The Oregon Valley Railroad is an N-scale layout based generally upon the Portland and Western Railroad that operates in central and northwestern Oregon. The ORVL interfaces with two Class 1 Railroads – the Union Pacific at Albany and Eugene, and the BNSF at Willbridge. BNSF has also been granted trackage rights to operate run-through trains from Willbridge to Port Westward and from Willbridge to Albany.

The layout has one major classification/interchange yard located in Albany that requires a Yard Operator. There are seven other support yards on the layout. These are all basic interchange yards. Train engineers work their own trains at these support yards, giving them a chance for both on-line switching work and yard work as part of their train assignment.

Car forwarding is accomplished via use of the JMRI Operations System, a computer-based car forwarding system. This system generates a Switch List for each individual train on the schedule that is then coupled with train-specific Conductor’s Instructions and General Operating Instructions. The layout is powered by a Digitrax Digital Command Control system.

The Dispatcher issues main track authority orders verbally and the pace is very relaxed. The layout regularly operates with a crew of four to six

The scenery is about 98% complete with the final scenes already roughed in awaiting final details!

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