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Originally MR's "The Virginian " build Journals/Blogs
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Regular poster 390 posts Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

Several years ago the magazine had a project layout based loosely on a Virginian branch. I took the theme and ran with it modeling instead an ex-NYC/PC branch in West Virginia called the Hitop branch, as I model some NYC,but primarily Penn Central. In anticipation of this being published early next year, I set up a copyrighted website with a story behind the building of the layout, a history of the area, of course modeling photos from the first lumber cut to the layout today, and prototype photos from the era and area. I'm modeling 1968-1975. Here is the link, so hope everyone enjoys taking a look!

http://www.hitopbranchmodelrr.com
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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seacoast New member 18 posts
seacoast

Wow

Well done! I enjoyed reading the history of how your layout came to be.

George 
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leestepr New member 19 posts
leestepr

Great Looking Layout!

Well executed small layouts don't get enough press. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing more.

 

Steve Lee

Up Dunes Junction
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trainmaster247 Prolific poster 2,041 posts
trainmaster247

Cool have been thinking about

Cool have been thinking about doing the virginian myself.

23%20(2).JPG 
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Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

Thanks much ....

Thanks much gentlemen for the compliments!

I'll be adding some additions here soon, and will post photos when complete....
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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Joe Walder PRR 2277 Active Member 41 posts
Joe Walder PRR 2277

Wow!

I've seen your photos posted elsewhere, but what really surprised me - they all looked like they were taken on a much larger layout. What an awesome job you've done. Keep up the good work!

Talk to you later,

Joe
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Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

Almost new power

Almost new power (for the branch proper), has come down from Clark St yard in Charleston to help on the tight curves on the Hitop. Here are a few photos of the Hitop mine run, with a solid line of PC hoppers

image.jpg 
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

One more.....

One more shot of the Hitop mine run from yesterday. More photos on the website today....

image(1).jpg 
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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herronp Prolific poster 1,831 posts
herronp

Kudos on your layout.............

................as the photos show all of us that bigger is not necessarily better!!  Your photos have that diorama quality, but you also have the big plus to be able to run trains as well.  Well done.

Peter
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Leverettrailfan Regular poster 422 posts
Leverettrailfan

Nice work!

Very good job, beutiful!

~Toy trains, of all shapes and sizes.. Fun that lasts more than a lifetime!~
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Rich_S Prolific poster 1,011 posts
Rich_S

Nicely Done

Steve,

    I really like how you adapted the Virginian to a ex-NYC / PC branch in the Wild and Wonderful. Your choice of buildings and industries have really made the layout look and feel like a PC Branch in the Mountaineer state. I'm also a fan of small layouts, I hope to see more photo's of your excellent layout.

 

 

Cheers,

Rich S.
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pschmidt700 Prolific poster 2,584 posts
pschmidt700

Dittos on the kudos!

And some very helpful info on your website as well.
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Pcfan60 Regular poster 390 posts
Pcfan60

New trees....

Replacing most of my WS trees with plastic trunks to more realistic grand central gems trees. Here's the different look image(3).jpg so far....image(2).jpg 
https://hitopmodelrailroad.com/
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