The Appalachian Lines -VS proto-freelance domestic containers in N Scale

[JaxTerminal]

Jacksonville Terminal Company, JTC, is introducing a NEW line of products called the Visionary Series, or VS. This is not a new concept to the industry but is new to JTC because we have been mainly focusing on producing prototype models of shipping and transport companies. However, we also want to give modelers the opportunity to have unique model pieces. This opens the door for those famous model railroads people admire, talk about, and want to have a little piece of history for their own layout or collection. https://jtcmodeltrains.com/collections/visionary-series
The Appalachian Lines: Several factors came into play in the formation of the Appalachian Lines. Model railroaders Tony Koester and Steve King had quickly become friends as they developed their interest in proto-freelancing (developing a freelanced railroad based on prototype railroads and practices) and railroad operations. The V&O, of Allen McClelland, was greatly influenced by prototype railroads even as they continued to move forward while the V&O remained in 1958. This desire to stay up-to-date with real railroading was reflected in Allen McClelland's interest in prototype modeling. Heavily influenced by repeat visits to Appalachian coal country, and the realization that their three small regional railroads would face challenges surviving the real-world economy of the 1970s, Tony Koester suggested that Allen's V&O, his Allegheny Midland and King's Virginia Midland form the Appalachian Lines. Modeled after the Chessie System and the SCL/L&N Family Lines, each railroad would retain its own corporate identity and color scheme but would follow a standardized layout for paint schemes. The V&O would keep its deep blue and white, the AM would adopt a bright red and yellow, and the VM would go with yellow and deep green. Although the Appalachian Lines was initially stated to be formed in 1976, the actual amalgamation took place almost a decade earlier in 1968. Like Chessie System and Family Lines, the Appalachian Lines name would be used in marketing and advertising, allowing the three railroads to pool their resources to remain competitive. Not only was this a great excuse to use "run-through" power from connecting AM and VM roads, but it also helped strengthen the idea that all three railroads were part of a larger system, and in fact connected to the national railroad network. Thanks to regular coverage in both Railroad Model Craftsman (of which Koester was editor at the time) and Model Railroader magazines, this is probably the most well-known period of the V&O's operations. (from Wikipedia)

JTC reached out to the owners of the AL railroads about adding AL models to the VS Series and received a positive response. We intend to produce these in N and HO scales. First up will be the N Scale versions, with HO Scale models coming later this year.
This release imagines the Appalachian Lines still operating as an independent Group in the ‘current’ era, with domestic containers hustling products in and out of Appalachia, connecting to the rest of the country through various agreements with other RRs. JTC presents these N Scale Appalachian Lines 53’ domestic container models, that will be released over the next few months. MSRP $33.95 / 2-pack.

The Visionary Series will initially be sold directly through JTC's website under Visionary Series Collection and clearly marked on our product labels. We will distribute to our national distributors or direct dealers upon their request. Our production will be limited, so look for some unique and interesting schemes coming down the track! These N SCALE models feature IBC connecting pins and our Magnetic connection system and are decorated with detailed prototype ‘Style’ printing. The First Release will be 535088 VM, March ’21 release.

https://jtcmodeltrains.com/collections/visionary-series/products/vs-virgina-midland-53-high-cube-6-42-6-corrugated-containers-jtc-535088

Release schedule: 535086 V&O (April ’21) / 535087 AM (May ’21) / 535088 VM (March ’21)

We hope that you like them and the VS concept!  Thank You, The JTC Team

[basementcalling]

I love this idea and hope you can get other model railroad owners (Utah Belt & Eric Brooman) to sign on.

[Englewood]

Good idea!

[Philip H]

Need to find a home for these. And I’ll be all in for some UB as well.

[screeh]

Thanks Stan and thanks to Messrs King, Koester and McLelland for giving their permission!

It's great that the first of the Appalachian Lines containers to be released honours the less well-covered layout and the one that was N scale.

I hope other visionary proto-freelaceners respond well to this idea - certainly Utah Belt as others have mentioned but I'd also the welcome an opportunity to acknowledge the inspiration provided by the Southern Alberta Railway, Ohio Southern,  Vermont and New England,  Allagash Railway, Columbia and  Okanagan, Winter Valley Lines and Georgia Road.

[ncbqguy]

I would add the Reid Brothers Cumberland Valley System but time stopped there in the late 1940s early 1950s.  Besides, that is the name of the layout not the railroad.  Yes, some CVS equipment has been decorated and I can imagine a world where the regional PRR, WM and RDG did become part of Conrail...
Charlie Vlk

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, I'd love some of these... on 40' cans for the 70s/80s!

[Wolf N Works]

Oh man, I'd love some of these... on 40' cans for the 70s/80s!

2nd this

[Philip H]

These look fabulous.  Can't wait for the next two.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Again, I love this idea.

I just wish they were on cans that worked for my era. But JTC can't please em all!

[Mark5]

Again, I love this idea.

I hate this stuff, but I hope they sell a ton of it! 

[basementcalling]

Again, I love this idea.

I just wish they were on cans that worked for my era. But JTC can't please em all!

Buy em anyway as an encouragement for them to repeat the road name on an older container.

Would think that a prototypical VM container would probably be an older version anyway, probably one that was bought used, then partially repainted. Doubt any of the Appalachian Lines companies are likely to splurge on containers for more than reporting marks or maybe a logo repaint. All three lines have to be hurting a bit from the downturn in coal.

Now THAT would be realistic freelancing.

[basementcalling]

These look fabulous.  Can't wait for the next two.

Which crack dealer came through for you? Haven't seem em listed for sale anywhere yet.

[reinhardtjh]

Which crack dealer came through for you? Haven't seem em listed for sale anywhere yet.

According to the JTC newsletter they are only available direct from JTC.  This run at least.  I think they were unsure of sales so didn't make enough to send to distributors.  That's just conjecture on my part.

The Visionary Series will initially be sold directly through JTC's website under Visionary Series Collection and clearly marked on our product labels. We will distribute to our national distributors or direct dealers upon their request. Our production will be limited, so look for some unique and interesting schemes coming down the track! These N SCALE models feature IBC connecting pins and our Magnetic connection system and are decorated with detailed prototype ‘Style’ printing

[JaxTerminal]

"I just wish they were on cans that worked for my era. " - Ed
"Oh man, I'd love some of these... on 40' cans for the 70s/80s!"   - Ed

Buy em anyway as an encouragement for them to repeat the road name on an older container.

Would think that a prototypical VM container would probably be an older version anyway, probably one that was bought used, then partially repainted. Doubt any of the Appalachian Lines companies are likely to splurge on containers for more than reporting marks or maybe a logo repaint. All three lines have to be hurting a bit from the downturn in coal.

Now THAT would be realistic freelancing.

Good ideas Gents.

JTC will pitch several ideas to the AL owners. We have some ideas to cover multiple eras.
Of interest is that some railroads had early 40' containers including: ATSF, SP, ICG, KCS and others, some were in lease unit schemes(these will be forthcoming on JTC's early era 40' standard height containers this year, as we have the correct door types for most).

We have added another factory producing our products, and these will not impact our regular Prototype productions.

JTC-Steve