Overview of the Brandywine & Benedictine Railroad

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.