Freelance Questions

[Randy Earle]

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

[Randy Earle]

Dec 24, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

My River Run interchanges with several prototype roads.

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Loosely based on the Nickel Plate.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Early to late 1980s.

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Bricks, Clay, Steel Products, Coal, Auto Parts.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

It started out as a Shortline, but is now a Small Regional.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Mostly used power from Alco and EMD.

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

I try to keep it realistic as I can, as that is part of sharing.

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

No, I got a little big, and wonder if I should make it smaller again, and maybe include a Tourist Line.

[NCCR 2580]

Well, My North Carolina Central Railway, NCCR is based on the former Southern Railway. In my setting, NS sold the Asheville District then later NCCR acquired the line north west from Asheville to White Pine NC and trackage rights on to Knoxville Tn. We also took over operation on the Saluda line to Spartinburg SC and had to get bigger power for that in the form of used SD40-2s from a variety of sources. The original route was the Asheville east to Salisbury NC line. Then trackage rights to Linwood. The line north to Winston Salem is also NCCR trackage out of Barber NC. We also service the two branchs north west of Winston Salem.

Connections are with NS in Spartinburg SC, Linwood NC, Winston Salem NC, and Knoxville TN.

Connections are with CSX in Knoxville TN, Spartinburg SC and Marion NC on the former Clinchfield.

Short Line connections are with the GSMR on the Murphy branch out of Asheville.

My setting is from mid 90s, start up to around 2004. A few NS SD80MACs are leased for pushers west and east of the loops between Asheville and Old Fort NC. Those are as modern in power as I have got.

Comedies are Coal, Lumber Products, Grain, Plastics, Aggregates, and Ethanol. Small blocks of TOFC/COFC run on trains 201 & 202.
Knoxville TN to Linwood NC.

Power is mostly EMD products with a few GEs.
Early EMDs still on the roster hold down local (Branch) and yard assignments. GP40s and GP38s can be found running in consist on road trains as well as local power.
Rehabbed SD40-2s make up most of the road power. Some are rebuilt from older SD40s/SD45s. Others are former BN units from HLCX. A few ex SP Tunnel Motors were picked up due to their cheap price but require intense over hauls. Lease units from HLCX still ply the rails also during certain times. NS and CSX run through power can also be seen on NCCR rails.
A few GE U23Bs are on the roster of CSX/L&N heritage and a few from NS. A few C30-7s that were sold off by UP and NS are also on the roster.

[NS91]

Dec 24, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yes, CSXT, NS, CN, UP, and BNSF


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Nope, but we have bought some unused trackage.
Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

2001 +

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Coal, Lumber, the usual

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

A over grown Regional

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

A mixture of new EMD's, and GE's, and older ALCO's, EMD's, and GE's.

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

Yes, I think

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

Not really, I'm still in High School.

[stillbre]

David,
Regarding your North Carolina Central. Two more shortline connections for you to look at. The Alexander Railroad that runs between Taylorsville and Statesville. They interchange with NS in Statesville. Power is a pair of Alco S3s and an SW9 but a pair of SW1500s have recently been purchased as well. Caldwell County interchanges with NS in Hickory and runs up to Lenoir. Power is a pair of Family Lines GP16 but only one runs.
A couple other secondary lines to look at as well. First, the former AT&O that runs from Charlotte up through Mooresville to Statesville where it connects with the S-Line. The other is the other half of the Winston-Salem to Barber L-line that runs down to Mooresville where it connects with the O-Line out of Charlotte. Up into the 80s, Belmont coal trains would depart the S-Line in Barber, run down the L-line to Moorseville where they'd get on the O-line to Charlotte. Before that they went all the way down the O-line out of Statesville but tonnages became too heavy for a trestle in Troutman.

[blownoutcylinder]

Dec 24, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?
Have two interchanges--CP and BN.


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?
I sort of based it on CP branchlines with some based on BN before amalgamation with SF.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?
The era would be 1968-1988. This just about covers the abandonment period that CP was going through in Saskatchewan/ Manitoba and Alberta's southern tier.

