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| Last updated on January 19, 2021
Name: The Thin Branch
Layout designer: David Popp
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Size: 30″ x 72″
Prototype: Virginian Ry.
Locale: West Virginia
Era: spring 1955
Style: portable
Mainline run: 7 feet
Minimum radius: 18″
Minimum turnout: Atlas 22″ radius Snap-Switch
Maximum grade: 3 percent
(switchback)
Originally appeared in the August 2013 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF of this track plan.
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This plan inspired me as I need to perform an angle just like this!
Liked this plan and the original project from 2012 very much – an inspiring and manageable layout with good looks!
I noted something that isn't really a problem, but still bothers me a little bit: In the original plan the trains from Rogers heading for the Thin Branch headed out from Rogers anti-clockwise, and backed into the staging yard that represented the branch. That procedure has to be changed with the new extension, causing all trains to leave Rogers in the clockwise direction.
This project came at the rite time. been looking for a add on to my 8 by 20 layout, this is perfect, looking for the next issue, I'm building it a little larger for I have a min. radius of 30 inches on my layout , but the track plan and industries are the same .
Went back and looked at the original Virginian + Turtle Creek branch. This Thin Branch project could fit really nicely passed the Turtle Creek coal mine. Turn the hopper storage track into a thru track and connect the Thin Branch to this track. That way you get one really long branch line. Operationally, you can do an outbound crew one day and return the next. The crew switches trailing industries then ties up at the end of the branch and returns the next day again switching trailing industries. Sounds like fun and squeezes a lot of RRing in a small space. Keep up the good work MR!
What's the size of the unmarked turnout (behind the pulpwood stacks)? It appears to be another Walthers #6 1/2 curved; am I correct?
This and the Virginian is the best and well documented series I have seen in MR for many years. How can I save the videos on a PC for viewing when not on line?
Framework elevations on page 2 are a helpful addition to visualize the scene.