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What Railroad? Dream and design
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New member 25 posts Central of Maryland New member 25 posts
Central of Maryland

So I have a 4x7 space for a layout, and I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm going to use the plan for the Penn Central Hitop Branch, and I'm trying to decide on a railroad. Milwaukee Road hauling coal in Montana, D&RGW in Colorado, or a PA short line? I would use the same plan for all, just change some of the scenic elements. I had to modify it slightly for 4x7 by the way, but just take off yard tracks and move curves. Any advice on these railroads, and what would be interesting to model. I know Arrowhead Models has some nice models of D&RGW coal hoppers, so that was a prospect. If anybody has some advice, information or input on one of these railroads, that would be great. Thanks!
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jimfitch Prolific poster 5,289 posts
jimfitch

Pick your poison. I'm a Rio

Pick your poison. I'm a Rio Grande fan and like the Arrowhead coal cars, 16 numbers so far. So my vote is for D&RGW. On a 4x7 layout GP7s with 4 axles would work on sharper curves

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Jim Fitch
northern VA
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Central of Maryland New member 25 posts
Central of Maryland

Good stuff

Yeah, interesting. I'm looking at about the same era as you and wanted to know if you were aware of any instances of contract coal trains running on the D&RGW? (Owned by power utilities, such as were present with companies like Cleveland Electric and Detroit Edison)
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jimfitch Prolific poster 5,289 posts
jimfitch

If you follow this link, you

If you follow this link, you will find a list of 1981 D&RGW coal train symbols and later - it's pretty comprehensive.  It's not late 70's but pretty close and does over lap my modeling period.

http://www.carrtracks.com/drgw.htm

Of course there were power company contract coal trains such as NORX (Northern Indiana Public Service Company) as well as several in Colorado (PSCX) and the Colleto Creek Texas coal trains which originated on the Rio Grande and were hauled by the BN down the Joint Line to Texas.

http://www.carrtracks.com/txT55sw04.htm

There was Colorado Spring Public District Public Utilities (CSDPU).

http://www.actionroad.net/DRGWLPD/MOW/CSUX.html

Athearn has sold coal cars for the above coat trains which are correct.  The former Model Die Casting cars were upgraded and sold as RTR cars in PSCX and NORX.  The 5-bay rapid discharge hoppers, also former MDC coal cars, represent the CSDPU trains and are marked CSUX.

Some of the power plants were served by the "great steel fleet" of 3483 Bethlehem 100 ton for bay coal cars, sold by Walthers and ExactRail.

That should get you started. Cheers, Jim

 

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Jim Fitch
northern VA
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Mike MILW199 Regular poster 287 posts
Mike MILW199

There is also Milwaukee Road

There is also Milwaukee Road hauling coal in Indiana as well...  The former Chicago, Terre Haute and South Eastern.  The FM C-Liners frequented this area, along with EMD F-units and GP9s.  2-bay coal hoppers wouldn't be out of place, and would look better on the sharp curves needed for HO scale in a 4x7 foot space. 

Lots of interchange traffic as well, if coal cars get a bit monotonous.  Large limestone blocks are another lading that could be modeled, as they originated in this area.

Mike  former WSOR engineer  "Safety First (unless it costs money)"  http://www.wcgdrailroad.com/
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sanchomurphy Frequent poster 540 posts
sanchomurphy

Another vote for D&RGW...

I would vote for D&RGW as well. Appalachia is overdone and Colorado has a lot of opportunities. Go for an older era as well which will have shorter cars that look better on those curves. I would maybe consider other less modeled mining industries as well. You could alternatively look at riffing on the C&S Climax-Leadville Molybdenum branch.
Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and Burlington Northern 3D Prints and Models
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/sean-p-murphy-designs
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