Civil War Railroading | April 12, 1863 train ride | HO scale Western & Atlantic model railroad
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Take a train ride back in time on Thom Radice's magnificent Western & Atlantic Railroad, a fine HO scale layout. The train leaves Atlanta at 4AM and rolls through 1863 Georgia passing Big Shanty, Kingston, Allatoona, Dalton and other towns before crossing into Tennessee and ending its run at Chattanooga.
Music is by the wonderful Tater Patch and is used with their gracious permission. You can hear more of their art on Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Railroad sound effects are generated by Soundtraxx DCC decoders in the model locomotives.
To learn more about the railroad, visit: western-and-at...
The video was created by Rob Davis, Andy Salcius and Thom Radice in Spring of 2024.
Hiked kennesaw and my friend lived on peach tree where I heard a cannon one night early in the morning hours. We had a mist and phone draining experience on our hike too.
I always immensely enjoy watching Videos of this Fabulous Layout. Best Civil War Layout in the World.
Thanks Jeb. Very kind and much appreciated comment. All the best!
I love this era in railroading. Shame there aren't more CW-era layouts out there. It's amazing that you have gotten those old Tyco engines to run so well...
Hendo,
There are actually other ACW 0:04 model railroads. One that has been published is Bernie Kempinski’s Aquia Line, O scale. Others who have yet to make it to print or film are Charlie Taylor’s Memphis & Charleston, also O scale. Then you have LeBron Mathew’s HO W&A, DC Cebula’s DE Central and Ron Flowers Martinsburg layout. Others in early development stages are Roger Rossi’s Manassas Jct. and Nick Kane’s Sacramento Valley RR. Eventually, these layouts will at least be posted on TH-cam. These folks are excellent modelers and historians
As soon as I finish remodeling my new train room I am definitely planning on building this style of layout. Glad I found this for inspiration
th-cam.com/video/FpghrgbEo9M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0oH8REggxGIO-v7W
This was a great weekend helping tune the loco sounds and such. Thom does great work on the locos themselves!
@@michaelsmith441
@@michaelsmith441 Hi Michael. Be sure to let us know how you’re coming with programming locos. Always fun to see how folks are applying CV sounds to improve listening experience.
This THE BEST HO presentation I have ever seen! Congrats on the incredible History lesson and artistry devoted to this layout!
Thanks Hank! Very happy it stuck you with such vigor. Love it we do
I used to be a tour guide in Jonesboro, GA, and did a daily "Gone With The Wind" tour that lasted a couple of hours. I haven't heard it called the "Late Unpleasantness" since I quit Civil War re-enacting. I had people tell me that they learned more about the Civil War from me than they ever learned in college. I even dressed the part and carried my musket with me most of the time. I hand stitched my uniform as I used to sew quite a bit and always by hand. I think I had one shirt that I actually sewed on a machine. Authentic clothing was a must as a Civil War re-enactor and I pretty much made all my clothes and gear, I.e., cartridge box and cap pouch along with my haversack, coats, belts, etc. Cheers from eastern TN
Fabulous to be so dedicated to detain
@@w.rustylane5650 Just saw your comment; you had one of my dream jobs. Your dedication to the authentic is a key component, for me too. Cheers!
I grew up along this line near Big Shanty/Kennesaw and this is a great recreation of how it was during the civil war! Very well done!
Thanks Scott. Don’t know exactly how or why, but that entire area was magnetic. Felt like it was meant to be. Best regards
What a fantastic layout Thom! And a well made and excecuted film.
It's been a pleasure to shoot stills and video of this layout over the years. Thom's scenes are so well thought out that you can keep going back to them and find new angles.
This layout should be in a museum for all to enjoy, it is. Very accurate the period shown. Great job. This layout is the best I have ever seen pertaining to the Civil War. 👌😇🇺🇸
Thank you John. Much appreciate your kind words.
Your video was very enjoyable to watch! Love the authenticity and attention to detail, especially for a layout in this era. I also appreciate the close ties to the real history. Bravo!
