Moving a sand dome, and the Virginian

[2-8-8-0]

Hey all. I am happy school is done for the summer, I have a bit more free time now for preparing my locos and rolling stock to tackle the duties I will assign them soon! I have a couple questions regarding the locos however, and maybe someone can shed some light?

1) What type of loco would Virginian have used as a mine shifter in the late 1940s? Some mines were jointly served by Virginian and C&O, and I decided that having a branch that is served by both would add some operational interest, and would like to get a VGN engine, just dont know what they would have used; a 2-8-8-2?

2) Anyone have any ideas for relocating the sand dome, etc, on Life-Likes Berkshire to make it more closely resemble the C&Os 2-8-4s? Maybe making resin castings of the sand dome, steam dome, etc, and then relocating them, along with their associated plumbing? I wish Bachmann would do one in N, as they have the correct one in  HO, but wont hold my breath.

Thanks!

[wm3798]

You could always google "Virginian Yard Shifter" and hit the images key and see what comes up!

Lee

[2-8-8-0]

I dont know what VGN called them, C&O called them "mine shifters" ie, their 2-6-6-2s, as in the engines that would head to the mines and drop off empties and pick up loads. The Virginian sadly isnt as well represented on the internet as is say, C&O or PRR, and I havent been able to find much at all.

[Bob Bufkin]

Try the N&W historical society.  They also cover Virginian and other roads merged into N&W. 

[Dave Schneider]

You could always google "Virginian Yard Shifter" and hit the images key and see what comes up!

Lee

Could...but this is what you get.
Information No results found for "Virginian Yard Shifter".
I was expecting more...of course this is on the "safe search". Not sure what you get if you are a bit more daring!  :-*

Best wishes, Dave

[Mark5]

Off hand I'd say VGN would have used articulateds or mikes. But I don't know much about how VGN operated.

I have H. Reid's VGN book, and I'll thumb through it when I get a chance.

Meanwhile, consider joining the VIRGINIAN Yahoo group:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VirginianRailwayEnthusiasts

Mark

[jmlaboda]

This should give you a little to think about...
http://sites.google.com/site/vgnry43/RRlayoutLillybrookMIne002.jpg

More can be found at the following website...
http://sites.google.com/site/vgnry43/modelrailroadofaubreywiley
http://sites.google.com/site/vgnry43/RRlayoutLillybrookMIne002.jpg

More can be found at the following website...

[chessie system fan]

I'm in the same boat as you about with the C&O berks.  The sand dome is a completely different shape (more square and boxy, and shorter) so it will have to be scratchbuilt.  I'm actually working on this same project and plan on making castings (whenever I finish it... :).  If you want to make your own, there are plans in a 1965 MR (don't remember which). 

[David Leonard]

I think the LL HO C&O Berks were correct--another case of N scale not getting much respect. The idea of scratchbuilding the dome is the best option. If castings become available, that would be even better.

In the meantime you can simply renumber a LL C&O Berkshire to the high 2600 series. These were the former PM engines, but they didn't get sent to the coal fields until the early 50's, if I recall correctly. (My recollection is from reading about it, not from actually seeing them!)

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/co/co-s2697dsa.jpg

[Mark5]

I think the LL HO C&O Berks were correct--another case of N scale not getting much respect.

Not only did they get the C&O correct in HO, they also tooled up the unigue tender (taller) for the VGN versions (the VGN berk locomotive itself was built to the same specs as the C&O ones BTW).

Mark

[Rasputen]

I've got my sand dome almost ready to cast -
The harder part will be to fill the hole left from the old sand dome, and re-apply all
of the details like the boiler bands and the sand pipes that were molded in place.

[2-8-8-0]

I will be modelling "sometime in the late 40s" so a PM one can be a standin for a while, but as my roster and rolling stock collection is quite small, I am trying to make them as correct as i can. Thanks for the linkys, I will poke about those websites and see what they hold!

[NS-CRE]

You could also try posting your question to the following Yahoo Group:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VirginianRailwayEnthusiasts/

Marcus Neubacher
www.kntower.com

[jmlaboda]

You better get cracking.  Ross Rowland sent out an email to his mailing list and it would appear that C&O 614 will be ready in about a year to start hauling a tourist train to the Greenbrier resort...
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/business/x1666007687/Greenbrier-owner-15M-tourism-train-in-works

[Bob Bufkin]

http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2011/11/10/news/doc4ebcae30dcbc2442323847.txt?viewmode=fullstory