V&O Short Version
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- A short look at perhaps the most significant model railroad ever created. Builder Allen McClelland set the standard for what he called "beyond the basement". He was an innovator in what's become known as proto-freelanced model railroading. His creation was so convincing many have actually thought the V&O was a real railroad. I worked with Allen and his son Brad to produce this just before it was torn down when Allen had to move. - Dan Hadley
I still have the book on the V&O I bought as a kid in the 70s. Magical.
Beautiful layout. Definitely a historical layout
Definitely a Historical Model
Railroad!!! Thanks for keeping it alive in video!!!👍👍👍👍👍
Always loved the V&O. Thanks for sharing.
I love memory of V&O Railroad builder Allen McClelland! Thank you!
Nice job and great storyline! Beautiful work on the layout!!
That voice brings back so many memories…
The great Dave Drui, still doing the occasional Pentrex video to this day.
Used to read about the V & O and Appalachian Midland in Railroad Model Craftsman.
Wow!!! Great movie. Really enjoyed
I liked model trains before I read Allen McClellen's V&O Stor @1970, with hypothetical railfans running to photo trains, but I would never have taken the hobby as far as I have, had I not heard of his brilliant concepts, concerning an actual operating model railroad. A lot of his scenic tricks, like mirrors and tunnels that creating the impression that the trains were actually going somewhere, were also taken to heart.
What can I say but, thanks for the memories. Who knows how many hours I spent in the basement on the V&O. Allen's sons and myself would sit in the basement reading/looking at old issued of TRAINS and Model Railroader.
One aspect of the V&O that I found especially interesting was Allen"s lighting. It was on a dimmer with white/blue colors. These lights were overhead encircling the entire route. Something that was especially cool that was rarely shown was the extensive lighting inside the houses, buildings, yards etc. So when he would dim the overhead lighting, the RR structures lights would be lit. Quite a sight.
I was there that night when Allen had his "end of steam" on the layout. I think this was 1980.
He sold off his steamers, a nephew of Allen's got a 2-8-0 consolidation.
I don't know who got the 2-6-6-0 though.
My favorite train was the XVL(the valley local) Which ran from Afton to Blackstone to Clintwood.(Clintwood was my favorite location, just so much there.) The Clintwood section was saved and I hear that it is in the Chattanooga museum.
Another favorite job was the helpers stationed at Dawson Springs.
The CTC board was quite a sight. Just like the real thing. He had a college professor to help out in the programming of the computer to assist the ctc board. This was high tech for 1980.
Allen had a board where all the trains were listed with departure time, you simply signed up for a train. He used a fast clock. On many occasions your current train would be delayed so much that you would miss your upcoming scheduled train!
I never saw the V&O operating inside the new edition of the basement. My life was hectic, just no time left for hobbies I guess.
Working lots of overtime.
Allen was quite the man. Humble and easy going. Most importantly a kid at heart.
He would host the annual 4th of July party, it was fun!
His family was almost like a second family to me.
Back in 2004 Allen had an auction of his locos/rollingstock. I wanted to go but I just didn't have the heart to go.
To see it all broken up would not be pleasant.
Allen even helped out in a photo I took at Fullerton at the general store. He got out his portable lighting equipment and I took a photo of a train going by. The shot came out great. (Kodachrome)
I was lucky, to have been there. Thanks for everything Allen.
WOW - what a great story you've provided. So glad you responded and let me and others on this distribution know all about your association with the V&O. Thanks for your response.
Great video ! Have the original VHS by Pentrex...
Thanks for the video. Any relation to Guss?