Not per se, just having fun with different prototypes and eras on the Long Valley Branch. From time to time the Long Valley Branch also moves South to a sleepy location someplace in Northwestern North Carolina and is served by the Southern Railway during the Penn Central early era. The biggest problem I have in this hobby is, I cannot pick just one prototype and / or location. That is why I created the Long Valley Branch and tried to make it as generic as possible. That way the Long Valley Branch could be located in numerous locations throughout the USA. Some folks enjoy modeling a specific place and time, I'm not one of those modelers. My passion currently in this hobby is low key switching ops. Sadly, I've yet to find that perfect prototype that serves an interesting assortment of industries in one location that will fit into my small space. Also for personal reasons, my modeling world ends at 1983. All I can say is stay tuned, as you never know when the Long Valley Branch is transported back in time to the mid 50's and the last hurrah for Steam.
Another update and era change. Starting today it's now the Lehigh & Hudson River's chance to operate the Long Valley Branch. I also want to wish all the Dad's here on the TrainBoard a Happy Fathers Day.
I am very sympathetic to this. I have been trying to make myself nail down a prototype and an era - trying to stick to B&O, and even then I've been expanding the period from the 1950's to very early Chessie. I just enjoy/find interesting too many different prototypes & era's to ever really seem to satisfy myself. I really like the generic setting you have and the ability to switch things up as you see fit.
OK Now it's the P&LE's turn to operate the Long Valley Branch. Today we see the crew delivering a couple of boxcars to Snyder Box.
I like your approach to the sport. I would like to get a couple of those engines in your last picture. They were used in the small city when I was a kid and now that I'm 71 I've seen one chugging around the yard in Neenah. The only difference seems to be none of them had the yellow hand rails. All were grungy black. What model are they?
Thank you for the compliments on the layout. The locomotives in my photo are N scale MP15DC locomotives from Atlas. The P&LE had a roster of 25 MP15DC's along with 40 SW1500's. The SW1500 was recently made in N scale by Micro-Trains. If you're still modeling in HO scale, Atlas made the MP15DC's and Athearn made the SW1500.
Thanks. I believe those from my younger years were SW11000s or SW1200s. My parents wouldn't let mere near them. Those I've seen lately seem larger, have two exhausts and and make more noise. They may be SW1500s or MP15DCs. I'ld watch them slinging cars around the switching yard. And I do mean SLING! One at a time at good speed and no brakes or coupling.
Since It's been several months, I figure it's time for another Long Valley Branch update. It's currently June 1970 and today we find Western Maryland RS-3 number 198 idling away at the Midland Interchange yard, while the Long Valley Branch crew goes over today's paper in the yard office. In short order they will have their short train assembled and be on their way to Long Valley, but for the moment we take a few minutes to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the products of Schenectady idling away in the valley.
The newest addition to the Long Valley Branch Roster is Bessemer & Lake Erie SD7 453 and B&LE caboose 2009.
WOW, I did not realize it's been almost a year since my last Long Valley Branch update. For the most part there has not been any major changes on the branch, other than the railroads charged with operating the branch. Recent operators are: And the most recent operator on the branch is the P&WV with a borrowed Virginian FM H16-44
In other news, The wife and I just got home Monday from our annual Anniversary vacation to Ocean City, MD. Sadly there is not much rail action on the Delmarva peninsula. There is also a complete lack of hobby shops in the OC area that sell model railroad items except one, and sadly his N scale stock was very limited. Otherwise we had great weather and a enjoyable trip. I did find this plaque at one of the boardwalk eateries we often visit while in Ocean City.
Beach looks deserted (unlike when we were there in the summer years ago). Oh yeah, school is in session.
Hi Mike, Yes that is the great thing about going there in early September, the weather is still nice, but the crowds are a lot smaller. I'm looking forward to seeing you again in Altoona. I'll be there this Saturday. Several members of one of the groups I belong to have a few T-Trak modules that will be part of the T-Trak layout. Also Lee W. Cumberland Module will be part of that T-Trak layout. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and to another great Altoona N Scale Weekend. I'm hoping this new location will be a winner for all of us.
I love how you are able to convincingly fit so many different railroads into the same scene. I keep trying to do the same type of thing - although doing so is not the cheapest way to enjoy the hobby! But it is a lot of fun.
Thank you Many Trains. That is why I choose to model a branch line operation. I need fewer locomotive and rolling stock, allowing me to enjoy some of my favorite prototype railroads serving my fictitious Long Valley Branch.
