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Layout Description

Baltimore and Ohio Sandpatch Division

    The Baltimore and Ohio Sandpatch Division, my present HO scale layout, was a direct result of many visits to the Cumberland, Maryland and Sandpatch, Pennsylvania locations.  The B&O crosses the Allegheny Mountains at Sandpatch reaching an elevation of 2257 feet above sea level.  The grade on both sides of the Sandpatch grade required helpers on both east and west bound trains.

   West bound trains receive helpers a Hyndman, Pennsylvania about 13 miles from Cumberland and proceed to climb the east slope of Sandpatch grade.  The climb stiffens to 1.94 percent between Mance and Manila.  The summit is reached after passing through the 4,475 feet long Sandpatch Tunnel at SA tower.

   East bound trains receive helpers at Connellsville, Pennsylvania 59 miles west of Sandpatch and begin the trip east on a ruling grade of 1.2 percent.  The trains pass under the Western Maryland’s Salisbury Viaduct and the Keystone Viaduct before cresting the grade at SA tower. 

Layout Construction

  Open grid framework was used in the construction of the around the walls layout for both upper and lower levels.  Plywood, ¾ inches thick, was used for the sub-base and ½ inch thick Homasote for the track bed.  Commercial code 100 track and Shinohara turnouts were used except at Viaduct Junction.  The track in this area including the crossing was scratch built.  The backdrop is 1/8 inch painted hardboard.
 
   Layout construction began with the Cumberland Yard area including Viaduct Junction.  Completion of the yard allowed some operation.  The Cumberland Yard stopped at the Mexico location east end of the yard.  The plan was to form a large folded dog bone type layout with return loops at both ends. The double track main line (Cumberland Division – West end) track was added ending in a loop with a long siding at West End.  A four track yard was incorporated in the mainline allowing for train staging.

  The Pittsburgh Division track was added next with a double main line extending from Viaduct Junction to a return loop directly above the lower West End track.  A by-pass track was added between the two main lines at Viaduct Junction allowing for continuous running.  This track was similar to the McKenzie Cut-off track which permitted the B&O to by-pass Cumberland.  The layout was operated for several years in the configuration.

   A five (5) level helix was constructed by cutting the higher loop track above the West End loop.  The helix includes sixty (60) feet of track in both tracks.  Frame work already existed for the upper level forming a fascia over the lower level.  The fascia was removed and the remaining sub-base, roadbed, and track were added from the top of the helix to the Rockwood return loop.  Two (2) additional staging were added to Meyersdale expanding storage of staged trains to seven (7) tracks.

   Layout operation continued in this configuration for some time until the Cumberland Division was constructed three (3) years ago.  Construction required boring a hole through the basement stairway, extending the track over a removable bridge and through storage cabinets to the Baltimore Four (4) track staging yard.  This addition made the Cumberland Yard a through facility enhancing over all operation.

  The Baltimore staging yard is hidden for operators requiring them to duck under the bridge spanning the doorway to view trains entering or leaving the yard.  A closed circuit television camera was added above the Baltimore yard and monitor placed above the Dispatchers panel allowing everyone to view the yard.  This saved bumped heads and sore backs.  

  Structures added to the layout are a combination of scratch built, commercial kits, and kit bashed.  Several structures were built by close friends and placed on the layout.  The scenery is constructed using screen wire over cardboard contour forms and covered with a plaster material called Structo-lite.  Commercial ground foam is used to cover the plaster.  

Layout Operation:

  The Baltimore and Ohio – Sandpatch Division was constructed to operate trains.  Ten (10) trains are staged both east and west bound for operation.  Train length varies from 25 to 40 cars.  Coal trains are the overwhelming freight handled.  Four (4) coal trains, three (3) passenger and three (3) merchandise make up the staged trains.  Way freight trains are made up in the Cumberland yard and dispatched as needed. 

   All trains dispatched from Baltimore have their light power replaced with heavier locomotives for the grades west of Cumberland.  Helpers are added at Hyndman.  The helpers shove hard on the rear of west bound trains until they reach SA Tower at the summit.  The helpers cut off the trains and drift downgrade back to Hyndman.  East bound trains have their heavy power removed and lighter power added for the run to Baltimore.  This activity keeps the Baltimore crews quite busy.

  Eastbound trains receive helpers a Rockwood and begin the climb to Sandpatch.  Again the helpers are cut off at SA Tower and return to the Rockwood helper pocket.  Crews are assigned to helper service during operating sessions.  Helper power assigned maybe 2-10-2, 4-8-2 or A-B-B-A F units.

   The mid fifties is the theme for the layout allowing both steam and first generation diesels operation.  In addition second generation equipment is available for operation for a change of time period.  A few present day locomotives are operated just for fun.   

   A B&O position signal system is being added with a combination of scratch built and purchased signals.  Track detection is from Integrated Signal Systems and is utilized to drive the CTC system.  The ISS circuits activate the Dispatcher’s panel detection LEDs and the home built three color signal drivers.

Layout:

  Overall layout size is 12’-0’’ wide by 53’- 0’’ long with a 7’-0’’ wide by 35’- 0’’ long Baltimore extension.  The lower level was started in 1989, the upper level added in 1992 and the Baltimore extension constructed in 2001.  There are no plans to add any additional layout space at this time but to add detailing to the existing scenery.

  Two Aristo Craft, now Crest, Train Engineer wireless throttles are used to run trains.  Two additional throttles run the Cumberland yard and one throttle is used to operate the Ridgeley industrial area.  An operating session requires a minimum of 5 operators.  This allows operation in the DC mode.  DCC has been added to the layout.  The DCC mode with its sound and multiple train operation is fast becoming the operation mode of choice.

  The main line is about a 600 foot run and takes about 20 minutes to complete a run from Baltimore and return. Number 6 turnouts are used throughout the layout.  Curves are 32 and 34-1/2 inch radius allowing for reasonable aisle apace in the 12’-0’’ wide room.

  The Baltimore and Ohio Sandpatch Division layout was a joy to build and is great fun to operate.  I look forward to years of operation and to completing many details on the layout.

Layout Diagram