I am looking at building a small HO US switching layout set in the 50's?

Question

I would like to use a Lifelike Proto 2000 loco on the layout. Are there any Proto 2000 loco's in 1950's paint schemes that would be appropriate? Any road name will do.

Answer 1

Steamy,

If your layout is set in the 1950s just about any roadname will do as the merger-movement did not begin until 1959 (when the Norfolk & Western took over the Virginian) and all of the classic fallen flags were still in operation.  If your layout is set in a certain part of the country the only question you might want to consider is finding a roadname(s) to match its original location (most of the classic fallen flags are listed below), but that's entirely up to you, of course and not a real big deal.

Answer 2

GP7 and try for the Pennsylavania RR, Tuscan Red

Answer 3

Steamy !! As Alco38 points out, you can buy in many different flag paint schemes and then base your layout on THAT region.  You can also decide FIRST on the region and then search out that division's paint-scheme.

Goodness knows, in HO-scale, you'll have a WIDE selection (I'm cursed with the smaller selection (but growing) of N-scale products) to chose from !!

MOST of the good model loco-producers (Altas, Athearn, Bachman, Walthers, etc) will also produce all their locos in an "undecorated" version.

Then with just a touch of spray paint, alittle masking tape, and some decals or dry-rub letters.... you can produce your OWN paint scheme and road-name.  In model-RR parlance, it's called "free-lance" (as opposed to "prototype").

I've created  3 switchers using that technique for the "Stockton-Yamson Traction Company" to service the industries on my N-scale layout... my layout is based on current-day Stockton, California area with Union Pacific, ACE (Altamont Commuter Express), and SYTC !

DO invest the extra cash into a DCC system... it is SO much nicer to run that the old system and it's block-power wiring hassles !!

DO also buy a subscribtion to "Model Railroader" magazine, AND visit their website !!

Good Luck !!

Answer 4

I don't know whether your heart is set on a Proto 2000, but, if early diesel, Stewart Hobbies has a large selection of locos in this era in a wide variety of road names, with period correct paint schemes.  Stewart does only diesels.

Atlas is another possibility with high quality, reasonably priced locos.

All are optional upgradable to DCC operation, or are DCC and sound equipped.

Even so, in the mid 50's, most yard switchers were still the old Alcos and Baldwins, such as the Baldwin DS 4-4-1000's.  Stewart has a variety of models produced by these prototype manufacturers.

You can go to them direct at www.stewarthobbies.com, but I would only look at their products while there.  To order, you cannot beat the prices at www.discounttrainsonline.com., on any products.  (No.  I don't represent them, but when time to order, if they have what I'm looking for, that's where I go.)

Your doing the WP, right?

Answer 5

Have you tried asking this at www.modelrailroader.com? Try going into the forums section there. There are many individuals that can give you insight and good answers to your questions.