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?
Grain, potash, some coal, wood/wood byproducts,occasional as req'd--

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?
Started out shortline--now generally seen as large shortline/small regional.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)
Several new/used ALCO with a few GE and some FM units for good measure. For passenger we operate both a scenic with a couple of 2-8-0's and 4 RDC2's

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?
This depends on who I'm talking to. I think that the era that I'm modeling was challenging in that the story I've created also involved a lot of financial history regarding the lack of traffic and how, through an imaginative approach to drawing on available customers/shippers and the creation of regular passenger service in an area that was lacking in a consistant service and how I've imagined that there was a kind of demand there may be convincing to most. As for the scenic RR that is along the line of a 'what if'--someone started up a few good fishing lodges in the region?---HHMMN

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?
We's still workin' on it--although it has stretched out distance wise!! ;D

[poweredby251]

Here are my replies to the questions.
=================================
Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yes. Interchange with the BN, GBW, CNW and MILW, as well as trackage rights on the Milwaukee.


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Parts of several, with additions. A Major portion was the original CCD&M (which became part of the Milwaukee) between LaCresent MN and the Quad Cities area with connections to Chicago. Another part is the M&StL (taken over by my road in the 1880's) and expansions to Kansas City, Omaha, and St Louis proper. The area that will be modeled is part of the portion of the Milwaukee that we have trackage rights on (Winona MN to the Twin City area). The area to be modeled is Winona - Red Wing. The connecting Minnesota Midland was originally a narrow guage road the Milwaukee took over in the 1890's, standard guaged, and slowly abandoned through the years (we all know we can't let THAT happen, don't we?) and the Winona Bridge & Terminal is fictional but uses CNW/GBW/CGW/and MILW trackage in and around Winona.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Mid '70's (1973-1976)

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

General freight, farm products and supplies, coal, intermodal.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

At the time (mid 1970's) it would have been a smaller class one. Today it's hard to say.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

The SP-SL in the 50's about 35% EMD, 55% Alco, with the rest Baldwin switchers and FM roadswitchers. In the 60's 100% Alco (like the SP&S and Monon). In the 70's mostly EMD, but with an early order for U-33-C's and 5 M-640's. My roster is roughly planned ahead to about 1990, some used EMD's and GE's in the early 1980's, some late GP-39's (GP-49 bodys) and an order of Dash8-40-B's at the end. And quite a few Alco's are still running!

The Minnesota Midland is an all Baldwin road with about 7-9 units, and the WBT is a dogs breakfast of offcast switchers and light roadswitchers, mostly EMD but maybe and FM or two will be added

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

Yes, and it will be fleshed out more when I build a layout (no room in the present house)

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

No. I feel the concept is sound, but I have made changes and will continue to to do so as I progress.

[spike]

I have been formulating my Albany Troy and Berkshire for years. I have not done much besides building some of the locos. This is due to many moves, while working in 1':12" scale.
My line was a terminal road owned by B&M and New Haven,when both were in J. P. Morgan's control. When Penn Central and B&M went bankrupt, we went independent. Trackage rights to the Boston area were obtained by buying some branches there, then getting overhead rights. This is just like NYS&W's expansion into upstate NY.
When David Fink and Timothy Mellon went into planes, we took over Guilford. Since the industrial base in New England has been declining, our goal is to make the line into a Florida East Coast type intermodal operation.
We connect with D&H/CP, NS (via D&H), CSX, and CN (via SLR and NECR) plus shortlines like VTR.
My power is:
F7 (inspection service)
SW9
SW1500
BL2 (former BAR from Monhart collection)
RS3M (EMD 12-567)
GP7 (Trail lighting boxes)
GP9
GP18 Some have the paired 36" fans instead of single 48" just like B&M. I say that some of my Geeps were wrecked and rebuilt by EMD. They were added to an order of new units.
GP15T
GP15-1
GP38-2
B23-7
B40-8
GP60
GP60M (Canadian leaders for CV-CN run through)
GP35 (ex SOU High Hood, AAR trucks--junk bought in power shortage)
SD40-2 (used, various heritages)
GP40
GP40-2
Some of the power is dated, but we have many local assignments needing 4 axle units. We use many lash-ups of high powered 4 axle units like the B&M did pre-Guilford.
I may get some newer 4000hp used six axle units like the SD60 or C40-8, in order to pool power with the class 1 lines.

