PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[Dave V]

Track replacement done.  Problem solved.



Honestly, though, all this focusing on code 80 track (and clunky WS ballast) is starting to make me itch for something better.  Dunno.  Even after I build the Midland I'll have a healthy stash of code 55 on hand.

Here's the comparison...  Atlas code 80 flex on the left, Unitrack on the right:



Oh, and had to grab a shot of the sexy new H30 from FVM:

[bbussey]

Very difficult to tell the difference between the Atlas c80 and the Unitrack.

[Dave V]

Very difficult to tell the difference between the Atlas c80 and the Unitrack.

Thanks!  That's what I was shooting for.  Obviously the "upper bound" on this experiment was that at best it would look like Atlas code 80.

The more I experiment with code 55 for the Midland the more the lipstick on the code 80 pig is wearing off...

[OldEastRR]

It is possible to pull the Code 80 rail out of the Unitrack and carefully slide in Code 55 stock rail. A bit of CA and it's permanent.
In case you want to try that on your next Unitrack transplant.

[Dave V]

It is possible to pull the Code 80 rail out of the Unitrack and carefully slide in Code 55 stock rail. A bit of CA and it's permanent.
In case you want to try that on your next Unitrack transplant.

Right, that's been discussed a bit.  But doing so doesn't address the tie spacing or oversized spike detail and defeats the whole point of Unitrack, which is ease and reliability.

I used it here mainly because it allowed me to replace track inside a tunnel without cutting the mountain open, and the rail profile is identical to what was already there.

[Philip H]

Nice to see its fixed!  I agree the Unitrak does look at least as good as the code 80.  I'd also so I am not at all opposed to using Code 80 to represent heavy mainline.  I'm keeping it for mine, and blending to code 55 for the sidings and yards.  Code 80 looks perfectly good when done as you have done it.

[Dave V]

Juggling three layouts these days!

Anyway, a few months back I acquired an RDA Easton Mills kit on eBay.  Turns out some parts were missing (platforms and the boiler house) so the seller refunded me the entire amount.  Anyway, the kit's roughly the same size as the mill part of the farm store (which, I believe, is Midwestern in origin).  I'm thinking of replacing the wood mill with the brick one and painting the brick one a matching white.  I've seen exactly that all over Pennsylvania, so I think this would help make my Lewistown look more Pennsylvanian.

[wazzou]

Good idea, let me know if you need to find a home for the wooden one.

[Chris333]

RDA doesn't make any N scale kits that I know of. That looks like a resin home made job. I bought one a while back and all the parts need lots of clean up. Every once in a while I pull it out to play. Then give up and put it back on the shelf.

Edit.I think it is a resin copy of an ERTL kit.


Edit again. Here is mine, the box says Trainstuff LLC.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like it!

[Dave V]

RDA doesn't make any N scale kits that I know of. That looks like a resin home made job. I bought one a while back and all the parts need lots of clean up. Every once in a while I pull it out to play. Then give up and put it back on the shelf.

Edit.I think it is a resin copy of an ERTL kit.

Chris,

This evening I can photograph the box, but it came in a box labeled Railway Design Associates American Classic Series N Scale Easton Mills Kit #205 (it's RDA's usual label that looks like a 1000 dollar bill).

So they did do N scale at one time.

[davefoxx]

Geez, I can appreciate why Chris keeps putting that kit away without finishing it.  One look at that picture of the kit's parts makes me want to go hide under the bed.

DFF

[Chris333]

Chris,

This evening I can photograph the box, but it came in a box labeled Railway Design Associates American Classic Series N Scale Easton Mills Kit #205 (it's RDA's usual label that looks like a 1000 dollar bill).

So they did do N scale at one time.

Here is their HO kit:
http://shop.railwaydesign.com/collections/railway-design-associates/products/easton-mill

I had no idea where my kit came from. Mine at least needs all new windows.

Anyways I wasn't knocking your idea just my own experience with that kit.

[VonRyan]

RDA doesn't make any N scale kits that I know of. That looks like a resin home made job. I bought one a while back and all the parts need lots of clean up. Every once in a while I pull it out to play. Then give up and put it back on the shelf.

Sounds like my A5 kitbash 
Comes off the shelf only to go back on the shelf 5 minutes later.

[Dave V]

When I did a brief 2-year stint modeling a freelanced turn-of-the-last-century Pennsylvania coal hauler (the Johnstown & Broad Top RR) in HO, I had their HO kit.  As I recall it went together about as well as oil and water.