~ MANNM Excursion Train ~
The idea for this train came after we wanted a shorter passenger consist than the 12 car long Super Chief, and the first plan was just to make up a string of Aristo Craft heavyweight passenger cars. After acquiring the USA Trains S4 switcher, the plan evolved into making an excursion train for the MANNM Railroad.
I was able to pick up a set of five heavyweight cars painted in Union Pacific colors, plus a Crescent Limited sleeper. To build up the excursion train, I decided to follow the Santa Fe prototype colors for both the switcher and the passenger cars. Instead of gold lettering on a Pullman green background for the heavyweights, I decided to go with a silver font to match the S4. Each car is named after someone who helped on the railroad, and the car number corresponds to a special date that those events took place. Stan Cedarleaf did a wonderful job on the decals!
These cars can be a pain to paint and decal, but I am very pleased with how the train has turned out. Just recently, a 2-8-8-2 Mallet joined the excursion roster.
I was able to pick up a set of five heavyweight cars painted in Union Pacific colors, plus a Crescent Limited sleeper. To build up the excursion train, I decided to follow the Santa Fe prototype colors for both the switcher and the passenger cars. Instead of gold lettering on a Pullman green background for the heavyweights, I decided to go with a silver font to match the S4. Each car is named after someone who helped on the railroad, and the car number corresponds to a special date that those events took place. Stan Cedarleaf did a wonderful job on the decals!
These cars can be a pain to paint and decal, but I am very pleased with how the train has turned out. Just recently, a 2-8-8-2 Mallet joined the excursion roster.