Description of the P&A
The Pacific & American Railroad is a product of the fertile mind of Bob Artim. He visualized a place where the best engineers could become part of an organization "Focusing on virtual railroading that's as real as it gets." A virtual railroad where quality and competency were a given and the simple enjoyment of railroading was the theme. He has done that and even gone so far as to make it available so that you and I can come here to play too.

To further enhance the sense of real railroading there are connections with both the Northeastern Railroad and the Great Lakes and Allegheny Railroad. The three railroads combined comprise the NERR Family of virtual railroads. In addition to the NERR Family ties the Pacific & American Railroad maintains a close relationship with the Ohio Valley System, another group of virtual railroads.

The Pacific & American Railroad combines a mix of freeware and payware routes, motive power and rolling stock into a railroad that runs primarily north and south along the west coast of the US.

The southern end of the P&A is anchored by the Mojave Division which is composed of the Cajon & Tehachapi Sub-Divisions. This division utilizes the Cajon Pass and Tehachapi Pass II payware routes, motive power and equipment created by 3D TrainStuff.

San Bernadino on the Cajon Sub-Division is the southernmost point of the Pacific & American Railroad. Just outside San Bernadino the Cajon Sub-Div branches with one branch turning easterly to a connection with vNERR's SW Div at Barstow. The second branch continues north to a connection with the Tehachapi Sub-Div. Yet another leg of the Cajon Sub-Div turns east from it's northernmost point to head east and reconnect with the first branch at Barstow forming a triangle.

After connecting with the Tehachapi Sub-Division the P&A continues north to St. Maries and an interchange with the Belle Plaine Division. This is the major interchange point on the P&A. Four different Sub-Divisions converge on this point. They are the norhern end of the Tehachapi Sub-Div at St. Maries; the western end of the Clinton Sub-Div at Belle Plaine; the southern end of the Hoodoo Sub-Div at Trentwood and the southern end of the North Coast Sub-Div.

From Belle Plaine the Clinton Sub-Div heads east to Clinton and a connection with the SW Div of vNERR. The North Coast Sub-Div heads north to tracks end on this dead end branch. The Hoodoo Sub-Div heads northeast from Trentwood to Fredrick and an interchange with the Kingsgate Division Cascade Sub-Div.

The Cascade Sub-Div continues north to an interchange with the Whitefish Sub-Div at Sandpoint. The Whitefish Sub-Div continues north to Bonners Ferry and then branches with the main branch heading in an easterly direction to the end of the P&A at Sandpoint. The northerly branch terminates at Kingsgate.

Becoming a P&A Engineer
Prospective engineers must complete an application, sign up for the forums and select a Sub-Division as their home location. Each prospective engineer will be evaluated by senior management for suitability, experience and value they may bring to the P&A. Not everyone will make it.

You must already be experienced with the workings of MSTS and be able to install routes, motive power, rolling stock and activities without assistance from the P&A Management. Remember, we are here to run trains too.

Participation
Experience has taught us that only 5-10% of the members of a virtual railroad actually contribute. Most of the members take away the high quality equipment and activities and contribute very little themselves. That is not the concept here at P&A. Our engineers are required to participate in the forums and occasional chats. We encourage each engineer to find a strength or interest and to expand that asset into something of benefit to P&A and all of the rest of the P&A engineers.

P&A provides the best routes and highly modified equipment for your enjoyment. Why not take the time to learn how to create an activity for the rest of us to enjoy. Share your experiences, both real and virtual. We want to build a community of like minded engineers from around the world. As a result, leave your prejudices, pre-conceived notions and attitudes elsewhere.