Ed,
I think what it's coming down to for me is that there is a lot to sacrifice in running the clock that far back. I have very fond memories of Conrail - it's really the railroad that I railfanned a fair amount. I understand the way that railroad worked, the train symbols, etc. I keep saying
that if I did something else - and Atlas went and came out with the C40-8 and C40-8W I'd be really kicking myself. For the mid 1990's they really define the railroad. There are a couple of other models that are missing too - a good SD40-2 (which I now really wish Atlas would do)
and a release of the SD50's in the can opener scheme.
The layout idea for CR is my proto-freelanced idea of the remains of a once NJ-Ohio RR that was exists only in the middle section from Allentown to around Youngstown/Alliance. Focus on a section from around Clearfield to Williamsport. It's easy to work out how a railroad like this would figure
I also like NS and CSX of course. I think Conrail models look best on a layout because of the solid blue color scheme. NS models tend to look like black hulks and the CSX scheme - I think that in normal layout lighting there is too much dynamic range between the subtle gray, dark blue and yellow for the mind to fully appreciate what is a rather nice scheme. The new CSX scheme I am not too fond of. On the positive side though - there are several superb Kato models for CSX - the AC4400, SD70MAC, SD40-2 (all very common in their fleet) - and the rarer SD70M.
My thought there is a proto-freelanced E/W line through West Virginia - along the lines of the ex C&O - a couple of semi parallel single track mains through the hollows, lots of tunnels, etc.
At any rate that's my thinking as of this moment.
Lou