James River Branch: Prototype

The Prototype

I went a bit further than just starting over with the layout; I also started over with the railroad I was modeling as well. Why the switch?

The only reason the original layout was based on the Pennsylvania Railroad in the first place was because of the locomotives I already owned: two Micro-Trains PRR F7As. I wasn't too keen on replacing or repainting them, so I stuck with the theme. However... the Pensy is not a favorite railroad of mine—in fact, it's not even on my list.

One evening as I was researching loco details, I discovered that the Reading had a scheme very similar to that of my new PRR AZL GP7. It struck me that I could simply re-letter it. As an added incentive, I also happened to already own a Reading caboose, and the freight consists would not be much different, so I wouldn't need to buy or build anything new. With the Reading being my second-favorite line (the first being its sister, the CNJ), it wasn't hard for me to make the switch.

While I was at it, I also pushed the era of the layout ahead a bit. Originally set in the 60s, it got moved up to the 70s, about the time the Reading went poof. Hopefully this will expand my detailing options, particularly with respect to vehicles, which are rarer than hen's teeth in Z scale.

These two Micro-Trains PRR F7As are seen in the midst of modifications.

Formerly PRR, this AZL GP7 was re-lettered for Reading.

Luckily I had picked up this Reading caboose many years ago on an impulse.

The layout's setting—a fictional place somewhere in northeastern Pennsylvania—remained the same. The northeast is both my home and my preferred modeling territory.