[gtw4633]

Marquette Ontonagon & Western
We have been serving Michigan's Upper Peninsula for over 100 years. Our Predecessors where among the first railroads laid in Upper Peninsula. They where first for logging and later became our hauling roads. In the 1930s the depression hit here hard. The companies came together and started a small railroad that ran from Marquette Mi, to Ontonagon Mi. With Branchlines into the Keewenaw Peninsula. We stayed a Small company until the Soo Line spun off trackage in the 80s and we bought the trackage. With that we began to expand into a larger company although still relativly small by rail standards. Then after the Union Pacific bought the Chicago & Northwestern they spun off the former C&NW Line, again we bought those from where we began to grow larger and larger until we got to where we are now. At the current time We have thousands of miles of trackage, and 2 subsidaries, The Cedar Valley Railroad in Iowa, and the Twin Cities Southern which serves as a transfer and Local delivery company in the Twin Cities. The MO&W system stretches from Sault St. Marie MI, to Duluth MN, and we have lines extending south to the Twin Cities and Green Bay WI. We Interchange with the CN in Sault St Marie, CN in Duluth MN, CN, UP, and BNSF in Green Bay, and CP, CN, UP, and BNSF in the Twin Cities.
Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?
Depending on the Era, BN/BNSF, CNW/UP, WC/CN, AC/CN, and DMIR/CN

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?
Based on several Small Prototype
Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?
As a model it would 1994, as a Paper Railroad its Current day
Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?
Ore, Pulpwood, Limestone, Paper, Wood and Through Traffic
Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?
It would be a Regional, roughly the size of the WC
Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)
in 94 All EMD with a couple ALCos running around from a Shortline that was merged in. Current Day is all EMD except for the same ALCos and 6 new ES40DCs
Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?
You Tell me, The History is at the top of this post
Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?
I have met my goals and I work hard to not get overboard with it

[reddawg]

Dec 24, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

All class 1's, and around a dozen shortlines.


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Most of mine are based on prototypical roads, either fallen flags, or current roads. Main ones are Erie Lackawanna, GTW, Chicago Great Western, C&O/PM, Rock Island, to name the biggest influences.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Modern

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

MichRail's roads haul just about anything due to the geography covered. Main freight shipped: Auto related materials, coal, Ore (off the SJR), intermodal, agricultural (mostly grain), steel (coil and sheet), Aluminum (mostly ingots), scrap, tires, paper products, clay slurry..etc.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

CPMG is a Class 1, SPGW, SJR, and HESR are regional (SPGW will be a class one once I get the rest of it figured out)..CPL is the only true shortline.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)
Mosly EMD's. Motive power ranges from SW's to SD90Mac's, with GP9's, GP38's, and SD40-2's being fairly standard across the board. There are some GE's (U23B, U23C, U30C, C30-7, C39-8, C40-8), and only a few ALCo's (C630's on the SJR) and 5 Baldwin AS616's (also on the SJR).

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

Never! Mine are constantly changing as I try to make them more realistic.

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

Met them? No, still trying to get power together, get a layout built..etc....

[antlorch]

Hey reddawg,do you have a paint scheme yet?

[reddawg]

Yup..for everyone of them BUT the SPGW..will probably use one of the CGW or CRIP schemes.
Will post them later.
Dave C

[puddlejumper]

The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad

Question #1:Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

At Potomac Yard (based loosely on the real Pot Yard) the Baltimore and Potomac interchanges with the RF&P, Southern, ACL, SBD and C&O. At Baltimore there are interchanges with B&O, PRR, and WM. The PRR has trackage rights over the entire main line, and along with B&O, runs into Union Station in Washington from the north while the RF&P, Sou, ACL, SBD, C&O and FEC run into the Union Station fom the south.

