INT Dorchester and Dixiana Branch, VA track plan HO
- Size: 21′ x 28′
- Scale: HO
- Minimum Radius: 30″ (visible)
- Minimum Aisle Width: 36″
- Designed by Dan Bourque
The Interstate’s operations in and around Norton, VA and up the the Dixiana Branch were busy and interesting. In addition to the massive amounts of coal being generated on the branch, the mainline also saw a lot of movement of interchange traffic, particularly between the L&N at Dorchester Jct. and the Clinchfield at Miller Yard, the eastern end of the Interstate’s mainline. This layout (which was partially built in my former basement before I … Read more
The Cumberland & Manchester Branch (C&M for short) was a part of the L&N’s Cumberland Valley Division. It was located between the large yard and mainline at Corbin, KY and the principle mine-run yard of Loyall, KY. The branch, which originated at Heidrick and ran to Manchester, was about 20 miles long and LOADED with loaders, particularly at the end of the branch. In the height of the coal boom, several unit trains loaded on the branch including the O&W’s “Green Train.”
This track plan was designed to fit in a previous basement of mine. It models the west end of the N&W’s Clinch Valley District from Boody (St. Paul), VA to Norton, VA. In all, it represents about 20 miles of mainline and 2 miles of branchline. This was a very busy area with heavy minerun and interchange traffic. In all, there are four railroads represented on this layout: N&W, Interstate, Clinchfield, and L&N.
The C&O’s Rend Branch was part of the maze of C&O branches that wound out from Thurmond, WV. The 4-mile long branch extended off the Loup Creek Branch and was home to a handful of coal tipples.
The east half of the Interstate Railroad featured multiple branch lines, dozens of coal loaders, interchanges with the L&N, N&W and Clinchfield, and the railroad’s only two tunnels.
The White Oak Branch originally started as the White Oak Railway which served the mines at Lochgelly and Summerlee. The White Oak interchanged with the C&O at Carlisle, WV, and the Virginian at Oak Hill Jct., WV. The White Oak was sold to both the Virginian and C&O in 1917. Even though it was sold to both railroads, in reality the C&O would interchange cars at Carlisle, and the Virginian (later the N&W) would move them to the mines.