Fallen Flags Junction is an interesting project, as it combines a bit of both freelance and prototypical history into a single, modeled environment. The layout is based on N-Scale, a format that is 1/160 the size of real people, buildings, and trains. It includes two cities – Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California. A single (freestyle) fictitious route connects both cities. The idea is that materials are assembled in either location, then transferred to the other city.

Many model railroads are based on loops of track, where people can watch trains running without constant supervision. Fallen Flags junction is a point-to-point model railroad, meaning the tracks go from one location to another. There is no continuous loop. However, the concept of moving freight and people from one location to the other is presented in as accurate a form as possible, with many “scenes” that convey what the connection between these two cities might have been.

There is a specific time period for this model railroad as well. The time period is general – not a specific day or year, but is set in the 1970 through 1972 time period.

Most importantly, all of the railroads represented in this model railroad no longer exist. This is a visual story of fallen flag transportation companies – including the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and Burlington Northern railroads.