Powhatan Arrow

[tcf511]

I've got one of the BLI Js on order and would like to run it as the Powhatan Arrow. Can anyone tell me what that consist would have been in the 1950s?

Thanks.

[fmilhaupt]

Rich Weyand had an article on modeling the N&W's passenger trains in the October, 2004 issue of Model Railroader.

According to him, from 1946 until 1958, the Powhatan Arrow consisted of coaches, a diner and a lounge car. It handled no mail or checked baggage, so it didn't carry an RPO or any baggage/express cars.

The old Rivarossi smooth-side streamlined cars were released in N&W paint to go behind the Bachmann J. If you can find them, that would be the easiest way to go- the coaches look pretty close to the ones the N&W used on the 'Arrow.

If you don't mind doing more work, you can make more accurate cars using laser cut side kits.

American Model Builders offers sides for the N&W-specific crew coach, regular coaches, and diner used on the 'Arrow (see http://www.laserkit.com) . Laser Horizons offers a more complete set of sides, including a set for the boat-tailed observation car. You can see a list of their offerings at http://merchandise.pennsyrr.com/WS4D_Cookie=x4.23.05_09,33,18_32260/ms_laser.html

If you'd like a more varied train, you could model the Cavalier or the Pocahontas, which were also pulled by the Js. They included head-end equipment (RPOs and baggage cars) and sleepers, in addition to the coaches and diner, and were a mix of lightweight streamlined and heavyweight cars.

[tcf511]

Thanks very much for all of the detail. Perhaps your suggestion of the Pochantas would be the way to go. I've got a couple of the Bachman Spectrum passenger cars ordered and I'm hoping they are close as well.

[jimrice4449]

Another (more easily done) option would be the Southern's Tennessean which was handled from Lynchburg Va. to Bristol Va/Tenn by the N&W and was made up (mostly) of corrugated side stainless steel cars.

[Anonymous]

There's an N&W discussion group/list on Yahoo you may want to post some questions to. They're very helpful on N&W history.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/norfolk-western-rr/

Doug