Train and Model Advice - NC&StL

[lawfultoad]

Hi Everyone,
After a very long time thinking about it, and another drive through Chattanooga on my way to Florida, I've decided to model the early years of the Nashville, Chattanooga & StLouis RR.

Before I do any damage from random purchases, I wanted to open this up to the very knowledge people here who kindly provide advice on these matters.

First and generally speaking, are there any complications with modeling for this time period? NC&StL was operating in 1850 and I've done very little research on modelling this period (intimidation level: high). After browsing around for a few days, one of the final pictures that locked in my decision for this RR was:
http://www.sitemason.com/files/ivhSTK/tunnelpic.JPG

As far as locomotives, I'm only as smart as google, so through a little research I've stumbled upon the Bachmann Spectrum series, for instance:
http://www.thefavoritespot.com/p-32...und-nashville-chattanooga-st-louis-84305.aspx

The NC&StL Preservation Society has a list of equipment here, including their steam engines, but I guess all of these aren't available to modelling beginners such as myself. (http://www.ncstl.com/equipment/index.htm)

Anyway, any comments or advice are welcome. Thanks in advance.

For additional reading, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville,_Chattanooga_and_St._Louis_Railway

 

[Cjcrescent]

The NC&STL IS an interesting road to model. Trouble is, like Southern RR modeling was 20 years ago, except for one diesel, every other model available at the time was brass. The situation for the NC&STL is like that now. There are one or two Plastic steamers, and maybe one or two diesels out there. But every other steamer for the NC&STL is brass. Not inexpensive!

However, stripping and painting a diesel loco into NC&STL colors and then decaling it with the proper decals isn't hard to do at all. If you're willing to learn those skills, nothing can stop you from fielding as many locos as you need.