I currently am getting back to this hobby and would like to model western IA (this is where I currently live) in the 50's. I know UP ran to Omaha from the west, but don't know where to look to find which railroad went from Omaha to Chicago. Is it the Chicago Northwestern line? I hope not because there are not many engines in that line available to n scale. I know Carroll IA has a restored CNW station and Denison IA is on that line (which is now UP). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
The CB&Q ran east from Omaha to Burlington, IA and then on to Chicago. The UP ran through to Council Bluffs. The Rock Island made it to Council Bluffs but not sure if they made it to Omaha. Illinios Central also went from Omaha to Chicago. If you model the 50s there is plenty of CB&Q and UP power out there. I have seen some Rock but little IC. Finding Waycars will be your hardest challenge. Intermountain does UP CA-3s but knowbody does accurate CB&Q waycars. Not even sure what the Rock or IC ran. Here is a link of modern roads that will help you back track through history. http://www.dot.state.ia.us/railplan/appendix_a.htm Google and the internet are a great source of info. If you want to model a specific prototype in the transition erea you probably can find some photos of equipment in your area you want to model. http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/
For many years, the Union Pacific's through passenger trains from Chicago to the West Coast used the C&NW from Chicago to Omaha, but in the 1950's, UP switched over to the Milwaukee Road for the Chicago-Omaha portion. Those roads offering direct service between the two cities were C&NW, MILW, Illinois Central, Rock Island, CB&Q, and Chicago Great Western. Each went though different towns and cities to cross Iowa, though. The Wabash also ran between Chicago & Omaha, but went through Missouri to get there.
You guys are great!!! I now remember why I came back to this site after my self imposed layoff from trains! What a great knowledge base! jeff
All of the previous posters have mentioned the trains between Omaha and Chicago. Today it's mainly the UP. Try Googling for the railroads' historical associations and discussion forums. The forums, such as this one, are always helpful. Good to hear from an Iowan. I'm in eastern Iowa, in Marion (next to Cedar Rapids) and am working on an N-scale granger shortline fictionally owned by the Milwaukee Road. Give serious consideration to the Milwaukee, C&NW and CB&Q. I'm not a fan of the UP, called The Borg by many of us. But there are those who disagree.
And if you decide to model non-Union Pacific roads, searching for stuff from The Milwaukee Road, C&NW and CB&Q can be a lot of fun.....and challenging. Cam
