Something I was working on with a concept of a freelanced line based on the former BNSF and UP branches in Muskogee. I came up with the name "Three Forks" in reference to the confluences of the Arkansas, Verdigris and Grand Rivers just northeast of town. Back in the pioneer days and even earlier, this was a gathering place for trappers and traders, both Native and European. I picked up a Walthers Trainline GP9M that I can use, as well as a couple of chopnosed Geep shells I cat put on powered chassis.
At first I thought about MILW and NP fans, knowing Three Forks, Montana. Then I thought of my old home Valley, which had a confluence of three forks, of the River I knew so well.
I picked the shades of green because northeastern Oklahoma (in which Muskogee is located) is also nicknamed Green Country, and is home to several large reservoirs. Plus, the local high school uses green as their colors. The confluence of three different rivers so close together made for great trade routes into this area for white trappers and the local Indian tribes (which, back then, were mostly Osage prior to the resettlement of the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations in the 1830s. I could have named the railroad Three Rivers, but the folks in western Pennsylvania would be somewhat misled. Muskogee Belt didn't sound all that great (sounds like a cheap beer or a cheesy rasslin' move). I also considered copying the former Muskogee Roads paint scheme of black with a red stripe, but I went with the green. Come to think of it, the scheme almost look like it's a BC Rail knockoff.........
Farm work is still pretty slow around here, so I've had time to do some doodling. I was playing around with some shortline schemes and names when I remembered this post. Thought I'd try and see what I could come up with on the Texas Farm Link. Here they are, GP38-2 406 in two different variations. One has the obvious M-K-T heritage, with the exception of the wild stripes being toned down a bit. The other is just another pattern that came to mind...almost resembles the Utah Belt from the front. I added the FRA reflective striping to the frames and a/c units on the roof....because Lord knows you need them here in Texas lol. They're not perfect, but maybe they'll help you visualize your fleet. Hope you like them!
dak94dav, MAN, you rock! That's so freaking cool and the look I was going for. You clued in on the Montana Rail Link vibe I was going for. I've been working on making the Rail Link logo bigger (like Farm Rail in Oklahoma) for the body of the locomotive (since MKT had the letters big on the side), but my computer skills are slower than my layout building lol. Your subtle changes are right on the money. I promise to let you know soon as I have the first renumbered/lettered covered hopper and I'm sending it to you. Thank you so much for your help. It's guys like you (and there are A LOT of them here) that make Trainboard and Railimages the best place to hang out and talk trains on the interweb. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks man! They aren't perfect by far, but if you're like me, it helps to have something to look at while you're working towards your goal haha. I think the Rail Link logo on the side would look great as well...and would be even closer to the M-K-T heritage. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
