Pittsburgh & West Virgina Railroad

[ACL1504]

Today the SBG, Saturday Butty Group, traveled all the way to Davenport, Fl. to visit Tom Wilson and his P&WVRR.

Davenport is just south of WDW(Mouse Factory) and about 45 minutes south of Orlando!

Tom was very gracious as well as being a perfect host for the SBG's. I took a whole bunch of pictures and when I uploaded them I didn't realize I had actually taken 128 pictures. I'll start you off with a few and I do have Tom's permission to post them here for everyone's enjoyment. Tom is now a forum  member so he will comment when necessary, explain something or answer any questions.

Tom also got us all out of our comfort zone and had each one of us participate in some sort of operations on the layout. Trust me when I said we all took baby steps, okay, then baby crawls. But we did it! Tom was very patient with us. When it was over after a few hours we all went to Beef O'Grady's for some good grub and great fellowship! Great job Tommy, I call him Tommy most of the time. Your layout is fantastic!

Tom gave me an Employee Timetable. The time table includes the Basic Operating Rules.


When you first walk into the layout room, the following few photos are what you see. This is a case where photos don't do it justice.







Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

A few more of the P&WVRR.





This next photo is of the back side of the previous photos.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

I couldn't wait any longer to post the next three photos! The green structure is a coke pusher. I once arrested a "coke pusher" but I've never built one!

Tom spent three months scratch building it. It is most impressive and yet another focal point on the railroad.







Yes, I did say "scratch built"!

Thanks for following along.

Tom

[ak-milw]

Thanks Tom for the pic's, can't wait for the next installment.

[cuse]

What a great layout and a gracious host. I honestly look at model railroading primarily as an artistic thing and will admit to having had ZERO interest in operations. Today, after a minute amount of clumsy switching - I get it.


Tom's modeling first jumped out at me from the cover of a Great Model Railroads issue, probably back in the 90's. Although that layout has since been replaced, his present layout has the same striking character that caught my eye immediately when I saw the cover of that GMR. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it's a perfect combination of colors and textures, heavy industry in the form of towering structures, and most significantly - heavy heavy weathering. It's no surprise Tom spent many years in the area and the industries portrayed as his layout really captures the gritty feel perfectly.


This structure alone reminds me that I don't want anything "new, nice, or neat" on my layout 


John

[gnatshop]

OMG, we've got another super-talented L'il Tommy among us!
Everything on his layout is superstupendous awesome - hope he can live among
us redneck patch-it-up folks!   
He'll need a GOOD sense of humor!!

[jrmueller]

You Florida guys are really doing some great stuff,  jim

[ReadingBob]

While I missed yesterday's visit to Tom's place  I have had the great privilege of visiting it in the past.     It's really quite a sight to see.  Massive scratch built structures, serious operations, terrific modeling all around.  What more can one say?  Glad to hear the SBG had a great time. 

[GPdemayo]

While I missed yesterday's visit to Tom's place  I have had the great privilege of visiting it in the past.     It's really quite a sight to see.  Massive scratch built structures, serious operations, terrific modeling all around.  What more can one say?  Glad to hear the SBG had a great time. 

We missed you yesterday.....don't let it happen again! 


Its been awhile and we all need to touch base and catch up with what's been going on.

[Erieman]

WOW, WOW.!!! Thank you Tom and the rest of the SBG for taking the day trip to see the other Tom's layout. I have a passion for steel mills, having worked for USS one summer and attending college in Pittsburgh. There is something magical about all the buildings, smoke, smells that stay with you. for those following my railroad, I plan on a steel mill area. The railroad approach on two levels is done, now it is on to building location, trackwork, etc. seeing this layout gives me more ideas and incentive to really get going on this portion of the layout. This area speaks of lighting, sound and more details to explore. Thank you for your photos, keep posting  more pictures please. I really need the encouragement. Absolutely great guys, thanks.

Frank / Erieman

[ACL1504]

Thanks Tom for the pic's, can't wait for the next installment.

Andy,

You are very welcome. I'll try to get more up this afternoon/evening.

Tom

[ACL1504]

OMG, we've got another super-talented L'il Tommy among us!
Everything on his layout is superstupendous awesome - hope he can live among
us redneck patch-it-up folks!   
He'll need a GOOD sense of humor!!

Gman.

Thanks for stoppping by. This is a layout you definitely need to see. It is fantastic.

Tom L.

[ACL1504]

You Florida guys are really doing some great stuff,  jim

Jim,

Thanks for checking in. Yesterday was a wonderful time visiting Tom W. and the P&WVRR. There is alot to see down here.

Tom

[ACL1504]

While I missed yesterday's visit to Tom's place  I have had the great privilege of visiting it in the past.     It's really quite a sight to see.  Massive scratch built structures, serious operations, terrific modeling all around.  What more can one say?  Glad to hear the SBG had a great time. 

Bob,

Sorry you missed the fun but I know you've been to Tom's in the past! I have a feeling we'll be going back!

Tom

[ACL1504]

WOW, WOW.!!! Thank you Tom and the rest of the SBG for taking the day trip to see the other Tom's layout. I have a passion for steel mills, having worked for USS one summer and attending college in Pittsburgh. There is something magical about all the buildings, smoke, smells that stay with you. for those following my railroad, I plan on a steel mill area. The railroad approach on two levels is done, now it is on to building location, trackwork, etc. seeing this layout gives me more ideas and incentive to really get going on this portion of the layout. This area speaks of lighting, sound and more details to explore. Thank you for your photos, keep posting  more pictures please. I really need the encouragement. Absolutely great guys, thanks.

Frank / Erieman

Frank,

We had a great time and I have lots of photos to upload. I put that green coal pusher on last night just for you! There is so much going on around a steel mill. It can keep you switching for hours.

I'll have more uploads later this evening. Thanks for checking in.

Tom