Dry Fork Branch

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

Hi Gary,
     Thanks for the help, I plan on making my first visit to NWHS next week
if the WX improves.  I will drop a note To Mr.Gillum.   I plan to
attend the train show in Timonium MD this weekend and gather some
books and info.  After that trip and my visit to Roanoke I will have
questions, hope you can help.

A brief view of my goals are to build a quality layout in a 35' x 23'
space with prototype practices followed closely.  Have LDE's to show
location and time and track geometry close to line modeled.  coal shifters
to marshalling yard, marshalling yard to main yard, so lot's of hoppers
but I would like to see a thru train other than coal a couple times a day.
Single track.
              Thanks again Tim




   Dear Tim:
 >
 > I personally do not know what type of traffic was on the Dry Fork Branch
 > in those days.  However, I can suggest that you look at the employee
 > time tables of that period that will give some indication of the
 > scheduled trains that ran over the branch.  This does NOT describe any
 > of the unscheduled (coal or Mty Hoppers) trains, of which there had to
 > be many.
 >
 > Note that the ETT's trasitioned from listing trains by timetable
 > schedule to a "rules" and operation format in the early 1970's, so you
 > will need to look at the earlier timetables.
 >
 > The Dry Fork probably saw mostly unscheduled coal trains and mine run
 > trains in that time period.  I do not know of any scheduled manifest
 > freights that ran over that line as freight traffic 'cutting the corner'
 > would have been pretty scarce.
 >
 > The line can be followed from Cedar Bluff to Ieager fairly easily.  I
 > think a fall trip or a trip after the leaves are down would be very
 > beneficial.  Traffic now is higher than it used to be (recently) as NS
 > runs much of the Wolf Creek Branch coal and coal from the Williamson
 > area down the Dry Fork Branch to Norton and connection to the
 > ex-Southern lines going westward.  This is predominantly power plant
 > coal traffic.
 >
 > Note that the Archives will be open by appointment (email
 > Gillum at nwhs.org) on the second Thursday-Friday- Saturday of each month.
 > Jim Gillum can give you directions to the facility, which is near
 > Shaffers Crossing.
 >
 > While at Roanoke, you must go to the link Museum in the old station.
 >
 > I will see what I can find in the older traffic charts that I have and
 > the freight schedules.
 >
 > Gary Rolih
 > Cincinnati, Ohio
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
 > [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of
 > nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
 > Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 1:08 PM
 > To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
 > Subject: Dry Fork Branch
 >
 >   I am a new member and plan to visit Roanoke next week and see if I can
 > find the data I need, but your input would be very helpfull.  I am
 > trying to find a location to model.  I now have focused my attention on
 > the cut off between Iaeger, south east to the clinch valley district.
 > The Dry fork branch.  I plan to model operation's as close to the
 > prototype as possible.  I am working with some experienced operator's so
 > I will have help evaluating the line.  I have been unable to find out
 > much about it.
 >    To keep it simple at first, what kind of traffic did the line see.
 > Time can change but the 70's or early 80's info would be best.
 >    Thanks Tim
 >
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