety of soon to be retired steam and 1st generation diesels are common sights including the occasional UP Big Boy which is routed from Wyoming for special fast heavy produce freights to the East. A couple of times a Big Boy was even seen hauling a passenger consist when the diesel power broke down and no other engines were available to continue the run.

Photos of the current 4x8 (scheduled for demolition and replacement this spring) can be seen at Webshots. Just click on the link in my signature.

I chose this area of the country because I enjoy the western mountain and valley scenery and the big steam still used on the western roads in the '50s. I am also big into John Deere, and my layout theme revolves around John Deere equipment and the construction of a "John Deerre Western Parts Distribution Center" in Deere Valley.

[NYCentral1]

When it's built, a fictious section of the New York Central, based around the NYC mainline in the Albany, N.Y. area.

I expect to model the transition period of the 40's-50's. The reason for modeling NYC? Besides that fact that it's the greatest railroad in history?[;)]

[NYCentral1]

When it's built, a fictious section of the New York Central, based around the NYC mainline in the Albany, N.Y. area.

I expect to model the transition period of the 40's-50's. The reason for modeling NYC? Besides that fact that it's the greatest railroad in history?[;)]

[Anonymous]

Ship and Go with the C&O. C&O, B&O and Western Maryland, Why sir you ask, first of all I live beside original B&O trackage, the C&O for its mighty steam, Western Maryland for it's ability to resist even the power of the C&O before the Chessie era. Transition era but epically the years during WW2. The ability of all the railroads to move the men and materials needed to fight and win the war in Europe and Asia. To be able to have early hoods and car body diesels working along side of Big steam moving mountains of coal then the economic backbone of our country while troop cars filled with the sons and daughters of liberty shared the rails with famous people riding famous trains amidst all the glamour of once was rail travel. And for my own little Clarksburg Charleston & Western lines a freelanced ride thru the heart of the hills of Appalachia Terry

[Anonymous]

Ship and Go with the C&O. C&O, B&O and Western Maryland, Why sir you ask, first of all I live beside original B&O trackage, the C&O for its mighty steam, Western Maryland for it's ability to resist even the power of the C&O before the Chessie era. Transition era but epically the years during WW2. The ability of all the railroads to move the men and materials needed to fight and win the war in Europe and Asia. To be able to have early hoods and car body diesels working along side of Big steam moving mountains of coal then the economic backbone of our country while troop cars filled with the sons and daughters of liberty shared the rails with famous people riding famous trains amidst all the glamour of once was rail travel. And for my own little Clarksburg Charleston & Western lines a freelanced ride thru the heart of the hills of Appalachia Terry

[CPPedler]

Well I am 58 years old and until July 2000 I had seen a great deal of the world through military service but I had never been across the pond but we went to the Calgary Stampede that year and I fell in love with the Canadian Pacific, at Banff actually . I stood on what remains of the station there and saw 3 AC4400's with a manifest of 145 car of all shapes and sizes coming east and it was tanking along at a heck of a pace. I thought to myself 'this is something that I want to model' , so I do and I'm getting a great deal of pleasure from it ,....so there you have it. CPPedler.

[CPPedler]

Well I am 58 years old and until July 2000 I had seen a great deal of the world through military service but I had never been across the pond but we went to the Calgary Stampede that year and I fell in love with the Canadian Pacific, at Banff actually . I stood on what remains of the station there and saw 3 AC4400's with a manifest of 145 car of all shapes and sizes coming east and it was tanking along at a heck of a pace. I thought to myself 'this is something that I want to model' , so I do and I'm getting a great deal of pleasure from it ,....so there you have it. CPPedler.

[tcf511]

I'm working on my first layout. It is freelanced based upon the Front Royal, VA area where I now live. It gives the opportunity to mix in two prototype railroads, the N&W and SRR as this was an interchange point. I grew up in the northeast people visiting will be more impressed if they see buildings or areas that they recognize. The time is 1958 for two reasons, one I can mix late steam and early diesel and two I can also include some classic autos like the 57 Chevy and T-bird.

[tcf511]

I'm working on my first layout. It is freelanced based upon the Front Royal, VA area where I now live. It gives the opportunity to mix in two prototype railroads, the N&W and SRR as this was an interchange point. I grew up in the northeast people visiting will be more impressed if they see buildings or areas that they recognize. The time is 1958 for two reasons, one I can mix late steam and early diesel and two I can also include some classic autos like the 57 Chevy and T-bird.

[grayfox1119]

I am building my 1st layout, it will include the former Boston & Albany route that runs through my town. I also plan to model part of the MEC and Mountain Div through Crawford Notch NH into VT. In general, I am going to model the New England northern states plus Mass.
The reason? It is easier to model areas where you know and live and can easily drive/visit to see the industry, the rail lines, the spurs/sidings etc.
Of course you also can get topos of more distant areas, and do far away areas also, that has more rugged countryside for modeling mountains, tunnels, deep ravines, etc.

[grayfox1119]

I am building my 1st layout, it will include the former Boston & Albany route that runs through my town. I also plan to model part of the MEC and Mountain Div through Crawford Notch NH into VT. In general, I am going to model the New England northern states plus Mass.
The reason? It is easier to model areas where you know and live and can easily drive/visit to see the industry, the rail lines, the spurs/sidings etc.
Of course you also can get topos of more distant areas, and do far away areas also, that has more rugged countryside for modeling mountains, tunnels, deep ravines, etc.