Thank you much. The whole idea for me and those who contributed was to have the RR be as authentic as possible to transport viewers back in time. Thanks again!
@@thomradice8680 You are so welcome. I know firsthand how difficult it is to get those little 4-4-0s to run smoothly and find room for a decoder and speaker. Any tips you can provide on that would be appreciated. 4-4-0 locomotives would be great to add to our effort to be historically accurate for Raton Pass. I will be subscribing to your channel today.
Best is to connect w me via email and I can share a few ideas for smooth running. Thomradice@gmail.com
Excellent! 🏆 Award Winning! I'm only five minutes ⌛️ into the flick, and getting Civil War history is an extra attention-getter. Layouts are fantastic, super realistic, and attention to detail is an understatement. I liked the Steam 🚂 Engine, and it reminded me of a book 📕 I have called “Lincoln’s Funeral Train. The Epic Journey from Washington to Springfield” by Robert M. Reed 2014. thank you 🇺🇸 🎌 🚩 🧑🎤 👩💼👩🎓
Thanks Patrick! SO glad you found our video enjoyable.
The scenes and narrative are brilliant.
Too kind Couchflyer. Much appreciate your comment. Glad you enjoyed the ride.
My model railway, the Bonesborough Latissa & Gravesfield coal railroad, would’ve started operating around 1859 with a fleet of five Baldwin-built coal-fired 4-4-0s. They were modern for their time, featuring 190 psi boilers (later upgraded to 200 psi in 1916), experimental feedwater heaters, and cast steel cabs. Only the first of the class, number 1, survived into preservation, and had a long career of 86 years. It was retired in 1945, following the end of World War II.
Thom ,
I am speechless! This is a masterpiece and extremely creative .
Your buddy ,
Nick
Absolutely beautiful model! 😍😍😍😍😍 Thank you for sharing this!
Glad you like it! Thanks for your comment.
A jaw dropping museum quality masterpiece
Thanks jazz! It’s been quite the joy, with the occasional whacko moments.
Absolutely blown away, Thom! This video makes me feel like I am actually there. Can't wait to see it live in June!
Thank you much!
What a beautiful way to teach history.
Thanks Peter. I have had one informal “teaching” moment w a civil war round table group. Hope to do more.
Very nicely done video and Very awesome modeling
Thank you so much 😀
I Love watching Videos of your Layout Thom. It's the Best HO Layout in the whole World.
Thanks Jebb! SO glad to see how you are enjoying this wonderful hobby.
Fantastic!
Great video and compelling story. Your layout is hands down my favorite. This is the era I will model when I get to it.
Thank you. I am working on a short, article of video, to share how and why I am so captivated by this era. Had no ancestors here till 1900.
Yay, Macon! Lived there in 1970s.
Thank you. I really enjoyed your story.
Very well done 🚂♥ thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it
Nicely done piece, the modeling and the photography .. depicting a time when so much blood was shed by those who refused to give up their position and privilege, a life built upon the blood, sweat, and tears of fellow human beings enslaved, beaten, shackled, and lynched. Realities of history lived out in some of the most beautiful parts of the nation. Keep up the good work.
What "history" doesn't have those characteristics? If History didn't we'd be calling it Herstory. 💃🏾
Amazing work on this video Thom. It really turned out great!
Thank you, Pandy! It was a blast working on this with the guys.
Ooh, to see the photograph, hear the narrative, then watch the scene evolve into your layout... MAGNIFICENT
As part of the team that collaborated with Thom on this video, I cannot thank you enough for this comment. Thom’s layout really brings the past to life.
Appreciate your comment 4152! It has been and continues to be too much fun. Glad you like it!
Great technique. You really are a genius, the scratch built one looks better than those printed ones ✨✨
You are too kind, and thank you. I also had several friends contribute to building, scenicing, wiring, etc., which has made this all happen, not to mention the fun factor!
Thom, I can never get enough of this layout. Even after spending 3 days there with ya helping work on the locos and such.. amazing and work my friend. Will have to get back out there again for a formal Op Session.
