Norm Stenzel

Overview of the Brandywine & Benedictine Railroad

Norm Stenzel
Duration:   2  mins

Description

In this video watch an overview of Norm Stenzel’s Brandywine & Benedictine model railroad alongside Allen Keller. The B&B is a freelance railroad documenting the history of the line from its beginnings in 1898 to the mid 1950’s.

The B&B hauls coal in Virginia and West Virginia, on a route made possible by Norm’s careful study of topography. It’s a railroad that could have existed, with attention especially paid to time and place. It’s a perfect blend of operation, scenery, and detail – nothing stands out to detract attention from the trains. Called the Mason Dixon Line, it runs North and South from Winston Salem, North Carolina to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It’s a mountain railroad with a maximum grade of 2.7%, which means helpers are required out of Salem, Virginia. The double deck layout fills a 30 by 24 foot room. The lower level is L girder construction, while the upper level is cantilevered out from the wall. The minimum radius on the railroad is 30 inches with all visible track being hand laid by Norm.

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

No Responses to “Overview of the Brandywine & Benedictine Railroad”

No Comments
Get exclusive premium content! Sign up for a membership now!