Well this one is a tough one for me. I have a fictional short line set in presant time that I model but I have some leased locos from BN, BNSF CSX and NS. The BN loco is a switcher that was retired and the SM purchased it but just has not repainted it yet. I love NS and the old N&W steam I may be compelled to model them as a prototype but I am kinda doing that already since I buy more NS locos than any other road. I guess if I modled a road that I dont already have equipment for I would say B&O or ATSF in the steam days.
I model New England. Maine Central, Boston&Maine, Bangor and Arostook,Guilford, and other New England roads[^] My second choice would be the Seabord and Atlantic Cost line trains.
I model the New Haven,circa,'68, but my second choice would be the Vermont Railway,mid 70’s,nice locos,freight only, single track,great scenery.
i model UP and ATSF and SOO now so probably 70s SP or CNW
My first choice is ILLINOIS CENTRAL. Second choice- CGW. I’m going to model Chicago Great Western in 1968 (CGW’s last year). But I’m also considering a freelance.
I’m in the process of starting my second layout, I had to downsize. I’m doing a fictional layout, it’s a service/leasing RR based in the 70’s. If I were to build a new layout and space and money were no issue I’d love to model the Pennsy 40’s to 50’s.
Greyryder I’m going to be modeling some old conrail, penn central and erie lackawana motive power for my current project, I might look to you for some info !!
I model Santa Fe at home and the local club models B&O… so I’m confused. 
Yes, I got to see the layout at the Museum of Science and Industry about two years ago right after it opened. It is nice for sure and is interesting, but not on the scale of what I was talking about.
Toughy…
I model the SP just as it leased the CP right now. But when I do my basement layout I’ll be doing the California Western with an interchange with the Northwestern Pacific.
At the club I model Buffalo and Pittsburgh. So I have a variety. But if I were to model something else, it might either be modern SP (as compared to 1885) or a Conrail–I like blue.
For those who do not know, I model Canadian Pacific.
If I were to change, I’d model the 70’s era Delaware & Hudson, not because the CPR owns it, but because what I’ve learned about it since I got back in to hobby.
ALCO’s are just plan cool!
Gordon
I model DRGW/UP(SP combined)/BNSF/ and my own: CONM (Colorado and New Mexico Lines). But if I wanted to model another one… probably CSX or ATSF
Currently I am modeling the shoreline that owned the abandoned right of way I grew up near as if it survived another decade or two. The L&N would be my second choice. The only reason I can think of is that I remember seeing s much of it’s rolling stock in and around Cincinnati when I was a kid.
If I couldn’t model N&W and VGN, I might just quit. But if I didn’t I would probably go C&O, and I would also have to look into the Milwaukee Road, Great Northern, Atlantic Coast Line, Southern, and probably Southern Pacific, and learn a whole lot about them before amking a pick and moving on. Right now I don’t really know too much about any of the other railroads. Perhaps entirely due to the two roads I model, but I love big steam power and big coal drags. C&O was a major player in the same game.
I Model BNSF. Allan.
My second choice railroad would be the FEC (Florida East Coast).
I model the SP, but if I ever changed roads it would be the GM&O running during the 1960s. I would like to try modeling the southern states railroads. Never see very layouts in the magazines modeling this road.
If I had to do it all over again I would probably model the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National from the mid 60’s to early 70’s along the shores of Lake Ontario. Living where I do I have learned a lot of railroad history from this area.
U know it might not exactly belong in model railroading but id do NS in Live steam or 7+ size i just think it would be really cool to actually run and ride your own train
Nick
I guess I am modeling my “second choice” now. I grew up along the MoPac and modeled it for several years. Then, when BNSF came along I fell in love with the paint schemes. In 2000 I moved to north Texas and found an area in North Fort Worth (Saginaw) that begged to be modeled. When I moved back home (Missouri) in 2004 I started building a new layout of that area–BNSF. So I suppose that is my “second choice” as I am still a fan and collector of all things MoPac.
Ron
I’m taking the family on a trip to Chicago this weekend. The Museum of science and industry is one of the places we’ll be going. (the Shedd Aquarium is the other). I’m probably as excited as the boys to see the museums’s layout.
I model the Monon in '47-48 on my currently being built layout, but if I were going to change, it would probably be the Nickle Plate at around the same timeframe.
HD