Elmore, WV--19'x33' Track Plan

Scale: HO
Minimum Radius: 30"
Minimum Aisle Width: 30"
Designed by Dan Bourque

This trackplan is similar in scope to the first Elmore trackplan published on this site.  For prototype information about the area, see the first trackplan (click here).  One big benefit this trackplan has over the first is that the C&O is a completely operational railroad on the Winding Gulf Branch.

The main focus of this railroad is the double-track main from Elmore to Micajah.   This was a helper district for all loaded trains moving east from Elmore to Clark's Gap (a few more miles east of Micajah).  Obviously, in this trackplan, helpers would have to cut off at Micajah, but there would still be a nice, long helper run.   Another feature of this layout is the BIG tipples.  You'd have to have a ton of hoppers to begin to fill all of the loading tracks on the main deck and upper deck.

The lower deck of this railroad (Mullens to Micajah) could also form the basis for some alternate upper decks instead of the Winding Gulf Branch.  One option would be to model the mainline north of Mullens toward the connection with the C&O and NYC at Deepwater, WV.  Another option would be to continue modeling the line east of Micajah towards Princeton, WV. 

Upper Level (Winding Gulf Branch)

Lower Level (Mullens to Micajah)

Staging Level

Operations would keep several operators busy for a few hours.  Elmore would need one or two full-time operators just to build mine runs and coal drags and to shuttle power from Mullens to the yard for new trains.  Mainline traffic would consist primarily of coal, but at least a few trains daily would run through from Mullens to Micajah with more diverse merchandise traffic to and from the NYC interchange at Deepwater (staging).  Two to four mine runs would be needed to serve all the mines on the layout.  One or two would work the mines east of Elmore, while the others would work the Winding Gulf Branch and the C&O interchange at Pemberton.  Of course, helpers would be needed as often as coal drags departed from Elmore heading east (at least 5-6 times per operating session).  Also, because the staging yard is double ended and provides a continuous running loop, trains from Deepwater to Princeton could be recycled to add more traffic to an operating session.  Don't forget, at least one operator will be busy operating 2-3 C&O trains on the Winding Gulf branch every session.