Hi, Bibbster.
That's going to be a nice layout. I have to agree with all the suggestions posted before. They would all make your nice layout even better. Adding the Greenbrier River will be nice.
If you can't find or afford the C&O H-4 a C&O GP-9 would be another good choice for the coal train.
Best of luck with it all and please keep us posted on your progress.
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
Hey bibbster!
Neat layout plan!
By the way, in case nobody has said it, welcome to the forums!!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Like the layout design. Couple suggestions.
Push the main line along the front edge back an inch or two for scenery. Maybe you can have a gentel curve along this area.
Make the length betweent switchback 1 and 2 as long as possible.
Couple staging tracks along the back wall.
Steve
What I recall from our vist, are the Shays,witch you got covered.And the switchbacks, you also have. There was a large white building that had a small layout in it. Looked like it could have been company stores or rooming. And the station witch was mention above. On the top of the hill, there was some really neat old loggin equipment,perhaps a loader? can't recall. Other then that, trees and rocks.
Are you going to model it as it is, or just as a "based on" type layout?
Can't help with track plan as I never used one
Have you considered DCC with sound ?
I don't think you will find cheaper turnouts than Atlas. I don't have any sense of the dimensions of your layout. What radius are your curves?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Here are a few thoughts:
1. The Bachmann 3 truck Shay is based on Cass (West Virginia Pulp & Paper) no. 5, so it's a natural.
2. Access to the tracks by the wall may be difficult. I hope you are providing for that.
3. If you decide to move to the pre-tourist era when the line was operated as a logger, the level oval would represent the C&O. On that line, the standard steam power was usually an H-4 2-6-6-2 (Bachmann, out of production). It seems like a big engine, but it will manage your curves, unless you contemplate something tighter than 18" radius.
4. Kits for C&O stations similar to Cass have been produced, and may still be available.
Tom
Hello everyone! I've just finished up a layout design that takes some elements from Cass Scenic RR. I'd like to get any and all input before my wife and I begin to contruct the layout. Below are some images for reference.
I didn't originally plan for a loop, but decided that folks looking at the layout would enjoy seeing a train running round nonstop, plus, the coal has to get delivered somehow! lol
The areas that shows huge 'tunnels' will actually be solid with only enough space for the mainline to pass through.
The table will be up against the wall so only the front half of the layout will be visible.
I'll be running a Bachmann Spectrum 3 truck Shay with two passenger cars and a caboose up the scenic route. I will eventually add an open passenger car as that is what I remember from my childhood (see pic below).
I'm not sure what I'll be running on the mainline but it will include a couple coal cars and probably a few log cars as I plan to allow space at the front of the layout for the Greenbrier River.
The layout, as drawn, uses all Atlas flex track, a couple #4 manual turnouts, and #850/#851 remote turnouts. Are these the best option for running DC? Most cost effective (those turnouts are pricey!)?
I'm sure I've missed something so please ask, suggest, comment on any and everything. I'm looking forward to everyone's input. :)
Me ca. 1981 @ Cass