I have been modelling Modern US railroads for many years now mainly focusing around where I grew up in Southern California. My Grandparents live just down the road from the massive Union Pacific Colton Yard, BNSF San Bernadino Yards and so have had this imprinted on me from very young.
Over time though, I have moved my interest up to the state of Oregon when my moms side of the family is located. Up in Oregon the Railroads have to deal with heavy snow and some of the steepest grades in the country and go through some of the most spectacular wooded scenery in the USA. The state is mainly served by Union Pacific with some action from BNSF and other small railroads with lots of Lumber produced in the state and Intermodals running from LA to Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.

The question is what to model.....
There so many areas that would make great subjects to recreate in model form.

1- Cascade Summit (Brookland Sub Division)

2- Columbia River Gorge (Portland Sub Division)

3- Blue Mountain Pass

4- Willamette Valley (Brookland Sub Division)

For the longest time though I have looked at all 4 locations which is no help what so ever.

For the purpose of this I will start by looking at the rolling stock and the work being done there.

I will also look at each of the locations individually with the positives and negatives.