Hey everyone. I had been following this thread over a year ago when I decided I was going to use the Virginian as a basis for my layout. I did a few things differently and wanted to share my progress here, as well as ask a few questions of the Virginian experts! I'll first post my progress and info, and then put my questions in a separate posting.I should mention that this layout is not really meant to be prototypical by any means. I don't have the mental capacity to think about that for now, as this is my first real layout and it's more for my kids and I to have fun with together than to model anything too closely.
Some things I did differently: I pretty much kept the original track plan, but expanded it to a 5x9 so that I could have more leeway with curves, etc. I also am using all Peco flex track, and Peco turnouts. For my benchwork, I decided to to L-girder instead of cookie cutter - mainl because it seemed more flexible and I also wanted to learn how to do it. I'm also using NCE Powercab system, with Tortoise switch motors and a central control panel. I put the layout on caster wheels as other did and this was a great idea.
One thing I wish I did differently was to build all the benchwork a bit lower, but live and learn.
This has been in progress for about a year now, and I finally have a good portion of track laid and wired up. There are a few areas I haven't planned fully yet, which is where my questions will come in.
So finally, here are some pics. Any tips or advice are much welcome.
"BEER TRAIN"
This is a temporary control panel:
First loco:
I just posted an overview of my version of the Virginian and now have some questions for the experts. Two areas I haven't completly planned yet are the Rodgers yard and the coal mine/industry. One thing I would like to have somewhere on the layout is some sort of small town area. I was considering reducing the yard down to 4 tracks with the hope of accomodating some sort of run-down grungy town next to the yard. On the other hand, I can't really conceive how I will use the yard operationally, so I'm not sure if I will miss those 2 extra tracks or not. Or if I have enough area to put in a street and a row of buildings if I keep it to 4 tracks.
Is the yard design in the original track plan operational? I thought usually there was supposed to be a run around track.
To shake things up even more, I'm not even 100% married to the idea of this being a coal mining layout. I was thikning about putting a nicer town in the area where the coal mine currently is. I could then have the Green Hill just be some sort of rurual scene, but I'm not sure what kind of industry would go up there where it would make sense for the tracks to just end.
I'm also a bit unsure of what to put on the two side spurs. I'm interested in hearing about how people think during this phase of the planning. Should I just go onlien and find some structures I like, and then build around that?
Obviously I'm having a case of indecision.
Finally, the last question - I did not build a space for a bridge, even though I would like to add one. I know I can cut the roadbed and even track away, but I spent so much time making sure that the climb to the hill was smooth and even, that it kills me to cut it. I am worried about getting kinks, etc in the trackwork if I splice a section out.
This was a lot more ramblign than I anticipated, but any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
H
H, Welcome to the Virginian gang. First off, I am not an expert, like you this was my first build. I also built mine a little bigger than the MR plans. In my case I just added 6 inches to the width to allow me to do easements in the curves and not have the track on the edge of the table. I originally built my layout with just 4 tracks in Roger's yard. This left enough room behind them to put in a row of buildings. However, I then built a crib retaining wall that I don't want to completely hide. I still don't know what will go into that space. I then scratch built a freight house and wanted room for trucks to load/unload on the other side, and I went ahead and eliminated one more yard track. For my layout, 3 tracks seem enough. There are not enough industries to really need more. I leave trains parked all over the layout. I guess it depends on how many locomotives and rolling stock you plan on having. I had 3 locomotives until this past weekend when I picked up a 4th. However, I am currently working on plans for a big expansion and will have many more in the future.
I personally would not replace the coal mine with a town. You do need some industry or the railroad would not exist. You may find room to add a small town to coexist with the mine.
Also, in my opinion, every train layout should have at least one tunnel and one bridge. I chose to do a wooden trestle because I like the looks of them and thought it would be a good scratch building project. I would definitely do the bridge.
Good luck with your project, and keep the pictures coming.
Roger
My Layout Pics
Thanks Roger. I probably will keep the mine, but maybe try to find a smaller one so that I can fit a small town in there.
Also, about the bridge, I'm wondering if it is possible to just buy girder bridge sides, and attach them to my existing sub roadbed. I searched around a bit and couldn't find anything, but I'm sure I could take apart any kit. I'm not sure how that would look though.
Will definitely be posting my progress here.
