Welcome!

This site is dedicated to my model railroad, the HO scale Virginia Midland Railroad. This layout comprises a 12X9 room with two levels. The upper level is complete and the lower level scenery has just begun.

I do a handful of train shows in the Virginia/Maryland region with Makin Tracks.
I also can help you find that freight car/locomotive or other hard to find item.

Email: virginiamidlandshops@gmail.com
You tube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/Virginiamidlandrr/

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Last post of 2014 and a special guest stops by

Well, 2014 is just about done.  I don't do much for New Years Eve these days, but did get to go out on a date with my wife to a movie this evening!  We definitely don't do that enough.  Looking back on 2014, It's been a good year for the Virginia Midland.  All the track has been laid this year and the lower level is ready for some scenery.  Probably the best improvement has been the restructured east end of the layout with the new peninsula.  It really adds to the layout and captures you when you enter the room.  I completed the sand unloading structure and added the support materials.  I still need some more dump trucks, a maintenance shed and more details.  It's good for now.  You be the judge:
Here's a shot of hoppers being unloaded

Here's the scene as you walk into the room. 

From the other side facing the door.

Another view of the unloader.

Yard office and parking area.

Road/crossing leading to the plant.  Perfect backdrop for the road but lots of work to do with it.

Another view

Also, yesterday had friend of mine, Mike Millitelo stop by to see the layout.  He's the owner of the Great Scale Model Train Show  that runs the four big train shows up in Timonium Maryland.  He actually lives about 10 minutes from me.  Mike had never operated a layout before so I got him to switch out Fredericksburg Flats.  He really enjoyed himself.   

Mike Millitelo stop by for his first op. session yesterday.  Think he's hooked!

10 comments:

  1. The scene looks great!! Definitely adds some nice 'vertical' scenery to the layout.

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    1. Thanks Mike. Been waiting for someone to finally make some large silos like that. Thought I was going to scratchbuild them but Walthers came through.

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  2. Man that Sand Industry looks great! How do you switch it? are both tracks available for unloading or just the one nearest the bins?

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    1. Both tracks have a unloader. The front end loader pushes the hoppers around when they are unloaded. A wench could be used.

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    2. Right on. I am considering using a Front end loader for the same purposes on my cement plant, but only the nearest track can be used for loading. Perhaps I need to work the need for the switcher to swap tracks into my operation scheme?

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    3. At my grain elevator across the tracks, there is only one unloading track. The other track is for storing 2 other full grain cars.

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    4. Do you work swapping tracks into your operations? or do you just back them into their respective spots and call it a day? Thanks much!

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    5. Since the hoppers are just hauling sand, order does not matter but at other industries on the Midland sometimes a customer needs a car at a specific spot.

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  3. Shannon that has come up a treat! I've been following along as re did this scene, top job. Jas...

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    1. Thanks Jas! I really enjoy following your blog also.

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