Norfolk Portsmouth Belt Line

The Norfolk Portsmouth Belt Line was the first layout I built. It was built as a shelf switching layout in one of the bedrooms in the trailer home we lived in at the time. It was built with plywood framing and foam tops. I was able to get it operational but never really opened it up for others to operate except for myself and my son. It was a fun little distraction from work and stress.

The layout was designed after a small area in Norfolk, Virginia served by the Seaboard Air Line and Atlantic Coast Line. It was set in the early 1950's and the 40 foot box car ruled the area. there was a small 3 track yard and 7 industries to switch. The day started with running a train from staging into the yard and ended when the train returned to staging. It would take roughly 2 hours to complete the job.

Sadly, This layout did not live very long as we moved less than 6months after I began construction. Even though I built the sections to be movable, they did not survive the move and sitting in storage for 5 months. They were dismantled and the track was reused in the yard on the C&NW Waseca Sub layout.

Photo Gallery

The first section of the layout is added.

The first section is framed in.

The second section is framed in.

Turning the corner.

Adding a short staging track.

Wiring under the first section.

Wiring under the second section.

Module junction wiring.

This is how the wires traced back to the command center.

This is how the wiring connected to the command center.

Testing the track layout with some cars.

More track testing.