I've been doing some research and doing some doodling of ideas for modeling one of the Western Maryland branch lines out of Elkins: either the Greenbrier, Cheat and Elk (Imagine F7's negotiating track originally designed for narrow gauge shays) or the interchange with the C&O on the Durbin branch. I am aware of many Western Maryland model railroads but I have not heard of many that model one of these branches. I'd love to see what others have done with these lines if these model railroads exist. If they don't I'll try to provide a couple of my proposed designs.
NevinGreenbrier, Cheat and Elk (Imagine F7's negotiating track originally designed for narrow gauge shays)
I believe that the GC&E (now Cass Scenic) was always standard gauge. If one wanted to maintain the flavor of the prototype, the two switchbacks would probably be important to maintain the character -- F7s would be a very poor choice for those backing moves compared to a road switcher.
I'm currently working on a custom design for a client inspired by the GC&E around 1910-20. Way too early to show it, but I may be able to comment on your design if you post it.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
That's interesting because, one WM book does claim it was initially narrow gauge and shows some 3 rail track in a photo as evidence. The problem of course is that ther were lumber railroads running all over the place some of which were probably narrow gauge. WM didn't take over the line until the 1920's. I'll try to find that reference when I get home.
There are a number of photographs of F7's all the way down to Webster Springs along with RS3's. According to one one book I have, there had to be modifications to the couplers to deal with some of the tight curves on the GC&E. I'll post my designs as soon as I get them completed on Cadrail. I'd love to see your design. I currently model 1915 so it so my intention to build my next layout with the ability to swap era from the 1950s to the 1920s. I really like the post WW1 era for modeling, too. Best regards, Nevin
Nevin, if you are designing the layout for operation, make sure you do some homework first. I model the Western Maryland line from Cumberland to Elkins (Thomas Sub), and except for the paper mill at Luke, most of the industries on-line are coal, pulpwood and wood chips. A lot of the branches out of Elkins were either coal or lumber products. You may find yourself wishing for more very quickly.
Interestingly, an article I read on the abandonment of the C&O's Greenbrier Sub (C&O Magazine) showed quite a bit of varied traffic coming off the C&O at Durbin and coming up the WM through Elkins.
Regards,
Greg
Greg Shindledecker Modeling the =WM= Thomas Sub in the mid-70s
gshin Nevin, if you are designing the layout for operation, make sure you do some homework first. I model the Western Maryland line from Cumberland to Elkins (Thomas Sub), and except for the paper mill at Luke, most of the industries on-line are coal, pulpwood and wood chips. A lot of the branches out of Elkins were either coal or lumber products. You may find yourself wishing for more very quickly. Interestingly, an article I read on the abandonment of the C&O's Greenbrier Sub (C&O Magazine) showed quite a bit of varied traffic coming off the C&O at Durbin and coming up the WM through Elkins. Regards, Greg
That is a good point. The Durbin branch has the C&O interchange and a better mix of traffic but not much else. Not even much in coal loaders or towns between Durbin and Elkins. The GC&E branch has lots of coal loaders and lumber but not much else. But at least there is a yard in Slaty Fork. I can't even find a runaround track in Webster Springs. I may also look at the Belington branch as it interchanges with the B&O, another favorite of mine.