While waiting for the last few testing reports to roll in for the MC&SA so I can wrap it up, I thought I should announce my next project.
I found Railworks to be the perfect shortline simulator, so I decided to have a go at another route that I have been much interested in for a long, long time. It is also a route that was one of the earlier announced routes of MSTS that in the end never materialised, so I wanted to build one ever since.
So here it is, one of the most challenging railroads in the world, the West Virgina Northern!
Built solely for the purpose of hauling coal from the mines deep in the rugged terrain of northwestern Virgina to the B&O's West End, this shortline had to combine one of the heaviest loads on trains with some of the steepest grades in the US. The route's profile speaks for itself: Beginning at the interchange with the B&O at Tunnelton, WV, (so we're following an EMPTY train now): the route first drops about 80 feet in elevation... on a (maximum) 3.6% grade though. From the route's first passing (and sometimes also hopper storage) siding at Marion, the route then winds up around several hills for a few miles, gaining more than 500 feet in elevation, with a short maximum grade of 4.7% (yes, that's four point seven per cent, which the loaded trains have to go down). Follwing the summit close to the village of Borgman is a 600 feet descent - again with maximum grades exceeding 4.5% (which the loaded trains then have to go up...). As if that weren't enough, there's also a double switchback on this part of the line. The last part of the line then is again uphill for the empties to the route's northern terminus at Kingwood, WV, where the WVN entertained a small yard, depot and maintenance facilities. There are numerous mine loadouts on the line and four branches of various lengths, so this route should keep you busy for quite some time. The operations were also very varied over the time, and as a bonus there were passenger excursions until only a few years ago.
OK, enough said. Well, almost. One more thing: my main reason to announce this route here was so other route builders know what's going on. The 7-mile MC&SA took me about a year to complete, so I think (given a much better understanding of the game now) the much longer WVN will also take me quite a while, several months at least.
My original plan was to build the WM's Elkins branches, but I had to put this project on hold as it'd be just too much for my very limited time budget right now. So if anybody is interested in a completely Demed WM Elkins branch (Elkins to Belington), with series markers for roads and all WM and B&O tracks (but nothing else), let me know, I can send them to you.
Finally, some pictures of the initial route work. Terrain (ReDem, 1/3 arc sec) and tracks are all finished, took me only 9 hours to get them all down. Fine tuning (mostly smoothing grades) now as I go along with the scenery. Scenery work is still very basic and covers only maybe 2% of the total route yet.
Thanks!
Michael
Tunnelton, WV, seen from close to the tunnel exit
Tunnelton seen from eastern direction
Looking north from the mountain just north of Tunnelton
That's what the route is all about: coal
The switchback. Dramatic grades changes, but doable if you apply the brakes, then use the throttle to push your train over the hump, and let it glide down the grade. Thankfully, the loaded trains can climb through here, the empties have to go downhill.
The switchback again. It'll be completely surrounded by a dense forest in the end.
And finally, the route map.
