In this last installment of the Virginian Ry. video journal, you’ll learn about the operating sequence for this HO scale model railroad. Follow along as Model Railroader staff members show you how to operate the model train layout. You can also see some of the prototypical paperwork used during the operating session.
Building the HO Virginian Ry. part 20
By Angela Cotey | April 19, 2012
| Last updated on November 23, 2020
Learn how to operate this HO scale model railroad with members of the Model Railroader staff
This is still the BEST 4 x 8 layout I’ve ever seen. I started out on a small 4 x 8 using Linn Westcott’s book HO Railroad That Grows. But this one takes the cake. Extremely well done through planning and execution. The added Turtle Creek section really puts an exclamation point on the entire project!
good work MR Staff the Virginian is complete except for a few modules David is going to build those on Video Plus the first being the Thin Branch.
Excellent series and as usual an excellent presentation by David Popp. With great layout tips and David's smooth style, this project video was fun to watch.
What a great video series. I found all 20 videos very helpful and interesting. Thank you very much.
I wonder if the operations would be different at all using steam power instead of diesel.
Very interesting concept of operation. I particularly liked the use of switch lists and mine order cards. The walk-around seems to work quite well, but I imagine you didn't show conflicts between the yardmaster and the train crew working in close proximity. I am going to assume that your "scale track" is a weigh in motion scale. Otherwise you would have to separate the car being weighed from the cars or engine on either side. Plus the cars to be weighed would have to be on the scale, whereas the engine could not. In your plan you did not make the scale track separate from the yard track it was on.
I think that would be a neat project for Cody to work on in some future issue of the mag.
Hello Cody
The most enjoyable time to run "operation videos" would be as soon as they are made available in your segments. We understand time constraints could be a factor too. What we all would like to see are permanent structures like a saw mill, coal dump and any other smaller works running on the MR&T to compliment the running of locomotives ….what a fantastic presentation that would be with something moving in place.
I don't know why but I really got into this layout more than in the previous 20 years I've been following M.R. I guess it was the video and magazine parallels and the fact I am going to try it on an N Scale layout. I've got most of my supplies so it is time to start the cutting and laying!!
WOOHOOO!!!! GREAT LAYOUT ONCE AGAIN!!!!!!
Absolutely FAN-TASTIC! I've had many ideas of running such smaller operations/layout based on our local "Willamette Valley Railroad" here in Woodburn, Oregon. It's a shortline originally part of the old Southern Pacific, that ran down to the southern Oregon boarder. Now it serves just Woodburn, Mt. Angel, Silverton, and back into Salem, feeding into the UP yard there. Love the operation system. Would work well with the "WVR". Thanks for another great example of the hobby!
I would like to know if you ever answer any of the questions that folks ask?. If you do where can I fine them??? This is a great series and it has given me several ideas but please answer some of the questions several of us have asked. Thanks in advance Jeff.
This was an awesome layout. I really liked the scenery and the way they modeled a real part of the Virginian Railroad. Great Job!
Well done very good deminstration.
Hi David,
I was checing out using Atlas's Snaptrack turnouts on a future layout because they are compact, as you stressed in your videos, and that they are very close to a #4.5 frog angle. The only disadvantage, perhaps, is that the frogs are plastic so can't be powered. Did you do anyhing about that on the Virginian layout? Or did you just put up with it because even DCC steam locos have virtually all-wheel pickup and your 0-8-0 will bridge the frog? Sorry if I missed your answer in case someone else asked first.
I am a long way from any operations on our 3 level railroad. We are only wiring level one right now and expect complete wiring to take at least 4 months to complete. We are looking at 350 feet of main line alone, plus another 200 feet of siddings, yards and storage tracks.
This gives us something to think about.
Woohoo, today I finally got started on the benchwork for my late 1940's to mid 1950's Virginian layout in HO. This is my first-ever HO layout, after years of running trains around on the floor. It will be on two 4'X6' modules with folding legs and casters. I haven't finalized the track plan yet, but on one module I will have a 3 stall roundhouse plus several garden tracks, a 16 inch turntable, and a small yard and locomotive service tracks. On the other module, I'll have a branch line with a couple of coal mines, and also sidings on both modules for servicing several industries and businesses. Also a passing track that will extend to both modules. I gotta remember to take pictures/videos as I go.
I love vidios that show operation
I would have like to have seen an overview of the entire layout first. Enjoyed the video
I enjoyed the series a great deal and am free-lancing a layout based on the Virginian and Wheeling and Lake Erie, Layout will be set in Wheeling and be based on the section that was known as the Wheeling Terminal Railway and The Ohio River Railroad. Your little layout has been very inspiring.
Dear Sirs;
A friend and fellow club member is building “The Virginian” as presented in your Model Railroader magazine for his grandson. We both have been in model railroading for a number of years. We started with the plywood and then built the frame. During the build process to date we encountered a number of issues we thought you should be aware of.
1. The scale plywood cut out drawing in the February issue, page 35 is less than 4’ x 8’, the web view is correct.
The frame print above indicates it is for a 4 x 8 and we cut it to that size.
2. The cutout for the river bed indicates the side lengths are ˜ 27” long on both sides. We did follow this and when we laid the plywood on the frame we noticed the cutout was 3” longer on both sides than the frame. We cut the ends of the riverbed to fit the opening. I did review the articles and videos and noticed David did the same thing keeping the frame as built. I could see in the April issue, page 57 this modification.
3. There is no dimensioned drawing for the upper level which appears to be ˜ 18” w x 30” long with radius cut for the yard below.
I have review all the videos and articles and could not find any data. I did see a video, part 5 that I was able to freeze and noticed an additional cutout in the base plywood that I believe is for the portal. I also noticed what appears to be a triangular splice from the incline ramp leading to the upper level. There was also a splice underneath at that transition. As we have not built the upper level I probable make the top section one piece and use relief cuts under the paned to make the radius.
4. The requirement for a full length ½” spacer near Rogers Yard was not apparent to us until we reread the Feb. article and saw the photos on page 36
5. As the riser height for the Rogers Yard is ½” we decided all the riser heights indicated are from “0” (top of plywood) to the bottom of the raised sections.
6. The offset of the two radius’s on the yard side per the online “turnouts and feeder locations” is difficult to measure. As the PDF was secured I could not import it to other software and had to expand the view to the max and than was able to assume the offset was 5/8” down and 1/8” in from the 24” center. I believe this should have been presented in the articles and it becomes critical to the layout.
Thank you
Joe Burden and
Bob Stroup
Metrolina Model Railroader club
Charlotte, NC
I love seeing the great layouts on the 4X8 boards I think pretty well most of us here started out with!
I can't help but invey you guys. What a great job you have.
Building great layouts and great buildings…..it must be nice. I would like to see more city details in your next project. I wait patiently every week for this e-mail. Love It. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've really enjoyed reading about this project, as the Virginian has always been one of my favorite railroads. As for the layout itself, it looks just like the area in Virginia that I lived in back in the 50's. Great job all around!!
I like rhe article and the video. Next step adding a scale to my layout, Your VIRGINIAN series has inspired me to expand my Layout.
Great job David and crew! Can't wait to finish dismantling my old layout and getting started on a new one.