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
MRH-Sep 2013
