The new CNO&TP, a CO-OP with a good friend.

[illinoiscentral]

This is the thread devoted to not my, but our new CNO&TP route. The route is just now getting underway with the first stages of layout construction by,
backyard I am really looking forward to this route and I truly believe backyard is too! We are still planning the layout, but are very close to starting our route will possibly start in Cincinatti Ohio and end in Atlanta Georgia. The most anticipaited branch line will be the private Franklin Minerals Railroad that runs from Crab Orchard Tennessee to Harriman Tennessee. We have also yet to decide if we are modeling Norfolk Southern or Southern. I want to thank everyone for their posts in my previous thread. It is early to announce this, but I just couldn't hold my tongue! We have no intention of announcing it for the DLS right now. Backyard will handle screenshots so you can see what our route will look like! I am really looking forward to working with backyard and sharing our work with you, the community. Backyard will handle the track and basic scenery like hills and stuff. I will work on the secondary scenery like buildings. Hope you all like our new route. It may be a day or two before we post anything so please hold in there! Post any questions and/or comments right here!
Cheers, Illinois Central /backyard

 

[jadebullet]

I recommend Southern, with an earlier feel to it. You got to love those First and second generation Diesels. Plus Southern's paint is amazing. Heck, I might do a few Southern Skins for the heck of it. You just got to love a railroad that ran high hood Geeps, long hood forward.

But that is just my opinion.

 

[illinoiscentral]

I don't know, I'm starting to lean for NS, but that ones backyards choice! If you do reskins make a Southern E-8! Dang it, now I'm wanting Southern oh well like I said, its his choice!

 

[jadebullet]

It also depends on what time period you are going for. No matter what, I will probably end up running Southern and Norfolk Western on it, but that is just me. I guess I am living in the past. (Man do I wish that I was alive during the earlier days of diesels, though, then I would have had to worry about 'Nam.

 

[backyard]

Young...wild...fixing to learn....

Yes, that's right, we'll do a NS 3rd Division route you can run Southern Railway System trains like they're going out of style...

Woodrow shall learn Screenshots, uploading, e-mail, team-work...

I can't wait to see if he's up to it!

We already have E8's in two versions, an RS3, F7's, etc.

The kuids & such will have to wait till tomorrow, dial-up is killing me................,

 

[SR6900]

Just be sure that if you model either before or after TVA came in to play, that you make proper changes to reflect this. They flooded landed and changed the water levels a lot. Be sure you get pictures for the correct era as tracks and bridges around the rivers in Tennessee changed a lot when the TVA came in.

The CNO&TP ends in Chattanooga, I know one of the lines to the south is AGS. I think the one to Atlanta is just Southern.

It will be nice to drive some trains through the Rat Hole! Good Luck!

 

[illinoiscentral]

Thanks for the positive comments. I believe backyard wants to model the Southern south of Chattanooga onto Atlanta. I truly believe Chattanooga will have some great switching opportunities. The Franklin Minerals Line will probably be Tennessee Central given we are modeling the Southern era. Since track speeds are relatively low and grades are very steep, this line may be secondary but will pose a challenge. I am very excited about this project and I'm sure there will be a few bugs, but all in all this will be a very nice layout with alot of Trainz action. Thanks Again,
Illinois Central / backyard
the SouthRail Team.

 

[backyard]

The focus is on Action....

Be assured that all track will be featured past & present.

The base-map is from Y2K, the topo is from around 1991, & the track-chart is 1992.

We have nothing like the TVA Kingston Steam Plant, however it can be made...

 

[illinoiscentral]

Thanks for the update, backyard.

 

[illinoiscentral]

Motive Power Update...

An update on motive power. The Franklin Minerals Line uses high hood power mostly former Norfolk Southern equipment. The rolling stock on that line is short cement hoppers all of them marked, Conrail, N&W, Southern or NS. The mainline, I hope to be using early versions of the Dash 8-40 and SD40-2's. I have just downloaded the USLW CSX Dash 8's. Since backyard is working on thge route right now, He will keep you updated on the progress of layout itself while I continue to read your posts and answer questions. I will also talk about things used on the layout. Thank You for your interest,
The SouthRail Team

 

[backyard]

ohooo kay.....

To keep the line on four axle...and so....

Southern Railway System had the B23-7 engine but where would we find one?

The only availible engine for Franklin Industrial Minerals is here .....

Not yet ready for prime time I figure....

 

[illinoiscentral]

I'm leaning toward Norfolk Southern era. So I figure modern day power is good. But like I said...

 

[illinoiscentral]

Update...

Backyard has informed me that our route has ran into some problems, namely a DEM problem that is creating holes in the map. This problem will be fixed, in a matter of time. We have also put our primary focus on completing the Franklin Industrial Minerals line, before we begin work on the Norfolk Southern "Rat Hole" line. The Franklin Industrial Minerals line is roughly 20 miles in length and has many turns, grades, and a tunnel. This line will make a good start to our vast system and the first route by SouthRail. SouthRail is pleased to be making a layout featuring our home state of Tennessee.

 

[Iced8383]

Seems interesting, I'll be keeping my eyes on this thread.