Allegheny Eastern: Clean Slate

[kelticsylk]

"Buck Rogers & The Allegheny Eastern"

http://kelticsylk.blogspot.com/

[kelticsylk]

"An Afterthought"

http://kelticsylk.blogspot.com/

[kelticsylk]

During this latest lull in construction (Christmas,etc) there have been some conversations with kinfolk about the direction the layout is going.  Of particular concern was the investment required to retrack the helix and whether I could actually operate the layout as designed. This led to another discussion regarding the modeled location as in "Been done before" and a host of other things. Someone suggested that if I made the layout more "generic" it would allow me more latitude. I could model other railroads in the Northeast as there were quite a few with four track mainlines.

Did some quick research and...
New York Central
Pennsylvania
New Haven
Lehigh Valley - Catasqua
Erie - Jersey City to Suffern NY
Lackawana - Dover, NJ to Passaic, NJ
New Jersey Central - Jersey city to Phillipsburg, NJ
Burlington - Chicago to Lavergne

Except for the Burlington, most of those listed are interests of mine. Making the layout generic means I would do a bad job of modeling any one of them as all have unique standards in structures, signals and equipment. Aside from the four tracks the entire character would change. The existing roadbed and track would be left intact except for the elevation. Without the helix I would eliminate the grade by pulling all the supports. Gallitzin would be revised and the helix would be replaced by a curve that would complete the loop...


The big yard at Juniata would be replaced by a small town and an interchange with a branch line the could wander about the layout serving industries and other towns.

FWIW

[chicken45]

Slightly off topic, but do you have any pics of the stations in Gallitzin?

[MichaelWinicki]

Actually Frank I like that concept, i.e. more generic 4-track main.

I think you have more than enough layout there for one person, without adding the complexity of the helix.

[kelticsylk]

Slightly off topic, but do you have any pics of the stations in Gallitzin?

Check your e-mail

[chicken45]

Check your e-mail

Ah! I just checked it! Nothing.

[kelticsylk]

"2014 A.D."

http://kelticsylk.blogspot.com/

[kelticsylk]

"Back To Square One"

http://kelticsylk.blogspot.com/

[chicken45]

Hang in there, Frank! Glad it's fun again!

[VonRyan]

Sounds like you've taken a similar attitude to my friend's basement layout. Generic eastern PA with all kinds of scenes combined. Allows for anything from WWII to modern-day.

The layout still has a PRR/Conrail flair, but it isn't as restrictive.

Your new plan still can hold the same flair, but isn't as restrictive as your original, more strictly prototypical scheme.

[chicken45]

I am frequently the victim of "paralysis by analysis." That's why my P70 project remains unfinished.
Just build your track and run them trains! The rest will fall in to place.

[davefoxx]

If attempting to recreate the PRR as accurately as possible has become a chore, then it's definitely time to reassess your goals.  Proto modeling works for some.  They thrive on recreating the prototype with as much fidelity as possible.  This isn't everyone's cup of tea.  There's nothing wrong with proto-freelancing or even full-blown freelancing.  It's your layout, and no one is going to turn their nose up at you for deciding to give up on proto modeling.

Personally, I don't have the time to model my road with 100% accuracy.  I don't even have time to rivet-count on my rolling stock.  I choose not to lose sleep over that.  Life has to come first, and I just want to have fun with little to no stress.  Just have fun.

DFF

[Scottl]

Frank, that was a great blog post.  I have often come to a similar point in my own efforts to build a dream.  I'm at a bit of one now, but want to see a major project through, not sure about the rest.  Still, Dave is right and gives some good advice:  do whatever you find enjoyable.

[kelticsylk]

"Autunite?"

http://kelticsylk.blogspot.com/