Something Different?

A very good friend told me a long time ago:  Do what suits ya!

Nevin,I retired at the start

Nevin,

I retired at the beginning of this year. For the past one to two years I was planning on what I would do with my layout. I decided not to do anything that I was doing -- that was early Conrail and then the NYC in 1954. Instead, I chose to go way back in time to the pre-Depression year of 1927. I thoroughly enjoy research and then trying to apply what I learn to my layout and the models on it.

I chose to model Sturgis Michigan as it is only 45 minutes drive through Amish country to get there. Some of the 1927 buildings still exist and many of the railroad tracks remain in place. Both the research and the model building has proven most satisfying. Also, the freight cars of the pre-Depression years were a much smaller than what works the railroads today. This makes the layout seem larger than it is. Steam power is available for many railroads today. Today's steam runs as well as quality diesels. And, steam is a lot more interesting to watch -- with all of the mechanics on the outside where we can watch it move! Steam sound is arguably more interesting than diesel sound.

Those are my thoughts that may line up with your situation. My recommendation is to do what jMiller said. THat is, do what suits you!

West Virginia Central & Pittsburg

Hi Nevin, I have a good friend who models the WVC&P. The parent company of his railroad is the Western Maryland and his version of the line runs from Connellesville, PA through Asher Glade, MD to Durbin WV where it connects with the C&O. There is also a secondary that runs to Slaty Fork WV.

The time period is the late 1950 and the railroad is operated using TT/TO with a dispatcher in a separate building. This is the most famous location on the railroad and is modeled after the actual WM location in West Virginia. 

As you would guess, coal is king on this railroad. 

But there is also quit a bit of overhead traffic moving between the railroads in Connellesville (PRR, P&LE & P&WV) and the C&O at Durbin, WV.

Hopefully these photos will provide a little inspiration for your version of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh. Keep us posted on what you decide?

Lots of history in WV. Lots

Lots of history in WV. Lots of railroads. And whats not to like about coal trains?  

Particularly when they are pulled and pushed by large powerful steam locomotives. This one is about 105 cars and will be climbing grades that peak at about 3 percent.

And there are also those really attractive diesel locomotives as well.

However it has been said before and I agree build the things that you like, also I know there used to be a railroad club in the Morgantown area, not sure if it is still there though.

15 wonderful years in Morgantown WV

I really think that you have answered your own question. Being able to immerse yourself in local history and base a layout on a location where you have personal access to is so much fun........and it continues your practice that has brought you fulfillment in the past. Sounds to me that you've got a great retirement ahead of you.

Modeling the accessible

Nevin, for what it's worth, I've had a great time modeling a railroad that's nearby.  It makes research much easier, and it's just fun recreating something I drive by on a regular basis.

You got me at ...

The T&T has always been popping up in my searches but didn’t know much about it until reading due to your post. I see standard and narrow gage railroads interchanging and running in the mountain deserts as really interesting. Very different from WVA. 

The era of the T&T also appeals to me as it spans so many period up to the end of the depression. So many choices there that it would be easy to see the appeal. It would boil down to what you enjoy doing with your hobby time. I like to build freight cars and modify engines so O scale two-rail with narrow gage would be my choice. If you like running trains with long drags of coal then there you have it. 

Choices, choices

Nevin,  I've got to agree with the first rule: do what suits you.

But then give some thought to what else you want to do in retirement.  Does it make economic sense to change everything to a West Virginia railroad?  What would you do with what might be sizable investment in the Nevada equipment, or would you consider re-purposing some of it for a mining railroad?  What is the aspect of the hobby you enjoy most?  How do you want to spend your time?  In research, crafting rolling stock and locomotives, or perhaps operations?  If it's scenery, do you really want to scrap everything?  Maybe joining a club would give you an outlet for the Plan B.

I model modern day Vermont railroading, and one side of the layout is very prototypical, while the scene on the other side is largely proto-freelanced.  It gives me some artistic license I felt was important to me.

Good luck!

Geof

Lyndonville Sub in N Scale

Since you ask the question

I suspect the answer is you want to switch to WV.   (if you were locked into T&T you wouldn't ask).

So go for it.  This is a hobby, do what interests you now.  But save everything so at some time in the future you can switch back or just set up a small T&T layout.

Paul

Change

Nevin,

Most of us would probably welcome the opportunity before you regarding the possibility of changing from NV to WV. Just to add to the dilemma what about changing scales as well? I have mentioned more than once that if Atlas had their 2 rail O scale available when I went deep into HO back in the 70's that would have been a no brainer. As a long time CNW / Alco fan the Atlas RS-1 is the food of dreams. What ever you should decide, enjoy, enjoy, and enjoy some more. It IS what the hobby is all about.

Change is good

From Nevada to West Virginia is probably one of the most radical changes you can make in geography and railroading but often when making a change the result is new energy since "familiarity breeds contempt" applies to modeling.  I recommend not making any swift changes and as you get settled determine what seems the most interesting.  Going from Nevada to West Virginia your scenery changes dramatically from a treeless environment to one where practically every square inch is covered in green.  Then there are a multitude of different roads and many historical shortlines.  This may be a good time to build that TOMA with different scenery.

Robert

On the flip side...

I would argue against doing something local. While research is much, much easier, I prefer to take a vacation when I work on my layout. Picking somewhere different in time and particularly place is refreshing. Living in Colorado, I get to see steam narrow gauge and the ex-DRGW mountain railroading all the time and live next the former C&S front range line "spoiled I know..." It's very refreshing to take a mental trip back to my prairie home in Minnesota when working the layout and to see something familiar and comfortable. Whatever you do, think long and hard.

Moving and a clean slate

I've moved a few times since 2009. I had started a circa 1926 Western Maryland layout while living in Morgantown, WV. Moving to metro-Cleveland in 2009 gave me an opportunity for a fresh start. The hobby space was smaller and the local rail scene was fascinating. I was working on a Wheeling & Lake Erie layout when it came time to move again in 2011.

A couple moves later found me in El Paso, TX, with a strong desire to build a smaller, operations oriented layout. I had info at hand for a B&O freight terminal in Wheeling, WV, and proceeded in building and operating that layout. I built it in sections to move easily and set it up after moving to Murfreesboro, TN, last year. But that home was a rental and we moved again in December. The layout awaits a garage upgrade before being set up again.

Each move is a challenge and creates an opportunity to start anew. While modeling locations have changed, I've stuck with a 1926 focus in developing the freight car fleet. The fleet can be used on nearly any layout set in the mid-to-late 1920s. As the new garage is converted to a hobby space, another layout is being planned for a different B&O location. 

As an aside, I've known Nevin for a number of years and helped plan, build, and operate his previous layout set in Morgantown, WV. I've also sent him a long list of interesting West Virginia branch and short lines to consider for his new home. No matter what he does, I suspect it will be another interesting layout to build and operate.

Eric