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Thank you very much for all the excellent photos of eastern coal loaders! Very interesting to look at, and very helpful in modeling as well.
Hi, I model CSX and a regional railroad called the Carolina Interstate (a railroad I created). My layout is based on western North Carolina. I would like to post some pictures of my customized CSX locomotives, how can I do so. thanks Trey
Hi Trey, you can’t upload directly, but you can send them to me using the “email” link at the top of this page for consideration. Thanks for your interest!
First off, I would like to say that I love your website. I’m thinking about building a small HO scale N&W layout. I can’t decide whether I want to have a continuous running track or have prototypical operations. I was wondering if you know of any N&W branch lines that served only one or two coal loaders or mines, or if railroads even do that. I’m not too big on having 3 or 4 coal loaders. Thanks for the help!
For Jerry Hammond is that Virginian caboose #79 for sale
Hello Dan, I grew up rail fanning the CSX Mountain Sub and about to start my layout. N-scale in the mid 90’s. Can you post some photos of your Layout. Thank you sir
My layout is currently in a state of destruction rather than construction, but you can see photos and more info at its page http://appalachianrailroadmodeling.com/dixiana/
Fascinating web site. very informative on historical operations of coal rail roads and will be useful for design of new ho layout. will return again
Just something for the map file. . .part of the layout at Benwood, W.Va., featuring the B&O, the PRR, and a plant railroad for a steel plant.
The B&O is the dominant road, the upper line near the hillside, and also the one with the loop that crosses over itself twice–once at grade level on the south end (right on the map–the Ohio River is running almost due south here), and again on a high bridge, which crosses over part of the steel plant and then the Ohio River to Bellaire, Oh. Over there it crosses another PRR line and descends to ground level, There’s actually a junction on the Ohio side on the bridge, one line going north up the river to Bridgeport and eventually Holloway, the other line going west eventually to Zanesville.
It might be a bit hard to see, but the station at Benwood was on the grade climbing up to the bridge. It was located between this line and the river line below it, and had steps leading down the hill to a set of platforms below, essentially making it a two level station.
Back on the West Virginia side, the line headed to the left on the map is headed to Wheeling, W.Va., and eventually Washington, Pa. and Pittsburgh. The line headed to the right heads past the yard at Benwood with its roundhouse at the south end; beyond that is Moundsville and another junction, one continuing down the Ohio to Parkersburg and eventually Huntington and Kenova, W.Va., the other turning east to head to Grafton. The latter line, now long abandoned, was the original route to Wheeling, with a gold spike ceremony at Roseby’s Rock.
The junction where the loop crosses over itself at grade at the south (right) side of the loop was never interlocked and relied on switch tenders in a shanty there. The layout isn’t totally detailed there, but the junction included a double slip switch, which was manual like everything else there.
You’ve seen some of this in movies. “Fools Parade,” made back in 1970 with a huge cast that included James Stewart, George Kennedy, and others, was set in 1935 and also featured Southern’s 4501 in black paint and standing in for a B&O Q-3 (USRA light 2-8-2) of the same number. This was shot mostly around Moundsville.
More recently, the bridge over the Ohio and the junction and stone bridge in Bellaire were featured in “Unstoppable.” It was interesting to see how the movie computer people added an oil storage depot around the stone viaduct (there’s nothing there), dismantled part of the junction on the bridge (the last I checked, it was still all there), and best of all, still had the train in a runaway state AFTER it would have had to climb that pretty high grade from almost river level to get to the bridge!
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/sites/model-railroad-hobbyist.com/files/users/Virginian%20and%20Lake%20Erie/Close%20up%20Benwood%20yard%20and%20wheeling%20steel.jpg
And here is something for the photo file. . .a discussion at Railway Preservation News (RyPN) about the Pennsylvania Railroad station in Wheeling, W.Va. There is some material on some of the other stations in the Wheeling area as well.
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37705&p=227838
Another page, with modeling information and other photos and maps of the Wheeling-Benwood, W.Va. area.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24576
More material that just turned up about Wheeling, W.Va.
It’s a whole series of photographs, looking like a record of some sort regarding the Pennsylvania Railroad station at 11th and Water Streets (the latter running parallel and close to the Ohio River).
These are from the Ohio County Public Library. The institution thinks this series dates from the 1940s, though some of the automobiles suggest the early to mid 1950s.
11th Street and Water Street; the station is just out of sight to the left. Main Street crosses at the top of the incline.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741091021/in/photostream/
The photographer has now turned a bit over 90 degrees, and is looking down Water Street. Part of the station canopy is visible.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34832856066/in/photostream/
The photographer has walked over to the wall, and is still looking down Water Street; the 11th Street (south) side of the Pennsylvania station is right behind him.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34832855676/in/photostream/
The photographer has walked down the incline of Water Street and is now facing north, looking back at the station.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741091151/in/photostream/
From across the street, still looking back at the station; photo not identified as part of the series, but added in correct sequence with the other shots above and below.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/33598204212/in/photostream/
The photographer is now at trackside, looking about northeast. Part of the curving wall that’s still there is visible through the canopy supports.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741091291/in/photostream/
At track level, photographer looking almost due east.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741092311/in/photostream/
On the platform, looking north.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741090251/in/photostream/
Looking up the ramp leading to Water Street, from in front of the station’s track level.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34832856176/in/photostream/
General view of the station, looking roughly northeast; also visible is the rear of Leeds Furniture, my first employer after college. Sadly it’s gone now, nothing left at all, even the building is gone.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741091501/in/photostream/
On Water Street, looking north. That Ford at right was of the style made between 1949 and 1951, if I remember right.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34832855946/in/photostream/
Water Street, from a bit further south.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34832855806/in/photostream/
Further south on Water Street, a bit over a block away now. The parking area at left would later be the Wharf Garage, and is now a riverside park.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiocountypubliclibrary/34741091411/in/photostream/
Hello. I’m looking for pictures of the coal tipple at Haddix Kentucky. Thanks.
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Dan and others, recently on https://www.railpictures.net/ they’ve been posting some photos of the “Shawmut Line”. I’ve seen two photos in the last couple of days, both featuring the motive power and amazing scenery. Hoping this helps for those modeling the P&S.
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Dan, Happy new year! The wife and I have been looking for a house that has larger area to build my new layout. I think we have found it . Very large basement and I hope it works out as I can build what I really wanted to build your MTR plan the 14 x 40 foot. If every thing woks out here I have a few questions about this plan. And want to see if you can make larger prints of it for me. This house is a stones throw from NS main in Oh. (PRR). main that is! Mike
Hi Dan, Put a bid on the house today so will see what happens. I will be interested in a new plan if we get the house, so I can give you better size. I want the Montour RR for sure but can fit more room I am sure. Mike
Hello Dan ,I wanted to drop you a line and let you know that we sign on the 12 Feb. I will bein touch with you once we are moved in. If you would still be interested on drawing up new plans for my basement Montour RR? I know for sure I want to model mid 1950s. I will draw up basement area and show surrounding objects that will need access to. Talk to you soon , Mike
Congrats on the new layout space (aka the new house)! I look forward to working with you. Taking this thread offline and will correspond via email.