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Post by keystonecrossings on Nov 30, 2013 13:46:44 GMT -8
Like many refugees of the Atlas Forum, I have wandered for the past two plus years looking for an adequate replacement. Though I registered with this forum at the time, the activity level wasn't what I was hoping for and it dropped off the radar. I was pleased to rediscover this forum and see the level of HO activity as, quite frankly, most of the other major forums have a more lively N scale presence or an overall disjointed structure. This forum looks like it has mostly achieved being a replacement for the Atlas forum. I see lot of familiar user names on the board and I am hoping to renew some friendships. From 2000-2008, I modeled the PRR in N scale. I then made the decision to switch back to HO. I've been working on the new layout since 2010. I am modeling the Pennsy's Middle Division in the early 1950s. Specifically, I am modeling the four track main line as it passes through Lewistown, Pa. Also, the branch line classification yard at Lewistown and the Lewistown Secondary reaching into downtown Lewistown. The majority of the 11 mile long Milroy Secondary is represented, and the Selinsgrove Secondary is represented via staging. You can find my blog, track plans, and complete description on the layout's web site at jbritton.pennsyrr.com. I'll make a few more posts to this thread to recap progress to this point. |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Nov 30, 2013 13:56:44 GMT -8
Mann's NarrowsOne of the locations on the Milroy Secondary is Mann's Narrows, where the railroad, a creek, and U.S. Route 322 pass through a gap in the steep mountains. This area is on my upper level and, as scenery tends to drip and critical models were to be placed below, I had to fully complete this area. Turns out the area was just over 32 square feet and qualified for my NMRA Scenery AP. Here are a few shots...  
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Post by calzephyr on Nov 30, 2013 14:31:42 GMT -8
Nice scene! Are you sure that water is not really moving???
Larry
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Post by stevewoodward on Nov 30, 2013 15:04:40 GMT -8
Good to see you here Jerry! I followed a similar path having gone from N to HO. Looking forward to following your layout progress. I live in NJ but go out to Lewistown about once a week, so I'm especially interested in your geographic choice. I'm usually outside of town in an industrial park that's served by the Juniata Valley.
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Post by atsfan on Nov 30, 2013 15:06:55 GMT -8
Nice!
Do you have a track plan posted?
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by keystonecrossings on Nov 30, 2013 16:39:38 GMT -8
Nice scene! Are you sure that water is not really moving??? Larry I was real pleased with how the water came out. I use Envirotex Lite. I had to simulate a limestone stream, which has an irredescent (?) aqua "glow" to it due to the limestone particles in suspension. Took me a few tests, but what it came down to mixing equal amounts of neon blue and neon yellow to make a neon yellow (craft paints). Only took one big drop of this to 8 oz. of resin to get the desired effect. That took care of the "blue" in suspension. To get the rapids, I used Woodland Scenics Water Effects with a dash of white paint mixed in. This was my first attempt at anything other than flat, clear, calm water. |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Nov 30, 2013 16:42:58 GMT -8
Nice! Do you have a track plan posted? Thanks for sharing. Yes, as noted in my first post... jbritton.pennsyrr.com |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Nov 30, 2013 16:59:04 GMT -8
YeagertownThis is the town of Yeagertown. The scenic Mann's Narrows previously shown is to the foreground right. At the far end, on the left are four sidings into the Standard Steel plant in Burnham, Pa. This all looks like an interlocking plant, but it is the main track of the Milroy Secondary, a passing siding, a storage siding, and numerous crossovers to permit runaround moves. The area is based on valuation maps of the actual trackage circa 1950. At the far end, where the spray bottle is, will be a bridge to Burnham. 
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Post by mrsocal on Dec 1, 2013 6:21:51 GMT -8
I really like this Yeargertown shot. The shelf above,live or display?
