Those of us condemned to model railroading always have to make certain compromises. The first is strict adherence to prototype.
As I enjoy building exact models of equipment, buildings etc but don't want the confines of only one set of subjects I opt to model in a parallel universe. When you look at my Sumpter Valley railway you will see many identifying points of interest but you won't see the actual railroad. My standard gauge logging railroad is the same - You'll see pieces of equipment from the Valley and Siletz, Oregon American, Weyerhauser, Willamina and Grande Ronde etc etc but you'll see them on the same railroad.
The Sumpter Valley was a little different. The railroad imagined follows what were original plans by David Eccles before his death when narrow gauge fever was at it's height. The plans were to run west to John Day then move south to Canyonville, Seneca, Burns and Lakeview. The line from Prairie City to John Day would be easy - John Day to Seneca would have been a challenge. And of course, as we know, Seneca to Burns was doable. In fact a 3 foot line built 20-30 years prior to the Oregon and Northwestern might have been very interesting and could have generated phenomenal log traffic. From Burns to Lakeview is a real stretch and there are no passengers or industry between. From Lakeview south you're on your own because issues with the SP "backdoor" route come into play. Of course from Reno south the SP had it's own narrow gauge,......at least partly.
But of course such an improbable railroad would look much different from the actual SVRY and I'm not prepared to do that. I just want an excuse for having NCO and Carson and Colorado equipment (as well as SP Owens Valley stuff). Thanks to NWSL I have a GE 50 tonner (Hey it's 1954!) Now all I have to do is figure out how to come up with a Porter 1203 in HOn3. (Don't worry I have the 101 too)
And since we know that the 250 and 251 lasted into the 60's they are here as well.
And thus is a view into the confused mind of a model railroader.
Lon Wall
Trainmaster (For the real SVRY)
