When and Where is this?

[magickmaker]

I'll have more pictures coming, hopefully over time you'll have a general idea of when this is As to where...well I'm going to be dropping some hints.

More pics will be following with hints.

 

[Ferrous]

Hmm....Kansas, during the Kodachrome era (mid-late 80's)?

 

[magickmaker]

More pics coming soon, but wanted to add this note.

The Kodas are payware. Wonderful units really, probably my favorites.

 

[Ferrous]

Yep, I've got em too. Now I only need their SP counterparts...

 

[jadebullet]

What is the origin of the Koda paint scheme? The route looks pretty cool btw.

 

[magickmaker]

Koda was a paint scheme for a merger that never happened. At the time, ATSF and SP tried to merge to form a larger route. However something went wrong, I think the govt said no, and it never happened.

 

[Ferrous]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_Santa_Fe_Railroad

Probably for the best, since UP would have probably gotten SPSF (IIRC they already more or less owned SP at that point) and then BN would've been S.O.L.

Just random musings... :wave:

 

[magickmaker]

MORE PICTURES!!!!

Another round of pictures, and maybe a handful of hints...

 

[robbiehanson]

I'd guess sometime during the 1930s, central-midwest United States.

If it's modern, then the track is a tad lightweight for a mainline...

 

[crman123]

East Texas?

My reasoning is because of the presence of Cotton Belt and UP locos along with Amtrak, not to mention the heavy woodlands in the background.

 

[applegathc]

Missouri?

I'll shoot in the dark. Missouri?

Hey, it's just a geuss.

 

[magickmaker]

Ah, I figure I better not string you along too long.

Here's the thing, this route has NO setting. I made it nicely vague so when I finish, if I upload (which I actually plan to do for once) that you could run anything from CSX and NS in Georgia, to IC and ICG in Mississippi, to Cotton Belt and UP way out west.

You will also notice, no automobiles or people anywhere in the route. It's not because I don't want them around, but because when uploaded the idea is for the user to customize it to fit their area or era.

Couple details you can't tell here. In the shot with the UP GP15, the track closest to the camera is actually about ten feet below the level of the main line. There's a switch machine missing, but I plan on fixing that later. Also, you will see several little signs that say "Slow" on them on the route. These are there for a reason. They tell you, the user, where you can stop your train and throw the switches. Neat little trick I think. Size wise, this route is only oh...four baseboards long so far. I plan on keeping it pretty short.

Also, I'll have more pictures coming. So, as to when and where, everyone is right

 

[magickmaker]

I'll post the latest pics in an hour or so. I've got some details to add first.

I wanted to note, Robbie was pretty close to right. As built the route was meant to be a steam short line. However it also seems to fit an aging branch line in the later days of its life. Story wise, you're welcome to write whatever you want. As finished, the route will be usable for any time line between late steam (50's) into the first years of the BNSF merger.

 

[K4driver]

This by a certain town in texas(The East texas) But seriously Thiss is a well built layout.

 

[magickmaker]

So, more pictures. Yanked out the camera and decided to see if I could get some nice shots. It was hot...gah, feels just like summer. October though, still hot.

I just had to get a picture of this old bridge. I hear the railroad is thinking of replacing it with a newer steel bridge. I really hope they don't, since it's got a ton of character. Happened to catch this short freight on it at the same time too.

Ok, freight was a bit longer than I thought. I had enough time to jump on the old motorbike and run to the other side of the trestle to catch this. Gosh I love that old bridge. Probably should get more pictures of it before the time comes.

Ran into town, happened to snatch this one as I went by. These woodchip cars aren't that common out here. Mostly grain and boxcars, and the odd flat with tractors on it.

Made it all the way into town and had just stepped out of the little shop with a nice cold coke in hand when I heard a low whistle. Turned and got this nicely framed shot. Last picture on the roll too. Maybe tomorrow, I'll see if I can get some of the UP geeps that are floating around here these days.

 

[brickbuilder711]

Nice route! I like the openness to various settings!

 

[magickmaker]

Few more pics later tonight, may even show you the general size of the route. You'll be shocked I hope.

Got a note to the person who sent me the private message. (I didn't check your name and since I don't know the answer, I'm posting it here.)

If you want me to include pictures of KCS trains, please direct me where I can find some. Also, you're quite right, a corn spline would be nice, but I don't think one exists.

 

[magickmaker]

Correction, no pics

I built a small city area, and while I like how it turned out, I wanted a longer run between the two cities. So, I'll keep a certain little grain silo company siding I set up, but the rest will be scrapped. Ideally there will be a four or five baseboard, maybe more, run between the "main" city and the sections you've already seen.