19th November 2005
A move in late 1997 from suburban Sydney to a new waterside
home 50 miles further north forced demolition of the SP influenced
Cedar Valley Short Lines and its redevelopment as the CV’s Allegheny
Division.
A long standing interest in coal hauling, the C&O, the NKP, the
N&W, operation and a visit to Tony Koester’s excellent Allegheny
Midland in 1993 led to consideration of using the AM as a basis for the
new adventure. Living in Australia, one does not usually have access to
the full size North American prototypes for research purposes and as
there was considerable information available on the AM I decided that,
with Tony’s consent (duly granted), to proceed.
The new layout is 16’ X 23’ is only half the size of the AM so some
sections had to be left out. I have however 8 track staging yards at
both the north and south ends and smaller versions of Midland/South
Fork, Glady, Altapass, Lime Springs, Gap Run and Sunrise. Additionally,
there are two coal branches, a WM staging track, a N&W staging
track and a continuous run connection to allow re-staging of trains
between operating sessions and extra staging when operating. A recent
small extension into the adjoining garage has provided an additional 3
passing loops and has provided for much more operational flexibility.
Track laying is now complete and scenery featuring a type of local
shale mirroring real rock is largely completed. Minimum visible radius
is 27” and 24” hidden. Grades are a maximum of 2.5% (continuous run is
3.0%) and the elevations rise from 43” at Cedar Valley (Sunrise) to 54”
at Middleton (Midland). Most turnouts are Shinohara #6 or #8, rail is
code 100 in north and south staging and code 70 and 55 on the main and
in yards
EasyDCC is used and has proved very satisfactory. All turnouts within
reach are operated by slide switch-based switch
stands with remote turnouts worked by a combination of Tortoise and
Lemarco switch motors.
Structures are a mixture of scratch-built, kit-bashed and craftsman kit
buildings and bridges. Colour schemes are based on C&O practices,
the architecture reflects the West Virginia locale and to date there
are over 2500 trees made from Woodland Scenics fiberfill and ground
colours.
A number of operating sessions with a local group of NMRA
members have been held using car cards and train orders. Planning for
introduction of centralised traffic control using telephones, agents
and a magnetic CTC board is under way.
Please enjoy the accompanying photographs. For more information please
contact