Post by chessie77 on Feb 13, 2013 22:54:35 GMT -5
:)Hi, I'm modeling a private railroad called the Ohio Valley and I've been thinking about changing the local I model to possibly the Chicago or St. Louis region of my railroad. The OV is part of the Chessie System. A little history on the OV, it's line runs from Ashland ,Ky over what in actual history was the C&O Lexington subdivision to Louisville, Ky. from there it runs to Paducah, Ky and then to Memphis, Tn. This was the original main line of the OV. It was all owned by the New Port News and Mississippi which was controlled by the C&O.(Actual) When the C&O gave up control the OV was formed. The main line was eventually extended to St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City and Little Rock. The C&O regained control of the OV in 1933 but was unable to get full control, so the OV stayed independent. In 1949 the control was strengthened with the OV adopting the C&O paint and numbering scheme, otherwise the OV was still independent. Slowly the OV was brought into more C&O control. The OV dieseled with Alco and FM locomotives until 1956 when the firs EMDs showed up. All passenger Equipment followed C&O prototypes except motive power and the commuter equipment.
I was originally going to model central Ky where the coal branches in to Eastern Ky connect. But I have been toying with the idea of modeling the line to St. Louis or Chicago and include some commuter operations. I've even developed a commuter paint scheme, besides having some equipment in the C&O blue and yellow or Chessie System.
What I've thought about using are cars is C&O style coaches, RDCs and a few Bi-level cars. The Bi-levels would be hauled by FL9s like the NH but instead of extra electrical gear they were built with HEP generators (called FH9s by the OV). There were only 5 sets of cars ordered of bi-levels before the C&O pulled the plug on modernizing with new equipment. The rest of the commuter fleet is C&O coaches (Both with and without fluting) and RDCs. These are hauled with rebuilt FPA2s and some new U34CHs(10) with FA cab cars. This fleet is split between Chicago and St. Louis. I know that St. Louis doesn't have any commuter trains but the OV in my world did, but not many. Mostly its Chicago service.
What I'm looking for are suggestions as to what I've already thought about and Things I might not have. Like, should I use Pullman or Budd hi-levels? Any help, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
David
I was originally going to model central Ky where the coal branches in to Eastern Ky connect. But I have been toying with the idea of modeling the line to St. Louis or Chicago and include some commuter operations. I've even developed a commuter paint scheme, besides having some equipment in the C&O blue and yellow or Chessie System.
What I've thought about using are cars is C&O style coaches, RDCs and a few Bi-level cars. The Bi-levels would be hauled by FL9s like the NH but instead of extra electrical gear they were built with HEP generators (called FH9s by the OV). There were only 5 sets of cars ordered of bi-levels before the C&O pulled the plug on modernizing with new equipment. The rest of the commuter fleet is C&O coaches (Both with and without fluting) and RDCs. These are hauled with rebuilt FPA2s and some new U34CHs(10) with FA cab cars. This fleet is split between Chicago and St. Louis. I know that St. Louis doesn't have any commuter trains but the OV in my world did, but not many. Mostly its Chicago service.
What I'm looking for are suggestions as to what I've already thought about and Things I might not have. Like, should I use Pullman or Budd hi-levels? Any help, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
David
Thanks Tony, the OV is set in 1975-76. Half of the OV owned locomotives are still Alco. The remaining passenger equipment is set as following: FH9 (FL9s with HEP) 6, FPA2s 16, FPA4 8, FPB2 5 (assigned to freight service), FPB4 4 (also in freight service), PA3m 6 (rebuilt with 16-251 2400hp (1958), occasionally in freight service), U34CH 10 (brand new). The Bi-levels were built with HEP for use with the FH9s. The OV is rebuilding its own PS coaches(C&O style) along with some actual C&O coaches transferred to the OV to HEP. Eventually all commuter service will be HEP but that will be later than the period I model. The commecting routes of the commuter service will use the RDCs.
