Virginia Southwestern - 9
The layout power and lighting are separate circuits, with all
110v wiring run in conduit.
Time period
When choosing a time period I selected the 1976 to 1978
time frame. I found many interesting factors are in play dur-
ing this time. The L&N kept the F units in service until June of
1975 and Alco RS3’s until April 1976. The L&N had persistent
power and car shortages, poor track, and high derailment
rates during this time.
The power shortages in particular allow a wide variety of
foreign road locomotives to operate on the layout. Leased
locomotives during this time frame included Seaboard Coast
Line (majority owner of the L&N), Penn Central, and after
April 1976, Conrail, Canadian National, B&O, DT&I, Auto
Train, Southern Pacific, N&W during a 1978 BRAC strike, and
units ordered to the
L&N from SCL by the
ICC. Power from run-
throughs and pool
trains with BN and MP
locomotives were also
in service. New power
ordered by the L&N
in the Family Lines
paint began arriving in
1977. Another impor-
tant consideration for
my layout is the track-
age rights agreement
with the N&W.
13: My metalworking Crash
Cart. I keep all of the tools that I
need for working with alumnium
in one place. Since it is on
rollers it’s easy to move around
the layout.
13
14: Helix B is under construction. The helix's roadbed
is made with 1/8” door skin plywood.
14
15: Some of the vertical risers of the helix have been
trimed to their final height. The mid level area with the
tool bin is the Coalgood branch. Above it is the sub
roadbed for Eljobean.
Helix Construction
15
MRH-Sep 2013
