- Size: 8′ x 12′
- Scale: HO
- Minimum Radius: 22″
- Minimum Aisle Width: 48″
- Designed by Dan Bourque
The N&W’s Pocahontas Division was full of small branch lines serving numerous coal tipples. The Pond Creek Branch was one of the smaller of these branches and makes a great subject for a bedroom-sized layout.
The Layout
This layout is designed for the beginner aiming to get a start in prototype modeling. The basic design is nothing more than two 4×8′ sheets of plywood, so a small radius of 22″ was used. The area represented is part of the N&W’s Pond Creek Branch which originates in Williamson, WV. The area around Belfry had two small spurs leading to loaders, both of which are represented here in compressed form.
I have added a team track in the “wye” leading to Hardy to add some variety in operations and traffic, and the two-track staging area allows for continuous running to satisfy that kid in all of us that wants to see the trains going roud-and-round.
Operations
This simple trackplan provides ample opportunities for mine run operations and a chance for first-timers to build a lot of mountain scenery. The tunnel (the origin of mine runs on this layout) is prototypical, and the other end of staging is hidden underneath a loader. Lift off scenery should be built on top of the staging area for easy access in the event of accidents.
Things I Like About this Plan:
- Very small and compact but interesting operations
- Allows for unmodified commercial track products (easier for beginners)
Things I Don’t Like About this Plan:
- Tight radius curves
- Very compressed (prototype area is about 1 1/2 miles of track)
Related Products:
What kind of plan could be made from this in an around the walls layout format in a 7′ X 11′ space
I could see that working as long as you’re good with a duck-under. The Belfry section at the top would remain almost unchanged (just shorter), and the junction and tracks up to Hardy would be along the lower wall with Hardy along the left wall. I would make a stub-ended staging yard under Belfry, put a divider up between Hardy and the last loader at Belfry, and connect the tracks of the two end tipples under the divider to allow a continuous running loop.
What kind of motive power would run on this branch steam and early diesel era? I might try an around the wall version in a 10 x 12 space. Thanks
Bill, N&W had legions of GP-9 and 18 units starting with the early diesel era. I used to work in Kenova, WV, literally across the road from the yard there, and saw more engines than I could count! They may have used RS-11’s in that area as well. By 1980 there weren’t too many Alcos left on the roster and the “Poke”, as one NW employee told me, that’s where they were based at the time. Depending on track restrictions, they may have used six-axle power but I can’t say for sure. All in all, you couldn’t go wrong with a batch of Geep 9’s with a token RS-11 or two for variety. Road power, though, on the mainline was almost anything goes, with multiple Geeps and/or SD’s. As for steam, they probably used Y-class Mallets but I have no proof of this. Best of success to you on your railroad!