Interesting Piece

Even though I model a freelance road, the information here can be applied in many ways. I wish I would have read this and did more study on how the prototypes number their units before I half-hazardly slapped road numbers on my fleet. Joe obviously did his homework when building his loco roster. Another good illustration of how MRH covers so many aspects of this hobby.

What prototype modeling is all about

I really enjoyed your article on building your locomotive roster Joe, and especially how you placed importance on building accurate ratios of each locomotive type.  I think that's an aspect of prototypical modeling that's often ignored, but is critical in giving the layout an accurate overall look.

You mentioned readers providing suggestions on sources of roster information for other railroads.  There's nothing published for my prototype, the Iowa Interstate, but I've put together similar research for the segment of the IAIS I model, the railroad's West End in May 2005, and have similar information covering 2004-2006.  I'd be happy to share those ratios with anyone who's contemplating modeling that prototype.  Using discarded IAIS paperwork, I've developed lists with the ratios of my prototype's locomotive, rolling stock (both revenue and MOW), container, and trailer movements for that period.  If there's enough interest, I can add that information to my layout's web page.

Very nice article!  I like

Very nice article!  I like the prototype research.

Fortunately for me, I can justify nearly any BNSF or Union Pacific loco as having passed through Cajon Pass.  I'll be running LOTS of BNSF Dash 9's and ES44DC's, with an equally large number of Union Pacific C45AC-CTE (ES44AC), SD70ACe, SD70M, and C44AC-CTE's.  Beyond that I can throw in various "filler" units.

Research for me, involves driving the hour and a half from my home to Cajon Pass, since I model the current era, whats running now, will be on my layout.

P.S. Pg 100, you said:

And Pg 101:

:-P

Building a Diesel Roster

It's a great article but where can we get the Excel file? Joe will you be publishing a DVD with files such as this?

Just wondering.

Rob Teed

Almost 3 years later and not

"The next stage will be to begin collecting the actual locos for my layout. We’ll cover that in future installments of the Getting Real column."

Almost 3 years later and not a follow up to this article Joe?

Good article

I also freelance and chose to use Alco locomotives. Although they were not numerous in the area I chose to model, southwestern Montana, I always liked the look of them. These were Atlas units I picked up when they first came out in the early 80's I believe, and are still excellent running locomotives. After coming up with a "family" paint job, each class of locomotive was numbered. It works for me. Yes, there are a couple of EMD units also. There are a few more Alcos that are not in the picture, probably in the hidden staging area.