Adding on to Proto Layouts?

[MicroLynkx]

I am creating a layout that is heavily based on the railroads of Colorado. I am holding true to prototype track arrangements; either current or from historical record. In Colorado, however, there is no high speed rail from Cheyenne to Trinidad-connecting the towns along the main line. I would like to ask about adding such a line to the layout. Would it ruin the prototype aspect of the D&RGW, UP, and BNSF flavor? Woudl adding a high speed line be too much "artistic license"? Please let me know what you think. No opinion will be ignored.

"Billy" Gish, BFA.
Rio Grande & Pacific

 

[Dermmy]

Some idiot will tell you your route sux because of it, but it's your route - build it your way.....

 

[Blutorse4792]

Provided it's done tastefully (i.e. no insane, high-tech bullet-train stuff), I see no problem with it.

And regardless, it's your route, go for it! Naysayers be damned.

 

[JCitron]

There's no one stopping you from doing this. This is what's fun about this hobby.

Now keeping this in mind, you want to do this with plausible grades and curves, otherwise things will wreak of a fake all over them. By placing bridges over the valleys, and grading the tracks carefully, you can blend this into the current route and no one will know the difference other than you. One of the best ways to survey the landscape is to get right down and having a look around using the ALT+Y key combination. When you're done plotting the route (eyeballing the route), hit ESC and then you can then lay some track. Keep repeating this process until your track is done. It may take some adjusting and tweaking once the track is laid, but the results are rewarding.

I took a digital elevation map created route and added a branch line to a place that had part of a city shown on the map. I had the line follow along a river's edge, go through cuts, and eventually terminates at a small yard and passenger station. By the looks of the route, you'd never know that this never existed in real life.

John