@Mark Boyce posted:Dave, we spent so much time on all the versions of my layout plan, you remembered very well.
John, The lower town Dave mentioned (Parsons-Hendricks, WV) had logging and a tannery. Today there is a Kingsford charcoal plant. Thomas WV is at the top of the mountain and was basically a coal marshalling yard. Today there is Mount Storm Power Station where I worked in the '90s that took coal right from the mine until the correct grade of coal was mined out, now they bring it in from Cumberland the opposite direction from my section. Today the railroad is a rails to trails up the mountain from Parsons. It is ironic, that a forum member suggested this very railroad as a prototype the first few days after I started my topic, and I had already planned an HO layout of the same area I was familiar with back in the late '90-'00s.
Of course as Dave mentioned I had to do a lot of compression and trimming to fit it in an 11x11 room, but it is working out.
I like seeing your roundhouse and turntable on the peninsula by the double bridge. The only trouble is the yard is on the other side of the two mainlines. I know you are just trying to get the feel of doing some more advanced things with SCARM, but every variation you has the potential of making something click and lead to a great idea. I'm with Dave, Ilike the two routes and you can have trains going each way.
When are you hoping to start building benchwork? It won't be long now that the leaves will be down and we will have them cleaned up as best we can for the winter. (Dave doesn't get the privilege of raking leaves and shoveling snow any more.) It's a shame!
Hi Mark,
Your layout is fantastic and looks like it will provide endless enjoyment. Great job on adapting and putting in so much in your space.
Turntable was "thrown" there to get out of the way and no rhyme or reason to it, however it is growing on me. And two main lines will say in for the reasons you and Dave stated, looks cool!
As far as bench work goes, solid or at least semi-solid plans need to be on paper first. One more sticking point is the double track bridge that will be a hinged lift for access to middle. The issue is both main lines are at same elevation and then it is a long grade to go for over/under main line crossings. Doesn't lend it self for breaking out spurs or siding at different elevations. I would love to get bench work started before Dec.
How are you doing on your layout? Sounds like leaves have taken over! A friend of mine back in conn. Was asked where he wanted to retire to? He said he would put his snowblower in the back of his truck and drive south until some one asked him what the contraption was in his pick up!
