Thanks guys

As a Brit I can tell a Deltic from a Class 40 and a streak from a semi. But my only knowledge of the US scene is watching freights slowly lumber past the front of my car at crossings in Az and NM and the odd trip on NY commuter trains.

Now, I'm just about to dip my toe into US modelling, so please forgive me if this is the dumbest question ever.  I've gone and got myself a Thunderbolt set and a few extra wagons (cars?) to have a bit of a play around.

Ok I know the engine is in a paint scheme never seen on a GP40, but like I say the plan is just to have a play around at first. Given that, I'm probably going to pretend that it is pre the BN/SF merger.

Also I probably will want to run more than just one freight. So tell me - in the 80s/90s if I want to pretend my small town still has an infrequent passenger service, would that be Amtrack?

And if so, is there a particular version of their livery that I should go for.

In return for a little help I promise to bore the pants off you with details of how on my side of the pond,  blood and custard period three Stanier coaches were replaced by Crimson Mk1 stock that then went into rail blue before Mk2 then Mk 2a and 2f's.............