One of the best layouts in the country!
Wow! Thanks you George. Coming from you... Hope you make our Sept meet.
Beautiful! 🤩
Very well done !!
Very well done all the way around--train production, video production! Few folks can get both done right. You did. I've sent the link to many friends.
Thank you Gary. Very kind of you. It’s a passion for us for sure. The best is when folks like you can glean some fun and joy from the experience. Cheers!
Awesome layout! Thank you for sharing these pictures!
BEST LAYOUT ERA TO MODEL 1860-1920/30ish. Back when small steam still was the main motive power, no cars but wagons and no roads just trails. If I EVER relocate and finish my main layout based in 1910-1930 Id build a fourth deck for the 1860-1880 era indianola railroad, and would have the entire Texas county of Calhoun entirely modeled as I model 2 of the branches that existed or still partly do, and another just a bayou, barge canal, and river over. To me this era especially is underrepresented in at least model rail layouts on TH-cam and I come back to tour videos like this one time and time again year after year as it’s just such a simple and yet beautiful time for railroading in the states
Wonderful story telling too! I would love more videos like this from ANY era, but this one is amazing. Are there more folks doing this too? Narrating their history while doing operations? I LOVE this. A documentary style story with live action graphics.
Many thanks. Your comments are very kind.
I know of several other modelers, good friends, but no one has done a similar video.
@ it reminds me of my search for a Jurassic world line of modeling materials. It seems to be with over 400,000 “registered” modelers in the US alone that they would’ve come up with some scale models for trains and scenery, but I can’t find ANYthing. Wanted to make that layout for my kiddos. Don’t have a 3D printer or any knowledge on that front either. Anyway this is right up there, seems like such a no brainer and great idea, but not widespread. I guess makes yours more valuable to us history buffs and model lovers lol. “Job security”! ;). Anyway keep doin and I will check out some more of your stuff today as long as football and kids allow :).
OK, I'm changing eras. That was pure joy to watch. What an achievment.
🤣. Now THAT is a compliment! Let us know when you’re ready to ‘switch’ over. Thank you for watching
Thank you for making such a fascinating and informative film.
Appreciate your comment Simon. Glad you enjoyed the ride.
Awesome 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃👍
awesome!
Thanks Ralph. This 25 year journey has been awesome and I’m glad to not only share the result, but to see folks like you enjoying it too.
I love your layout. Being a Civil War fan it’s interesting to see a Civil War themed layout.
Thanks John. It’s been a joy building this from all aspects.
Very nice Thom!
Beautifully done video! Great layout, photography, narration, all of it.
Many thanks Linda. It’s been a very enjoyable ride.
Great!
Most Amazing Work I Have Ever Seen. Just Subscribed.
O My Scale Link and Pin Couplers. Wow.
And Stub Turnouts.
Dalton Would Have Been The Place I Would Have Went. Guess Why?
Thank you Guss. Humbled I am by your comment. Glad you enjoyed it so.
I have seen and even built many layouts in my lifetime but I have to tell you, from a teaching perspective, this is one of the very best I've ever seen! Tbqh, this is how much of history should be taught; in a fun, meaningful, engaging way. History isn't dry numbers and stats; names, and dates, and places, but was made by people. Marvelously done! Kudos and bravo to you for taking me along on a time travel journey. Most excellent use of some of my time.
Btw, just out of curiosity, has anyone ever told you that you sound like Gary Sinise? Just sayin'...
When we recorded Thom’s voiceover I was blown away. He’s a natural.
@@RobertJohnDavis Yes indeed.
Warhorse! Many thanks for you kind words. I actually offered the local university history classes to visit. Unfortunately not a peep. But we have a whole lotta fun.
Gary Sinise?! Never heard that.
Thank you again
Thom, Outstanding presentation. AndyB
I have watched TONS of model railroading videos. And by far this was one of the most enjoyable. Great job on the scenery. Liked the countryside feel and history. Vs jam packed with buildings and track like most. Would be great to see a cab ride! I very seldom comment but this layout and video deserves recognition!
