New for the C and P

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

So, my very first post was based on the story of my railroad, the California and Pacific. Since then, it has changed slightly.

Here it is:

  • The California and Pacific was formed in 1946
  • After taking delivery of the delivery of an A-B-A set of the brand new F2 from EMD, the C&P began operations on the Surf Line, hauling the extra San Diegan for Santa Fe
  • In 1948, the C&P started receiving the newly announced F3 and F7 sets for revenue freight service and as stand-bys for the San Diegan, as well as start construction of a new main line to Oklahoma City via San Diego and Dallas. Tracks that parallel the Santa Fe “Texas Chief” line to Chicago are also laid down.
  • In 1950, the C&P made a 30 year contract with the Southern Pacific to haul the heavy freights and Daylights though Tehachapi Pass. Soon this applies to the LA-SF corridor
  • Later in 1950, C&P receives the first full train set, consisting of various Pullmans based on floor plans on the Santa Fe, which will be put to service on the Sponhaltz Limited, the signature train that runs from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City (with a Chicago section) via LA-SD-and Dallas. A load of coaches and diners also leads to the formation of the “Pacific Coaster”, which runs from San Francisco to San Diego via the route of the Daylight and San Diegan
  • In 1950, Spare 5-1-3 sleeper and coach-bar “Nova Domes,” former Strata-Domes from a Chesapeake and Ohio order are added to the Sponhaltz, with extras added to a pool for service on the Pacific Coaster and San Diegan
  • In 1955, more coaches and dining service cars are added to the roster, permitting the Gutierrez Express, the all coach counter part to the Sponhaltz
  • In 1959, the Gutierrez and Sponhaltz are combined on the time tables,
2

Holy Cats!

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I have been “modelling” the STRATTON & GILLETTE for about 35 years, and I have never put that much detail into anything about it.

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This is pretty much all I ever say about SGRR history:

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" The SGRR is a class 1 railroad that operates in the United States."

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That is all the more thought it has received in decades. I am impressed with what you came up with.

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-Kevin

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3

I’m very picky when it comes to the nitty-gritty

I tend to be my own worst critic, and one thing I keep thinking about is, “Can my own railroad run on exsisting tracks?” And while that has still remained true when it comes to the main routes in California, I decided that I want my own mainline to Oklahoma City, and then to Chicago (paralleling the Texas Chief). Hell, maybe I can have my own line from Los Angeles to San Diego, maybe with a triple track line all the way south, seeing as that is where the main narrative of the California and Pacific is focused.

4

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That is pretty much the opposite of my approach!

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All I care about is if the railroad looks good to me. I am very picky about some things, and don’t even bother with some others.

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When I was in High School, the SGRR ran from Virginia to Missouri, but that “history” was discarded long ago.

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Have fun.

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-Kevin

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5

Back about 25 or so years ago when I was planning on doing a proto-freelance railroad, I wrote up a complete corporate history up to a natural disaster (flooding from a hurricane) forcing them to totally shut down in the mid 50’s since by then they were already hanging on by a shoestring. I came across the file not too long ago and realized just how full of holes it was, but it was a decent start. I’ve since switched to modeling a specific prototype and the proto-lance idea never got further than the story, a mapping out of the ‘prototype’ route, and a small shelf layout that depicted nothing specific.

–Randy