Piedmont Pilgrimage 2022 Part 1

 Greetings All,

Piedmont Pilgrimage 2022 Part 1

On Sunday, November 6th 2022, I had the good fortune to visit four model train layouts as part of the NMRA Southeast Region, Piedmont Division's layout tours in Georgia known as the Piedmont Pilgrimage.

The Piedmont Pilgrimage celebrates its 20th year of layout tours this year and gives us up close views and interactions with some very talented model railroaders. 

Stop #1

My first stop was the N&W Railway Pocahontas Division HO scale layout of Thomas Lloyd of Norcross, GA. The multi level layout is set in 1958 and focuses on coal operations, fast freights and passenger trains. The layout is a point to point pike occupying a 26'x36' space. You can read more about it here. 

Big steam was prevalent on the N&W in the coal fields of West Virginia in 1958. The HO scale models were beautifully weathered.

A corner with several rail served industries.

N&W coal operations and traffic was plentiful.

A leased PRR Alco RS unit is on the point of this freight train. The owner points out that the N&W did lease PRR engines during 1958 to help remove the steam engines.

A lower level coal mine.

A steam engine on the move lugs a coal train upgrade.

A lower level freight yard. Car card and waybill operations are used to keep the traffic moving. Coal trains and steam engines what's not to like!!!

The N&W layout featured plenty of staging.

The owner reports there are about 800-900 cars on the layout. I think that was under reporting!

The staging yards were clean and looked good with just painted plywood. 

Is that  UP diesel? I think it is as it stands out among the black steam and diesel engines. 

The N&W is built to operate and the owner has gone to great lengths to keep the trains moving. Covid reduced the op sessions but allowed for increased work time on the layout.

A diesel lash up passes another. 

A look at the helix and dispatcher's area between it. Note the quality of the plywood and the benchwork. I was very impressed by this and learned the owner's father who built it was a retired furniture maker with a full workshop. 

The dispatcher's area was well lit and he or she would be surrounded by trains!

My compliments to both Mr. Lloyds for building such a masterpiece and a thank you for allowing me to visit. Both were gracious hosts who took the time to talk with me and answer questions.

Stop #2

My second stop was the N Scale Old Reliable layout of Ken Stinnette of Duluth, GA. The layout features the L&N and NC&STL railroads. The layout operates as a point to point pike and occupies a 23'x20' space with open staging in a separate room. You can read more about it here.

Ken's layout is set in the transition era and this view of one of the railyards reflects that with the 40' boxcars and ice hatch reefers. That Gulf tank car might have come down from the Kings Port Division.

The prerequisite transition era roundhouse shows a nice mis of steam and first generation diesel power.

The L&N diesels handled the varnish on this day. This is a nice looking scene with plenty of REA cars that I really liked. The blue thing at the bottom is used to get the diminutive wheels of the steamers, diesels and rolling stock onto the track

The layout is set in Tennessee and Kentucky and logging and farming are represented.  

I'm not sure what this industry is but it looked impressive.

A nice looking coal mine and mountain scene. Ken calls it Covid Mountain because he built it during the lockdown. 

The Ol' Reliable featuring this very impressive steel mill made of metal. Looks like the yard has coal, scrap and iron ore. Bottle cars can be seen to the left. This was very impressive. 

Ken's N scale city looks like a hustling and bustling place with a nice park to with benches for the railfans.

Hoffa Cement and the farm supply with plenty of John Deere equipment makes a nice scene with rail served industries.

A fast freight burst into  the scene!

Here we catch it going away from us and close with a good look at the other side of the Ken's impressive steel mill.

My compliments to Ken on his great looking layout and a thank you for allowing me to visit. Ken and his family were great hosts and I enjoyed our conversations learning about his layout. 

Piedmont Pilgrimage Part 2 to follow tomorrow. It will feature the two layouts I visited in the afternoon. I plan to visit two more layouts today and will post a part 3 on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for reading!!!

See you tomorrow!!!