Honored by your comment Frank. Rob and Andy did a great job and Rob with his superb post production work. Thank you.
From an Aussie perspective bloody fantastic layout and video the voiceover guy is perfect for this video 🎉🎉🎉⚡️👌
Thanks Ruggedrails. I did the voiceover. The real magic is Rob Davis, post production editor.
Appreciate your comment
Thank you! This was a fun ride! Great job on the scenery and information.
Most welcome. Glad it hit a spot.
This layout is a triumph! Well done; and major respect for bringing rich history to living action! Your presentation was fantastic, and the layout just beautiful and truly unique.
Many thanks, especially coming from y’all as a producer or production company.
One of the best layouts I have ever seen, and I have seen hundreds. The amount of scratchbuilding and research to get this perfect must have taken years. I would love to know more about this layout and the people who constructed it. A few building kits are recognizable, but so many are scratch built. The details of the stations are amazing, including proper a proper cow catcher on the locomotive Georgia.
Too kind Bruce. Much appreciate your comment!
Long story. You may want to check out the blog, western-and-atlantic-rr.blogspot.com/. Be glad to share whatever you’d like to know.
That’s a lot of scratch building, well done.
I have gotta say, that is about the smoothest running 4-4-0 I have ever seen. Great looking railroad and great history. I am looking forward to seeing more. Well Done!!
Thanks Richard. We set the bar pretty high for ourselves. We’ll be attempting to much it. Next may be a couple of short videos on how we operate.
Just outstanding Thom, Rob and all who helped! I am so privileged to have operated this masterpiece several times! The video is great, but seeing it in person is humbling and truly amazing!
Too kind Frank! And glad too I am to have you here. Open invitation my friend.
Very well done! I love your layout!
Well thank you NGB! Very happy that you enjoyed the view.
Working on an N-scale 1865 layout, yours provides inspiration!
That is such good news Losantiville! There are a few in our civil war railroads .io group doing N scale. One is in TX. If you’re ever looking for inspiration for N, check out our io site. There are photo albums and files. You can also post a question. We have a very collaborative group. I host a zoom meet each month. June is our last till sept.
Many thanks for you comment!
Wow!
Here is what I say. I quite like those Civil War Era box cars. I would love to compare those old Box Cars with box cars that are 40ft, 50ft, 60ft, and 86ft railroad boxcars.
I love the fact that the locomotives have Soundtraxx!
Soundtraxx has and continues to be our digital source. They are also especially remarkable with their customer service.
Thanks Greg 😀
Outstanding presentation.
Wonderful replica of a rarely modeled era.
This is fantastic!! I wish the were more Civil War layouts
Thank you Mike! There actually are other ACW layouts including the Aquia Line by Bernie Kempinski, the M&C by C Taylor, DE Central by DC Cebula, and N scale module layout by J Salmons and another W&A by L Mathew’s. You can see these on our civil war railroads@groups.io.
All the best
I am intrigued by trains as a whole..... Such a short-lived mode of transportation, yet extremely important.
Pleased we still have trains working.
I like it when historic engines come to or through our town.
Those certainly have distinctive whistles.
ReEnactments are enticing.... Actual or model
"Such a short-lived mode of transportation"? The world's oldest operational railway is actually over 500 years old. If you are talking about locomotive-hauled trains, they have been around for over two centuries (almost twice as long as cars) and are the mainstay of public transportation in most countries around the world.
A very, very nice video and layout that I can appreciate as both a history buff and railroad fanatic. I'm currently working on my own HO scale layout, though it will likely be much smaller than this and focus on a period not quite as far back in the historical record.
Great job Thom! Where did you get all those awesome figures?
Hi ROn!. Thanks. Figures - Musket Miniatures, Staddon, Model Power, Prieser, Olg Glory, Speira Miniatures, Woodland Scenics, Airfix, and some scratch built by Marty
A very impressive layout!
Thank you
I'm very glad that your channel showed up in my recommendations! Great video! Thanks for the quick visual history lesson! Sincerely, your newest subscriber!
