There have been a few articles on building modern equipment by Eric Ogundipe, Burl Rice, and a few others over the past few years, but I can't recall a railroad that's specifically set with a modern (post 1990s) theme in recent memory. In terms of prototype operation, I did a series as part of my Garden Railway Basics column starting with the February 11 issue through the June 11 issue. That was a general look at types of railroads, industries, operations, and how to incorporate them into your railroad. It wasn't tailored to any one specific era. Also in the April 11 issue, there's an article starting on page 44 about a transition-era railroad that's focused on prototype operations.

Don't know how much of a help that is, but it'll give you a start. GR's indexes are on the web site as .pdf files for each year. I don't know that they have an on-line searchable index yet.

Later,

K

Here is a model railroad based on modern railroading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HoC...annel_page

You should subscribe to "Trains".
Not modeling, but everything you need to know about modern RR's.
Ralph

I dont have access to my back issues right now and I'm not a subscriber anymore, but I do remember the "Snake River Railroad" as it is an article I have read over several times.