Master Seargeant Rick Bacon III scratch built the town of Mt. Union, WV on A&O 2.0. His own Class 3 railroad, the Antioc & Dover, passes thru Mt. Union and services several industries. The A&D was absorbed by the A&O some years ago, but the A&D still maintains its identity. Enjoy as we marvel at Rick’s artistry-

As with many West Virginia towns, Mt. Union is built on a grade requiring building foundations to be plumbed accordingly. And as it’s situated on a convex curve, all sides of the structures are visible.

Add to that, a state highway passes thru town making for some interesting street running. And, the lengthy passing track is a favorite of the Coal Ridge Dispatcher with meets being an almost constant event. Road crews get lots of opportunity to ogle the many details.

First we’ll take a look at the Valley Mobil Oil dealership. Rick’s A&D SW took first place at an O Scale National Convention. Imagine that.

Space is extremely tight at Mt. Union, but the detailed tanks snuggle in.

Crates and pallets with 55 gal. oil drums are off loaded once the roll-up door is opened.

Sorry, but O Scale is just plain cool.

A V&O box is sitting on the A&D/N&W interchange track. I particularly like the open doors on the 1968-period tanker truck.

The Valley Petroleum & Supply Co. office. It’s a hot summer day.

Further into town we come to the Greenwood Lumber Co. It’s just plain awesome. I love the roof “painting” of the company name. And the carts, and the office half (Dutch) door, and the interior, and….

As was common back in the 60’s, you could buy lumber to size, so yards usually had a weather protected chop saw. So well done, Rick.

A loading dock also helped off-load the various Greenwood products. Rick converted a crude toy into a gorgeous fork lift.

It appears that some brick has arrived by pallet from Ridge, WV and the Blue Ridge Brick and Block Co. The yellow plate on the dock is for forklift/pallet jack access into boxcars. Details.

Moving on we come to Rick’s beautiful Texaco Gas Station. Now I’m sure I’ve gone back-in-time.

Pull right in and we’ll figure out what’s making that noise.

And they’re day and night. Yeah.

Further into town there’s an ACE Hardware. Rick says he carved the Radio Flyer wagon on window display. I wonder what’s up the stairs?

I think everybody’s open ‘till 10 tonight.

It looks like it’s a good time to finally paint the house. Rats.

Next is the United Mine workers hall and offices. A beloved photo of Jimmy Hoffa “graces” the wall. And Union Drug fixes what ales you. Love the phone booth. Use it quick before school lets out and the teenagers “stuff it."

Dave’s Diner is classic for the ‘68 era, with its rolled aluminum siding exterior. Dave is holding down the counter himself since the help called in “sick”. Right. An adjacent outdoor cooler looks to have seen better days and is partially draped in kudzu. The step-up diner entrance features a gumball machine and an area attractions brochure rack.

ALL the details for a small diner are present as the customers chow down. I long for those posted prices again, and particularly like the glass domed dessert display. Chocolate cake please.

The switch crew lifts the street cover, exposing the switch throw. Crewing the A&D Mt. Union Turn is fattening- so much eye-candy.