First a regional railroad is a class II railroad..Examples of Class IIs are WSOR,WE,EJE,FEC,DME,IAIS,BPRR and other such railroads operating between $20.5 million but less than $277.7 million..FEC was a Class 1 but,was reclassified as a Class II in 1992.
Why model a Class 2? There are many reasons.You see unlike a Class 3 work aday short line a Class 2 can run unit trains, intermodel and general freight trains like the Class 1 railroads..There is no need for a large roster..Depending on traffic 25-30 locomotives should suffice for a roster..This roster could consist of GP9s to SD60Ms-maybe some SD70Ms as well! The roster could be all GE as well to include some Dash 8 40Cs! It could be a mixture of both
One would be hard press to find a all Alco Class 2.However,if one is modeling a freelance Class 2 could use all Alcos.For a all Alco roster I would use C420s,424s or 425s since those where the last new Alcos.
To my mind a model regional railroad should have a solid traffic base such as grain,coal,ore or stone.The road should have other industries as well to include a power plant.Intermodal traffic *could* be a growing traffic base.As far as motive power that would depend on the base traffic.Say our base traffic was coal we should lean toward 6 axle units with 4 axle units being use for yard and local work.Of course run through power could show up on certain trains.During the busiest season lease power could be used as well.
Why model a Class 2? There are many reasons.You see unlike a Class 3 work aday short line a Class 2 can run unit trains, intermodel and general freight trains like the Class 1 railroads..There is no need for a large roster..Depending on traffic 25-30 locomotives should suffice for a roster..This roster could consist of GP9s to SD60Ms-maybe some SD70Ms as well! The roster could be all GE as well to include some Dash 8 40Cs! It could be a mixture of both
One would be hard press to find a all Alco Class 2.However,if one is modeling a freelance Class 2 could use all Alcos.For a all Alco roster I would use C420s,424s or 425s since those where the last new Alcos.
To my mind a model regional railroad should have a solid traffic base such as grain,coal,ore or stone.The road should have other industries as well to include a power plant.Intermodal traffic *could* be a growing traffic base.As far as motive power that would depend on the base traffic.Say our base traffic was coal we should lean toward 6 axle units with 4 axle units being use for yard and local work.Of course run through power could show up on certain trains.During the busiest season lease power could be used as well.