PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[DKS]

It's crossed my mind to sell off all my Conrail stuff to finance future expansion.

You know, as clever as it was to do the dual-era thing, I always thought it was so fraught with compromises that it was better as a single-era layout. I think if it was originally planned from the get-go to be dual-era, it might have flown, but I have liked to think of the JD as a PRR layout first and foremost.

[davefoxx]

Just be forewarned.  Think hard and long before you pull the trigger on selling the CR stuff.  I once made the mistake of selling off some SCL and SBD rolling stock when I started the Virginia Central (C&O) to only regret it later when I returned to model the SBD and SCL on the A&R HCD and now the Seaboard Central.  I repurchased the same rolling stock a second time.  Let's just say that move wasn't profitable for me.   

[eric220]

It's crossed my mind to sell off all my Conrail stuff...

Do it

[Scottl]

I've been here about three years and all you show are PRR and occasionally PC.  You model Conrail?

Well, I have a drawer full of Rio Grande!

[chicken45]

Just don't misspell and call it a PENIS Cave

It's scary...SUPER scary that I thought the exact same thing.

[Dave V]

So, right as I was jamming a code 55 joiner onto code 80 rail, this happened:   



So I had to do this:



When all was said and done I had this:



The outside Unitrack needs weathering once the ballast glue is dry.

All said and done, the Unitrack isn't really noticeable even right next to Atlas code 80 since the rail profile is the same.  Ballasting Unitrack is a pain, but only marginally more so than regular track.  In all honesty, I see the appeal.  It's crazy easy to work with and when painted and ballasted looks no worse than code 80 flex (barring the rigid geometry).

Considering how craptacular my tracklaying skills are, it crossed my mind briefly that future expansion could be accomplished via Unitrack without having to relay any existing code 80.  I know it would probably mean revoking my Railwire card...   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Don't do it. Even if the JD has some compromises when running CR stuff, think about how much enjoyment it's brought you.

That's the reason I have some RDG stuff, some PC stuff, etc... variety is the spice of life.

[Dave V]

Don't do it. Even if the JD has some compromises when running CR stuff, think about how much enjoyment it's brought you.

That's the reason I have some RDG stuff, some PC stuff, etc... variety is the spice of life.

It has to some extent, although I think a much more plausible and perhaps more fun second era would be late PRR/pure PC.

Anyway, I was browsing old photos of the JD's construction and found this horrible mess:



Thank God for scale signals!



Certainly in the before picture, code 80 track was the least of my worries, LOL!  That was pre-Railwire days for me.

[chicken45]

I just saw you post this to Facebook. I say do what ever makes ya happy when it comes to track work. The JD already has code 80 and I don't see a line of asshats with torches lined up in Colorado.

I love the PRR, but I grew up in the Conrail era.  My "layout" will be mostly forest and mountain, so trees don't change with time. Even if I did, I'd still derive joy from running my Amtrak Superliners through Gallitzin...when nobody was watching. 

[Bsklarski]

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This should get your juices flowing.

[Rich_S]

Brian, Nice video thanks for the link. I've spent some time at Benny myself, although not in the PC era, but in the Conrail Era.

[Rich_S]

Dave, what brand of ballast are you using? I was using Smith & Son ballast, but I think they've gone out of business?

[Chris333]

When all was said and done I had this:

If this is the result then I would say it was a success!

[Dave V]

It's Woodland Scenics Fine Gray Blend. As much as I would prefer to be using grout or Arizona Rock & Mineral, it's what I used in 2006 and I need to match it. Frankly, if one has a lot of Unitrack to ballast, something finer would be better.

[MichaelWinicki]

It has to some extent, although I think a much more plausible and perhaps more fun second era would be late PRR/pure PC.

I weep with joy at reading that...