[JPowell]

Freelanced in-progress building. CSX/Conrail; Syracuse NY area. Modern times. Why you ask? Cause I can and I want to! I own (freelanced) Powell Transport, Inc who does all the transportation needs for the East Syracuse (NY) Co-Op Industrial Park. So, in general, I am building my 1st layout, a industrial park. Lots of switching w/ a spur and siding leading to the Park from the CSX Yard in DeWitt NY. Powell transport leases motive power (mostly 4-axles (GP38-2's come to mind here...) and an ocassional 6 axle) from CSX, Conrail, and a few from leasing companies.

[JPowell]

Freelanced in-progress building. CSX/Conrail; Syracuse NY area. Modern times. Why you ask? Cause I can and I want to! I own (freelanced) Powell Transport, Inc who does all the transportation needs for the East Syracuse (NY) Co-Op Industrial Park. So, in general, I am building my 1st layout, a industrial park. Lots of switching w/ a spur and siding leading to the Park from the CSX Yard in DeWitt NY. Powell transport leases motive power (mostly 4-axles (GP38-2's come to mind here...) and an ocassional 6 axle) from CSX, Conrail, and a few from leasing companies.

[Anonymous]

Between Philadelphia and New York City. Mostly in the 50's, thats when I grew up in. When I was a kid, me and a buddy used to walk across town to see GG1s pull fast passenger trains.

[Anonymous]

Between Philadelphia and New York City. Mostly in the 50's, thats when I grew up in. When I was a kid, me and a buddy used to walk across town to see GG1s pull fast passenger trains.

[eastcoast]

QUOTE: Originally posted by appst03

Where is your model railroad based? Why did you select that location(s)? What type of commodities does it haul? What era does it operate in?

As the name implies, I model the East Coast U.S. Mainly focused on the
Southeast region along the Atlantic Coastline from Florida to North Carolina.
This gives me flexability with my equipment choices. I have a freelanced road
anyhow so this further minimizes location problems. I grew up in TampaBay, FL.
but now reside and work elsewhere near a prominent landmark. I mostly model
passenger operations but do have some industries like plastics and lumber.
Alot of my businesses are wharehousing,shipping,receiving from truck to train,etc.
Since I model what I know, the era is set from 1970 to present day but some of the
stuctures are built to be dated further back. This is a work in progress and may
see changes as time goes on.
THANKS FOR ASKING.

[eastcoast]

QUOTE: Originally posted by appst03

Where is your model railroad based? Why did you select that location(s)? What type of commodities does it haul? What era does it operate in?

As the name implies, I model the East Coast U.S. Mainly focused on the
Southeast region along the Atlantic Coastline from Florida to North Carolina.
This gives me flexability with my equipment choices. I have a freelanced road
anyhow so this further minimizes location problems. I grew up in TampaBay, FL.
but now reside and work elsewhere near a prominent landmark. I mostly model
passenger operations but do have some industries like plastics and lumber.
Alot of my businesses are wharehousing,shipping,receiving from truck to train,etc.
Since I model what I know, the era is set from 1970 to present day but some of the
stuctures are built to be dated further back. This is a work in progress and may
see changes as time goes on.
THANKS FOR ASKING.

[Anonymous]

My region is Southern California and it is because it is a region I do not live in and I want to model a region I have never visited. Easy and simple no need for three paragraphs to why.

[Anonymous]

My region is Southern California and it is because it is a region I do not live in and I want to model a region I have never visited. Easy and simple no need for three paragraphs to why.

[twhite]

Northern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, midway between SP's Donner Pass and WP's Feather River. Specifically, the Yuba River watershed, between Nevada City, CA and Yuba Summit. The era is WWII, it's all steam. Railroad modeled is the Rio Grande California Extension between Utah and Oakland CA, with SP and GN (Highline) trackage rights. Also some 'borrowed' eastern steam since the Rio Grande is perennially power-short (C&S, N&W, Pennsy, C&O). Season is early Fall, which makes the line heavy with east-bound late-season reefer blocks. Also regular freight, seasonal cattle movements and westbound Utah coal trains to service west coast defense factories (and the railroad--it's the only coal-burning rr on the West Coast).
Tom

[twhite]

Northern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, midway between SP's Donner Pass and WP's Feather River. Specifically, the Yuba River watershed, between Nevada City, CA and Yuba Summit. The era is WWII, it's all steam. Railroad modeled is the Rio Grande California Extension between Utah and Oakland CA, with SP and GN (Highline) trackage rights. Also some 'borrowed' eastern steam since the Rio Grande is perennially power-short (C&S, N&W, Pennsy, C&O). Season is early Fall, which makes the line heavy with east-bound late-season reefer blocks. Also regular freight, seasonal cattle movements and westbound Utah coal trains to service west coast defense factories (and the railroad--it's the only coal-burning rr on the West Coast).
Tom

[howmus]

The Seneca Lake, Ontario, & Western (SLOW) is a fictional railroad based on the New York, Ontario & Western in name only. It lives up to its name as it has been in construction for 25 years and isn't showing any signs of being close to finished yet. It is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York and connects with the NYC and the Northern Central Branch of the Pennsylvania RR both of which did come into Canandaigua, NY where I was born. Ultimately there will be models of the Lisk Plant in Canandaigua as well as many of the mills found on the old Penn Yan and New York RR that went from Dresden, NY to Penn Yan, NY (nicknamed the Corkscrew RR by the NYC which absorbed this shortline). It will haul coal from PA and the little mine that will be built sometime or other as well as paper from mills in the area and enamalware from the Lisk plant. It, of course, will have to bring supplies to each of the industries as well.

The time period is post WW1 the USRA period. Why? I don't know, I just like the steam locos and equipment of that era and it HAS to be steam..... Fwhooooooo Chuf, Chuf, Chuf is just so much cooler than Rumble, BLAAAT, Rumble! [;)]

Ray