It might be interesting to hear from some of your subscribers what railroads they favor for their layouts.
This question was posted in response to the article about choosing a railroad to model. What a great question, I thought. It got me to thinking; why don’t I ask you which railroad you model on your layout.
I’ll start this off by talking about two railroads I would like to model: Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. I don’t mean the single combined Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railroad as it is today, but the separate railroads as they were in the 1970’s when I first became fascinated with model railroading.
Burlington Northern Railroad
Image courtesy: drbalint
Burlington Northern Railroad trains were an everyday sight growing up in Washington State.
The engines and cars with their distinctive green paint scheme stood out clearly when they would roll by.
The route my friends and I used to walk to school took us through a small freight yard in the rural town of Burlington, Washington about 70 miles north of Seattle.
It wasn’t until years later that I learned the Burlington Northern Railroad was named after a different Burlington!
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad
Image courtesy: Billy Hathorn
When I got the model railroading bug as a teenager in the 1970s, I would study every model railroading magazine I could get my hands on.
I was fascinated by the articles and pictures where the modeler had built their railroad layout using scenery modeled on the deserts of the southwest.
Something about those tracks alongside a winding river at the bottom of a gorge cut through a mountain and all that bare rock.
I know the Burlington Northern has similar lines along the Columbia and other rivers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, but I really like the desert setting.
I haven’t built my dream model railroad layout yet, but when I do I’m sure it will likely be based on one of these two historical railroads.
Which Railroad Do You Model on Your Layout?
What about you, which railroad do you model? Or, like me, are you still in the planning (dreaming) phase? Or do you model, or plan to model, a mythical railroad of your own design?
Either way, share in the comments area below which railroad you model or plan to model on your layout.
About Model Train Tips
I don’t have a layout, but if I did, the choice of railroads would be tough. Having grown up in the Minneapolis area, my choice would be to create a layout that featured one of the many passenger trains (I think there were 6 lines running at one time) that ran here. You mentioned Burlington Northern, but I would favor a predecessor, The Great Northern Railroad. It was started by James J. Hill, “The Empire Builder”. The history of this railroad is fascinating. It was the northernmost rail line in the U.S. It was the only privately funded, and successfully built, transcontinental railroad in United States history.
My second choice would be The Milwaukee Road (officially, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad). My grandfather worked for this company as a “gandy dancer.” As a boy, I rode on this train one time, and I still remember the experience.
I agree with Milwaukee Road. Used to work for the. All my equipment is centered on the Milwaukee. Just completed the Olypian Hiawatha series (pre-1960)
I model CN, CP, and Burlington Northern.. I have grown up around CN, and Ontario Northland..ONR. I like the freight trains better than passenger..I live in Orillia Ontario, Washago is my viewing grounds Many CN trains still roll through, and the ONR passenger, as well as the Via passenger..The odd GO cars pass through as well..Burlington and Northerns paint scheme reeled me in on that one..The green and white goes well together. Topped off with the black roof, ties it all together. I also have an Erie Lackawanna, loco, and a Conrail SD45 tri axle. There working from out of town LOL..well so are the BNs..I even built a replica of the Washago coal tower, as I think its coming down in a few years or so, as one of the support legs is showing a weak spot…
Martin, you raise another interesting point: freight vs passenger trains.
I have to agree with you on this point, too. I like freight trains.