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====== Introduction ======
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).

[[therealmta|The MT&A was a real railroad]] that existed in some form from 1887 until 1929 ([[https://www.ncstl.com/history/divhuntsville/oldrrbed.htm|Link to the real history]]). However, this is about a [[theimaginedmta|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.

This site will document the motive power, the rolling stock, the industries of the MT&A over time.  A part of my vision is that I can change time-period on my model by changing out the motive power, the rolling stock, and the industries.  The site will also document my operations of the MT&A.  While I do not yet know exactly how I will operate the MT&A, I do know that one thing that they were successful at in the early years was Less-than-Car-Load (LCL) traffic.  The demise of LCL traffic was a loss for the MT&A, it was a service that they could provide and that helped them to maintain a relationship with those along their line.

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.

Since there is no record of any color scheme for the MT&A, they probably lettered the black locomotives with white lettering as was common when they existed, I have chosen purple and gold as the primary colors for the MT&A.  I do not have a logo yet for the railroad, but one should be coming eventually.  I also plan to repaint many of the locomotives into the MT&A livery at some time in the future, whenever a paint scheme has been devised.