On my layout, the PRR, RF&P, and B&O interchanges will be represented. The remainder of the roads will be represented merely by rolling stock or locomotives only. The SBD/ACL/FEC/RF&P/B&O will also be somewhat represented by run through power on the Hot Shot Orange Blossom Special, a jointly operated Trailer Train from Florida to the Northeast.

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Prototype incorporated around 1860, but fell on financial hardship. The line was eventually built and financed by the PRR in a successful effort to end the B&O's monopoly on Baltimore-Washington rail service. This line was a part of PRR's plan to build southward, the PRR and it's interests built as far as Fredericksburg (the Alexandria and Fredericksburg RR) before they divested of all of their southern interests, the portion Fredericksburg-Washington becoming part of the RF&P. The B&P was merged with the Northern Central, and the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore to become the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. It existed on paper until Conrail, when it was finally absorbed and ceased to exist. My free lance history assumes that around 1910 the B&P was able to repurchase from the PRR the majority of it's common stock and remain independent.


Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

1970-ish.

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Lots of general merchandise freight, hauling between Pot Yard and the Nation's Capital and Baltimore for interchange with the northeastern lines. B&P has a very good partnership with bridge line RF&P. Also a large amount of coal for power plants at Possum Point, Va. (RF&P), Alexandria, Va. (SOU), Capital Power, D.C., Benning Road, D.C., Morgantown, Md., and Chalk Point, Md. There is also the jointly operated Orange Blossom Special trailer train.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

I don't know what the rules were in 1970, but my road is about the size of the RF&P but with more on line industries so more originating and termination shipments.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

New and used units including EMD GP7, GP9, GP18, GP20, F3, F7 and ALCo RS11s. All units in the General freight pool are considered interchangeable and have the same tonnage rating. In assigned service there are 2 SD24s (heavy transfer or hump work), a GE 70 Tonner (the only GE on the roster) and an SW1 for random shifter work.

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

I believe so. It could get more detailed, but I think at the cost of having fun. I don't want to be so strict with my history as to limit the amount of fun I can have, otherwise what would the point be of free lancing anyway?

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

We have yet to see, construction should begin this winter.

Thanks for looking!
Dave

[Freightrain]

Dec 24, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Since we have so many new members now, I thought it would be a good time to ask these questions again.

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?
Yes, The Florida Panhandle & Western (FP&W) interchanges with CSX in Pensacola and Jacksonville, NS, FEC in Jacksonville, BNSF in Pensacola and The Bay Line.

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?
Part of a prototype, loosely based on CSX's P&A Sub, from Pensacola, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?
1995 +

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?
Just about anything out there.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?
Small Regional, Like the FEC.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)
My RR likes to collect rare locos destined for the deadline and/or the torch, like Cowl's and HH's, used EMD and GE, some "What If", hopefully can get an SDF40-2, some snoot noses and HH's, some Alco, Lot's of run thru power

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?
Still in the planning stage

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?
Still in the works.

[marknycfan]

Question #1:

The W&LI interchanges with the NYC, NH, LIRR, Erie, DLW, CNJ, LNE, LHR O&W...did I miss any?

Question #2:

The W&LI operates over the Putnam Division, former NYC territory.

Question #3:

Late 1950's

Question #4

All freight is handled, adding coal to the NY metro area!

Question #5:

Regional

Question #6:

New EMD, ALCO & FM

Question #7:

I think so

Question #8:

Have motive power only, need to lay some track!

[norcalnscaler]

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?
The Pacfic Belt will interchange with the SP,WP & BN.

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?
No prototype yet.
Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?
1960-1970's
Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?
Lumber, cement, Grain
Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?
Regional
Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)
EMD & ALCO and 1 44ton switcher
Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?
For now
Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?
Still up in the air on that one

Nick

[Wammi]

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yes. Agawam Southern Railway interchanges traffic with the BNSF and the modern Milwaukee Road (another freelance or more a "what if" line.)

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Loosely based on the Montana Rail Link operations, with a Milwaukee Road theme.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Roughly 1980 to present.

