Trains one can model (or, prototypical excuses)

[mdvle]

Athearn's live show today they featured some prototype photos from railfanning.

 

Layout sized trains included Amtrak's Southwest Chief - 2 engines and 5 cars!  and rumoured to be shrunk further to only 4 cars now/soon.

 

Or how about a UP local, picture shows what looks like 2 Tier4 Gevos and 8 freight cars with report the local has also been seen with only 5 cars.

 

Or talking about locals elsewhere that use Tier4 Gevos or other high horsepower 6-axle locos because that is the only stuff left on the roster.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz-e-qYfMmo

 

[davknigh]

Minimum equipment can also be found on VIA 85, one F40PH plus two stainless coaches. Or a VIA P42 plus four LRC coaches like this one

Cheers,

 

David

[Johann Marsbar]

There was an article in Classic Trains a few years back about the Washington portion of (I think) the Broadway Limited in the 1970's which was detatched at Harrisburg and ran via the "Port Road" branch that consisted of a GG1 electric hauling one passenger coach!