Virginia Blue Ridge & Southern: March 2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011

I've been working on the Railroad

It's been a week since our first op session of 2011 and I've been working to fix some things that needed fixing. First many of you said you were directionally challenged on the VBR&S, so there are now North-South indicators all around the layout (and some East-West ones in a few locations that require those).

I've got to admit that even I've had trouble with directions on the layout and I know the area well and built the layout. Of course I am dyslexic, but this will help I think.

The other thing I've worked on this week is adjusting the Walthers streamline passenger car's diaphragms. After testing I found that while they are springy, they are not springy enough for some spots on the layout, so I fixed them. I'll be running all of the passenger trains around the entire layout before the next session to make sure I've got'em right.

I'm also continuing to re-enter all of the freight car data into the CarCards program so that I can eventually print new car cards and waybills and do switch lists on the computer.
Til next report,
Bill

The Layout:

The VBR&S is designed to look and operate as the Southern Railway did between Lynchburg and Charlottesville in 1956. Included is the short line connection with the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway at Tye River. The Southern portion runs from Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg to Main Street Station in Charlottesville. Hidden reverse loop holding tracks on each end simulate the world beyond, plus there are holding tracks for N&W and C&O interchange in Lynchburg, and C&O interchange in Charlottesville. In addition industrial areas are included for both Lynchburg and Charlottesville. Monroe Yard is the main exchange point for freights, although 2nd class freights will also exchange cars in Charlottesville. Some passenger trains must change locomotives in Monroe. The VBR is operated as a separate railroad, leaving Tye River and dropping via a helix to the railroad's lower level. It reappears at Piney River where it serves two major industries. All sidings and industries on the layout actually existed. The VBR&S operates on a Train Order/Timetable system, in reality mostly timetable, as all trains are covered in the timetable except the local way freights which must get out of everyone else's way. We use a variable fast clock, which may be set between 4 and 5 to 1. It is visible from most spots on the railroad. All trains operate as they did in 1956, and all trains that ran on the real railroad are included. We use a Car Card Waybill system from Ship It, which works exactly like the Old Line Graphics system used by most of the major model railroads. Control is by a Digitrax Chief system.

Virginia Blue Ridge & Southern

Saturday, March 12, 2011

I've been working on the Railroad

The Layout:

VBR&S Pages

Blog Archive

Map of the VBR&S