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

On line freight is primarily grain commodities. ASR is primarily a bridge forwarder for BNSF and the modern Milwaukee. So you never know what will be bridged over the line.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

Shortline running from Harlowton to Cut Bank, MT. Trackage rights to Miles City, MT via the Milwaukee Road.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Currently it has 2 big GEs. You'll never know what you'll see. Much like the MRL's Livingston Rebuild Center, the ASR has the Harlowton Rebuild Center (HRC) which churns out rebuilds for leasing (HRCX) and for use on the ASR.

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

I believe so. But am still working out the details.

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

In overall concept, goals have been achieved. In physical development, still a long way to go.

[Deleted]

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yes, Union Pacific


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Yes, SP trackage in and around Phoenix, AZ. When UP took over SP, they somewhat closed the Phoenix yard before they realized they needed it. My scenario is that my road purchased the SP trackage in and around Phoenix down to the interchange in Casa Grande and out to the agricultural parts west of Phoenix, AZ.

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Late 1990's

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Grain, steel, paper, agricultural, food products, scrap, fuel and oils, lumber and more.

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

Shortline

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Used EMD

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

I think it is believable

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

I am keeping it realistic. Motive power is a bit old, but usable and mostly reliable. Nothing fancy mostly deturboed 6 axle units


[/size][/quote]

[garyrsatx]

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yes, the SP, MKT, and MoPac.


Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

Well, a bit of both. The Class 1's are the SP, MKT, MoPac. All of which never merged with the UPRR. I also have two regional roads, one shortline, and two terminal switching roads.


Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

Present day.


Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

The shortlines haul limestone, paper, steel, sand, brick, lumber, corn syrup, plastic pellets, and run through intermodal.

The SP, MKT, MoPac all haul what todays RR's haul.


Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

Out of the five shortlines, two are terminal roads (operate only in a city area), one is a shortline that hauls strictly lumber, and the other two are Regional roads and span across Texas.

The Class 1's are pretty much the way the they were in Texas with the exception for lines that we never built, but in my world were constructed.


Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Everything and anything.


Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

I am still working on developing it. Recently, after some discussions online and here on the forum, I have begun advancing my plan and story line for my "reality".


Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

I don't see a end point. There is so much that I can do with what I have written so far and the future is open ended. Thats what I love about Freelance Railroading!

[geepfan]

Question #1:

Here's a good question. If you have a Freelance Railroad, do you interchange with a Prototype Railroad in your operation?

Yup, the Columbus and Southern has interchanges with the CSX at Columbus, South Shore, Parkersburg, and Cincinnati. Theres a NS interchange at Portsmouth. In addition theres an Ohio Central interchange in Columbus. They also interchange with the Ohio Southern at Portsmouth.

Question #2:

Is your Freelance Railroad based on a Prototype, or part of a Prototype Railroad?

The motive power concepts and design are reminiscent of Western roads like the BN, SP, and Santa Fe. However a lot of the operations and other track side details match that of the B&O and N&W. Both of which used to own most of the trackage the C&S uses

Question #3:

What Era Does your Freelance Railroad exist in?

The early 90's.

Question #4:

What kind of Freight does your Freelance Railroad haul?

Coal, Clay, Bricks, Gravel, Grain, working boots (rocky shoes), Oil, Lumber, pallets, boxed goods (general mills), TOFC, tractors, and Commuters

Question #5:

Is your Freelance Railroad a Shortline, a Regional, or a Class 1?

Somewhere between a Regional and a Short line.

Question #6:

What kind of Motive Power does your Freelance Railroad use? (example, leased, used, new, EMD, GE, ALCO?)

Usually older EMD and GE power, with a lone RS-11 on the roster.
There are 3 brand New C44-9W's on the roster but most of the stuff is older EMD.

Question #7:

Do you feel that you have told the story of your Freelance Railroad well enough to make it both realistic to yourself and those you share it with?

nope not quite yet

Question #8:

Have you met the goals you want with your Freelance Railroad or have you went a little further with it than you should have?

just starting