Allegheny and Shenandoah Railroad
December 3, 2011

The A&S is a very large double decked HO railroad with a logging branch the extends upward from the upper level. Radio DCC is used to control the trains over the main line that extends for over 720 feet. Its is October 1, 1925. The layout is over 75% sceniced and has over 500 cars and 50 sound equipped steam locomotives. Operations occur on a regular basis usually with a crew of 7-10. The layout depicts a mountain climbing journey from Strasburg Va. to Elkins WV. The A&S is partially owned by the Western Maryland RR so lots of WM equipment is seen on the line. The traffic is mainly agricultural products such as grain and cattle hauled in 20-30 car trains. Petersburg is the division headquarters and locals are assembled in and depart from the small yard there.

The mythical railroad has branches from Alexandria Va. and Waynesboro Va  through Strasburg Va. to Elkins WV. Only the western branch from Strasburg is modeled. The scenery is plaster over extruded foam and the benchwork is 37 sheets of 3/4" plywood and 25 sheets of 1/8" masonite. The layout completely fills a 975 square foot basement. The railroad area is full carpeted and skirted and over 35 fluorescent fixtures provide ample lighting. Seven towns are modeled, each with a 25'+ passing siding and multiple industrial locations. Over 200 structures occupy the layout, many are craftsman kits and kitbashed industrial structures. The impressive mine complex in Dry Fork is over 3' long and features a breaker building and a company town. A 40' ten track staging yard supports the operation.

It is dark territory and the design of the railroad prevents operators form seeing the next town from the one they occupy so they must rely on their timetable to prevent "cornfield" meets. No cheating:) Home built car cards and a 5 to 1 fast clock control operations that center around moving livestock from the local stock yards to the packing plant in Strasburg and shipments of grain from the large grain elevator complex in Moorefield to milling operations off the railroad.

Construction began in 2003 when my new home was finished. The layout was prominent in my thoughts when the floor plan was approved. The builder was cautioned that the house was there to "keep the rain off my trains" so take care with the basement:)!!
At first page Next page
P1010018
P1010019
P1010020
P1010021
P1010022
P1010023
P1010024
P1010025
P1010026
P1010027
P1010028
P1010029
P1010030
P1010031
P1010032
P1010033
P1010034
P1010035
P1010036
P1010037
P1010038
P1010039
P1010041
P1010042

jAlbum 10