A main criticism that I have of both the Virginian layout and the
Turtle Creek extension is the heavy reliance on the Walthers
New River tipple for kitbashing. The Walthers New River tipple
is based on the Edna tipple located on the D&RGW in Colorado.
Being from Colorado doesn’t make this an objectionable
model for eastern coal tipples, but there are only so many
modifications you can do to alter its appearance. The kit also
has some shortcomings, especially the legs under the loading
building, which are too thin in cross-section. These need to be
beefed-up even if you use the kit straight out of the box.
In addition to the dog mine, mentioned earlier, there are
currently four other tipples under construction, and two that
are finished, ready for installation on the layout when the time
8: Martinsburg Tipple No.1 from Laser Kit. This tipple will
be located in Coal Valley. The view is of the truck chute
and the end of the hoist house. That is an actual steel
cable that hasn’t had tension relieved before installation.
More detail will be added in the way of resin castings and
typical tipple junk.
8
