The Blue Sky Railroad story:
Located in Grand Rapids Michigan the Blue Sky Railroad construction started in September of 2007 in the basement of our home. After trying to sell our home for a year we have finally decided to take the home off the market and stay where we are. If you are not familiar with the housing market it is not sellers market and did we ever find that out.
The Blue Sky Railroad is a customer orientated company serving it's customers the way they want to be served, the railroad started with a vision of customer service at an economic rate. From the humble beginnings of two former railroad employees that were released of their duties due to their employer abandoning the line these two pulled their resources and gained national attention by acquiring the line. With a demand for customer service and quality rail service buildings that were once empty came alive when the Blue Sky Railroad started operations. Operations started on a limited bases after the railroad repaired and replaced rusty and broken rail. Due to customers request the railroad purchased their first locomotive as a cooperative with the help of the local businesses and private investments. But without a caboose it just would be complete so they purchased a used caboose and gave it a new paint job after some major repairs.
Now serving the customers and growing the Blue Sky Railroad is one of America's best short line railroads.
Why the name?
The name came from the back-drop, sitting in my basement thinking of a name for the railroad I looked at the backdrop and said 'Blue Sky'. That's sums it up in a nut shell.
Why not add more to your back-drop than just Blue paint? I have tried that in the past by either painting or using commercial back-drops neither of them looked good, maybe it was the painter or application.
Why Modular?
The reasons I built the layout in modular form was; because if we ever decided to move I could take it apart and be able to get it out of the basement without having to call an equipment rigging company, and if I every wanted to add on to the layout I could add modules. I have learned not to mention the 'add on' phrase to my wife since the layout is far from being done, she looks at me like I have A.D.D. or something.
Why are there different Road names?
As you will see on from the photos there are a number of road names operating on the layout, these are the road names that at one time operated in and around the West Michigan area.
Facts about the Blue Sky Railroad:
Misc Information:
I am a member of a local model railroad club:
The Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society located in Comstock Park, Michigan (north part of Grand Rapids).
