J. D. Smith's
"Rathole" Division


This layout models a portion of Southern Railway's Second and Third Districts between Emory Gap, TN and Danville, KY. The terrain was a challenge for the railroad with demanding grades, a number of bridges and four tunnels. The prototype is fully signaled and under CTC. The layout is partially signaled at this time with further signals underway. Brass components for the New River Bridge are being assembled. Mountain scenery is well underway with peaks as high as eight feet above the floor. Over 50% of the trackage  on the layout is ballasted. The yard at Emory Gap is a current focus, with 80% of the yard ballasted. Rivers and streams are in place. The mainline run follows the prototype, with single and double track and is approaching 300' in length. Current projects are focused on additional hidden staging for long trains and on continued scenery construction.

 
Mainline priority trains have long consists, a number of which, have mid-train power units. For example, the AW&W Coal train has three six axle units on the front and three six axle units at mid-train. The coal train's consist includes 65 loaded coal cars, a mid-train radio car and a caboose.
 
Control panels with track diagrams, LED lighting and turnout toggles allow Engineers and Conductors to traverse the layout under radio control with the Somerset Dispatcher. TV monitors assist Engineer/Conductor Teams in moving trains in and out of  hidden staging.



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