ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
Hello everybody, I am at a mental block here and I can not come up with a name for my railroad. I will be modeling early 1940's, preferably in the Pacific NW. I am new to the hobby, like just starting out and don't have a layout or much experience to speak of, new. I am learning a lot from the forum and from some of the local guys here where I live. But I still have not been able to come up with a name. Ideas?
What sort of railroad is it? A little private industrial, mining, or logging railroad. A short line that serves a few local towns. A regional that serves an entire area, and possibly the Pacific Coast. Or is it a great big transcon that connects the NW with Chicago? Deciding that will help in the name selection.
You said the main problem there. Ya don't have a layout. The NMRA standards, 17.19R.(a).3(V)5. state that ya can't have a name for a railroad unless ya have one. Violate that rule and a hitman from the NMRA will come to your house and take away all your Model Railroader magazines.
The first name is from your favorite pet and the last name is the street you lived on as a child. No wait that's for a 'stage name' in adult films. I dunno, you're on your own.
You said the main problem there. Ya don't have a layout. The NMRA standards, 17.19R.(a).3(V)5. state that ya can't have a name for a railroad unless ya have one. Violate that rule and a hitman from the NMRA will come to your house and take away all your Model Railroader magazines.
Hmm, yes, you are correct, it would be a shame to loose one before he gets started. Use rule #12, Just put down a piece of track on any piece of wood available and say the words "I need more track", QUICK! It does not have to be perfect, just enough to stop the hitman from the NMRA!
Do some historical research. If you're doing a logging road, check out what the names of the logging roads were back then. Because there is an obsession it seems with the Shays, that information is readily available. Even if you're not looking to do a logging road and be strictly fictional, that's still a good place to start.
You said the main problem there. Ya don't have a layout. The NMRA standards, 17.19R.(a).3(V)5. state that ya can't have a name for a railroad unless ya have one. Violate that rule and a hitman from the NMRA will come to your house and take away all your Model Railroader magazines.
If this was an attempt a humor is isn't funny. The OP said they are a newbie and probably don't even know what the NMRA is. So any humor here is totally lost, and might scare them away.
If you aren't trying to be funny, the real rule is that you can't have a railroad name registered at NMRA if you don't have a railroad. That is to just keep everyone from taking up admin cost having NMRA register a bunch of things that aren't.
---- back to the topic ---
All real railroads begin with a name long before any track is laid. My named railroad existed as planning on paper at least two years before the first track was laid. It took me that long to think it through and come up with a track plan to match the "fake" real railroad.
The first name is from your favorite pet and the last name is the street you lived on as a child. No wait that's for a 'stage name' in adult films. I dunno, you're on your own.
As for a RAILROAD name, I'll agree with Iron Horseman, make a plan on what you want your railroad to do, logging, freight, passenger, etc... and where you want it to be and go from there. Keep spouting stuff out loud to yourself. You'll know when you hear it.
I agree. If you are going to do a short line or regional railroad there is no better source than a map. A railroad name can make use city names, names of rivers and mountains or other geologic features. Compass directions also can be used to expand the range of a railroad. For example take the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad (FRISCO). It was a dream as they never got anywhere close to California.
I've always liked the name of Astoria (right on the coast) so Astoria Eastern has a nice ring to it for me.
If this was an attempt a humor is isn't funny. The OP said they are a newbie and probably don't even know what the NMRA is. So any humor here is totally lost, and might scare them away.
If you aren't trying to be funny, the real rule is that you can't have a railroad name registered at NMRA if you don't have a railroad. That is to just keep everyone from taking up admin cost having NMRA register a bunch of things that aren't.
---- back to the topic ---
All real railroads begin with a name long before any track is laid. My named railroad existed as planning on paper at least two years before the first track was laid. It took me that long to think it through and come up with a track plan to match the "fake" real railroad.
It is an issue everyone has with written media. One cannot see the person's facial expressions or hear the tone of voice. Even adding emoticons don't necessarily convey the entire intended message.
-----------
Some names.
Aberdeen and Mossy Rock
If you want one that is interesting but a mouth full....
Tillamook, Tigard, and Klickitat River
You said the main problem there. Ya don't have a layout. The NMRA standards, 17.19R.(a).3(V)5. state that ya can't have a name for a railroad unless ya have one. Violate that rule and a hitman from the NMRA will come to your house and take away all your Model Railroader magazines.
"Ooops! an emoticon"
