Thoughts on running the "Family Lines"

[adurbin]

Well, after getting my table built and wanting really bad to get started, I came across a good deal last night on a Chessie loco, with enough track to make a 4x6 oval, 6 frieght cars and power packs. To begin with, I was really wanting to build a CSX layout, but this was such a great deal that I couldnt turn it down. Just wanted to find out is anyone running Chessie, B&O, C&O, Seaboard, CSX, Conrail, or any combination of the like on their layouts. I know that this would not be prototypical, or realistic, as the timelines of each respective company would all be mixed together..But I really like all the lines that I just mentioned, and since childhood have always had a sweet spot for the "big kitty". Post pics or vids if you have them.

Thanks,

Aaron.

 

[IronBeltKen]

Actually, in the early- to mid-1980's it would have been possible to see some of those roads' motive power intermingled. Chessie (B&O+C&O+WM) merged with Family Lines (SCL+L&N+Clinchfield) in 1980, and it took a few years before they got locos painted in the Stealth scheme.

 

[wongsing]

Oh my goodness! Is someone REALLY asking if there was any Chessie fans out there?! I have LOTS of Chessie equipment and that is my primary road, however, I do have just a few other roads to mix it up with...My loco collection includes...:

2 x Athearn RTR GP40-2's (Chessie)
1 x Athearn RTR SD40 (Chessie)
1 x Athearn RTR SD40 (WM)
1 x Athearn RTR (new style) SD40-2 Chessie that has recently been painted and detailed from a undec model...See http://www.flickr.com/photos/31868412@N07/2983205955/in/set-72157608472402816/ As of 8/31/09 was 90% complete
1 x Athearn RTR GP35 (Chessie)
1 x Athearn Genesis SD45-2 (CSX)
1 x Atlas U23B (Chessie)
1 x Atlas U23B (CSX)
1 x Atlas GP40 (Chessie)
1 x Atlas Gold GP40-2 (CR)
1 x Proto 2000 SD9 (Chessie)
1 x Proto 2000 GP38-2 (Family Lines)
1 x Proto 2000 SD50 (Chessie)
1 x Proto 2000 GP7 (Chessie)
1 x Proto 2000 GP30 (Chessie)

...And almost 30 coal cars of various roadnames but primarily Chessie! I don't have my OWN layout, but I am part of a model rr club that I run my stuff at. Also, from a prototypical standpoint, it would have been VERY likely to have seen Chessie, old B&O, C&O, WM, Seaboard System, Family Lines, Southern, early CSX and maybe even some Conrail and older not-repainted-yet L&N! When I was a kid living in PA, we saw the Chessie in its purest form before the CSX came along. During the last days (or years before and a few after) you could see some VERY colorful consists! Even so, all that is important is what YOU like! Me personally, I like to ONLY collect locos and rolling stock of higher quality and of the same era. Hope that helps! Oh, and if you'd like to see some older pics of my stuff....

Let me know if you'd like more pics...

-Rich

 

[adurbin]

Thanks Wong...The video with the CSX and Chessie GPs rocks!!. Also, what brand are the Chessie GP's, those are some of the most realistic looking that Ive seen.

 

[UP2CSX]

Nice pictures and models, Ron. Aaron, as Ken said, during the merger period and beyond, you would see almost any combination of road names, including some of the predecessor roads. The CSX has a gigantic locomotive fleet and it took about ten years to get them all repainted. Some of the older engines were never repainted before they were sold off or scrapped. Just run what you like - there's a prototype for it somewhere.

 

[fiend540]

Just run what you like - there's a prototype for it somewhere.

Yep, this is the right way to look at things. I'm modeling modern conrail as if it was still around but I plan of having a great variety of locos, including conrail,csx,ns,bnsf,cn,cp,up as well as some heritage schemes of the lines that formed conrail. It seems that in real life you see all sorts of foreign motive power on most of the major lines, no reason to not bring this into your model world as well.

 

[wongsing]

The GP40-2's are actually Athearn RTR locos...all the MU hoses, coupler cut bars, correct horn, cab kit build and paint was all me! I appreciate your compliments on them! They seem to turn some heads at the club! The SD40-2 in the flickr account is mine also. It started out as a 114" nose SD40-2 (the only on they had in stock still!!!) I cut the nose off, replaced the cab with a Cannnon and company kit, and added LOTS of details to it...It looks alot better now. Fresh from the paint booth! I won't be able to post pics of that until later this year though...(man the Army can't leave me in one place!!!)

again, thanks!

-Rich

 

[midrange]

what sound decoder is being used in those vids? MRC?

 

[wongsing]

Yeah, its an MRC...I personally like it but there are lots of mixed opinions...

-Rich