In model railroading, there are usually two types of models, prototypical or freelance. Prototypical models are based upon a real railroad and they attempt to capture some moment in time on that railroad. Freelance railroads are typically based upon some imaginary railroad and try to capture something in the mind of the modeler. There is on occasion a third type of model, some call this type proto-lance, combining prototypical and freelance aspects. This is how I have chosen to model the Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railway (MT&A).

The MT&A was a real railroad that existed in some form from 1887 until 1929. However, this is about a model based upon the MT&A. It is not based upon the prototype directly, but it adds some imaginary aspects to the prototype. I have written a history of the MT&A as if it never ceased to exist in 1929, I call this history an imaginistory, combining the words imagination and history.

This site will document the real history of the MT&A as well as the imaginistory of the MT&A. I am hoping that at times the reader may have trouble determining which is real and which has come from my imagination. This history and the imaginistory will both start as sketches but will likely be filled with more detail over time.

I also hope to use this site to document my endeavors to build the model of the MT&A. A part of my dream is to be able to recreate the MT&A from its early periods through to the modern era simply by changing out portions of the layout and the scenery on the layout. I plan to document my techniques for doing this as well as other information related to building and operating the MT&A.

The MT&A is an N scale model, 1 inch representing 160 inches. I have chosen to build the model using the T-Trak standards. By building the model as a series of modules, I can focus on one module at a time or I can build several modules in phases. I can also build a model that is larger than what I can setup to operate in my primary location, but provide a more interesting system for educational uses.