Welcome to the C&O of Indiana model railroad. The model is HO and based around Muncie Indiana as it was in the time frame of 1978 to roughly 1983. The layout is currently under construction so please bare with me as this portion of the site comes online. Some of it will take time to get in place, since we lack much to put in its place.
FAQ section:
Q- Will I be allowed to run my own equipment on the C&O of Indiana, like I could on the CIOR?
A- Simply NO. I plan to regulate the equipment that is on the layout and this is the starting point. A few of my regulars will have engines on the layout, but those will first meet a higher standard. I just don't want to have all the hassle I did before!
Q- How many people will it take to operate the C&O of Indiana?
A- Simple answer is very few compared to the old layout. 6 as a minimum and 12 as a maximum number, but that will be tweaked over the first few sessions.
Q- What will operations be like in comparision to the CIOR?
A- They will be strickly operations based, we will have more locals then anything else. The mix of jobs will also help the feel. There won't be a ton of freight trains either.
Q- Can I bring my own cars and run them on the layout?
A- NO, I don't want to have cars that don't meet the higher proto standard on the layout, sorry if that hurts your feelings!
Q- Will the C&O of Indiana be signaled and dispatcher controlled?
A- Yes, the real railroad was signaled and controlled by a dispatcher in Peru. The layout will use C&O style signals made by Tomar and will be controlled via computer like the CIOR was on the CATS system.
Q- What will the turnout control be? Will you use Tortoise like you did previous?
A- Yes, everything on the mainline will have Tortoise control, but unlike the other layout there will either be mechanical or direction throw turnouts for the other turnouts. This doesn't mean that I won't have tortoise on industrial areas. If its hard to reach, it will get a tortoise. Otherwise it will get a Bluepoint control.
Q- You keep talking about Proto standards, what is that about?
A- When I set out to build this layout I wanted better track detail, turnouts that looked and functioned well, and just BETTER LOOKS with reliable operations. I was set on to the Proto88 wheel made by Reboxx this past fall and have started to switch over as I build new freight cars. All the equipment will eventually get this treatment. I will have Code 70 and Code 55 on the layout and this will aid in helping the equipment run over the smaller code track.
Q- What type of engines are you using on the C&O of Indiana?
A- As for maker, mostly Atlas, P2K, Kato and probably Stewart as well....evetually a few Athearn engines that meet the standards.
Q- What makes of engines then?
A- GP40-2's were the kings on the line, then you had the GP38, GP40, U23B, U30C, GP30 and SD18. Some U25B's still treeked the line, but few by the time I model I believe. The U25B was king until the mid 70's. I plan on having a slew of GP40-2's to run the line and until someone makes a affordable SD18 then I guess I'm out of luck for that engine.
Q- What types of trains will you run?
A- Well, due to the size of the layout and being just a small segment of the mainline, I only have 2 passing sidings on the layout. This means you can't really have more then 2 through freights out at a time, and any locals. Crowded would be a good word to describe that situation. So to satisfy the need for cars I plan to have a operational chart to come in the future. But in the meantime, basically there will be 2 junk freights (that both work Muncie yard) 2 hot Jet trains, a coal and grain train and the Amtrak trains.
Q- How long do you plan to have your sessions last?
A- Great question, NO CLUE! Simply because we have no reference to go by, nor have we tested this out yet (April 09). So until we have several sessions under our belts I won't say one way or the other on this. My guess is 3 hours possibly. But you just never know. I'd assume less then that though.
Q- Can anyone come and run?
A- No, not just anyone. If you wish to run and aren't a previous operator, just drop me a line and we can talk. I plan on keeping the group smaller, so don't get mad about it. Just don't need a 100 people on the OPS email list.
Q- Can I get on the OPS email list?
A- Simple answer is, I need to talk with you first. I plan on having a few new rules and will be posting that later on!
