Owner Inspiration and Techniques on the Boston and Maine Railroad

Paul Dolkos’s Boston and Maine railroad never reaches Boston or Maine. Instead Paul modeled the New Hampshire division of the railroad. Allen Keller asks Paul about the railroad’s route through New Hampshire. It is probably the farthest that the Boston and Maine railroad gets. He follows the line that comes up the river valley and then goes up into northern New Hampshire. He selected this area to model because he is familiar with a lot of railroads in New England and the area of Woodsville, New Hampshire on up to Berlin and Groveton seemed to fit his space.

Paul believes it is always good to drive your stake in the ground by picking one specific location to focus and avoid getting distracted by going in other directions. He sets a geographic point and goes from there rather than simply modeling New England. The railroad is very specific although he has done much freelancing. While he has moved towns around and left out some buildings, the key structures are accounted for that people who know the area could identify.

Allen asked why he modeled the steam to diesel transition in his Boston and Maine railroad. For Paul, the transition of it is the key. There are lots of choices not only in motive power, but the picturesque supported steam infrastructure is still there. It makes great models where one cannot miss. Unlike most railroads, the scenery is modeled in November.

Paul has modeled greener seasons before, but he thought that those trees were the toughest trees to model, especially as they gather dust. Modeling in winter means barren trees, which may be harder to create, but easier to maintain realness over time. To meet other professional builders, or to watch more Allen Keller videos, visit the Model Railroad Academy archives.