Pennsylvania Midland Railroad 
CEO Michael Covey
Concept
The PMRR was constructed in 1910 to haul coal from the New Island Coal Co. (N.I. COAL) at New Island, WV to the Allegheny Power Company at Kingston, WV. Although relatively prosperous, the PMRR came under the control of the Baltimore & Ohio in 1938 and an interchange with the parent road was established at Robinson, WV to move coal east through Cumberland to the coal docks at Baltimore, MD for export or west through Parkersburg, WV. to Cincinnati.
The time period is circa 1950 and although traffic has fallen off after the war, 2 bay hoppers filled with West Virginia bituminous still snake through the hollers from the tipple at New Island through Millers Crossing, Robinson, Ashlie, and Hall to Kingston for delivery to Allegheny Power.
Export coal comes primarily from N.I.Coal tipple #3 at Parsons served by the Shenandoah & Tidewater sending coal to the B&O via an interchange at Ashlie, WV with the PMRR.
The Railroad
The PMRR was started in 1995 occupies about 1700 square feet and features live coal loading at 2 online tipples. Coal from the tipple at New Island is hauled over the PMRR to Allegheny Power at Kingston where it is unloaded inside the AP thawing shed and conveyored to the power plant. Empties are then hustled back to the mine for loading.
In addition to the constant coal traffic over the line there is online switching at industries in Ashlie, Robinson, Millers Crossing, and Burge Yard.
The B&O Railroad
There is heavy traffic on the Baltimore & Ohio with interchange of both passenger and freight at Robinson as traffic moves over the B&O mainline between Cumberland, MD and Parkersburg, WV. Cumberland and Parkersburg are each 6 track, double ended, diode matrix controlled staging yards.
The S&T Railroad
In addition to coal traffic, the PMRR and the S&T have joint ownership in The Tidewater Midland Refrigerated Line (TMRX). PMRR interchange with the S&T for perishable traffic is at Millers Crossing. The TMRX reefers then go to Burge Yard over the PMRR for re-icing and then westbound over the B&O to Cincinnati via Parkersburg.
Control System
The PMRR uses Digitrax DCC utilizing both plug in and radio throttles.
Operation
The goal is to simulate a real railroad within the constraints of a basement, a budget and a lifetime. I plan to use JMRI to generate switchlists rather than utilize car cards and we try to replicate appropriate speeds, sounds and tasks.
We don’t use a fast clock or rigid schedule since I have never felt the need to induce stress into an operating session – it’s supposed to be FUN.
Railroad The Pennsylvania Midland Railroad is a 1950s West Virginia coal hauler delivering coal from 2 online tipples to the thawing shed at the Allegheny Power plant in Kingston, WV. The PM interchanges with the Baltimore and Ohio at Burge Yard, Robinson West Virginia. There are locals that switch general freight for the 4 towns on the railroad.
Control is via Digitrax (both plug In and radio)
Operation is informal with cars forwarded by switchlist
Jobs include:
Ashlie Yardmaster – Makes up locals for Robinson, Millers Crossing, Ashlie. Handles the “Hill Job” to transfer cars between Ashlie and Burge Yard
Burge Yardmaster – Handles interchange off the B&O, makes up transfer runs to Ashlie, WV for locals on the Pennsylvania Midland, Handles switching for the Burge Local
New Island Tipple Operator – loads empty hoppers for the Allegheny Power Plant at Kingston, WV.
Parsons Tipple Operator – Loads Empty Hoppers for offline destinations via the B&O. Operates loaded trains to Ashlie, WV for interchange with the B&O
Local crew – Handles local runs for Robinson, Millers Crossing and Robinson. Handles mine runs to deliver loaded hoppers to Kingston and deliver Empties to New Island
B&O Operator – Makes up trains in staging as required by the Car List – operates B&O trainsto deliver and pick up cars at Burge yard
Allegheny Power Plant Operator: Receives and unloads hoppers at the Allegheny Power thawing shed.
Number of Operators: 6
Railroad Name: Pennsylvania Midland (A wholly owned subsidiary of the Baltimore & Ohio)
Scale: HO
Size: 30’ X 54’
Theme: Coal Hauler
Era: Early 1950s Locale: west Virgina
Layout style: Walk Around
Minimum radius: 30”
Maximum grade: 2%