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Post by keystonecrossings on Dec 1, 2013 11:20:26 GMT -8
I really like this Yeargertown shot. The shelf above,live or display? The shelf above is wired for running, but is way too high for operations. I plan to use it for display. |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Dec 7, 2013 15:58:39 GMT -8
Burnham East Operational Sorry the image is blurry. I had to stretch to take it. There's a backdrop immediately behind the camera as the layout bends to the left (Yeagertown).The east half of Burnham has been completed to operational status. All switch machines are in place, wiring is completed, and the bridges have been built across the creek to connect to Yeagertown. I refer to this area as Burnham East. There will eventually be more of Burnham (West) once a window is knocked through the wall at the far end of the photo. That's probably about two years out since future work focuses on the main line through completion. In the photo, the open area of the benchwork is where the creek will be. It will soon be covered by plaster cloth. Yes, it really is that straight. The creek was relocated circa 1900 to allow expansion of the Standard Steel plant. Standard Steel has a Burnham address, but is actually served by rail via Yeagertown. The four tracks under construction to the left of the creek bed are the steel mill sidings. To the right of the creek bed are a storage track, a passing siding, the main track, and an industrial track. At far right there are two sidings into Kavalchik Salvage. Mid-right is a fuel dealer which receives tank cars. Close right is a siding for which I can find no record of what was there. The PRR documents (CT1000) published in 1923 and 1945 provide no suggestion. So... I decided to put a brewery there! Elsewhere, I am making progress on the Standard Steel sidings, as previously mentioned, and I have nearly all of the main line track work installed through Lewistown Junction. Specifically, from the REA building at the east to the home signals for LEWIS interlocking to the west. The goal is to have this main line section fully operational by the end of Q1 2014, and I should have no problem doing that.
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Post by calzephyr on Dec 7, 2013 17:58:11 GMT -8
Nice scene! Are you sure that water is not really moving??? Larry I was real pleased with how the water came out. I use Envirotex Lite. I had to simulate a limestone stream, which has an irredescent (?) aqua "glow" to it due to the limestone particles in suspension. Took me a few tests, but what it came down to mixing equal amounts of neon blue and neon yellow to make a neon yellow (craft paints). Only took one big drop of this to 8 oz. of resin to get the desired effect. That took care of the "blue" in suspension. To get the rapids, I used Woodland Scenics Water Effects with a dash of white paint mixed in. This was my first attempt at anything other than flat, clear, calm water. Thanks for the description of how to get that scene. I would expect the guy fishing to hook one real soon. Larry |
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Post by middledivision on Dec 9, 2013 12:09:02 GMT -8
Nice!
No such thing as too much PRR!
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Post by tankcarsrule on Dec 9, 2013 17:03:53 GMT -8
A real work of art!
Regards, Bobby
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Post by keystonecrossings on Dec 14, 2013 13:37:06 GMT -8
Lewistown JunctionBeen working on the track work through Lewistown Junction. Most of the main line trackage is now in from east of the station to the location of the west bound home signal at LEWIS interlocking. The curve between the station and interlocking has proper super elevation. The inner two tracks are also properly elevated above the outer two tracks. Here is a shot looking east bound from just west of the station. The red brick building in the background was the Railway Express Agency building/hotel. The grey building beyond it, I believe, was some sort of boarding house.  Hopefully SPF's will recognize the scene for what it is, without explanation! Below is a 1950's shot of the prototype from a similar angle.  You can see much more on my web site and blog at Middle Division Musings.
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Post by keystonecrossings on Dec 27, 2013 12:31:25 GMT -8
Been making good progress with two days off. No photos till next week, after another two days off!
Got the fascias installed in the yard pit, around Burnham, and around the Standard Steel plant. Looks 100% better!
Also got the backdrop masonite installed behind the west end of Lewistown Junction. Even unpainted, it looks better than the framing.
Installed the Digitrax BDL168 components under the main line at Lewistown Junction. These will allow detection once the track is wired.
Printed the backdrop for the upper level.
Painted the wall behind the yard pit in PRR Buff.
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Post by railfan4life on Dec 31, 2013 23:12:57 GMT -8
Jerry,
Really nice look layout. I modeled Pennsy for a while myself in both HO and N scale. I always thought the 5 stripe Brunswick scheme on a set of Sharks was one of the sharpest looks ever.
