The Transcontinental PRR

[cv_acr]

MC - Interesting idea.  While you were doing that, I did this:

In the various configurations you've got here, the NW line just joins up with the PRR line down at the bottom corner, as in a junction. A couple things don't seem right about the above plan in this context.

- As drawn, the NW seems to junction or terminate with the PRR connection, not a mainline crossing with a diamond. If it's supposed to be a through main, the track reallly shoud have evidence of actually crossing and carrying through.
- If it is a junction (not crossing) interchange and the NW doesn't have trackage rights, there needs to be some doubleended or runaround tracks so the N&W local can go back to whence it came
- If it is a junction (not crossing) interchange, the way it crosses over or under the PRR tracks to interchange where it does seems like a totally unnecessarily complicated and expensive arrangement that the railroad wouldn't do unless there was some REALLY good reason why it would be impossible to just come straight in and connect on the other side of the PRR track.

[eric220]

In the various configurations you've got here, the NW line just joins up with the PRR line down at the bottom corner, as in a junction. A couple things don't seem right about the above plan in this context.

- As drawn, the NW seems to junction or terminate with the PRR connection, not a mainline crossing with a diamond. If it's supposed to be a through main, the track reallly shoud have evidence of actually crossing and carrying through.
- If it is a junction (not crossing) interchange and the NW doesn't have trackage rights, there needs to be some doubleended or runaround tracks so the N&W local can go back to whence it came
- If it is a junction (not crossing) interchange, the way it crosses over or under the PRR tracks to interchange where it does seems like a totally unnecessarily complicated and expensive arrangement that the railroad wouldn't do unless there was some REALLY good reason why it would be impossible to just come straight in and connect on the other side of the PRR track.

The NW main crosses underneath the PRR main.  It runs along the west shore of the river, thus:



Obviously, the layout of the interchange and yard has evolved, but the general idea remains the same.  The interchange rises up from the lower N&W main to the yard and PRR mains.  The actual connection to the N&W occurs off the modeled area.

[eric220]

OK, can't let this roll off the bottom of the page.  The Gandy Dancers are coming over tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have something good to show tomorrow night.  In the meantime, here's the latest on the Morrow NW interchange redesign.  It's pretty much MC's suggestion.



There's just enough room to drop the interchange yard down a quarter inch.  I think that should be enough to get a nice, subtle visual separation.  Also, it's hard to make out, but this plan includes the turn on the interchange track that takes it under the bridge.  A dummy track completes the illusion that the interchange track carries on to the NW main.  In reality, it curves hard (14" radius) to the left, goes under Newark, turns back around, and comes out on the facia.  It follows the facia around to the helix, where it joins the line down to staging.  That way, an NW train can either come up on the helix on the PRR main and cross onto the NW interchange, or it can come up the interchange and cross onto the PRR.  Either way the train starts and ends in staging.

[eric220]

Well, best laid plans of mice and men have gone awry.  I've got a doozie of a cold, so no Gandy Dancing today.  I swear I will get in more progress on this thing soon.

[eric220]

In lieu of Gandy Dancing, I figured that I'd share my latest purchase.  I've had my eye on this one for awhile, and a few days ago I found it on consignment at my LHS for $75.  That was too good to pass up, especially after I saw her run.



I placed an order for a few Walthers NW coaches today, so soon enough I'll have the beginnings of my own Powhatan Arrow or Pocahontas.  I figure that if the schedule were extended to go on to Chicago over trackage rights on the PRR, it would give a reason for a NW passenger train to come up onto the layout.  I guess I'm committed to making the interchange live now.   

[Leggy]

I saw the photo before I read the text, I thought you'd gotten a ex-N&W J for PRR passenger service 

[eric220]

Well, the PRR did test the J on the Racetrack. Got her up to 110 MPH.

Even so, I wouldn't co-opt a J into my PRR. It's such a beautiful locomotive in NW colors. That, and the T1 was the PRR's shot at a northern. To bring in a true 4-8-4 seems disengenuous.

[Leggy]

Belpaire that firebox and it should fit right in 

[eric220]

Quick update before I head off to bed.  The Gandy Dancers came over last night, and we got the benchwork for the upper level completed.



Ready for some cork/track layin'.

[eric220]

OK, let's get this show back on the road.  In a sudden flurry of activity this morning, grading crews pushed through Idaho Springs (including the team track) and continued 30 miles to just past the Coors Brewery in Golden.  I thought that grading along the soffit would be a royal pain, vis:



So after allowing the caulk to set for a bit, I cut the roadbed and removed the helix cap.  Grading continued on the floor.  The brewery is ready for track!

[John]

Nice .. whats the projected plan to get a complete around the wall mainline?

[eric220]

Nice .. whats the projected plan to get a complete around the wall mainline?

Start on one side of the door, go all the way around the room to the other side of the door, go up the helix, go all the way around the room to the original side of the door, turn westbound main back into the eastbound main, repeat in opposite order.

[John]

Start on one side of the door, go all the way around the room to the other side of the door, go up the helix, go all the way around the room to the original side of the door, turn westbound main back into the eastbound main, repeat in opposite order.

let me rephrase - when do you thing the mainline will be in?  Looking forward to a video of the full run ..

[eric220]

Gotcha.  Once I get track in on the brewery, I will have a turnaround on the upper level, allowing me to run a loop.  My hope is to have that done by the time my parents come to visit in about a month.  As for the lower level, it's hard to say.  I want to get the upper level completely installed (turnout motors, occupancy detectors, etc) before we start work on the lower level.  My hope is to have it done by next summer.

[seusscaboose]

i saw the reverse loop....    are you planning on using Tony's PSX-AR?

EP