Shortline of the Alleghenies

Bob Rodriguez
Owner & CEO

The Nickel City Line Railroad hauls a significant amount of coal and ore from line industries throughout the mountains. Passenger rail service also occupies the same line and carries passengers to and from Buffalo, in New York and, Harrisburg, Nickel City, and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
The railroad is designed for the operations oriented model railroader. Trains operate on a designated train schedule. Train movements are controlled by a dispatcher. The main yard at Nickel City is controlled by a yard master.
The layout is operated by Digital Command Control and a computer signaling system is currently being installed.

Here are a few photos of the Nickel City Line Railroad
Downtown Nickel City is busy on this summer day in August. A cut of grain cars block Main Avenue during the evening rush hour..
Nickel City train 401 clears the Allegheny Mountain tunnel at Canova Grade pulling a slow coal train heading for Ridgeway Pennsylvania.
Rail fans stand at an overpass to catch the rail action as a passenger train approaches.
A Nickel City Commuter gets a slow order from the dispatcher as it passes a raging brush fire.
The small town of Bristow has a antique shop and book store located in an old Victorian farm house. Bristow is located on a 2 x 4 foot module that, when not attached to the home railroad, can travel as a portable module with the Prince William County Model Railroad Club.
A cut of loaded Pennsylvania coal hoppers await pickup at Mine No. 6 in Sheppardsfield, Pa.
Downtown Chessie City in busy with afternoon shoppers on the warm summer weekend.
Nickel City Local 501 headed by locomotive 224 heads through Chessie City on its daily run.
The sky is darkening as a late afternoon thunderstorm approaches Sheppardsfield.
The Nickel City Line is an operations oriented railroad.  Employees operate at least six times a year on the layout using a 6:1 fastclock.  As employees accrue hours, they earn certifications for both NMRA and NCL certificates!
Check out the
Nickel City Line Railroad
On Line!