Before the 1927 merger of the CNERR and NYNH&H the Central New England Railroad ran across the top of CT through my area of Northwest CT. I have the full history of the CNE from the New Hartford historical society and can follow the trackage on Railroad Valuation Maps.
However, I have several big missing links as a modeler. What was the CNE’s logo, color scheme, and flag? Font painted on tenders bearing the CNE markings, type of locomotive equipment and rolling stock and how it was painted. Did they ever use Diessels under the CNE flag?
Railroad.netwould probably be an excellent resource for information also, however I was hoping to get the prototypical modelers prospective on this topic as well.
There was a book on the CNE that probably answers all your questions – one amusing one being exactly why a railroad aiming at running south to ‘tidewater’ in the Sound would be running east-west along the top of Connecticut like that: hint- CNE was not on good terms with Morgan and his pocket legislators in that state, so carefully arranged to miss it.
The driving force behind the idea went down with the Titanic, and as far as I know the last snapping-up occurred long before practical ‘dieselization’
The books that D Schmitt has referenced look to be the definitive one stop shop of information for the Central New England RR. The price may be a little eyewatering but then that depends on how passionately you wish to model the prototype. Besides, if you live in the area, a local library may have the books.
I would be extremely surprised if the pre 1927 CNE had any diesel locomotives, if they did, they would have been ground breakers!!
Proving yet again that the interweb is not the repository of all knowledge, here’s what I’ve managed to find…
Have a look at Class F-5 2-8-0, there are two photos of the locomotives in with CNE on the tender, and the Class Y-2 0-8-0 were originally CNE locomotives. There may be more.
Thanks for all the leads everyone. I picked up a copy of the CNE book by the Salisbury Association and the NH book by Hartley. The two most cost effective ways of getting started with my research. Would love to have the three volume set an Amazon but it’s way too pricey.