Q: I model the Shenandoah Valley in HO scale and I have some questions. Where can I find HO scale Buckingham Branch locomotives (preferably GP38-2s) and rolling stock? If there are none available, what paint and decals should I use to custom decorate a GP38-2? — Caleb Miller
A: The Buckingham Branch (BB) is a shortline railroad headquartered in Dillwyn, Va., that operates 280 miles of track. The family-owned operation interchanges traffic with CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR at various locations throughout Virginia.
The railroad is divided into four divisions: Buckingham (Dillwyn to Bremo, Va.), Richmond & Alleghany (Richmond to Clifton Forge, Va.; leased from CSX), Virginia Southern (Burkeville to Clarksville, Va.; leased from Norfolk Southern), and Norfolk (Norfolk to Virginia Beach, Va; leased from NS and Canonie Atlantic). For more information on the Buckingham Branch, including the railroad’s history and a system map, go online and visit buckinghambranch.com.
As someone who is interested in shortline railroads (Minnesota Northern RR, Northern Plains RR, and Dakota Southern Ry.), I know modeling them can be tricky as few, if any, products are available. However, it looks like you’re in luck with the Buckingham Branch. Commercial models for the BB have been (or will be) produced in HO scale. In March 2025, Athearn announced that it’s offering a pair of Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotives decorated for the BB. The four-axle road switchers, numbered 15 and 17, are part of the Genesis series. You’ll have to wait a few more months for those, Caleb. They’re due out in October 2026.
In 2010, Athearn released its Ready-to-Roll Pullman-Standard PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity two-bay covered hopper decorated for the Buckingham Branch in three road numbers (item Nos. 97303, 97304, and 97305). The models are sold out at the manufacturer but might be available at model railroad swap meets and online auction websites.
In addition to Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co. produced a GP16 lettered for the short line in four numbers (2, 3, 8, and 9). A note on the manufacturer’s website suggests contacting dealers to check on availability.
If you want to decorate your own models, NetzlofDesign and Model Works and Highball Graphics offer decal sets. NetzlofDesign set ND-1362 covers second-generation Geeps in the 2010 and newer paint scheme.
Highball Graphics has three sets for the Buckingham Branch RR. Set L-277 covers the railroad’s EMD GP38-2, GP40, and GP40-3 diesel locomotives in the early and late paint schemes. Set L-278 covers early Geeps in both schemes. Set F-332 is for BB cabooses 222, 223, and 224.
I couldn’t find specific paint information for BB GP38-2 diesels. Highball Graphics set L-277 recommends medium gray (carbody), red (cab and sills), and black (fuel tank, pilot faces, and trucks).
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