There are thousands of railways still in use or that have been retired for many years across the globe. While many countries and the majority of their citizens now prefer modern trains that are faster and more energy-efficient, some people still find historical railways enthralling, particularly those that are still in operation.
These iconic feats of engineering can be replicated in a model train set, which is one of the reasons why historical railroads continue to fascinate people. If you are one of those individuals who constructs model train sets as a hobby, the following is a list of historical railways that can be replicated in model form.
I. Orient Express (Europe, London to Paris)
The Orient Express’s story begins in the 1860s, when the concept of global tourism was still novel. For many years, only the extremely wealthy could afford to travel through Europe. Even though railroads were introduced during the first half of the 19th century, they were often filthy, uncomfortable, and ran along fragmented routes that frequently halted at the continent’s numerous international borders.
In 1883, Georges Nagelmackers, a Belgian national, decided to establish the first Orient Express. The new train was designed to resemble the Pullman trains of the United States, giving priority to comfort and elegance. On June 5, 1883, the first Orient Express voyage departed Paris and traveled 1,243 miles to Vienna. The train would continue on the same route for several months before the route altered, carrying passengers from Paris to Constantinople (also known as Istanbul) via Germany, Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria.
By 1889, the train’s infrastructure in the Ottoman Empire was completed and it reached Constantinople. It never went all the way to the Orient, and Nagelmackers’ company added and changed multiple routes over the years, but its name implied glamour and intrigue. Even though copycat train lines still exist in Europe, they have never matched the opulence and mystique of the original Nagelmackers train, which made its final complete journey in 1977.
The Orient Express is an excellent model train because it is unlike any other train in Europe. It had gleaming wood surfaces, plush seats, and beds with silk linens comparable to hotels. Inside, a restaurant served gourmet dishes such as oysters and caviar, while musicians serenaded passengers as they crossed international borders. The Orient Express solidified its position as the finest luxury train in the world, unrivaled in intrigue and romance.
II. Glacier Express
Since its inception in 1930, the Glacier Express has been a favorite among tourists and natives alike. Since 1930, a brightly colored red and white train (the colors of the Swiss flag) has been transporting passengers between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
The railways capitalized on this touristic potential by establishing the first rail link between the cantons of Graubünden in the east and the cantons of Valais in the west, known as the Glacier Express. The first trip between St. Moritz and Zermatt took place on June 25, 1930, at a time when first class, second class, and third class travel were available. The Glacier Express was still a steam-powered route, making it ”the slowest express train in the world” despite the fact that other railways already utilized the most advanced electric locomotives. The route was electrified in the early 1940s, reducing travel time from 11 to 8 hours. The inauguration of the Furka Basis Tunnel between Oberwald and Realp in 1982 enabled the Glacier Express to transition from a summer-only to a year-round operation.
The Glacier Express is fitted with restaurant cars and panoramic carriages. There is even a converted vintage dining car available for passengers who wish to dine. Unless you ascend the mountains yourself, this is probably the best way to appreciate the breathtaking views and get a true sense of being in the heart of this mountainous landscape, making this an effective model train.
III. Roaring Camp Railroads, Third
The Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad has a unique history in that it was constructed from the ground up to conduct excursions for the benefit of the public. Early Roaring Camp was plagued by numerous difficulties. The construction of the path to Bear Mountain’s summit took years to complete. Ten years after the route was completed, an arson-caused fire on the corkscrew in 1976 destroyed a prominent feature of the railway ride to the summit.
The railroad has the steepest grade in the United States that is still in use by passenger trains. This switchback limited trains to a maximum of six cars, so longer trains operating in this section had to temporarily split up.
This train is an ideal model set because its route includes a general store, a school, a photography studio, and a few eateries housed in cabooses. Passenger cars are pulled by vintage steam locomotives on a narrow-gauge railroad that ascends the adjacent mountain to its summit. Roaring Camp, a recreation of a logging town from the 1880s, offers not only unforgettable train excursions, but also hiking trails, chuck wagon barbecue, and blacksmithing demonstrations, as well as candle-making, old-time photography, gold panning, horseshoes, and shopping.
IV. White Pass and Yukon Railway System
Every railroad has its own unique history. Gold was discovered in 1896 by George Carmack and two First Nations companions, Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie, on the White Pass & Yukon Route. In 1898, during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was constructed. Prior to the construction of the railroad, prospectors could not cross the Canadian boundary at White Pass summit without a ton of supplies. This necessitated numerous trips from Skagway to White Pass along the perilous Klondike Trail. The railway was constructed to facilitate travel.
The route became a popular mode of transit for mining companies after the gold rush. However, as a result of the Great Depression, railroad usage was drastically reduced. During World War II, government investment in Alaska revived the railroad, which operated until 1982. The railway was designated a Heritage Railway in 1988 and became a popular tourist destination in Alaska.
It also operated passenger and freight terminals at the port of Skagway, a fleet of Yukon River steamboats, a passenger-bus service north of Whitehorse, a frontier airline, and a number of hotels making it an excellent model train for those who make hobbies important.
V. Cass Scenic Railroad (West Virginia, United States of America)
Cass was constructed as a company town for loggers who labored in the surrounding mountains. In 1901, construction of the railroad began. It was used to transport timber to the Cass mill. The railroad track was eventually extended to the summit of Bald Knob, West Virginia’s third-highest mountain pinnacle. The Cass operation was sold to Mower Lumber Company in June 1942. Mower Lumber Company operated the town until July 1960, when the mill and railroad were shut down due to the precipitous decline of the region’s timber industry. Cass was added to the state parks system in 1961. The company town was included in the park system in 1977. Over time, the railroad was converted into a tourist route, and the settlement was restored.
Cass Scenic Railroad has a distinctive claim to prominence among train enthusiasts. Cass contains one of the largest operational fleets of Shay Locomotive Engines. Shay locomotives constructed in the 1800s numbered 2,761. Cass has five that are all in use. This is so uncommon because engines typically require a complete rebuild every 34 years, but the machine shop at Cass possesses all the necessary skills to maintain these historic engines operating.
This 78-mile scenic rail trail is favored by hikers, cyclists, and equestrian riders. Cass has a restaurant, a museum, and the Company Store for purchasing. Additionally, the railroad includes a detailed diorama of the town when it was a forestry community, making it a popular model set.
Here is a useful graphic from My Hobby Life to understand the different terminology for model trains:
In conclusion
The innovative layout of the historical railways makes it exciting to witness the train race around the model railroad track. They are excellent model railroads with track plans that complement the track’s theme, are functional, and offer variety.
The functionality of these model railroad tracks is the final, and possibly most obvious, characteristic that makes them excellent. They illustrate what life was like in various time periods and cultures by recreating history.