Geoffery,
That is a wonderful era. Here are some things to be aware of in that time period...
In HO scale...some of the old time trains that are labeled "HO" are not really HO scale...they are OO scale and run on HO track. This means that they are too big...a . Mantua's old time trains, IHC's, and Rivarossi/AHM all fall into this category. MDC Roundhouse and Bachmann's stuff is true HO scale. This might not bother you...as it doesn't really bother me...but it is something to be aware of.
In that time period...pre-WW1...I don't think that there are any good trainsets available. You'll find that MDC Roundhouse is the best source for rolling stock...36' freight cars, their old time tank cars, and 30' flat cars. For motive power...you can pick between MDC's and some of the Bachmann/Spectrum locomotives...namely the 4-6-0, the shay, and their new 4-4-0 (not the Jupiter or 119).
MDC Roundhouse is now owned by Horizon Hobbies...and they are slowly re-releasing their old line. They used to have a nice assortment for modeling the Harriman Roads (UP, SP, and IC) during the early 1900's...including the 60' passenger cars.
Since you explicitly mentioned mining/logging...you might want to check out On30. It is 1:48 trains which run on HO track...which scales to approximately 30" gauge (while the previously mentioned OO is 1:76...49" gauge). On30 offers a wide variety of appropriate power...but the layout can fit into the space needed for an HO layout.
Also...you don't have to combine all of your interests into a single layout. You could build some small dioramas to practice your skills...and join a local HO club to have a place to run the trains that are out of place on your layout.