2026 NMRA National Convention – Chattanooga, TN July 27 to August 2, 2026

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2026 NMRA National Convention – Chattanooga, TN July 27 to August 2, 2026

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Layout Details

The Brandywine & Benedictine Railroad

Photos

BB-High-Bridge-at-Sterno-1
BB-Gandin-Yard-Engine-Terminal-1
2012-019-Extra-961-South-in-Clearbrook-1
BB-Natural-Tunnel-1
2013-515-Train-Order-Office-at-Jenkins
2013-527-Entering-New-Castle-VA

YouTube

Layout Description

  • The layout is set in Appalachian Virginia and West Virginia in 1953. It has a single track mainline loosely based on things I liked about the B&O, N&W, WM, and the Clinchfield. The layout is loop to loop with large staging yards at either end. It is designed for prototype operation and is fully signaled. It is designed to keep about 16 operators busy. It can be run under either CTC, ABS or TT&TO operating rules. Signals and dispatching use a computer with Railroad & Company software. The layout uses Digitrax DCC for train and layout control. We use any kind of Digitrax Throttle (Wired, Simplex Radio, or Duplex Radio). We also use WIFI throttles using JMRI. All locomotives are equipped with TCS WOWSound decoders and set up to sound and operate prototypically. All visible track and turnouts are hand laid using code 70 rail. Motive power is a 50/50 mix of steam and 1st generation diesel. The railroad runs a mix of freight and passenger trains but leans heavily toward coal traffic. Communication with the dispatcher uses a homemade telephone system.

Scale / Gauge

  • HO

Size of Layout

  • 40' x 50' approx

Prototype

  • Freelance based on B&O,N&W,WM, and CRR

Location Modeled

  • Virginia, West Virginia

Era

  • 1953

Style of Track Plan

  • Single Track Mainline

Length of Main Line

  • 300'

Layout Height

  • 52" to 68""

Benchwork

  • L girder

Roadbed Material

  • Cork

Track Manufacturer

  • Other

Turnouts

  • Other

Minimum Main Line Radius

  • 30"

Maximum Grade

  • 1.75 %

Scenery Techniques

  • Plaster cloth over cardboard and wood framing

% Scenery Complete

  • 99.9 %

Backdrop

  • 2" foam backdrop down the center of the layout

Control System

  • DCC - Digitrax

Car Forwarding System

  • Car Cards

Train Authority / Dispatching

  • CTC

Operating Group

  • JRAG - Joint Railway Association of Georgia

Direction Comment

  • Follow walkway off the driveway to rear of house and enter basement

Wheelchair Accessible

ADA Comments

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