I’ve begun construction of my dream layout (or the part of the dream layout I can fit in my current house :P). I’m modeling the Millard Sub in Omaha, Nebraska as if it were operated by the still existing C&NW. But that’s irrelevant for this thread - aside from C&NW I also want to model a freelanced commuter route - I’ve loved commuter trains ever since as I kid I took the Metra into downtown Chicago before I moved out to Omaha.
I’d like to model a service I call “N-Rail” (Nebraska Rail) that has stops in Omaha but also has a connection run all the way to Lincoln. I’d like to start off modeling as if it had bought rebuilt equipment ( Budd Bi-Levels from RTA/Metra) and eventually purchase an MP-40PH-3C and custom paint it up.
With that in mind, I have a few questions I’m hoping to have answered:
-What motive power should I use to start off? Since its going to be second hand should I go with a couple F40PHs? If so, should I grab ex Amtrak’s, or would they all be scrapped by 2008? If not, what other passenger loco should I go with?
-I’d like to model a coach yard and use an SW1000 or something, but I’m not sure what infrastructure is necessary. Any thoughts?
Any comments/feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks!
For cars, NJT is currently selling/leasing many of its Comet I cars, and Comet IIs have been sold. Walthers made Horizons, which were Amtrak counterparts of Comet IIs, but they are hard to find.
Also, a model railroad is your imagination. You can “pretend” that you purchased several of the remaining F40s.
Its all up to you, so be creative and come up with whatever you want. And, Have Fun![:P]
Start off the way the prototype does with something that’s cheap and reliable. In HO scale, Athearn BB F7s would be a good choice.
A commuter line has maintenance facilities at both ends of the line. The “outer end” facilities are just a yard with a paved area between tracks for the car cleaners and a power cord structure (looks like a signal bridge). No loco facilities. The “inner end” facilities are more extensive with the yard, a car shop, and locomotive service facilities.
I definitely see the cheap and reliable, which is why I was leaning towards the F40PH since Amtrak ditched them and others (like Metra) are switching towards the newer MP models. I’d be all for F7s or E8s, but would they still even be around now in '08?
F40’s, that’s what the other ex-CNW commuter operation uses.
The CNW used vintage GP7’s up until the UP merger. You could use a GP7, GP15, SW1000, SW1500 or MP15. The cheapest motive power would be a SD40-2 or SD40T-2, maybe a GP60. the market in 2008 is flooded with old SD40 variant engines. A de-turbo’d one of those (making it an SD38-2) wouldn’t be out of the question.
MARC took some GP 40’s and had them rigged up for commuter service. Just have to have HEP connections and all that added to your old freight hog before you can put it into service. I am not sure your commuters would like riding all the way with no lights or heat or air for that matter lol.
I would think an old F40PH would be a good choice. FWIW, if you’re modelling the CNW as if it still existed, why not have CNW run the commuter line too?? Kato and Walthers both make CNW bi-level cars already in CNW colors. You could use CNW-decorated cars and decorate the engines for N-Rail, and say that N-Rail only recently took over the CNW commuter service.
SW1000/1500 or MP-15 would work for switching the coach yard…although I don’t know if commuter trains get broken up that often, I would guess the same sets of cars probably stay together for a while but I’m far from an expert on it.
The type of equipment would depend on what era you want to start in.
Coaches can be surplus from the long distance fleet. Older mail or baggage & coach combines can be used to deliver mail & newspapers from Omaha out to Lincoln. A “heritage fleet” unit can be a FP7 or 9 with 3-4 coaches. One of them will be the smoker.
For a modern system, you could follow the prototype Nashville Music City Star.
Surplus equipment purchased for $1 from an existing commuter line. The cars will need to be refurbished & repainted before going into service.
Amtrak has a few useable F40’s at Beech Grove. Newer ones will have the ditch lights installed.
Your paint scheme can be a simple repaint using existing colors.
With the UN in Lincoln, I’d use plenty of red/white paint. Your train may be called the Husker.
With this idea in mind, you could follow CB&Q practice from the Racetrack with stainless gallery coaches & a Red/white hockey stick paint scheme on the E8-9s.
Use any type switcher to take sets of trains from the coach yard into the departure tracks. Once a day, the cars can get cleaned & washed. Damaged units gie fixed. One or two sets will sit in the yard waiting for the call.
