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:)!!
jAlbum 10