I’m building a model railroad that is set in the pacific northwest in 1943. I’m having a little trouble getting information on correct paint schemes, rosters and operations of railrods in that region. Also what elements must be avoided in a 1943 layout, what diesels were avilable?
Finally, what manufacteures produce acurrate models of 1930’s and early 40’s vehicles that look good in close-up photography? please send the answers to java_isaac@hotmail.com. Thanks for your help.
You do not state what scale you are modeling in, but there are models of 1930’s era automobiles available in both HO and N. Remember, there was a war on in 1943, so no automobiles were being built for sale to civilians. As far as Diesels go, forget 'em. There were very few in service by 1943. The top passenger trains might have had an E6 or DL109. The only switch engine the War Production Board approved for sale was Baldwin’s. If you pleaded real nice to the WPB you might get a few FT’s, but they were more likely to tell you to buy steam, the Navy needed Diesels too bad for submarines! All the “first generation” Diesel locomotives we are so familiar with actually were first produced sometime between 1947 and 1950, like F3’s, GP7’s, RS3’s, E7’s, FA1’s, PA1’s, Sharks, C-Liners. etc.