John’s been in touch again with his HO scale coal mine.
Have a look at what he’s done now.
And if his narrative doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.
“Below is the narrative for the WV Energy operations pictured herein.
The first wall of the “great layout move” side is nearly completed, and trains can run 1/3 of the way around the layout – 2/3 is still in boxes and crates.
The time is 1987 and Conrail, the mega-railroad formed in 1976 from numerous failing USA railroads east of the Mississippi river, was just split and sold to CSX and Norfolk-Southern.
Lots of diesel power was on the market and some was sold. West Virginia Energy picked up several aging but serviceable engines for their coal, oil and ore transportation.
Coal is still king in the Appalachian, and the Craig Mountain mines, and coal processing plant wedged between “Lost” and “Tygart” river works to make the coal ready for the folks needing clean energy.
The old Hudson 4-8-4 that was saved from the scrap-yard torches is now in front of the logistic warehouse for the crusher and shipping operation.
Remember that the owners kid, acting as a fireman let the water in the boiler get low and warped the back-head of the firebox. Plans are to restore the ex-New York Central workhorse when funds are available.
On the plateau just below THE Craig Mountain Coal plant is “The Shin’in Rock” a silver ore mine, the silver ore deposit just on the top of the 30’ coal seam that runs under West Craig Mountain, and East to the Virginia line.
WV Energy tolerates the silver mine, the owner/operator of which is the first cousin of the original owner of WV Energy, at least that’s the reason given for allowing the other mine to share some of the WV Energy property.
The little mine also serves as a receiving location for mining supplies, relayed up the hill to the coal facility.
The silver ore was processed just outside the mine buildings, but a fire destroyed the reducing plant, so now it’s shipped out to Roanoke. The direction of the wind that December night blowing the flames away and across the valley, the trestle serving the little mine was not so lucky and burned beyond repair, as did the mainline trestle, which was rebuilt.
Still, even with bouts of bad luck and wavering silver value and demand a small profit is realized, and the silver miners have a job…for awhile anyway. The first cousin still comes to work each day, watching the old mine-head winch drop the workers and ore hopper 210 feet to the ¼ mile of tunnels.
Overlooking the junction of Lost River and the larger Buckhannon River is the Undercliff Café, where miners can get a beer or a shot, and on Wednesday evenings learn line dancing from “Big Bell Raven, the Stompin’ Craig Mountain Mamma” with Bluegrass music by the “Mine dust 4” – a local band.
This coal operation modeled here is typical of a hundred such across the Appalachian “Blue Ridge” mountains of Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. All now struggling or abandoned with the war on coal in full swing.
When they are all finally gone and for most forgotten, I’ll look at my railroad and remember the thousands of miners, their little towns, bluegrass bands, beer bars, and the energy that built America… when coal was King.
John from Baltimore”
A huge big thanks to John.
(His layout reminds me a lot of Joe’s: HO scale coal processing plant.
His last post, on his model train bridge really does show how this layout has come together.
Also, I absolutely love his narrative, putting a story to a layout is great fun, and also brings it to life.
Please do leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
