Virginia Blue Ridge & Southern: December 2008

This is the southbound main signal at Tye River. It's companion is just out of sight on the left and controls the northbound track. I'll have more details on the signals and the system I'm using to control them. Stay Tuned!

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

Monday, December 1, 2008

The first signal is up and working on the VBR&S!

The Layout:

VBR&S Pages

Blog Archive

Map of the VBR&S