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Reply to "Modeling a Real Railroad"

When I ever get started on my 2 rail layout it will represent about 20 miles of the NY&LB that I grew up on circa 1953-1956 when my grandfather commuted on it.  I have most of the trains that are era appropriate with a few notable gaps to be filled.  Essentially CNJ and PRR in mostly commuter operations with short freight that served the few businesses on the line.

It will required a LOT of compromise and selective compression, but my idea is to make it modular in nature so I can build it up over time.  On the south end I will plan on having the Bayhead loop where all the morning's commuter trains were prepared for the daily commute to NYC.  It will terminate on the north end at Rahway, NJ where it connects to the PRR mainline.  I am thinking a hidden loop there just to turn trains and only modeling what is a 6 track mainline at that point for no more than 5-10 feet. 

The challenge is always what to leave out.  For me, since I regularly roamed the Red Bank to Long Branch segment, I'll likely put in something that represents that area.  South Amboy is a critical location however I plan on compromising with the concept that the PRR electrified to Bayhead.  Other elements I'd like to somehow get in is the cutoff at Red Bank to the CNJ Southern Division.  It doesn't need to go anywhere.  I'd also like to incorporate the Atlantic Highlands branch that originally crossed the Shrewsbury River into Seabright and ran along the Ocean before cutting inland and rejoining the CNJ Southern Division in Eatontown.

It is till obviously and over ambitious plan that will required quite a bit of space even compressed.  However, I've been dreaming about this layout in my head for nearly 25 years in HO, N and now O so I have had a lot of time to visualize.  The biggest challenge is will I ever get the time to actually build it. 

In some ways I don't think it matters if I ever build or not.  It is a really fun layout to operate in my head.

I have staged some photos that many of you over the years have seen to keep the memories alive but one day ... maybe. 

Bored yet?  I can keep writing.....

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Last edited by GG1 4877

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