Teach me about the PRR Middle Division between Lewiston and Huntingdon

[CodyO]

My future layout will be based between Lewiston and Huntingdon on the middle Division in the early 50s.
I find that I don`t really know that much most of my knowledge is based on Northeast Pennsylvania around Scranton.

I`m looking for

Books I should get
Industries along the line.
"Cool" Operation details
 

[GonzoCRFan]

As far as books go, Triumph IV is what you need:

https://www.amazon.com/Triumph-IV-Harrisburg-Altoona-1846-2001/dp/0934118264

I'm not hugely familiar with the line during the PRR era, but I think the sand quarry in Mapleton was a PRR industry. If I recall correctly, there was also a big brick plant in Mt Union that presumably had rail service.

Operationally, I don't think there was much in the way of unique or interesting things...the line has always been dedicated to getting trains between Altoona and Harrisburg as quickly as possible.

[GonzoCRFan]

This turned out to be an interesting watch:   

[prr7161]

Here's some documents to get started with:

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/docs/downloads/ett_540926_middle.pdf

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/docs/downloads/ct1000e_1945.pdf

As GonzoCRFan noted, there is not a lot of heavy industry spread down the line.  Most of the activity is in Lewistown and Mt. Union, particularly in Lewistown where there was a steel works and the PRR's Milroy Branch.  At Mt. Union, there is the connection to the East Broad Top and the wacky transfer of car bodies between standard and narrow gauge trucks - a puzzle to simulate in the model world!

http://ctr.trains.com/photo-of-the-day/2017/10/standard-gauge-boxcar-on-the-east-broad-top

At Huntington, there is the interchange with the Huntington and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard gauge line.

Also, up until the mid '50s there was a set of track pans at Mapleton.

Otherwise, the Middle Division was a water-level speedway with heavy priority freight and Blue Ribbon passenger traffic that didn't stop a whole lot of places.

If you go a bit further east of Lewistown, the Hawstone track pans and the Denholm coal wharf are not too far up the line.  The jumpover operation for the Denholm wharf would be something to see in N-scale.

[Dave V]

This is the other book you have to have:



I've about read mine to pieces.

[dougnelson]

Hi Cody:
The already mentioned Triumph IV and PRR Facilities Vol. 8 are excellent resources. I would also add another Morning Sun color book:  Trackside on the PRR in Central Pennsylvania by Jeremy Plant; and Lewistown and the Pennsylvania Railroad available from the PRRT&HS.

[CodyO]

Here's some documents to get started with:

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/docs/downloads/ett_540926_middle.pdf

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/docs/downloads/ct1000e_1945.pdf

As GonzoCRFan noted, there is not a lot of heavy industry spread down the line.  Most of the activity is in Lewistown and Mt. Union, particularly in Lewistown where there was a steel works and the PRR's Milroy Branch.  At Mt. Union, there is the connection to the East Broad Top and the wacky transfer of car bodies between standard and narrow gauge trucks - a puzzle to simulate in the model world!

http://ctr.trains.com/photo-of-the-day/2017/10/standard-gauge-boxcar-on-the-east-broad-top

At Huntington, there is the interchange with the Huntington and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard gauge line.

Also, up until the mid '50s there was a set of track pans at Mapleton.

Otherwise, the Middle Division was a water-level speedway with heavy priority freight and Blue Ribbon passenger traffic that didn't stop a whole lot of places.

If you go a bit further east of Lewistown, the Hawstone track pans and the Denholm coal wharf are not too far up the line.  The jumpover operation for the Denholm wharf would be something to see in N-scale.

The track pans would be cool to show in a model, though that coal wharf would be awesome to model too.

The main point of the layout is to model the huge amount of traffic going west/east, using 2 massive staging yards. Ops on the layout would be focused around running trains from one side to the other. With a few local moves and the icing docks at huntingdon being a major ops focus.

No massive yards or huge industries just a a$$hat load of trains.

I`ve added both of the books to my list to get in the next few weeks.

Thanks guys!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also... have you actually been to these places? There's something to be said for that, and I sometimes take @GonzoCRFan tutelage for granted.

[CodyO]

Also... have you actually been to these places? There's something to be said for that, and I sometimes take @GonzoCRFan tutelage for granted.

I've been... but I wouldn't say that I've really studied them.

That's the reason i started this thread . I realized I know so.little compared to.my knowledge of Northeast Pennsylvania(NEPA) operations.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been... but I wouldn't say that I've really studied them.

That's the reason i started this thread . I realized I know so.little compared to.my knowledge of Northeast Pennsylvania(NEPA) operations.

We'll fix that this year.

[strummer]

I don't know if this helps (and it probably doesn't  ), but everyone should have a copy of "Set Up Running...the Life of a PRR Engineman 1904-1949" by John W. Orr. I'm sure I've mentioned this book here before.

Anyone with even a passing interest in the Pennsy will find it fascinating. I've re-read my copy (370+ pages) more times than I can remember...

Mark in Oregon

[CodyO]

Alright, So I spent a good deal of time on this over the past few days, It should caputre most of the traffic between Harrisburg and Tyrone. Currently I only am missing the consist information for the Liberty Limited. I know what sleepers where assigned but that`s it.
On the right of the main sheet is a table with all the classes and count of cars required and also if anyone makes them.
Also included is the passenger timetable and the freight timetable along with all the car names you could use.

The Freight timetable includes all symbol freights but its pretty light(29 Trains). I`m guessing most where ran as extras or in sections?

Let me know if you find any mistakes.

This is a collection of Data from Keystone Crossings ,Robs PRR Page,N scale Varnish page and some info from Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Trains Consists and Cars 1952.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1M7rrCZloiZOIJB5ZTJ-xuuIwWeRwA2-W

It does show that most of the equipment is available at least in side form. Though If I`m going to build all those sides I need to find a better way to decal all of them.

[Point353]

Currently I only am missing the consist information for the Liberty Limited. I know what sleepers where assigned but that`s it.

See if this info is what you are seeking: http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track3/libertyltd195504.html

[CodyO]

See if this info is what you are seeking: http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track3/libertyltd195504.html

Thanks that did help a bit,
Looks like it had some GSR/KR`s or possibly P85b`s for the coach passengers.

[Point353]

Thanks that did help a bit,
Looks like it had some GSR/KR`s or possibly P85b`s for the coach passengers.

Probably P85bR according to this: https://www.brasstrains.com/classic/Product/Detail/050167/HO-Brass-Model-Train-CIL-PRR-Pennsylvania-Liberty-Limited-11-Car-Passenger-Set