Construction on the W&N Branch was started in 2014 with the first operations in 2015.
History of the layout
1948-1952 W&N Branch (1995-2005)
The first version of the W&N Branch was a 12×23 layout set in 1948-1952. It went from Birdsboro to Coatesville. South of Coatesville was represented by staging. Construction was started in 1995 and was torn down in 2005 when the era was moved to 1900.
1900 era W&N Branch version 1 (2005-2012)
The 1950’s era layout was torn down and reconfigured to fit in the same space. It was intended to represent the entire branch from Birdsboro to Wilmington. It soon became obvious that a staging yard was needed and a portable staging yard was build to fit in an adjoining hallway. The portable staging yard was designed to be put up during a formal operating session. While the layout was successful, a relocation to a new home caused it to be dismantled and recycled.
1900 era W&N Branch version 2 (2014-2020)
The purchase of a new home resulted in the demise and reconstruction of the W&N branch. The new space was 23×24. That allowed 48″ aisles and an increase in the area that could be devoted to switching opportunities.
The first half has been completed, from Wilmington to Valley, and in mid to late 2019, construction will begin on the benchwork for the northern half of the branch, from Valley to Birdsboro, plus the French Creek Branch.
1900 era W&N Branch version 2 (2020-present)
Currently under construction.
Layout Tour pdf : 12/5/2020
I created a slide show of a layout tour to present at the 12/5/2020 Western Heritage Div. NMRA Virtual Meeting.
Stations
Click on the station names to see photo galleries for each station.
DRE – Delaware River Extension
A branch that runs from Wilmington to the Delaware River.
Wilmington
The southern terminus of the W&N, there was a car float at Pigeon Point, numerous industries on the Delaware River Extension (DRE), more industries in downtown Wilmington on the Maryland Ave. Branch, an engine terminal, the yard, interchanges with the B&O and the PRR. The depot was located on the first floor of the United States Hotel.
Elsmere Jct
At Elsmere Jct, the B&O crossed the W&N and there is the B&O interchange yard. The B&O engine delivers cuts to the W&N.
Kentmere Branch
The Kentmere Branch starts at Kentmere Jct. and runs to Kentmere, DE. It is a composite of the Kentmere and Rockland Branches that were within a mile of each other. The Kentmere Branch goes down a 4 turn helix to a “shadow box” switching area under Montchanin.
Montchanin
Montchanin will have a unique wood frame depot and several industries.
Granogue
Granoque is a flag stop shelter on the layout. On the prototype, Granogue was the location of a horseshoe curve with a farm in the middle, you could see all 4 sides of the farm house from the train. On the layout, I had a farm scene located on the end of a peninsula inside the turnback curve, I thought that it was in the right spot for Granogue.
Mortonville
Mortonville was the southern end of yard limits for Coatesville on both the model and the prototype. I combined Mortonville and Modena on the layout.
Coatesville
Coatesville was an iron and steel town along the Brandywine River. There were three operating rolling mills at the time I’m modeling, Worth Bros., Lukens Steel and Viaduct Steel. Worth and Lukens were open hearth mills and Viaduct was a puddling mill. The mills were known for producing steel plate, both boiler and “boat” plate. The two companies competed for who could produce the widest plates (fewest seams in a boat hull). Ultimately Lukens won. The PRR crosses the valley on a high viaduct (why Viaduct Steel was named so). I will be modeling the third PRR bridge, the first was a wood deck arch, second a cast iron deck truss and I’m modeling the 2nd iron deck truss. The final bridge, a stone arch is there today.
Suplee
A crossing and interchange with the PRR.
Elverson and French Creek Junction
The model combines the stations of French Creek Jct., Elverson and the siding at Conestoga. French Creek Jct was immediately adjacent to Elverson (called Springfield until 1898) and Conestoga was the siding about a mile away.
French Creek Branch
Under construction 2020
A 5 mile long branch from French Creek Jct. (Elverson) to St Peters along French Creek. St Peters had a quarry and several industries.
Joanna and Trap Rock
A small station and a siding. The model combines Joanna and Company Farm, a large siding (60 cars)
Trap Rock is the site of the Dyer Quarry. Still in operation today.
Birdsboro
The northern terminus for freight trains on the 1900 W&N. Through freights between Reading and Philadelphia would set out and pick up tonnage to and from the W&N at Birdsboro.
Reading Outer Station
Under construction 2021
The staging yard for W&N passenger trains. Real W&N trains continued on the P&R Main Line from W&N Jct. to Reading.
Reading Staging (retired 2021)
Reading or Birdsboro staging is represented by the portable staging yard from the first version of the 1900 era W&N. It was retired when the layout expanded in 2020 to include the area from Coatesville to Birdsboro.