The Tygart Valley Flyer (WV) is at its turnaround point here near Elk River Junction. The crew said they go no further due to this 33 degree curve which would make the 90 ft passenger car corners hit each other. As we got off here to view the nearby falls , the track curvature was apparent due to the angle of the car vestibules to each other. This train is “sold-out” for the rest of October. Fall foliage peak is just around the corner.
Rich in WV
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I rode this train several years ago and was also impressed by how sharp the curves were at the end of the trip. I walked up the track a ways beyond where the train stopped and the track continued around a mountain on a very sharp curve with a very steep grade. Looked more like Shay territory than conventional steam engines once ran on.
There were several lines leaving Elkins, WVA going deep into the mountains with no major settlements to generate traffic. What did the WM primarily haul out of these lines back to Elkins? Coal, logs, crops? From the size of the depot and foundation remains of the roundhouse, Elkins looks like it was a busy place back in the day.
Ken
This branch was primarily timber, then coal. A large timber mill/settlement once existed on this line but just some foundations remain now.
A 33-degree curve works out to a bit over 44" radius (or O-90) in 1:48 scale.
So my O99 curves are prototypical! 
I just finished a weekend trip at Cass. The curves, and grades, are nearly unbelievable!
I’ll be making a post with some pictures and videos soon.
You guys don’t get out much, ever look at switches in yards and curves on most secondary lines? Most look like O-27 with O-22 thrown in…….LMAO
@ThatGuy posted:You guys don’t get out much, ever look at switches in yards and curves on most secondary lines? Most look like O-27 with O-22 thrown in…….LMAO
I've seen switch yard pictures that looks like a bowl of spaghetti, but I assumed it was the distortion of an extreme telephoto lens. The yards I've seen in person don't look that severe, so I chalked it up to the camera.
Lehigh & New England had a curved approach to their Lehigh River bridge at Catasauqua, PA, right before their line crossed the Lehigh Valley mainline at the Valley’s Catasauqua tower. I’ve seen videos of both LNE steam and RS-3’s taking that curve. It looked so sharp you had to wonder how they avoided string lining.
Curt
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I've seen switch yard pictures that looks like a bowl of spaghetti, but I assumed it was the distortion of an extreme telephoto lens. The yards I've seen in person don't look that severe, so I chalked it up to the camera.
Your right John, some is do to the camera and angle, but many are as sharp as they could get away with if you want to see sharp look at the turns in the NYCTA system. 90 degree turns built out of O-27 curves......lol
Many years ago when I started with the PennCentral I thought I would help and went in the yard (sunnyside) to set up my G. Well I threw the switch to move the G and was not aware that she was not allowed over certain switches. I moved the G and put the lead truck on the ground. 2 weeks off and lesson learned there is a reason we have yard personal! And yes I did not know everything......you never heard me admit to that again!
A while back I picked up an old New York Central operating manual which included "rules of the road" I guess you would call them that was meant for engineers/motormen and dispatchers.
It specified certain T motor and S motor electrics by number that were not allowed on certain trackage in the complicated approaches to Grand Central.
It made me feel better about the fact that I couldn't reliably run one or two engines of mine through certain yard trackage on my layout.
I figured if even the NYC couldn't figure out why only certain engines were prone to derailment or other problems in those places, why should I worry about mine! 
Jim
Jim, I like your conclusion! LOL
Dan Weinhold
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