My (Future) Model Railroad Empire

The 4x8 layout that I built.

I am planning a model railroad. Realistically, I don’t know when, if ever, it will get built, but if and when it does, it will be my empire. I’ve been collecting the materials for years; the track, the rolling stock, buildings, locomotives, a good collection of materials needed.

I’m not sure what it will be, just yet. Some days, I like the idea of a branch or short line, with small trains plugging along at low speed, through rural areas, serving elevators, fertilizer plants, and other small industries, and maybe even recreate the trackage of my hometown, which once hosted 4 railroads, though in real life, 2 of the lines were pulled up in the 70′s. Then, other times, I think that I more likely will go with a terminal setting; tracks snaking over, under, and through buildings, streets, and alleys, with a large amount of switching action. Perhaps something based on the Indianapolis Union or Toledo Terminal. Then again, if space and finances were to allow it, mainline running would be very tempting, as well. From time to time, I even give some consideration to the idea of modeling the Raleigh, NC area, where, in the 70′s, the old Norfolk Southern, as well as the Seaboard Coast Line, would have been found. Ultimately, I think I may wind up with some hybrid of short line and terminal switching.

I do know the era this will be set in, the 1970′s, which to those who’ve read my previous posts, will come as no surprise. That’s the decade I spend much of my childhood, and was exposed to the Penn Central, Chessie, and Norfolk & Western, all of which were within 15 miles of my home. It’s the era, in which one could see diesels of all generations; F-units, Alco Centuries, GP’s and SD’s 7 through 40, not to mention GE U-Boats.

There were still cabooses, as well, plus 40′ box cars, too. And while mergers had been taking place for several years, one would still see a goodly amount of pre-merger names, such as Monon, Nickel Plate, B & O, Pennsy, New York Central, Wabash, Seaboard Air Line, Burlington, and Great Northern, just to name a few. There will definitely be a strong Penn Central presence.

As for location, though I previously mentioned Raleigh and Indianapolis, most likely, it will be set in the Midwest, though I haven’t completely ruled out the Southeast. I have to admit those green, gold, and white Southern locomotives, are awfully tempting.

I have previously built a small layout, 4×8, in HO scale. While it was never fully finished, I did get a good ways into the process, including scenery and wiring, and I must say, all things considered, it ran pretty well, except for a dead spot in one corner. Never could quite get that problem worked out, despite running jumper wires and re-soldering. But it was fun to operate, which I usually did with a Monon BL-2. The layout was an oval, with a three track yard, to one side. It also included 8 small industries to switch.

So, for right now, I will continue to take my pencil and graph paper, and sketch and draw and plan. Over time, as progress is made, I will post more, including photos, as my future empire takes shape.