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Post by keystonecrossings on Jan 1, 2014 7:36:15 GMT -8
Jerry, Really nice look layout. I modeled Pennsy for a while myself in both HO and N scale. I always thought the 5 stripe Brunswick scheme on a set of Sharks was one of the sharpest looks ever. Thanks. I have a set of brass passenger sharks in DGLE five stripe. Stunning! |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Jan 3, 2014 10:50:38 GMT -8
Holiday Progress Over the holidays I have managed to put nearly all of four days towards layout construction. The lead photo shows the current view of the layout room from the bottom of the stairway. Progress has included: * Final coat of PRR Buff paint on the wall behind the Lewistown yard pit; * Installation of track lighting tracks above Yeagertown, Burnham, and Standard Steel; * Upper and lower fascia in the Lewistown yard pit, at Burnham, and Standard Steel; * Car card boxes mounted at Burnham and Standard Steel; * LocoNet bus installed throughout main level, with permanent jacks in Lewistown yard pit and temporary jacks (pending fascia) along main level; * Location signs affixed to fascia on upper level; * Backdrop completed on upper display level; * Additional roadbed affixed in the upper yard at Lewistown This second shot, below, is looking westward from the Lewistown station area. You can see that most of the main line track is in place, location names are on the fascia, the upper display backdrop, and the additional track lighting.  The third shot is looking westward toward LEWIS interlocking on the main level. The upper level is Burnham at right. Along the aisle are the leads into the Standard Steel plant. The steel plant will follow the wall around to the left (where car kits are currently stacked). All of the fascia and card boxes here are new.  Finally, a current view of the Lewistown yard pit. The upper and lower fascias are in place and the throttle jacks have been mounted. 
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Post by calzephyr on Jan 3, 2014 11:17:14 GMT -8
Excellent progress and keep the pictures coming for us to see!!!!
Thanks
Larry
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Post by keystonecrossings on Jan 25, 2014 10:16:39 GMT -8
 A lot of progress has been made over the last few weeks. Main line tracks 1, 2 and 3 through Lewistown are fully wired with detection in place. Only part of track 4 has been done as I am waiting on the arrival of more Walthers code 83 #6 right-hand turnouts which have been in short supply. The good news is that they are now en route. On the scenery side, I've created the mountain behind KV Junction and it has two layers of plaster cloth in place. I also completed the plaster cloth stream bed through Burnham. Next up will be a coat of Sculptamold for each. Above is a screen shot of the LEWIS control panel, a work in progress (click to enlarge). The track schematic is complete and detection "bulbs" are in place and working. I need to add the signals to the schematic, then start work on programming the levers and code buttons. This is all being done using the PanelPro feature of the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI). The georgeous wall clock comes courtesy of Robert Bucklew. It has an animated pendulum complete with PRR logo! The clock will reflect "fast clock" time for the convenience of the tower operator. As for the layout room, I've added more lights to the track lighting system. A few more to go and that project will be complete. I continue to repaint portions of the floor and the layout skirting project continues. First open house is May 4th for the PRRT&HS annual meeting and I want to have it looking good! Over the next few weeks I expect to complete main line track 4, then proceed to installing the Tortoise switch machines and Switch-It stationary decoders to control them, all integrated with the PanelPro panel. |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Feb 23, 2014 14:59:56 GMT -8
Progress Report, February 23 A lot's gone on since my last update. In the photo at right, I am mocking up WALL interlocking. WALL is immediately east of LEWIS and, on the model railroad, takes the four-track main line into 20 staging tracks. My construction goal is to have WALL operational by the end of Q2. The goal for Q1 is to have Lewistown Junction operational. That will happen, no problem. The track is 95% in and will be complete later this week. I only need to add two more pieces of flex track and two wire drops and all of the track will be in and powered. All of the dispatcher-controlled swith machines are installed. Over the next few weeks I will be installing the stationary decoders that control them through JMRI and LocoNet. I've also been making progress on the back drop and scenery at KV Junction on the upper level. I got sidetracked on a power issue related to the toggle-controlled switch machines. That will be rectified shortly with the installation of a 5 amp power supply dedicated to the task. I've also been participating in the PRR Pro group's current project -- B60 series baggage cars. Although I won't get to three Bethlehem Car Works kits that are on my shelf, I am taking the time to get 16 Walthers B60B cars onto the railroad. These cars require manual application of grab irons. To wit, each car requires the drilling of 55 #80 holes for the grabs. That's 880 holes that I have drilled (under the goggles) over the past six weeks! Next step is applying the road number decals. You can see photos here. Although I am very much under construction, I will host an open house for the PRRT&HS annual meeting on May 4th. There will be trains operating on the Milroy Secondary, but likely not on the main line. However, it is an opportunity to view the overall plan and see what the future holds. More on the layout's web site. 
