I started this new topic as an off-shoot from my previous topic located at https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/proto-freelance-connectingbridge-or-shortbranch-line-railroad-12203656
I've been trying to come up with an idea, concept, and trackplan for a proto-freelanced layout for a 10'x12' (8'x12' useable due to a closet and a door/opening along the one wall) and I've finally come up wit a name for the railroad!
The Tiadaghton Valley Railroad & Coal Company (TVRR) and The Tiadaghton Lumber Company (TLCO) for a logging line that will serve a sawmill serviced by the TVRR. I got the inspiration for the railroads name from the Pine Creek that runs through the PA Grand Canyon.
"Pine Creek is named for the many pine trees that lined (and now again line) much of its banks. [2] The Iroquois called Pine Creek Tiadaghton, which according to Owlett, either meant "The River of Pines" or "The Lost or Bewildered River". The Fallbrook RR, then NYC, then Conrail, ran through the Grand Canyon and paralleled the Pine Creek from Wellsboro Junction, PA to Jersey Shore, PA.
I'm going with small steam that I'm planning on adding TCS WOWSound to....I have a Mantua 0-6-0 with slope back tender, a Spectrum 4-4-0, a Spectrum 4-6-0, a Roundhouse RTR 2-8-0, and anew Spectrum 50 ton Class B Climax for the logging branch.
I've been looking at a few different prototype and model railroads for inspiration...The Buffalo & Susquehanna/B&O/Wellsville, Addison, and Galeton; all of which I like due to camping in Wellsboro and going to my family's hunting cabin in Galeton, and the Coudersport and Port Allegany as well as the East Broad Top 3' narrow gauge.
In the past 5 years or so I've become a big fan of John Allen's G&D and I reference that for ideas as well. In the past month I discovered, and really like, Rob Clark's Cornhill & Atherton and reference that as well. He has roughly the same amount of space available as I do in the spare bedroom in the apartment, however, I can't attach a valance or anything to the walls, since it's an apartment, and I would need to double deck it as well so that makes it a challenge.
That's why I decided to forego a track plan and construction for now. I also lack the funds and ability to construct a layout since I had a stroke and have been out of work since January. In the meantime I've been working on my layout design elements, a roster for locos/freight/passenger equipment, a public timetable for passenger service. I plan on coming up with an employee timetable and other operational paperwork since I'd like to have something very operations oriented.
Does anybody know of template based software for creating this type of paperwork? I would like to slowly start obtaining my freight car fleet. I've sold some excess trains and purchased 4 2-packs (total of 8) of Ulrich Models Climax Log Car kits, (does anyone have instructions for these that they could send me because mine came without them) two Bachmann unlettered bobber cabeese for the log train(s), two walthers wooden off set cupola cabeese, and I've been collecting Roundhouse 50' overland coach kits to strip and repaint and I have a complete train (combine, baggage/rpo, 3 coaches, and a business car) and I have a BLI wooden REA express reefer to hook on to the front end of that.
My next purchases will be data only wooden freight car and steel hopper kits which will be mainly Accurail since they're one of the only companies that made them and they're fairly easy and nice looking kits to build. My next post...the concept, LDE's, Rosters, and Public Timetable so far
Nathan