Most welcome Chris. It’s even more fun when we operate. And welcome aboard!
Wow
Wonderful
Thank you for SHARING Thom!!.
How long did this building process take, what area(s) does this cover, is it in one place? How long did it take to research? Love the background art that enhances the layout.
Great questions mee.
A company, Raildreams, built the 24 modules with track and wiring. They installed them in November 2003. We’ve been building for about 20 years.
The area is from Atlanta to Chattanooga.
Research stated in 1998 with several trips to Georgia visiting museums and towns along the route. Research still continues as we uncover new data every so often.
Thanks for your comments and questions
I love these types of steam trains, and I’ve got a layout with these trains and scene
@@theaussiez5133 Thanks for your comment. We love em too as you can imagine.
The first thing I notice is that the axles have probably been changed to acetal plastic because my Mantua General would begin to slip if I added a boxcar to the consist. But pulling modern cars with plastic trucks, would pull 13 cars.
Also, can this be viewed?
Correct. The pilot axels and wheels were replaced with NWSL metal axels and one side insulated. This helps to have more contacts w rail. Thanks jockellis
Fantastically detailed, period - accurate modeling! 😊 A few things specifically caught my eye; the stub switches, link and pin couplers, and accurate recreation of Civil War structures (I just finished reading a book on railroads in the Civil War and recognized a lot of the structures & scenes.
Out of curiosity, who made the 4-4-0 on the train that the video followed? I noticed just prior to the end that the motor was tender - mounted, with a drive shaft into the locomotive cab; it wasn’t obvious until a close- up shot just prior to the train entering the final train shed.
Again, absolutely SUPERB model work!
Thank you much WA!
The loco is a Mantua General with a whole lotta details.
Is it just me or does the whistle sound like a Norfolk and Western hooter and the bell sounds like an East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad 10 class bell?
Could be. These sounds are some of the options offered by Soundtraxx Tsunami 2. I chose for both period and difference as the engineers typically had their own whistle. Trains were known by their whistle in many instances then and other trainmen knew who was coming or going.
Thanks for you comment.
In Europe, in Italy for example, is impossible make a XIX century lay out, there is a lack of materials, locomotives and wagons in H0 and O scale.
Sorry to here that Giulio. Perhaps at lease you can enjoy as an observer.
Thank you for watching
They exist, but only rarely pop up. In most cases you're looking at expensive imports, though 3D printing might help alleviate this in the future
@@engineerskalinera Exist but is too rare
G'day to you! Thank you for this, anything to do with the ACW is fine by me, well done to all the good folk who worked on this, the Backdrops were perfect, is it illuminated at night? , I have been painting Confederate and Union Soldiers for Years, did you know quite a few Australians Fought on both sides,2 are Buried in a Grave Yard in our City of Perth West Australia!
And a very G’day to you Paul.
I did not know about Audie’s fighting here then. Thanks for that.
And many thanks for you kind comment.
Side note, I spent several weeks working in Melbourne, Sydney and a little town where the Savoy hotel was home. Cheers!
@@thomradice8680 Thanks for your Reply,I thought I would mention the Grave of a Confederate Capt.of the Artillery I came across whilst on holiday in Rome, what a story that must have been!
Beautiful loco. Love the sound. Amazing layout. Do you have any advice for older locos?
This was a weekend we spent tuning some. Thom does amazing work on the locos, I just helped him tune the SoundTraxx sounds.
th-cam.com/video/FpghrgbEo9M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0oH8REggxGIO-v7W
Unfortunately I do not. However, I believe their is a groups.io known as Early Rail you should check out.
Beautiful modeling, and so much character. Truly more people should take a whack at period modeling. If you do another layout or extension, you may want to consider code 55 rail. It would perfectly set off the light rolling stock.
Thanks David. And I agree about code 55. I knew virtually nothing when I started; classic “if I only knew then what I know now”. There’s a couple of ACW RR modelers who are installing code 55 for the reason you mention.
Thanks again for your comment.
How large is this layout? Well done and fascinating video!