Thanks!
h
Well its been a while since I have been modeling and I have been looking for something to work on. I came across this thread the other day and even though it has been a few months since someone has replied, I would like to get in on the action.
After moving to go to WVU a few years ago I only have a small apartment to work with. Im planning on building the layout in N Scale. The layout will be 26" x 54". It will be a little more work than just using a 2' x 4' sheet, but I think it will provide better results. I would also like to build the staging yard and adapted turtle creek extension as the fine folks of MR have done.
The first step for me was designing the layout with the free Atlas track planning software and printing it out in actual size.
(Cat shown for scale )
I am really looking forward to this project!
Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!
Cheese,
Nice to see a fellow Mountaineer on this site. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Roger, I have to admit I was a little excited the first time I read through this thread and spotted that picture with the mug.
Also, I have seemed to have overlooked saying great work everyone! Reading through this really gave me a spark of inspiration and helped me decide on this track plan.
The layout is progressing nicely. I chose to use foam core board for my bench work because this layout needs to be ultra light and portable. Overall I am surprised by the results. It is sturdier than I thought it would be without adding extra supports and braces. The first step was to transfer the track plan onto the board I am using for the cookie cutter elevations. Next I cut 3" wide strips to build the frame. I covered this with a top that will remain mostly intact. This will make it easier to add braces to elevate the cookie cutter sheet and also provide stability for the whole layout. Everything was taped together for placement and then hot glued. I started cutting the top at the river. I hope to have the rest cut and elevated within a week or so.
Elevations are in and the roadbed is down on my N scale version of the Virginian. I used a combination of Midwest Products N scale cork roadbed and a roll of cork that I picked up at Office Depot. I used Liquid Nails Projects to hold it all in place. I am thinking aboyut adding either a 1" or 2" piece of foam around the sides of the layout so the track isnt as close to the edge.
hominamad Is the yard design in the original track plan operational? I thought usually there was supposed to be a run around track. To shake things up even more, I'm not even 100% married to the idea of this being a coal mining layout. I was thikning about putting a nicer town in the area where the coal mine currently is. I could then have the Green Hill just be some sort of rurual scene, but I'm not sure what kind of industry would go up there where it would make sense for the tracks to just end. H
One thing to consider is to switch the location of the mine and the truck dumps, putting the "mine" at the higher point and the truck dump (or other industry) currently where the mine is.
There isn't enough space at the top of the hill for the Walthers mine structure, so some improvisation is needed.
In so many layouts, coal mines are modeled with the crusher and sorter superstructure sitting atop the tracks, much like the Walthers model. Yes, that's cool. But in real coal mining, oftentimes that superstructure is set back hundreds of feet from the tracks, up a hill, through trees etc. and a simple covered conveyor takes the coal to the loading area.
On the Virginian, you could simply model the covered conveyor/unloader poking through the trees on the hillside and over the tracks and "imagine" the superstructure to be off in the distance (unmodeled). That way, you could still have the "mine" generating the coal hoppers (farther up the layout than it currently is BTW), and use the current mine's location for an industry or town.
- Douglas
Adam,
Very nice. Very different in construction to what I did, but very much the same as well. Looks like you have built a few layouts , but I found it perfect for my first layout. I have also been slowly building the Thin Branch extension over the last year to extend my empire.
Cheers,
Steve
Would you or anyone on here happen to have a list of track that is needed to complete this layout
Here are the items I purchased for this layout:
From Walthers:
Manu Item Description Qty Price Ext 948- 8826 T/O #6.5 Crvd LH code 83 1 @ $ 36.98 $ 36.98 (Sale) 948- 8827 T/O #6.5 Crvd RH code 83 1 @ $ 36.98 $ 36.98 (Sale)
From ModelTrainStuff:
Be aware that my yard did not have the six tracks that the MR layout has.
The thread that won't die
For track I ordered what was specified in the magazine which includes the staging yard. Here is what I ordered. I got most things from MB Klein. I did end up with some left over flex track and re-railers as in the end I did not build the staging yard.
Joe
Modeling:
Providence & Worcester Railroad
"East Providence Secondary"
HO scale
This thread just won't die. Looking back through it, there were alot of folks working on this layout. It would be nice to see updated pics from all these layouts. Mammay76, look forward to seeing your posts.
