What is the current situation with City of Prineville? I understand they're losing their major shipper? Boxcab E50
For me it's the 120 mile long Maryland & Delaware Railroad. They have three RS-3's, three CF7's, and two SW-1000's. Here's a picture of one of their RS-3 #1203.
My favorite is the old Muncie and Western. It served the Ball Corporation in Muncie, In. and had interchange with at least 2 Class 1s, and had absolutely great trackage in and around the Ball factory. It even had a 3 track yard running through the backyards of it's neighbors to the east. The engines, one GE 44 tonner and a 20 tonner, were painted baby blue, the Ball Co.s colors. There are some Ball Line "billboard boxcars" from the turn of the last century offered, but my time period is the 1970's, the time I remember it best. My version of it was and will be (hope to start on it in the next few months, after a waaaaay too long time without an operating layout) called the Muncie Industrial District Western, or the MIDWest for short. Second favorite is Indiana Hi Rail. It's Connorsville, In. trackage is fantastic for modeling, passing a few feet from businesses, and with a very steep curving interchange with CSX. And they used to have ALCos. And thats good enough for me!
The RS-3's are former Conrail units with EMD engines. Generically called DeWitt geeps. Replaced worn out 244's with low mileage EMD 567's from passenger engines. A number of shortlines had these at one time. Frank
Sorry to reply late. All the RS-3's that the MDDE has are former Conrail and before that former Penn Central. A little history about their haritage can be found at http://www.mdde.com
That's a nice web site. Easy to navigate. Informative. Years ago, I recall seeing a photo, perhaps in Railfan Magazine, of a sunken rail barge. With a submerged ALCo engine abaord. Believe it was somewhere in this same vicinity. Did that perhaps have some connection with the M&D? Boxcab E50
Sorry. I really can't tell you that. I'm not that great with their history. Now exactly what year and where did this barge sink? It might have been another Short Line like the Delaware Coast Line Railroad.
Well, alright...my favorite NG is clearly ANY Colorado narrow gauge but I model the C & S for a few reasons. First, of all the little roads in Colorado I think it is the most overlooked...forgotten really. Everybody knows the Rio Grande and Rio Grande Southern, but fewer folks know of the C & S. Secondly, I model it because with the advent of On30 Bachmann has released some great models in this road name for affordable prices.
My personal favorite is the Wiregrass Central in Southeastern Alabama, they operate 20 miles of mainline (former ACL). They started operations in '86 or '87 (don't remember which) and I've been right by the tracks since 1990. I've witnessed two derailments on their line (the first I watched happen with my very own eyes), I have photos from both. I really miss the "red days" (no it has nothing to do with communism!), before they shed their GP9's in favor of GP38's and GP40's and painted them jet black. Anyways, my models cover the GP9 days (late 80's - early 90's). So far I've re-created Enterprise through Daleville, most of which is open tracks through typical South Alabama sand, pine, and wiregrass.
Very possible, I have quite a few photos (and more to come as soon as I get a scanner). Instead of embedding the photos and cluttering this thread, I'll just link you to some of them: WGCR 2866 WGCR 6528 at Maintenance Yard Pilgrims Pride - Enterprise Mill Sessions - Enterprise Mills 1995 Wreck near Daleville 2005 Wreck near Daleville WGCR 9702 near Daleville So concludes my photos - I have a few action shots on Kodachrome slides...If you like what you see, here are a couple more photos (not mine, credit goes to the original photographer, mentioned on the page). 6226 near Enterprise (this unit lead during the '95 wreck) Original WGCR Road Units Current WGCR Road Units More WGCR Power WGCR 6528 and 2966 Even More WGCR Power Plenty more links if you're still interested...Just let me know.
Interesting to see the GM&O style herald. Being at the same location, what caused those wrecks? What weight of rail? You mentioned models- Got any photos of a layout? Or a track plan? Boxcab E50
The owner of the Wiregrass Central is a railfan, and GM&O was one of his favorites (obviously). The first time it was because of a heat kink, the second time it was because they didn't fix it right the first time. Unfortunately I do not, since I have no digital camera I can't just take pictures and upload. I will work on getting some up though.
Farmrail/Grainbelt would be my favorite shortline. I also model a modern day Rock Island (Rock Island Railroad, not my site but I am working in conjunction with him). Currently I am laying track for my Farmrail line. I am loosely modeling the Frederick, OK and Clinton, OK areas. I have combined the multiple grains elevators of Cassidy at Frederick into one large grain operation. The benchwork for the Clinton yard and shops hasn't been erected yet. Soon I will be painting two locomotives for the Farmrail fleet. The first is #4079 out of a P2K Proto GP20 and the second an undecided Kaslo GP10.
Welcome to Trainboard, Macjet! Happy to have you aboard! Your new layout sounds interesting. We'll be interested in seeing some photographs as you move along with construction.