Newbie: Virginian 4x8

[PhaseOne]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been looking at model trains for years now and am an avid rail enthusiast (I work at a traction motor facility and watch UP go by all day long)..  I've come across MRR on youtube with the Virginian layout, was sold, subscribed, and now am thinking about taking this project on.

Few questions

1.) I've watched all of the videos but are the instructions in the magazine more detailed than what is in the videos?  I know almost nothing about model railroading.

 

2.) Can this layout handle a 6-axle GE or EMD?

 

I'd like to run modern day NS equipment on the layout and maybe one day if I had enough space...expand it to simulate the Pocahontas division of NS.

 

Thanks,

Garin

 

[NVSRR]

The magazine does have instructions. The videos do a better job at explanation in some situations. Model railroaded also has many howto books and vids to help with the gaps. There are many books worth getting right off this site.

As for big power. You can run big power . But smaller 4 axle will look better on a small layout. You can still have big power as run through. Just watch the radius the model can handle. Some manufactures have large minimum radius. Bigger than what that layout has.

Feel free to write me with questions. More than happy to help.

[cuyama]

There is an ongoing thread here for people who are building the 4X8 Virginian
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/202934.aspx

 There is definitely additional information in the magazine issues and they would be worth the investment if you intend to copy this layout exactly.

An HO 4X8 is not the ideal choice for modern large 6-axle motive power and rolling stock, although it can be made to work with some equipment. The key issue is the minimum radius. The Virginian HO 4X8 layout as drawn will probably work with some of your engines, maybe all or most, but it depends on the engine and what it is coupled to.

Building the layout somewhat larger, say 5X9 or 5X10 feet, would allow broader radii that would work better and look better with modern equipment and it would still fit in many spaces. (And of curse, a rectangular island is not the only way to build a layout.)

Best of luck.

[RogerThat]

Garin,

The videos provide more helpful information on building the Virginian layout than the magazine articles. If you have access to Video Plus you can also view similar how-to video for the Thin Branch line that provide even more detail on the same types of topics, bench building, track laying, scenicking, etc.  I do not have any 6 axle motive power so I cannot tell you how these would operate on the Virginian.  The outside loop has 22 inch radius turns but the route up to Green Hill is 18 inch radius.

Please feel free to visit and participate on the Virginian Build thread. Several of us have either completed or are in the process of building this layout and would gladly answer your questions.

[airborne101]

Garin,

I have run several of my 6 axle locos around the outside main on my "Virginian" layout which is basically finished, as the radius is 22". Only my 4 axle geeps and switchers really work on the branchline portion, which is 18". Of course, a six axle RS unit or similar may work, my six axle power is all big SD45's, C628's and such...

Check out the "Virginian Build Thread" as well. Finally, for a look at my layout, based on the NYC/PC Hitop Branch in Wva, check out my website at: http://hitopbranchmodelrr.com/

[PhaseOne]

Thank you all for your replies.  I'll head on over to the Virginian thread and give this layout a shot.

[bolter9]

I built the 4x8 Rock Junction layout. It has 18" radius curves and handles 6 axel power just fine. Sure or doesn't look as realistic as bigger curves, but its not bad. I'm running modern sd70ace and es44 units with articulating stack cars and it all works well. Just check the minimum radius listed by the manufacturer. I have seen a few that require at least 22" radius curves (auto racks, some well cars, etc. )

[bolter9]

6 axle locos and long rolling stock do take a lot of space on a 4x8 though. My sidings fill up quickly.

[PhaseOne]

Bolter, thanks!  I would like to run es44's on mine as well.

[airborne101]

Gentlemen, I also have a place for questions you might want to ask on my building of the "Virginian" project on my blog page on my website listed above