I am modeling a mythical N scale layout based in the mountains and foothills of Western NC. The train will service a logging company taking logs to a lumber company. The lumber will end up at a furniture factory. I have tried to research the engines and cars that would have been used in such an operation from the 1920’s forward, but have not had much luck. Any advice and direction would be much appreciated!
thanks!
First off: Welcome to the forum! Good to have you aboard!
Believe it or not, D Bogey, you don’t have to be too mythical with your modeling subject. Try googling Graham Co. NC.
There used to be a logging shay (#1925) that operated between Robbinsville and Topton, NC, from the mid-20s to the late 40s. In the 70s, Bear Creek RR ran an excursion with the same shay, which terminated at an overlook above the Nantahala Gorge - just west of Topton. In 1988, The North Carolina Museum of Transportation received #1925 and now operates* it. Here’s the link to it on their steam page.
*Shay #1925 is currently in the shop waiting repairs =O(
FYI: There’s a furniture shop currently in Robbinsville. I’m not sure how long they have been in existence but it would work just fine for what you want to model.
And that’s a pretty part of western NC. My mom lives just NW of Robbinsville so I know the area reasonably well.
Tom
Tom, thanks so much for the response, the information, and the welcome. I will definitely check it all out!
All the best!
Richard
There are quite a few resources available, including:
A History of Railroading in Western North Carolina by Gary Franklin Poole (1995). (The text does not discuss the Elkin & Allegheny of Burch, NC, the Watauga & Yadkin of North Wilkesboro, nor the 3’ gauge Mt. Airy & Eastern.)
Watauga & Yadkin River Railroad by Matthew Bumgarner and R. Douglas Walker (Tarheel Press, 2003).
The Lawndale Railway & Industrial Company by Matthew Bumgarner, Ladley Burn, et. al. (N.C. Railroad Heritage Publishing Co., 1999).
Legacy of the Carolina & North-Western Railway by Matthew Bumgarner (The Overmountain Press, 1996).
Last Train to Elkmont by Vic Weals (Great Smokey Mountains area), (Olden Press, 1991)
Mount Mitchell: It’s Railroad & Toll Road by Jeff Lovelace (Overmountain Press, 1994)
Logging Railroads of the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by Thomas Fetters (Timber Times, 2007 & 2010) - likely the most complete source on logging railroads of this area.
Also of potential interest would be: Railroading in the Carolina Sandhills, 3 volumes by S. David Carriker, Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Ry (reprinted 2000 by N.C. Railroad Heritage Publishing Co. of Hickory, NC., and then, of course, books concerning major railroads that traveled through this area, such as books about the Clinchfield RR.
Bill
Wow Bill, fantastic!
Thanks so much for all the wonderful leads!
All the best!
Richard
To this list I would add Tweetsie Country. The ET&WNC is a great prototype almost an eastern version of the D&RG. Also, right in the area you’re talking about is the former Murphy Branch of the Southern, now run by the Great Smokey Mountain RR.
That region of NC is a beautiful section of the country.
Thanks JMB!
You are right, the scenery in that part of the state is some of the best in NC in my opinion.
When I was a kid in SC, most everyone would take summer vacations to Maggie Valley (Ghost Town in the Sky) and the Tweetsie RR (tourist train, not the actual ETWNC) which included a train robber in the show. Been so many years, I don’t know if they are still around.
Yep still there. A big attraction for that part of the state. You should revisit sometime.
Maggie Valley is a nice campground area and now also has a casino. I am not into the gambling scene but I do enjoy the camping areas of the mountains.
All the best!
Richard
I was a voluteer at the museum in Spencer several years ago. It is doubful that Shay #1925 will ever run again. It was estimated to need $250,000 to get it back in running condition due to boiler work that needed to be done. Unfortunately most of the higher ups that worked in the shop do not like the Shay. Some of them hated it. They said it was a pain to run. With the feelings they have for it there won’t be a big push to get it repaired and coupled with the high price tag and cuts to their funding by the state it will most likely never be under steam again. [
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That is a shame dekemd. I noticed there is quite a waiting list and lots of discussion about the pending arrival and being on hold Atlas version of the Shay. Would be interesting to get a hold of one though.
That is sad news, indeed. Which reminds me - I need to get down to Cass one of these days.
Tom