I see VGN hoppers (something I know much more about) under that coaling tower. Does your railway connect with the VGN directly, or is it in the vicinity of the prototype, or do you just like VGN hoppers?
The Virginian, is one of the few roads that I do not specifically model. The situation is; I model Northeastern/Eastern roads. My "layout" being three modules of a modular group, and the Lake County Model Rail Road Club, in Wauconda, Il., I can operate most any road I choose, so have built trains, rather than "locations". N&W, B&O, C&O, Clinchfield, D&H, Long Island, are the prominent eastern roads. I also have some SP&S, C&NW, and WP.
Then, there are the roads which are the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Shipyard (the fictional roads). These include the SHS&D 3' gauge industrial, The SM&CH, a modern "museum", Northeastern subcontractor, SHLC, standard gauge lumber line, and the WB&SP, a 30" gauge New England industrial line.
It's with these fictional lines that I can justify steam operation in present day scenarios. The Sagaponack Montauk & Cindys Harbor, runs steam, with steam era rolling stock, on Northeastern rails, by specially negotiated trackage rights. It owns some short connectors, on which it also operates railfan sites, where unique photo opportunities are provided, for "a small fee".
The SHS&D coaling tower, sits at a point where dual gauge splits off. Coal is provided by standard gauge hoppers, and is used by narrow gauge locos. The Virginian cars just happened to be the ones making the delivery at the time. The cars are part of a group restored by the Cindys Harbor, and are currently in service on the SM&CH. They have been seen in tow behind a pair of BL20-2 locos, but usually are headed by steam.