Where to look for Prototype info?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m starting an N-scale layout and am in the planning phase. At first I was thinking totally freelance but that is causing me troubles. So now I am going down the route of using a prototype. My basic configuration is a 12x9 area with a J following the walls. There would also be a lower level that is reached via a helix in the tail of the J.

I’m thinking that a coal mine in Eastern Kentucky (Hazard, Debord, or Sidney areas) in the top of the J. Then in the lower section of the J have Newport, KY with is’t steel plant and a few other small industries. The lower section would be where the railroad “crosses” the Ohio river and goes into the large yard in Cincinnati, OH. I’d like to run end to end with a “cheater” track that allows continous loop if possible.

I’ve been using, http://kytcgis.ky.gov/SYP_Active/viewer.htm?Box=5187617.08:4175482.07:5390227.51:4312841.07 , to locate the trackage.

Here is a pic of the benchwork, yeah I should have come here first but this is a learning :slight_smile: http://www.schdp.com/Photos/webview.asp?folder=Other\Model%20Railroad\Table%20Build&file=CIMG1189.JPG

Now my questions… Where do you find information about the Industeries, RR Companies, freight that is traveled on these tracks?

2

First of all, I would ask this question on the prototype forum. (Go back on the Menu above to Model Railroader Forums and look at the four options. It is the bottom one.)

In addition I would look on google for history of the county you are modeling and see which lines are mentioned. Then I would goggle those lines. If they are out of business check the Fallen Flags website for info.

It’s kind of a detective thing. You get leads and follow them. Sometimes they pan out and sometimes they don’t. Set up files for bookmarks, pictures, and .pdf files to download.

3

Google Earth is your friend.

David B

4

[#welcome] Welcome to the forums.

Your local library is also your friend, if they have (or can get, through inter-library loan) any books about the area, its industries and the local prototype railroads.

One thing to watch about The History of (Fillintheblank) Railroad. You want details about the route, traffic, buildings and equipment. A lot of railroad histories are more concerned with corporate politics and financial shenanigans, and devote more photo space to former railroad presidents than they do to the railroad itself. The same is (unfortunately) true for industrial corporate histories.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

5

Not when it only has low-res images!

Tried it with the Chama & Antonito stations of the C&TS, I got jack squat.

6

Google historical societies for the RR’s you are interested in. They often have great web sites and a wealth of information.

7

Thanks for the great tips to start from! I had MS Virtual Earth already installed and was able to find a few places in the area that looked interesting. Problem being they are CSX and I was wanting more of a NS layout… I did try Google Earth but just didn’t seem to have the detail that MS VE had.

Thanks for the welcome!

My initial idea was to have a mid 80’s to mid 90’s layout to be able to include some Southern Pacific & Norfolk Southern. Seems they only cross paths between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Back to the books…