Touring the Virginian & Ohio
Allen McClellandDescription
This video begins Allen Keller’s tour of Allen McClelland’s Virginian and Ohio model railroad. First the C&O jeeps number 6172 and 6166 stop in Afton to add three cars for interchange at Jimtown. To pick up the cars at the west departure track, the train approaches the old round house. It is now a plastic manufacturer and is adjacent to the new engine facility. With the switching done, the C&O JP 9’s prepare to leave Afton and pass the Santel Safety Products Company and the Covermore Paint Company. After that, the trains travel past AJ Tower which is one of the last operating towers on the V&O.
Next they cross a creek on approach to Blackstone, an industrial suburb of Afton. The 6172 stays on the main and travels past the Gross Foundry on the way to Clintwood. Once in Clintwood they head into Twin Tunnel Number 1. From there a hidden track brings the trains around a peninsula and exits Twin Tunnel Number 2. the JP 9’s enter a tunnel bound for Dawson Spring. There the old passing siding stores the helpers for the battle up the 2 ½ percent incline grade to Sandy Summit. A hidden track helps the train gain grade as it heads up to Sandy Summit and passes through Sandy Ridge Tunnel.
The C&O units move through an inaccessible portion of the railroad to appear again at Elm Grove. The only industry in this location on the layout is the Harding wood chip loader. From there it is on to Fullerton with the longest passing track in the area. The main line of Fullerton moves towards Gage Pass. The trains pass through Pike Tunnel and arrive in Gage Pass, the highest point on the railroad. Then it is on to Jimtown which was once a major interchange point on the railroad. Currently, this 74 year old yard only classifies coal traffic. This ends the model portion of the V&O.
This C&O run-through is Allegheny Midland connection from the East. The Saddleworth Distillery straddles the track to the Smith subdivision. The C&O jeeps number 6172 and 6166. Will stop in Afton to add three cars for interchange at Jimtown. Back in around the Afton why to pick up the cars at the westbound departure track.
We get a good look at the old round house. It's now a plastic manufacturer. The blue metal building is the new engine facility. With the switching done, the C&O JP 9's prepare to leave Afton. Behind them, is the Santel Safety Products Company.
The large white building is the Covermore Paint Company. AJ Tower is one of the last operating towers of the V&O. This is cross creek on the approach to Blackstone an industrial suburb of Afton. Just right off the camera is the Worth Paper Company. Behind Blackstone is the loop connecting the Smith subdivision with the Durham subdivision.
Number 6172 stays on the main and by the Gross Foundry on the way to Clintwood. This is Clintwood where we head into Twin Tunnel Number 1. track gets us around the peninsula. Exiting Twin Tunnel Number 2, the JP 9's enter a tunnel bound for Dawson spring. At Dawson spring, the old passing siding stores, the helpers for the assault on the two and a half percent grade up to Sandy Summit.
A hidden track helps us gain elevation for the approach to Sandy Summit. This wood trestle will soon be replaced by fill because of the maintenance expense. This is the beginning of the two and a half percent grade to Sandy Summit. Dawson spring is below us. The blue truss bridge is passed and creed.
The jeeps get down on their knees, working the curve and at the Sandy Ridge Tunnel. The C&O units move through an inaccessible area of the railroad to appear again at Elm Grove. Here are the grade levels, out of the two units get a break. The only industry in town is the Harding wood chip loader. Fullerton boast the longest passing track in the area.
Kelly Creek is the namesake for the Kelly Creek and Bradley short-line. The track of the KC and V is in the foreground. The main line out of Fullerton is on a 2% grade toward Gage Pass. The train passes into Pike Tunnel. Gage Pass is the highest point on the rail.
This area of the railroad will be upgraded as part of the expanded V&O. At Jimtown, our train will head toward the Allegheny middle and interchange at Kingswood Junction. Jimtown was once a major interchange point on the railroad. Now this 74 year old yard only classifies coal traffic. Jimtown is the end of the model portion of the V&O.
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