Thanks Jeffrey. It is approximately 20’x30’
I didn't know that their was c/w layout I hope their is more tobe shown also I wonder is their anymore c/w layouts out there very enjoyable nice one Patrick Quinn IRL
Thanks Patrick. Couple places to see more. One is my blog, westernandatlanticrr@blogspot.com.
Another is the Aquia Line by Bernie Kempinski. Another is to Google Delaware Central by DC Cebula.
It’s a veryyyyy underrepresented era that i absolutely love, I model three branch lines connected to a mainline yard based 1910-1930 small steam and a doodlebug with a coach only but late 1800’s layouts are so beautiful and unique there’s not many on TH-cam and I feel like transitional era really dominates it but when gem layouts like these are uploaded i sure make sure to support and watch likely multiple times a year every year
This is so Wes Anderson
Hi Carl. Very interesting comparison. Thanks for the comment
Honestly, no greater compliment in my mind @carlincook3663. I can retire now.
At 4:00 AM it would have been pitch dark
Great call Jim! Absolutely true. 😂Appreciate your attention to detail.
Indeed. I tried a few “moonlight” filters and it looked like a bad episode of the Addams Family. 😂 According to the Interwebs, sunrise in Atlanta was 6:14am on Sunday April 12, 1863.
@@RobertJohnDavis You are so into the details I did not even imagine that one! Very good Rob.
What no "sherman bowties" ?
Real nice presentation. I have Bachmann's new version of the "General " and "Texas". I would like to do the chase but can't figure out what DCC to install in the "Texas". The "General" came already equipped. Any suggestions?
Thanks Chess and Jack. Two suggestions, one is to watch George Bogatiuk’s Bachman Texas rebuild. The other is to contact George via Soundtraxx.
I love CW Trains. There is a replica 4-4-0 that runs on the Northern Central in PA. For many years the B&O Train Museum ran a CW era engine. Can i ask what color you use on the passenger cars' trucks?
Thanks for your comment Hendo.
For W&A passenger I go from the Wilbur Kurtz paintings; either a dull black with a load of red dirt weathering and some rust. Others were shown to be a vermillion color.
what brand are the locos and cars ?
Mantua Generals converted to DCC and a whole lotta additional details.
Are they Bachmann locos ??
No. Retooled Mantua Generals
Interesting. Though it is HO scale is it Southern, or broad gauge track?
Howdy Rebel. All HO track is what’s known as standard, the current gauge which is four foot something. The original W&A was a 5’ gauge.
1863 Steam Locomotives, had a Steamboat Whistle?
hi what colour of grey are the two box cars please ?
The color is actually a light slate blue. W&A was known to have slate blue cars; however, we confirmed that they were a dark slate blue. Those light slate blue are inaccurate... but I can live with em.
@@thomradice8680 thank you painted mine pale red brown ,dark slate blue would look better trying to find w&A decals on30 scale .
You may want to make this request to our civil war railroads @groups.io as someone may have a source for you
@ send an inquiry to our groups.io site civilwarrailroads@groups.io.
@@thomradice8680 hi in groups site typed in the info 3597 results tried direct search got nowhere
what kind of switch is that at 6:22?
Stub
@@thomradice8680 Thanks - had never seen them before. Do you have a video where they actually get used to change the route?
@@musicman8942 Funny you should ask; ops videos are next in line. These will be about 5-6 minutes long and will show what you ask🤙
@@thomradice8680 I'd love that as I've never seen that type of turnout in action
hi thom got a delivery service fail using the email address provided . appreciated your help,
Be sure there are no spaces between the words
Civilwarrailroads@groups.io
I have help restored the American 4-4-0 at NCTM other now as the Texas. I know that Texas never had red wheels on her locomotive.
I believe that is correct Amy. You may know of or be interested in the work and research of John Ott. He posts occasionally on the Pre 1895 Facebook site. He also has his own website if you Google his name.
Thanks for your comment.
General Lee goat
NO ONE should ever have revived any of his statues 😡
Fantastic!!!!
Amazing !