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Post by Amboy Secondary on Feb 23, 2014 18:45:48 GMT -8
That's some impressive work, Jerry. I did not realize the B60b required so many drilled holes for the grab irons.
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Post by keystonecrossings on Feb 24, 2014 3:44:10 GMT -8
That's some impressive work, Jerry. I did not realize the B60b required so many drilled holes for the grab irons. The most recent run saw the change to factory-installed... and the corresponding price increase (about $15 per car). The passenger cars have all moved to factory-installed as well. |
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Post by calzephyr on Feb 24, 2014 7:21:57 GMT -8
That's some impressive work, Jerry. I did not realize the B60b required so many drilled holes for the grab irons. The most recent run saw the change to factory-installed... and the corresponding price increase (about $15 per car). The passenger cars have all moved to factory-installed as well. That is an amazing amount of holes to drill with a .080 bit. Did you keep track on how many bits it took to complete the project? My past experience with this size bit is not so good. Larry |
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Post by Amboy Secondary on Feb 24, 2014 20:19:49 GMT -8
That's some impressive work, Jerry. I did not realize the B60b required so many drilled holes for the grab irons. The most recent run saw the change to factory-installed... and the corresponding price increase (about $15 per car). The passenger cars have all moved to factory-installed as well. Like many others, I'm running a couple of mine without the handrails and numbers for now... BTW: Thanks for the heads up about the PRR Pro Forums B60 project. Now to order some drill bits  . |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Feb 25, 2014 3:42:42 GMT -8
The most recent run saw the change to factory-installed... and the corresponding price increase (about $15 per car). The passenger cars have all moved to factory-installed as well. That is an amazing amount of holes to drill with a .080 bit. Did you keep track on how many bits it took to complete the project? My past experience with this size bit is not so good. Larry LOL! Yeah, I think I went through about dozen bits. I had a bunch from drillbitcity.com and they snapped just by looking at them wrong. Then I tried bits from MicroMark. Only slightly better. The PRR Pro group recommended McMaster-Carr. They are significantly more expensive, but they worked very well. Eventually many broke, but I got a lot of mileage out of them compared to others. |
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Post by calzephyr on Feb 25, 2014 9:22:57 GMT -8
That is an amazing amount of holes to drill with a .080 bit. Did you keep track on how many bits it took to complete the project? My past experience with this size bit is not so good. Larry LOL! Yeah, I think I went through about dozen bits. I had a bunch from drillbitcity.com and they snapped just by looking at them wrong. Then I tried bits from MicroMark. Only slightly better. The PRR Pro group recommended McMaster-Carr. They are significantly more expensive, but they worked very well. Eventually many broke, but I got a lot of mileage out of them compared to others. I have not tried McMaster-Carr but will see if my LHS has those. In the past, I have used the MicroMark bits. Thanks for the reply. Your layout certainly is looking great and I look forward to seeing more pictures as the work progresses. Larry |
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Post by keystonecrossings on Mar 9, 2014 14:14:28 GMT -8
Lewistown Junction Main Line Operational The main line at Lewistown Junction is now fully operational, as well as the "upper yard" that parallels the main line. The upper yard is where main line trains interchanged with the Lewistown Junction yard. All tracks are in and all dispatcher-controlled turnouts are powered. All main line track segments are detectable and turnouts controlled via LocoNet. Development of a dispatcher panel is well underway in JMRI PanelPro and should be operational soon. Ran my M1b 4-8-2 Mountain for the first time... a beautiful sight! Took to the curves and super elevation in outstanding fashion. My attention will now turn towards WALL interlocking, Harrisburg/Enola staging, and Altoona staging. More photos are available here. An open house is scheduled for May 4th, in conjunction with the PRRT&HS annual meeting. 
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Post by wmrdgfan on Mar 9, 2014 18:46:06 GMT -8
Jerry... Things are looking good... On your open house, will it be open for only PRRTHS members? I had to drop my memberships to all the historical societys a coulple years ago because of finances and the economy, but would enjoy comming to see it. I am in york..... Jeff
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