Brian, you really hit home with this thread, great job! You're right, we tend to model what we know, and what we know is our family's heritage... Whether its your father that worked for the Milwaukee, or my grandfather that worked for the Central, we all have great stories to share!
My story is one of the few that my Grandpa Mario (yes, I'm the 3rd) told me about having to go burn switches out on the Water Level Route one cold, winter's night. He clearly told of one particular switch that was burning, and he was kicking to get it to unfreeze; when it popped and he looked over his shoulder to see a Hudson bearing down on him at track speed!
30 years later I can still see the fear in his eyes when he told that story.
That's why I model the Central.
K-line's Pacemaker - Soon to have interiors.
