I plan on modelling a small VA town in the early 1980s. In that period, I understand that W&M and C&O were very popular. After doing some research, I see that W&M had (in order of amount) SD 45, Alco RS 11, SD 35, 40, and GP 40s. For CO, (in order of amount) GP40-2, GP7, 38, 40 and SD-40-2. These types of locos are easy to find. Any locos or lines I ought to model in VA?
The other set of questions is what radius to have 6-axle locos. What would these locos be used for in VA besides coal? I have 22in radius everywhere and F3 Sante Fe loco has no problem with them. Would any diesel locos derail on 22in radius?
The WM never went to Virginia, only Maryland, Pennsyvania and W Virginia. The only place the C&O and WM touched was the area around Elkins WV.
According to the WM Historical Society the WM (not W&M) did not own any SD45’s or RS11’s. They owned GP7, GP9, SD35, SD40, GP35, GP40, RS2, RS3, F3, F7, FA’s.
The 3 most common railroads in VA were the N&W, SOU and C&O, with the SCL, B&O, RF&P and PC as the next largest group, then the shortlines/regionals.
I’m a wunderin if the OP just fat fingered “W&M” 3 times and actually meant “N&W” instead. If you substitute “N&W” for “W&M” in the first message it makes a whole lot more sense.
Regarding the C&O, they actually became the Chessie system in the early 70s and CSX by the 80s. You probably would have still seen some C&O and WM paint schemes in the 80s, but by far more Chessie System paint schemes. The WM did become part of the Chessie System. If you really like the C&O and WM, then I would roll back the time to the early 70s.
