I haven't, however, stopped thinking about the layout. One recurring theme has been the opportunities afforded by the "genericity" of the Average Eastern. Originally the idea was summed up by the name. It was to be a presentation of a "typical" short line in the eastern United States. The class one railroads that interchanged with the AE could be any major railroad that served that area of the country. It allows me to model many of my favorites. The previous (and incomplete) layout attempted to capture the essence of the Pennsy and I felt it fell far short of that goal. While the new incarnation still has sections of four track right of way, they are meant to represent any of the similar mainlines seen in northeast America...
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| Average Eastern: July 15th, 2014 |
This is also true of the section of double track. This was pretty common on other railroads in the same area. Most of the lines the in the northeast started in the early 19th century. Multiple tracks were the only way to handle the traffic density in the area. Modern CTC did not exist. Even telegraphy was still in the future. There was no other way to avoid congestion and/or collisions.
It has occurred to me that these multi-track sections can also represent other railroads. The double track sections could be used as a single mainline with sidings while the quadruple track sections can be used as two track the same way.
The other thing I've thought about is using the actual Allegheny Eastern track to serve as a branch of one of class 1 lines. If I use the yard at Quotidian as an interchange I could even model two branches of two different railroads. Rather than run Average Eastern motive power, the equipment would reflect the parent road.
Using the scenario described above, the layout could represent almost any railroad. The locale could be anywhere from California to Maine. The only feature that limits this idea is the Hollow Mountain area at Average, a section that I have doubts about anyway. There is something just not right about it. To fit a mountain high enough to serve as a view block I had to make some compromises. The side of the mountain that towers over the "west" end of the AE is much too steep. It is also concave, with the top overhanging and threatening the small town of Average...
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| Average |
Reducing the height of the mountain is possible. I built it high thinking I needed to clear the upper "level", the two track section and the east end of the AE. I thought I would need a high mountain to legitimize the tunnels under Gateway Point. Not all railroad tunnels, however, bore through high obstacles. There are quite a few that appear in places where a cut would seem a more likely solution. Apparently tunnels are cheaper than very deep cuts and are used whenever possible. Looking at East End you can see that a lower height also works...
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| East End |
The height of the mountain in this section can be reduced quite a bit. If I cut it down to that third horizontal cardboard strip it would become a hill and still serve as a view block...
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| Hollow Hill, East End |
The barrier that looms above Average can also be cut down in the same fashion...
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| Clark's Summit |
I'm thinking this not only expands the layouts adaptability, it also makes it more realistic.
This does not, however, imply that UP Challengers or Missabe Yellowstones will grace the AE rails. I'm still focused on the railroads of the northeast for now, but don't be surprised if L&N or Rutland equipment appears at some point. The idea of D&H Challengers or C&O Alleghenies pounding along the Split River is not too far fetched. Anything might show up...
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| Seaboard "Centipede" Citrus Scheme |
Regards,
Frank Musick
Building a dream layout on a nightmare budget
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The Average Eastern Railroad
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