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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