05-08-2009, 10:04 AM
Favorite railroad, that's a tough one. Mine has changed several times over the years. One of the first was the Erie. And it remained unchallenged for quite awhile, mostly out of lack of knowledge of other roads. I had, of course, seen lots of photos of most all North American roads, but it was the Erie that I related to most because when i looked at Erie photos, I recognized the scenes. I did not grow up within walking distance of any railroads, and my initial interest was only in models trains, this from my 9 year older brother and his collection of Lionel. The nearest railroad line was the NYC's West Shore which I only really checked out once I started driving. It was Penn Central by then. I remember lots of FA's, in NYC, PA and PC schemes, and open auto racks filled with valdalized autos. But when i statrted working in the meadowlands area, it was the induxtrial trackage of the Erie that caught my eye, with train high swamp grass growing on either side of the track. The Erie's Dundee branch is the inspiration for my Garfield branch on the JGL. A scene from Erie power was the inspiration for another scene on my layout. Then I became enamored of the NYS&W, and walked most of it over a period of time, from the Little Ferry shops up to the New York state line. A scene from this road in Butler NJ is on my layout. When i walked it, it's mainline was not what it once was, a flood had taken out a section and the abandoned main of the L&HR was used instaed. So I bought a book on the L&HR and now think it would be a great subject for a model railroad. And I've developed an interest in the Lehigh Valley. I love their paint schemes. So I guess I should just say my favorite railroads are in the North Jersey area!
However, when I was able to start a model railroad, I decided I could not have the discipline to select one road and ignore the others. So I model a freelance line which is comprised of favorite scenes, and runs thru the same territory. I thought I'd also like to model a prototype, and selected the NYC in the Hudson Valley. The valley is beautiful, the NYC steam looks great, and I like the lightning stripe scheme. Again, i would model just select scenes but in this case the emphasis would be on continuous running, not operations per say. As it has turned out, the NYC trackage was layed first and has been operational for many years now, while I built the JGL. But I became so wrapped up in the JGL, I've done nothing with the NYC and at this point it will be years before I return to it. I use its motive power on the JGL till such time I paint and letter more JGL equipment. The JGL diesel scheme, btw, is a simplified EL scheme, see below.
However, when I was able to start a model railroad, I decided I could not have the discipline to select one road and ignore the others. So I model a freelance line which is comprised of favorite scenes, and runs thru the same territory. I thought I'd also like to model a prototype, and selected the NYC in the Hudson Valley. The valley is beautiful, the NYC steam looks great, and I like the lightning stripe scheme. Again, i would model just select scenes but in this case the emphasis would be on continuous running, not operations per say. As it has turned out, the NYC trackage was layed first and has been operational for many years now, while I built the JGL. But I became so wrapped up in the JGL, I've done nothing with the NYC and at this point it will be years before I return to it. I use its motive power on the JGL till such time I paint and letter more JGL equipment. The JGL diesel scheme, btw, is a simplified EL scheme, see below.