How I came to be modeling Scranton, PA

The simple answer to the question is that I found a lot of information on Scranton.

Now here's the longer answer:

As a browser of this website, you are aware that I originally modeled the Gulf Summit & Susquehanna Valley (GS & SV) Railroad. This came about because it was the featured layout in an Atlas N-Scale layout book.

Well, my intention was to incorporate that layout into a larger one. So while I was collecting E-L, DL&W and Erie gear for the GS & SV RR, I was looking for modeling opportunities of the PA-NJ area.

I looked into selecting the Erie line from Binghamton, over the Starrucca Viaduct (on the GS & SV RR too) and on to Port Morris and points beyond. The trouble was, I could not find many photos of Port Morris, no track plans and limited information. This didn't seem too promising.

While I was doing this research I came across the detailed track plan for Scranton in one of the Morning Sun Books named "Erie Lackawanna in Color Volume 3 - The East End" (or maybe it's one of other volumes; I'll check sometime).

Then I found the Library of Congress information on Scranton. This was exactly what I'd been looking for. It was perfect because it featured a double track main, a moderate (read manageably modelable) yard, bridges, rivers and even a wye. Plus it had extensive engine maintenance facilities.

As Julius Caesar once said in 49BC: "ālea iacta est".