One lingering challenge in the design of the LK&O is how to introduce elements (locomotives and rolling stock) from a wholly different time period into the scene in a manner that minimizes the negative visual impact. The situation is created as a result of conflicting interests. I want to model the AC&Y and I really like the looks of modern 6 axle locomotives. The newest locomotive the AC&Y purchased was a Fairbanks Morse H20-44 in 1967. This is hardly a late model locomotive. Take a look at the illustration of The Spirit of Cumberland coupled to AC&Y #508. Quite a difference, hey? Of course this is just a comparison, the two locomotives will never appear on the LK&O coupled together like this.
I have yet to formulate a good solution to this challenge but I am not going to throw in the towel just yet. It is still early in the design phase. Ultimately everything revolves around the track plan. Designing a track plan that can permit the 6 axle power to pass through the scene in a non-intrusive way is an overarching consideration at this time. If I cannot come up with a suitable solution by the time the track plan becomes final then I will admit defeat by locking down the motive power & rolling stock selection to the 1960-1975 era. If that becomes the case then the Spirit of Cumberland and other 6 axle brutes may have to make cameo appearances as if sent from the future through the rip in time space!
Take the easy-route. Your handle is the LK&O, why not let the LK&O be parental for the AC&Y the way that Gennesee & Wyoming or RailAmerica does. Since it’s a smaller operation than those, they can geart more toward’s a railroad’s heritage, and you can pull the AC&Y as far forward in time as you want. Minor adjustments will be needed for roundhouse type stuff that in reality was gone, but if the AC&Y still owns the stuff, or the LK&O does through the AC&Y, then it’s easy enough to do.
Flashwave, you are reading my mind. I haven’t yet completed the “About” page because I haven’t yet worked all the way through a plausible fictional history. As you suggest the LK&O could own the AC&Y and that is exactly what I have been mulling around. I’m thinking a reclusive billionaire out bid the Norfolk Western for the AC&Y. In his eccentric ways he demanded the AC&Y mechanics keep the FM’s and rolling stock in tip top shape forever. With unlimited cash at his disposal he was able to “convince” the ICC to let his freight cars live on beyond the mandated retirement dates. Hence, 55 ton hoppers alongside 100 tonners and H16-44’s alongside AC6000’s. Or something along those lines.
That drawing of the AC6000 is mighty damned fine piece of work!
Alan: One other possibility too, actalyy there’s two. One is that the local populus voted against the N&W buyout, or convinced the ICC to overturn it, and the other is that the ICC overturned for competiotion/anti-monopoly reasons. If you didn’t want to go the eccentric billionaire. Just different parts for realism. Going one of those route allows you to then say that the LK&O could pickup the AC&Y because the continous line that N&W wanted still wasn’t there, and you trade Granpa’s “I want those” with the AC&Y’s “They still work, the budget’s snot their to buy more, we still know how to fix ’em, we’ll run the snots out of these engines before we think about buying anymore”
But eccentricbillionaires are fun to have around… 😀 (Steam excursion anyone?)
Flashwave, I like it although this means I can’t be the eccentric billionaire. 🙁 I’ve always liked the idea of being a billionaire. Oh well, back to being a paycheck to paycheck workin’ guy. Glad I voted on that ballot back in ’64. Else the N&W would surely have scrapped the FM’s by now. Thank goodness the LK&O stepped up and kept it the AC&Y. I hear tell some billionaire owns the LK&O. Or at least by the time he is done building his railroad empire he will have spent a billion dollars!