Category Archives: Updates

New Manns Creek Railway Models and More

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C&O Sewell, WV HO scale model scene by Tom Maule

If you haven’t seen them yet, you HAVE to check out the newest model photos! First up is some absolutely stunning work by Tom Maule who models the Manns Creek Railway in HOn3. For those unfamiliar with the Manns Creek, it was a 3′ narrow gauge operation that transported coal from mines at Clifftop, WV down into the New River Gorge where it connected with the C&O at Sewell, WV. Tom’s layout is almost entirely scratchbuilt including the 20-ton hoppers, the tipple and coke ovens at Sewell, and the town of Sewell on the mountainside. Tom also models the month of November, 1952, so his layout reflects barren trees, all of which have been painstakingly modeled. Truly awesome work that … Read more →

My New Layout – Southern Railway St. Charles Branch

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In addition to keeping up Appalachian Railroad Modeling, I’m a model railroader myself. A few years ago, I had to tear down my first layout [largely unfinished] based on the Interstate Railroad in Virginia in preparation for a move. My layout space in the new house is a bit smaller, so it gave me the opportunity to model something different. You’ve probably seen a few of the ideas as they’ve shown up in the track plans section of ARRM.

Just a couple weeks ago, though, I began construction on my new layout, a 12 x 16′ double-deck design … Read more →

ARRM Featured on “The Roundhouse” Podcast

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I’ve always loved the track-planning aspect of the model railroad hobby, and recently I was asked to share some of my track-planning philosophy on a podcast called “The Roundhouse.” If you enjoy (or struggle with) designing prototype-based track plans, it might be worth a listen as I share some things I’ve learned in the last 20+ years of designing track plans with The Roundhouse host, railfan and modeler Nick Ozorak. Give it a listen!

Winners of ARRM’s 100th Track Plan Contest

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Did you catch all the winners of Appalachian Railroad Modeling’s 100th Track Plan Contest? We had some great entries and three winners. Each of the winning track plans was fun and challenging in it’s own way. Thanks to all who entered, and I hope you continue to send in your track plan ideas!

L&N EK Coal Fields, KY HO scale track planFirst Place – Donald Dunn for his idea of the L&N’s Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields … Read more →

ARRM’s 100th Track Plan Contest!

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C&O NYC Leivasy, WV track plan HONYC Boardman Creek Branch, PA track plan HO

Appalachian Railroad Modeling is quickly approaching the publishing of its 100th prototype-based, Appalachian-themed track plan!!! Rather than pick my own theme and space for the design, I want YOU to pick the theme and space. Send me your ideas per the details below between now and March 1st, 2018, and I’ll choose a winner and design a track plan based the winner’s entry as ARRM’s 100th … Read more →

Father’s Day = Bonus Photos

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SBD Lost Mountain Mining Co coal loader at Sigmond, KY

Happy Father’s Day to those of you who are fathers, and to those who aren’t, you still get to enjoy today’s update.  ARRM has recently added more than 60 new model and prototype photos from our contributors.  First, Stuart Thayer has added more than 30 new photos of tipples on the former L&N Eastern Kentucky (EK) Sub. The photos show loaders of all shapes and sizes in the mid-1980s and are a great study for those modeling this area or just interested in loaders.  You can find them on the Seaboard System, SECX and CSX prototype photo pages.

Next we have several new model photos.  Brent Johnson has added more to his Clinchfield portfolio along with a few … Read more →

ARRM Welcomes the Pittsburg & Shawmut

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Pittsburg & Shawmut Logo

Pittsburg & Shawmut LogoAppalachian Railroad Modeling is happy to announce the newest railroad on the site, the Pittsburg & Shawmut. For those unfamiliar with the P&S, it was a quiet little coal hauler in western Pennsylvania that lasted from steam days through the 1990s. The P&S was known for its colorful fleet of EMD switchers (which were its mainline power) and its large fleet of “Shawmut” hoppers that plied the rails of many railroads in the 20th century. These pages were prompted by an excellent book released last year, “Pittsburg & Shawmut in Color” by Kurt Reisweber and Brad Esposito (read … Read more →

Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas from Appalachian Railroad Modeling! I hope you’re enjoying all the new content on the site–have you seen it all?

Union Railroad LogoFirst, there’s a new railroad on the site, the Union Railroad. The URR connected several coal hauling roads to the US Steel mills and furnaces in Pittsburgh, PA and was an important player in the movement of coal and other raw materials in the Monongahela River Valley and East Pittsburgh.

To accompany the Union RR are two new track plans. The first is a large N-scale plan for the Union’s Clairton Branch, home to two huge … Read more →

Caught all the latest?

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WM Challenger O scale by Lee Turner

Have you seen all the latest on Appalachian Railroad Modeling? First, thanks to Lee Turner for contributing some beautiful photos of his custom-weathered Western Maryland steam in O-scale. See them on the Western Maryland model photos page.

There are also a couple new track plans to check out. The first is an HO-scale bedroom-sized plan for the Clinchfield’s Nora Spur that captures all the loaders and operations on this busy coal branch using two decks without a lengthy helix. This plan is perfect for the modeler with a modest space who enjoys switching that requires a lot of interesting moves.

Oneida, Tennessee … <a href=Read more →

The Montour is here!

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Montour RR Logo

Montour RR LogoAppalachian Railroad Modeling welcomes another railroad to the fold, the Montour. For those unfamiliar with this short line, the Montour was created to haul coal from the hills around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Along the way, the Montour interacted with a lot of other coal haulers including the Pennsy, P&LE, B&O, P&WV, N&W and Union RR. Part of its charm was its use of little EMD switchers as mine-run power on its tight curves and small tunnels, making it a great subject to model. While the Montour’s rails may be gone, it lives on as a popular hiking trail.

The main Read more →