Hmm.. My talk to text screwed up some of the words there! What I meant to say was "I'm making a run to Home Depot/Lowes tomorrow to pick up some things for the new apartment. So I'm going to try to grab some of the wood for the bench work tomorrow. " Tonight is train night, going to a weekly round robin operation session! It's been holding me over for a few years, but not anymore I need my own layout!
Hi
First off the real Virginian was a coal road so coal mine should stay or its not the Virginian any more.
They did move other freight as well so your not restricted to just coal.
There are some company houses on the layout so my sugestion is work the town up the hill behind them using suitable small structures so as not to over power the scene to much.
I would start with the original structure list for the layout and work from there changing any your not keen on with similar sized ones.
There is not a lot of Virginian stock about so if you can get what you can now while you can that is if you plan on running it as the Virginian.
regards John
All moved in!!! I have a large unfinished basement to build the layout. I have the bench work complete, and getting ready to transfer the track plan to the plywood. I'll try to post some pics, but bear with me the unfinished basement is very ugly!!!
question, how many 55ton coal cars, including a caboose and fbm loco can the siding in green hill hold?
figuring out operations now in my head, not sure if I want to ditch the trestle and add a curved turnout to gain more siding length
I’ve been thinking about getting a new layout project, and I keep coming back to the Virginian.
I am thinking a taconite hauling based on the DMIR would be interesting.
Any examples of the Virginian with different industries?
I decided to start building the Virginian, with a B&O theme.
I read somewhere about a 20” x36” engine terminal plan, does anyone have one? I’m modeling the steam era and need a turntable
Can’t help with the terminal plans but decided to build same layout in N scale Chessie system mid 1970s. Using Atlas code 55 and able to pull that off with all but one curved turnout where I needed a Peco curved turnout exiting Rodgers yard. A new world from my last N scale layout from late 1970s- early 80s. Using Digitrax DCC and a few tortoise motors to see how they work out. N scale allowed for a smaller footprint in basement real estate and some room to add a few tweaks. All track down and painted except for up gradient of trestle where I am waiting for long out of stock Atlas right curved turnout (Atlas said due in port any day). Next step rough in terrain. Happy to share expanded lessons learned if interested. Have some pics but hard to post.
Hi all, and a question for Byron Regarding his plan. https://www.layoutvision.com/waterwings-8x10
Are the Peco C75 turnouts still available?
I'm thinking about putting an Intermodal yard scene on the top of the hill. What changes to the spur tracks would you make for it to be an Intermodal yard? would the siding on the left side be reachable? I was thinking an oil unloading track would be neat.
thanks for the help!
Outsailing86Are the Peco C75 turnouts still available?
Yes.
Outsailing86I'm thinking about putting an Intermodal yard scene on the top of the hill. What changes to the spur tracks would you make for it to be an Intermodal yard?
The plan really isn't drawn for the modern era Chicago area themes you have posted about in the past, including here recently:http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/284182.aspx
... the curves are probably too sharp and the grades too steep for what you'd like to do with modern motive power, intermodal, and commuter trains (if that's still what you want to do).
Outsailing86would the siding on the left side be reachable? I was thinking an oil unloading track would be neat.
It’s not clear to me how much space you actually have. The thread above mentioned 10’X12’, but your post on another forum recently listed 10’X15’. I think folks would be willing to help if you shared the actual space, walls, room entrance(s), obstructions, etc. It might be worth going back to the earlier thread and providing this information to see if folks can help.
It’s a long reach on the left-hand side and there are grades through there. But since you seem to have more space, a design to actually fit the room and your interests might be more satisfying in the long run. That design of mine is aimed at the same short trains/short cars, etc. as was the original MR-published 4X8.
In your somewhat larger space, you might well be able to incorporate commuter traffic, staging, and other Chicagoland elements that don’t fit in my 8’X10’ Waterwings plan.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I'm looking at making the Waterwings Virginian as an Iron Ore layout, with the Walthers dock as the interchange track and natural ore mine on the right side. A road train would work the main and run up to the mine and swap empty ore cars for loads, and bring it down to the yard.
it's a considerable change from my Chicagoland plans, but I've spent a few years in Duluth and always thought it was neat railroading.What are the manufacture part numbers for the C75 curved turnouts (green) ?
Outsailing86What are the manufacture part numbers for the C75 curved turnouts (green) ?
SL-E187 Left-handSL-E186 Right-hand