Which Branch of the B&M to model in N?

[BNSF7173]

After much internal debate, the Woodland Scenics layout I started seven years ago is going away. The benchwork I built for it is going to be used for this new layout depicting the B&M. My poll question based on the few B&M fans we have out there is, which branchline would consider in 1978? The stats on the layout are as follows: The layout is 6 feet by 3 feet and will have a connection with a maine line of the B&M. Branch operations will be performed by SW switches, GP7's, 9's and 18's. Interchange will be with GP38-2's and the new GP40'2s. Because this layout is so small, operations and scenery should be considered. Here are your choices.

Portsmouth Branch

Conway Branch

Hillsboro Branch

Claremont Branch

Goffstown Branch

Ashuelot Branch

White Mountains Line

[mikecyc72usa]

Lots of potential. Model Railroader had a Decmeber issue from thw late 80's early 90's with a history and an HO track plan. Almost used it as a starting point back then. Check it out.

[Hytec]

Jim, my initial question concerns your druthers for operation and scenery.

Conway had lost most, if not all of its industry by the 70's. Although I seem to remember a quarry somewhere near Sanbornville, and also the tire plant down at Farmington. Conway Scenic had yet to start up its tourist business, but you could always fudge a bit. Scenery would be twisty-turny around hills and lakes and over creeks, and through many small towns, fairly close together. You could always move it a little west so it could go around Alton Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee

White Mountain was rural up through Coos County, comparatively flat with low rolling hills and lots of small creeks and rivers. That line served the paper mills at Berlin and Gorham. It also crossed and interchanged with either the Grand Trunk or CP at Whitefield.

I think Portsmouth was still fairly active with various industries around Portsmouth, Dover, and Hampton. Did that line support the nukey plant construction at Seabrook? Scenery is flat and watery, with lots of interesting bridges, especially the one across Great Bay.

Claremont was pretty active back then with traffic between Concord and WRJ. IIRC, scenery would be lots of small towns with rolling hills and creeks, similar to Conway. Heck, that's your home territory, you'd know it better than me.

I don't know anything about the rest as they were out of my normal travel routes.

You didn't mention the line from Concord through Tilton, Laconia, along Lakes Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee, Meredith, Plymouth, and on up to Woodsville.....shame on you! With that line, you also could have the branch from Plymouth up the Pemigiwasset River to Lincoln and Clark's Trading Post, with its Shay, Heisler, and Climax tour trains.

[BNSF7173]

Yeah I know Hank, but it has been awhile since I was home. Besides Like to hear what other peoples thoughts and memories are. I just came in from cutting up the 1/8 ply for the base. My good friend From Testor is leaving today so we are having lunch. I may go get some pink foam for the scenery base if I cram it all in my Jeep Wrangler. I wanted to spend Saturday working on it, but between eye appointments and Christmas things I probably won't.

Jim

[Hytec]

Jim, no apologies needed. I was being a tad parochial......:embarassed:

Pity you don't model the late 30's and early 40's...the Peterboro Branch north from its New Haven connection at Springfield, MA up to Peterboro would be fun to operate with old Moguls working cars at every feed store, lumber yard, etc. along the way, and hauling daily passenger trains with open vestibule, wooden coaches. The Branch even went to Concord before the bridge at Hillsboro(IIRC?) was destroyed by the 1938 Hurricane. :cry:

That branch would fit nicely within your 6x3 space like the typical winding two-lane New Hampshire road up in the mountains....no straight longer than 3", and no radius greater than 10".

Please understand that the above suggestion(s) are worth every Penny you paid for them....:angel:

[r_i_straw]

I used to live along the Nashuah, Milford, Wilton, Greenfield, Bennington, Anturm and Hillsboro line. It used to hook up with the Peterboro line till they cut it north of Peterboro. The line was also cut north of Hillsboro before Emerson. So Hillsboro was only connected to the rest of the system through Nashuah after that. There was not much traffic on it back in the early 60s. Some short line (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/583/Milford_Wreck.jpg) ran it for a while but the the Pan Am system map (http://www.guilfordrail.com/Maps/map.htm) now shows it as run by them.

[Hytec]

Russ, there is no legend on the map. What is the distinction between the Red routes and White (double white lines bracketing a white center) routes? I thought it all was Guilford. Or is the map making a distinction between ST, MEC, and B&M accounting. However, that wouldn't explain the White segment between Mechanicville, NY and Crescent, NY which was all B&M when I lived up there.

[BoxcabE50]

Jim-

First- Is there a particular segment nearest and dearest to your heart?

Pick a branch that has plenty of potential for operating interest. Frequency of trains, switching, multiple operators?

Scenery might be another angle. Is one area good for mountains, bridges, tunnels, etc? Fun to build? And then to admire and use?

What can you compress into the space available, and still maintain a good feel for the prototype area?

:D

Boxcab E50