The layout is set in Appalachian Virginia and West Virginia in 1953. It has a single track mainline loosely based on things I liked about the B&O, N&W, WM, and the Clinchfield. The layout is loop to loop with large staging yards at either end. It is designed for prototype operation and is fully signaled. It is designed to keep about 16 operators busy. It can be run under either CTC, ABS or TT&TO operating rules. Signals and dispatching use a computer with Railroad & Company software. The layout uses Digitrax DCC for train and layout control. We use any kind of Digitrax Throttle (Wired, Simplex Radio, or Duplex Radio). We also use WIFI throttles using JMRI. All locomotives are equipped with TCS WOWSound decoders and set up to sound and operate prototypically. All visible track and turnouts are hand laid using code 70 rail. Motive power is a 50/50 mix of steam and 1st generation diesel. The railroad runs a mix of freight and passenger trains but leans heavily toward coal traffic. Communication with the dispatcher uses a homemade telephone system.
Scale / Gauge
HO
Size of Layout
40' x 50' approx
Prototype
Freelance based on B&O,N&W,WM, and CRR
Location Modeled
Virginia, West Virginia
Era
1953
Style of Track Plan
Single Track Mainline
Length of Main Line
300'
Benchwork
L girder
Roadbed Material
Cork
Track Manufacturer
Other
Turnouts
Other
Minimum Main Line Radius
30"
Maximum Grade
1.75 %
Scenery Techniques
Plaster cloth over cardboard and wood framing
% Scenery Complete
99.9 %
Backdrop
2" foam backdrop down the center of the layout
Control System
DCC - Digitrax
Car Forwarding System
Car Cards
Train Authority / Dispatching
CTC
Operating Group
JRAG - Joint Railway Association of Georgia
Direction Comment
Follow walkway off the driveway to rear of house and enter basement
