Modeled Area

My layout is based roughly on the BNSF's section between Stryker and Browning in Montana and traverses the Southern border of the Glacier National Park. I call the line the "Whitefish Sub" due to the large namesake town in the area. It took me a number of years to decide on this location, but for the last 8 or so years, I have stuck with it. The scenery is stunning and includes an Amtrak stop for people wanting to visit the park.


Operationally, it is the only BNSF track linking the likes of Chicago, with Seattle and Oregan in the North West of America. There is a second line further south, but is operated by MRL (Montana Rail Link). In my world, BNSF will only divert traffic over this route if there are outages on the Glacier Sub, and as you can imagine, there will be no chance of that happening :-)

As for towns, the map above is very comprehensive. However, to the right is a more specific map on the towns and areas I am modelling.

• On the lower level, the train will come out of visible staging which is Stryker. The prototype line continues west to Seattle and Portland.
• It will then enter the main yard on the layout which will be Whitefish. This is prototypical in that Whitefish is the largest town in the area with a substantial station and yard.
• We then head out towards the Glacier park with Columbia falls being on the lower level opposite the Whitefish yard.
• Next we proceed up the helix and upon reaching the top level, pull into West Glacier.
• After West Glacier, we continue on around the top level passing Marais Pass at the loop returning down the centre point.
• Immediately after going through Marais Pass, we arrive at Essex, which is an Amtrak flag stop. To simulate a potential flag stop, I will have a dice and cup which a person will through. If it lands on 6, the Amtrak will be required to stop at Essex for a passenger stop.
• Continuing around the top we then pull into East Glacier Park. It is at this point that a branch line will extend away from the main layout to a far corner of the room. This will be Sweet Grass which actual extends up from Shelby on the prototype.
• We then head on down the other helix and into Browning which is the other side of the visible staging. On the prototype, the line continues east towards Chicago.

Although on the prototype there may not be many industries for the railroad to serve, modelers licence allows me to be creative and invent my own industries. So, what industries could I create with realism. Well, firstly, there definitely must be logging of some sort. Also, with a river running along the railway line and in the area, how about fruit and vegetables. Also, there must surely be a spring water bottling plant. More to the East of the area near East Glacier, the land turns into plains, so grain farming can be big here.