Operation of the Layout
We try to operate the layout like a typical day in 1949 following C&O practices of the day. Trains operate over the layout between Hinton, WV to Clifton Forge, VA, the two main terminal yards of the railroad. Trains enter/leave the layout from a staging yard/loop represtenting off line points east and west of the modeled portion of the railroad. The entire main line of the railroad is double tracked with secondary lines branching off just east of Ronceverte (the Greenbriar Sub) and at Covington (the Hot Springs branch.)
Freight Trains:
Manifest trains run the railroad from the staging yard to terminal yard, make setouts/pickups as required, run the railroad to the next terminal yard and re-enter the staging yard. We run six scheduled manifest trains as follows: east bound: #90, #92, #94 & #98; west bound: #93 & #95. These trains run on timetable authority and follow schedules set forth in the timetable. We also run several recurring extra manifest trains including a train onto and off of the James River, referred to by the operators as the James River Manifests. As with any extra trains, these trains run on train orders issued by the dispatcher.
Locals originate at either terminal and run the railroad to the next terminal handling short cars for industries on their side of the main only. Locals do not cross over to do switching across the opposing main. We run two locals one from Hinton to Clifton Forge (the East Local); and one from Clifton Forge to Hinton (the West Local.) Locals run as extras clearing for all scheduled trains. We also run two additional trains to handle tonnage to/from the Greenbriar sub at Ronceverte and local industries at Covington. These trains are referred to as the East Pickup and West Pickup. They handle blocks of cars only and do not do any local switching. The only train to violate the rule not to cross the main to do switching is the East Pickup which must cross over to the west main to setout/pickup tonnage at the yard at Ronceverte. As per C&O practice, locals and pickups operate with a caboose at the end of the train and one directly behind the locomotive.
Coal Trains:
Much of the traffic on the railroad is export coal mined in the mountains west of Hinton and forwarded over the Alleghany mountains to Newport News, VA to be loaded onto coal ships. Loaded coal trains are designated DF; Empty coal trains are designated as MT. This is strictly for the convenience of the operators, as all coal trains were run as extras. Loaded coal trains run east; Empty coal trains run west. A helper engine is added to rear of loaded coal trains at Hinton. The helper is cut off at the top of the grade at the town of Alleghany and the retainers turned down on the coal cars for the trip down the eastern slope of the Alleghany mountains. Empty coal trains operate west bound behind a single H-8 class 2-6-6-6 locomotive.
Passenger Trains:
In the year 1949, there were plenty of passenger trains running on the Alleghany Sub. We run all that the "big" C&O ran that year. Passenger trains run include the local passenger trains (#13 & #104,) The Fast Flying Virginian (#3 & #6,) the Sportsman (#46 & #47) and the George Washington (#1 & #2.) These trains are handled on the relatively flatlands west of Hinton by Hudsons (4-6-4 type steam locomotives.) These engines take the passenger trains out of the staging yard to Hinton where they are cut off and replaced with the Greenbriar (4-8-4 type steam locomotive.) Other railroads called them Northern's, but not on the C&O. Train cards for operators list the required en-route switching for passenger trains. The Greenbriar Sub has its passenger needs served by a gas electric each direction between Ronceverte to Bartow (#142 & #143.) The Hot Springs branch is served by a mixed train between Clifton Forge to Hot Springs (#303 & #306.)
Greenbriar Sub:
The Greenbriar Sub is a secondary line diverging from the main line at Whitcomb (just east of Ronceverte.) It traverses 98 miles to Bartow and an interchange with the Western Maryland. A local freight (#146 & #147) runs this line each day handling local freight to towns along the way.
Hot Springs Branch:
The Hot Springs branch is not actually modeled, it's 24 mile run is simulated via a sneak off track at Covington which runs benind the scenery to a turntable under the layout where the small 2-8-0 locomotive is turned for the return trip.
Hinton Yard:
When you walk into the layout room from the stairs, the first thing you see is the east end of Hinton yard with the Hinton depot, distinctive YMCA on the hill and the locomotive servicing area and turntable just to the west. This is a busy place. Passenger trains need their locos changed, loaded coal trains need a pusher loco attached, the west local needs to be assembled, cars need to be sorted for the west pickup and other manifests.
Clifton Forge Yard:
The previous version of the railroad (at Severn in Metairie) had this yard simulated by only a few arrival/departure tracks under the scenery. We now have a full yard modeled with a working hump yard and engine servicing facility. The tracks east of Clifton Forge represent the James River sub and the Mountain sub. On the layout, these tracks feed into the hidden staging yard and reverse loop. Again, the terminal operators are always busy at this yard.
James River Sub:
The James River Sub is modeled via a track into the staging yard from the east end of Clifton Forge. Most manifest traffic east of Clifton Forge goes this route.
Mountain Sub:
The Mountain Sub is modeled via a track into the staging yard from the east end of Clifton Forge. All passenger trains east to Washington, D.C. and some local freight takes this route.
New River Sub:
The New River Sub is modeled via a track into the staging yard from the west end of Hinton. The grades on this sub are not quite as steep as those on the modeled portion of the railroad, thus passenger trains are pulled by Hudson (4-6-4 type) steam locomotives. These are changed out for Greenbriar (4-8-4 type) steam locomotives for the run on in across the Alleghany mountains and on in to Washington D.C. Much of the coal hauled by the C&O on the layout is mined on this sub. Many coal mine branches feed the coal to the main line.