Not at all

Not at all, yes, it was a tragedy, but it was also an accident. 

If anyone seems to get upset, say you are doing it as an homage.

If you include Lac Megantic, and put a small memorial beside the tracks honouring those who died....

Agreed

I don't see an issue with this at all.  If it was my town that was impacted and I saw someone modeling it, I'd view it as a positive, either recreating things as they once were or as a glimpse of the town's rebirth.

Brakes...

Just make sure to have good brakes on any slopes where cars need to be uncoupled, especially tank cars. 

Randy

Life moves on

There have been a lot of terrible things that have happened through the years, both accidental and deliberate.

However, life must move on. Grieving is how we deal with loss and learn to move on -- we must process it and learn to accept it, like it or not.

Otherwise, being perpetually upset / hurt / offended / sorrowful is a good way to shorten your life, literally.

https://www.longevitylive.com/live-healthier/anxiety-shortens-life/

For our own well being, we need to learn to get over it.

So with that in mind, yes, go ahead and model the area. Any painful or hurtful memories are not your concern. It’s time we move on, and that’s my point.

Reasons.

Unless you are trying to glorify the tragedy of the town being burned, then no, modeling that particular railroad should not be a concern. 

Nah, you're good

Sure, if you modelled the wreck itself whimsically or were making fun of it, be prepared for some backlash (but even then, it is a free country).

But either just a representation of the town or the type of motive power in the wreck? I'd say if someone were to give you any grief over that, the issue isn't yours.

1995 Sunset Limited to PHX, A Moral Question?

So now it brings a question,  I might be a Bad person too.  I used to build WWII Aircraft professionally for museums.  About a 3rd of my contracts was for German and Japanese WWII Aircraft and some Armor. 

The guys I feel bad for now are Civil War modelers...That build and paint soldiers for war games and display.

Trains...?  I completely forgot about that tell you brought it up.

I do model the Amtrak Sunset Limited as of Oct 9th, 1995 at Palo Verde, AZ.  
Why?   My era is  Pre Sept 1996 to the mid 80's.  In Arizona, Amtrak stopped service to PHX a few months after that major accident.  In fact that Amtrak Accident is why to this day 25 years later PHX does not have Amtrak service.

So looking at the Palo Verde accident I get a very accurate copy of how the Sunset Limited was built for my era 1996.  But the day before it was not accident and probably set up exactly the same way,  but who was taking photos of the Sunset Limited on Oct 8th, 1995?

No issue in my mind

The Wisconsin Central had a tremendous accident in Weyawega, Wi. that because of insurance claims MAY have played a role in the selling out to CN. I have no problem if anyone models before or after that accident. Have fun!

Tom

I'm from Quebec, Montreal to

I'm from Quebec, Montreal to be precise. I see no issue with it.

I don't see how this would be

I don't see how this would be a moral issue.  I'm surprised it even came up.

Seriously, you would worry

Seriously, you would worry about that? Shows how all this pc stuff has messed with our heads. It’s a hobby! 

No worries

I can see why you might be a little concerned. However, 1) Accidents and tragedies do happen. It's a part of railroading. Unless you glamorize it, it's fine. 2) The MMA is a unique line with unique power in a very scenic part of the continent. Making models of that would be more of a compliment to those that live in the area. 3) The accident itself had no malice to it. If this were a model of a certain European nation in the early 1940's, there'd be grounds for an actual problem.

I can understand why the moral question might arise

As was brought up, running WW2 European or Asian railroads might have problematic elements, just as the Confederacy if you're running railroads during the American Civil War.

One poster in the forums has been building a railroad with German military trains and equipment (I think in occupied France, but I could be wrong). He's done quite a nice job, and it's quite clear he doesn't put any emphasis on the political aspects, but they are present in the appropriate spots on structures.

My personal opinion is that such a setting is fine as long as the theme of the railroad isn't set to glorify such regimes.  That may take a bit of finesse to make sure someone doesn't take it so, but I can see where it might be made clear.  If necessary, a placard or two on the fascia can set the proper tone.

Janet N.

Really.  If we all held off

Really.  If we all held off modeling a specific railroad die to an accident or fatality we would all be out of this hobby or be modeling "no rail" modeling.  

Every Railroad....

.... ever modeled has had a tragedy (except freelance of course) so I don't see a problem. No one seems to mind all the models of the RMS Titani!

A moral question

Like the rest, I see no issue with it at all and think it would be a nice gesture of support to the residents of Lac Megantic, especially if you were to create the memorial as was suggested by Will Annand. And, I am Canadian. Yes, we need to move on and quit bellyaching and protesting.  I model N on my Greater Muttering and Cussing Railway and I am also beginning a Civil War diorama with both sides being represented in 10mm.  Like my railway, if I like it I run it.  If someone is offended or upset, thanks for dropping by and watch the doorknob on the way out.  (My rant for the day)