Train models with (near) prototypical cars and consists

 

It is usually difficult to accurately model a passenger train with off-the-shelf cars or components without some custom modeling.  I have, however, tried to model several trains staying as close as I can to the prototype using factory made cars, kits, brass car sides and decaling.  I end up with a variety of different manufacturers and kits, but that is the fun of modeling whole trains.  Beautiful examples of car-by-car prototype train modeling in N scale are featured in nearly every issue of the magazine N scale Railroading.  Modelers like Mark Jirousek and Norm Wright set excellent examples of detailing and scratchbuilding that I have not attained.  I will add to this set of trains as I complete them.

 

 Burlington Silver Streak Zephyr, 1940-1950s.

 Burlington Twin Cities Zephyr, 1947-1970.

 California Zephyr, 1948-1952, Con-cor cars

 California Zephyr, 1948-1952, Kato cars

 California Zephyr, 1952-1964, Con-cor cars

 California Zephyr, 1964-1970, Kato cars

 City of San Francisco, 1941-1949.

 Freedom Train, 1947-1949.  Prototype info.

 Golden State (SP and RI), about 1950- about 1954

 Great Northern Empire Builder, 1947-1951.

 Great Northern Empire Builder, 1951-1955.

 Great Northern Empire Builder, 1955-1967.

 Northern Pacific North Coast Limited, 1954-1967

 Santa Fe RDC trains 80-83 (surf line, LA to San Diego), 1952-1955

 Santa Fe RDC trains 311-312 (Newton to Dodge KS), 1956-1968

 First lightweight Santa Fe Super Chief, 1937-1947.

 Second lightweight Santa Fe Super Chief, 1938-1947.

 Santa Fe Super Chief, 1951-1953

 Southern Pacific commuter train, 1956-1960s.

 Southern Pacific Morning Daylight, 1940-1954

 Troop train #1, 1942-1947.

 Troop train #2, 1944-1947.

 Union Pacific City of St. Louis, 1958-1969.