A&O 2.0 Design
The design philosophy detailed on the A&O 1.0 page has been continued and expanded on 2.0. (See Kalmbach's Model Railroad Planning 2009 for an article on the design process.) The following are of particular note:
- Increased number and detailed, visible staging yards
- Kayford Coal Branch is totally isolated within the overall layout space
- Seven "Operator Tunnels" to enhance scene isolation
- 100' of double track for opposing train movement
- 15' Ohio River Bridge sequence for nod-under entrance into railroad space
- Passing siding lengths increased to 20' minimum
- Chubb CMRI signal system with CTC panel in a Dispatcher's Office
2.0 System Map
The Appalachian and Ohio’s system map remains unchanged from 1.0. However the new layout has now located the industrial city of Millport across the Ohio river into the Buckeye state. This allowed me to model some Ohio River shoreline after leaving Millport and before jumping across the Ohio on a series of bridges. Several new town locations have shown up given the larger space. And the addition of Bob Sobol’s New River and Western connection adds more interchange traffic from the south. The NR&W is a wholly owned subsidiary of the A&O.
2.0 Track Plan
The track plan below was a surprise and gracious gift from Jose Alvira from the New York area. If you wish a close up view of the various text items you can do so by the following download. Note that the left hand portion of the new layout is double decked, with the staging yards being below the main yards of Millport, O. Thus the far left portion below lies above the Willow Creek/Taft and Dogtown staging yards. Connection from the lower staging yards into Millport is made at CM Tower at one end and continuous running through to Willow Creek and on to Sobol Springs on the other. The schematic and grade profiles approximate the overall track flow.
As the railroad is being built several changes have and will occur. For instance the coal barge loading at Bayfield have been moved to Glen Forge, and the paper mill at Glen Forge is now at Bayfield. Another passing siding has been added on the Coal Ridge grade encompassing the River Dock loader. Etc. The overall plan remains as depicted below.
