Southern Ry. Saluda Grade

[davefoxx]

What might be boring to one could be exciting to another!
I think there is enough scenic interest that would keep Dave happy. Modeling the town would be really cool. And then the specific details such as the runaway tracks. In addition to the grade, the scenery would completely dominate. Ops wise; helpers, doubling the train, etc.. would keep him busy. With the new Loksound full throttle, he could run the trains just like the Saluda instructional video. Staging would be a must. I think this layout has a ton of potential.

I agree that it has tons of potential, and I really could have a lot of fun with it.  I do love mountain railroading.  But, I admit that, as pointed out by others, that some things would be missing that I love, e.g., TOFC intermodal and Amtrak trains.  This is what always pulls me back to the Seaboard System.  Why is it so hard to pick an era and locale and be satisfied? 

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Then don't!

Employ agile techniques and keep non recoverable infrastructural costs to a minimum, and follow your heart.

Also, make sure to retain "core" pieces of things you may want to go back to (why Dr HB is selling his 44 tonner but NOT his K4).

[Missaberoad]

Run Amtrak and Intermodal up Saluda... Heck run a SBD or ACL detour train 

My upper-midwestern layout will host the occasional D&RGW and Rutland train under the something shiny justification 

[davefoxx]

Run Amtrak and Intermodal up Saluda... Heck run a SBD or ACL detour train 

Heh, I've considered it.  In fact, I've been known to perform local and switching duties with SP No. 4449 at @seusscaboose's ops sessions. 

DFF

[davefoxx]

...Step 3: realize On30 Tweetsie was your passion all along and commit fully to that.   

We need more manpower in the Railwire's Narrow Gauge Mafia!

@Dave Vollmer, does this count? 

[Dave V]

@Dave Vollmer, does this count? 

It's a start!

[jpec]

What about Southern's Murphy branch? I remember that from back in MR.

One of their better concept layouts...the dioramas were stunning  and given DFF's  kudzu skills, it's worth a look-see.

JP

[jpec]

Do not forget the ready source of labor you have just to your south. We'll travel.

Fudge...I  had to leave all my good demo tools at the firehouse when I retired...

[Rich_S]

Could this really be true, is the Seaboard Central 2.0 for sale on eBay?? This has to be a bad dream, wake up, wake up.....

Dave just kidding, you have to follow your dreams. I also agree, this is pure freedom loving American Railroading...





Of course the Tweetsie is nice as well,



Oh forget it, I'm absolutely no help 

[davefoxx]

@Rich_S,

Those high-nose Southern Geeps running long hood forward are yummy!  Oh, and I'm currently staring at my G scale ET&WNC ten-wheeler that is sitting on top of my desk at work.  So, yeah, um, you're no help. 

DFF

[NS-CRE]

I'm excited to see a new layout in the planning stages, but like others here I'm ignorant as to what sort of operations this layout would provide other than the obvious "doubling" or "tripling" of a train on the up grade.  Was it all through traffic?  Also, would you want a helix at the top of the grade to put the train back down at the bottom again?  Then again, with such grades, sitting back and lettin 'em run is probably not going to be a thing anyway.

Industry on the line was not in the vicinity of the grade.  Between Asheville and Hendersonville, there were a number of industries.  Hendersonville is about 8 miles west of Saluda.  Industries east of the grade started around the 50 milepost, 15 miles east of Melrose.

Operations included the usually daily loaded Belmont coal train (with mid-train power) and the returning empties.  The empty Belmont train climbed the grade without being split.  There was some through road traffic, including autoracks and high cube box cars traveling on the rear of trains, but later in the 1990's the through traffic was detoured off the route.  It was very common to see a loaded 39-car wood chip train arrive at Melrose westbound and triple the hill with 13 loads at a time.  Miscellaneous freight would move too, but in much smaller quantities.  A favorite operating practice was to send the Belmont down the hill to Hayne Yard (Spartanburg) and have the crew drop an engine there.  That single engine would return to Asheville with a short freight train.

I wouldn't say Saluda would make a particularly exciting line to operate, but would be neat to represent.

[wm3798]

Yeah, it may be time to call in a few favors.  Thanks!

DFF

I'm going to be in Townsend Thursday afternoon.  Wouldn't be much of a stretch to slip across the canal for a consultation.  You have beer, right?

Lee

[davefoxx]

I'm going to be in Townsend Thursday afternoon.  Wouldn't be much of a stretch to slip across the canal for a consultation.  You have beer, right?

Lee

Let me check my schedule when I get back in the office tomorrow.  I can absolutely beer you.  What time are you going to be finished?

DFF

[wm3798]

Meeting is at 4, going over final revisions for a remodel project.  Could be 1/2 hour, could be 2 hours...  not sure.  I can give you a call...

Earlier will work better for me...  It's also Pint Night at Washington Street Pub!

Lee

[davefoxx]

That could work out perfectly, as I usually get out of the office about 5:00 p.m.  Meet right after your meeting?  With a heads-up, I can have Cyn pick up the kids from daycare.

DFF