NORFOLK & WESTERN VALLEY DISTRICT NORFOLK & WESTERN VALLEY DISTRICT  |
The Valley District is an H.O.scale representation of a “generic N&W coalfield branchline”. The track scenes model no place in particular and are taken from my travels on Norfolk & Western Railway’s Pocahontas, Dry Fork, Clinch Valley and Buchanan lines. The Valley District received it’s charter from the on NMRA November 30, 1977. With the help of many folks I have met in the hobby it has been “under construction” ever since. The motive power on the Valley District is set in the late 1950s, and is a mix of commercial off-the-shelf plastic and imported brass models. I have childhood memories of this steam to diesel transition period, as I saw it on the former N&W Shenandoah Division which is located near my home. The N&W Valley District is operated on an irregular basis by a crew of friends. |
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This timetable style map represents the area served by the Valley District. The line connects on the north (west) with the Pocahontas District, and on the south (east) with the Clinch Valley District. The Valley District has "rights" on Clinch Valley District between Bluefield Junction and Andover Junction. Here at Andover Junction the Valley District interchanges directly with Southern Railway. At Dismal Creek the Valley District interchanges with the Clinchfield Railroad. The Valley District generates about two coal trains daily and sees additional coal in traffic using the line as a shortcut. One general freight train each way and local train service originating at Pocahontas Yard can be seen, as well as local passenger service between Willamson and Enscale on the Overload Branch. |
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Left: The older Class Y3 2-8-8-2 mallets handle the bulk of mine shifter and coal train duties on the Valley District. The 2016 lays over at Biggs on
the Levisa Branch prior to departing with loads for Pocahontas Yard. The Levisa branch generates one train each day which is taken to Pocahontas Yard for relay to Williamson WV.
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Left: N&W train #13 working with Class E3 Pacific 503 pulls off the Overload branch and onto the Valley District mainline at Overload station. After making a stop here the local with work west to Pocahontas, where perhaps the locomotive will take on water during the stop. |
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Left: Located between the south end of the N&W yard at Andover Junction. and rhe Southern Railay crossing is A Tower. A Tower controls the N&W/SR crossing and the switch allowing SR trains to enter the N&W yard.
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Left: N&W Class 1365 pauses at the water tank at Bluefield Junction Yard before heading up the Valley District to Pocahontas Yard. Strung out behind the mallet will be a string of hoppers heading back to the coal fields for loading.
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The Valley District is a point-to-point double deck HO scale model railroad. Two separate four track storage yards, representing Williamson and Norton are located to the right, just out of this picture. In addition there are three "live" interchanges where the Valley District interacts with the outside world. At Andover Junction the Southern Railway interchanges with the Valley District. At Bluefield Junction a Norfolk & Western Clinch Valley local trades cars with Southern Railway and works sidings around the yard. At Dismal Fork VA, the Clinchfield Railroad exchanges traffic with the Valley District. Track on the Valley District is Atlas Code 100 rail. Some of the older portions of this rail date from purchases in the 1960s. Over the years a number of different control systems have seen service. Currently the railroad is operated using a NCE radio system. Presently a variety of steam and diesel motive power from Lifelike Products Company, see the largest amount of work. Custom locomotive work is performed by Springhaven Shops. Structures on the District are being upgraded using kits produced by American Model Builders. Those Appalachian coalfield mountains would not be possible with generous amounts of scenery products from Woodland Scenics. Finally none of this would have been possible without the help the fine folks I have met through and the reference material provided by the Norfolk & Western Historical Society .