But wouldn't you like to model the gravel pit near Aromas? Not sure how to post an exact link, but here's the lon/lat from google maps 36.909008,-121.628501 PS: You also miss out on the opportunity to model Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad - an excuse to have a Shay or two.
Yep, "unfortunately" I've an Atlas Shay and no idea where I can use it! Aromas quarry was to far from my path anyway. I'm thinking to the Kaiser field on the Permanente branch. Roaring Camp & BTR was not present in my era (1949 more or less) and the logging field at Boulder Creek-Felton line was lost forever... Some of you is modeling SLO and helpers? Or the Santa Maria valley Railroad Co ( SMV), just to narrow to the original Denny's post and locations. This link to Bruce Morden notes takes to interesting places: http://www.smvrhm.org/morden.html So many "romantic" modeling opportunities along the Coast line but as we all are "humans" with limited space & time capability..... "Railroading modeling is always a compromise job" (John Allen?) Take care on you Enzo
I think the High Line east of the Cascades would make for better operations. Scenery would be easier, not as many trees! The old Oregon, Nevada and California short line from Alturas up to Lakeview, OR is interesting. Lots of high desert scenery.
Scratch built using Plastruct and Evergreen styrene based on photos and on-site measurements. Web sources included the Niles depot project and other references to collonade style stations. Common dimensions for other depot styles (e.g., 8 ft increments) were also used to form a "common sense" base when direct data was not available. Fun project (especially as I don't get to Colfax too often <G>)