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I suspect that Heinrich505 was going up the eastern grade westbound where there are a few 2% sections, the first one at Helmstetters farm. The western grade rarely tops 1.8%.I have to agree these are some great shots.
I think the WM Connellsville Subdivision is rated 1.75% and it starts just west of Cumberland. A lot of routes in Trainz seem to take creative license on grades since to duplicate the real grades would require a few more vertices and straightened track sections than most builders like to use.
Norm I was curious why the 2 cabeese in the shot above. But you're correct WM did use 2 in some cases on these runs. But from what I read if the helper dropped off and ran back down to assist another freight it didn't have the 2nd caboose. If it dropped off and ran light to Connellsville it did have a 2nd caboose since it was used to head a freight back to Cumberland and the 2nd caboose was needed to fill out the train crew. Rather than deadhead a loco and crew to Connellsville they used it as a pusher for part of the way.
Keep 'em coming.
Bob Pearson
Only what I read Norm. I have a few books I've accumulated over time on steam in the Alleghenies - mostly on coal haulers.Any information you'd like share about WM operations over Deal would be welcome Bob.
This was 10 miles of 3.05%. WM used 6 or 7 H8 or H9 2-8-0's on these trains. 1 or 2 on the lead 3 mid train and 2 on the rear. That would be a real challenge in Trainz to drive one of them thru the canyon in CAB mode.Most of the coal on the WM was hauled via Blackfork Grade in West Virginia by WM H8 2-8-0s and later the larger WM H9a 2-8-0s near the end of steam service
Just tried to run a 15 coal car load from Elkins to Parsons in cab mode with a single consolidation. The grades are a beast! I had to call for a helper out of Elkins to help me over the top, and then cut off the helper in Parsons at the wye.
Thanks Norm for clueing me in on this part of Jrfolco's route. It is so big that I've never really explored it, or the history of the WM that relates to his route.
Heinrich505