There’s a certain romance to modeling a railroad that’s vanished from today’s maps. For me, it’s all about preserving a piece of history that once thundered through towns and across landscapes but now lives on only in stories, photos, and our layouts.
I’ve been drawn to the [insert fallen flag you model—e.g., Milwaukee Road] because of its iconic paint schemes, unique rolling stock, and the way it carved through some of the most scenic routes. There’s something powerful about bringing back the visual identity of a line that meant so much to a region, especially when you can research old timetables, yard maps, or stories from folks who remember it firsthand.
Modeling a defunct railroad also gives a little creative license—there’s no “right” way to do it anymore, which makes room for historical accuracy and a bit of personal interpretation.
Many of us are drawn to railroads that no longer exist—fallen flags like the Milwaukee Road, Erie Lackawanna, or Canadian Northern. There’s something nostalgic and rewarding about recreating the lines that shaped history but faded away.
Do you model a defunct or merged railroad? What inspired you to choose it?
