Proto-lanced Pennsy: The West Slope

[chicken45]

I can finally start my layout thread!
I'll get the mushy stuff out of the way first.

Big thanks to Dave Vollmer for chronicling his Middle Division on the Internet and sharing it with us. As you can see from a very familiar track plan, its the sincerest form of flattery. You've been an inspiration I've never met!

Big thanks to DKS for sharing a code 55 track plan he drew up for other Dave.

Also a big oniony thanks to John "Lemosteam." Hell of a train mentor! He was kind enough to give this project legs (in the literal sense).

I'm setting my timeline in the ever-so-popular transitional period in the 1950's, October. You'll see a healthy mix of steam and diesel. Maybe I'll pin down an exact year someday, but not today

This is my first real layout, and hope to learn a lot from it!
I'm planning on incorporating a pumpkin patch and a lots of fall foliage.

Here's my first shot of it all:

[PAL_Houston]

Go! Go! Go!
I am curious what you use to print out your full-sized track diagram?  Looks sort of like the Atlas RTS program output at full-scale, and I didn't realize they had updated their libraries to include the curve turnouts.

 

[DKS]

I am curious what you use to print out your full-sized track diagram?  Looks sort of like the Atlas RTS program output at full-scale, and I didn't realize they had updated their libraries to include the curve turnouts.

The plan was done with AnyRail, which has very comprehensive and frequently-updated track libraries.

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

[PAL_Houston]

The plan was done with AnyRail, which has very comprehensive and frequently-updated track libraries.

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

...and since (I hear) Atlas is no longer supporting RTS, I suppose I need to migrate to AnyRail, huh?

[chicken45]

Go! Go! Go!
I am curious what you use to print out your full-sized track diagram?  Looks sort of like the Atlas RTS program output at full-scale, and I didn't realize they had updated their libraries to include the curve turnouts.

John may have used a plotter for it. That man don't mess around!

[Dave V]

I'm, of course, very excited to see another PRR HCD layout!

I do have one word of advice, and it should seem obvious, but it might not be...  Be careful not to lose sight of the fact that you're modeling the real Pennsylvania Railroad and not my version of it.  In other words, you should be using PRR prototype books and photos rather than my web pages for the vast majority of your references.  I've had previous layouts that were in some ways models of models rather than models of the prototype and were less than satisfactory.  For my current plan I used Lou Sassi's design and tried to make it generic Pennsy.  However, you'll remember the sheer retaining walls across the tracks from Spruce Creek passenger shelter...  That's a throwback to Dave Frary's HO Middle Division and I did it before I really had done adequate research on the real Middle Division.  Same with the coal mine; other models of the PRR almost always had one and so I felt like I should too.  The overall track plan and road/town layout is pretty flexible for any prototype, but that prototype should be similar to a real scene rather than similar to the orignal 1993 Sassi layout feature or my version thereof.

I'm pretty tired after a day of driving through storms and am in and out of sleep, so I'm probably not articulating this well.

Good luck, and post lots of pictures!

[Hornwrecker]

Congratulations on the groundbreaking.

Let me know what area of PA you're modeling, and I'll see if any of my rock molds fit the geology of the area, or I can make some new ones to lend you.

Go get a long aircraft type drill bit, about an 1/8" d for dropping feeders.  Production Tool or some other T&Die suppliers in the area have them in stock.  It'll make that part of the job a lot easier.

I've made a couple of HCD layouts for friends, the first one about the same time Dave V made his.  Both of them wanted them set in Fall; one in Upstate NY, the other in NE OH.  Me, I'm going for early spring when the rhododendroms and redbuds are in bloom.

Good luck, we're all counting on you.

[chicken45]

I'm, of course, very excited to see another PRR HCD layout!

I do have one word of advice, and it should seem obvious, but it might not be...  Be careful not to lose sight of the fact that you're modeling the real Pennsylvania Railroad and not my version of it.  In other words, you should be using PRR prototype books and photos rather than my web pages for the vast majority of your references.  I've had previous layouts that were in some ways models of models rather than models of the prototype and were less than satisfactory.  For my current plan I used Lou Sassi's design and tried to make it generic Pennsy.  However, you'll remember the sheer retaining walls across the tracks from Spruce Creek passenger shelter...  That's a throwback to Dave Frary's HO Middle Division and I did it before I really had done adequate research on the real Middle Division.  Same with the coal mine; other models of the PRR almost always had one and so I felt like I should too.  The overall track plan and road/town layout is pretty flexible for any prototype, but that prototype should be similar to a real scene rather than similar to the orignal 1993 Sassi layout feature or my version thereof.

I'm pretty tired after a day of driving through storms and am in and out of sleep, so I'm probably not articulating this well.

Good luck, and post lots of pictures!

Dave:
Makes total sense! And is for sure sound advice. I don't want to take the "easy way" and copy (it's the path to the Dark Side!). I was actually pretty nervous about "ripping off" your layout. There will be some similarities for sure, but I hope to distinguish it. I have that Atlas viaduct, but it will be an homage to the famous Stone Bridge.
I love so much of your layout that I want to emulate so many parts. As I'm in these beginning stages, I'm struggling with that. I'm sure as I research things more and more, I'll get a better feel and give my layout purpose. I understand you started out "generic" and got more specific as you learned more. I admire that and see that as my natural evolutionary process for this.

Bob:
Southwestern PA. Johnstown and surrounding areas to be exact. We fall in the the Allegheny Mountains and the Laurel Highlands.
This is my hometown area. I like to touch upon familiar areas. Rocks would be awesome!

My goal is to model the Pennsy with a nod where I grew up. Or to model where I grew up with a nod to the Pennsy.

Johnstown had Bethlehem Steel, but I think that may be a bit too tough to model on a door. T'was a massive plant.

[Lemosteam]

Joshua, great news.  It was great seeing you and swapping parts.  Your used turnouts will no doubt be very happy on my layout.  Thank you in return.

PAL_Houston, Anyrail lets you export a .jpg image in full scale.  The file size image is HUGE, but I was able to open it in MS paint and plot the drawing from there.  Most printing shops should be able to print the file.  I had to print Joshua's file on two 24" plots as we only use 24" paper.

Per Dave S. recommendation I downloaded Anyrail too.  Fortunately my layout is small enough (less than 50 pieces) to use the tool for free.  I highly recommend the tool.  It is very intuitive and accurate. 

[davefoxx]

Go get a long aircraft type drill bit, about an 1/8" d for dropping feeders.  Production Tool or some other T&Die suppliers in the area have them in stock.  It'll make that part of the job a lot easier.

On my HCD, I use a piece of straight wire coat hanger as a drill bit.  I use a pair of cutters to cut the end at a 45 degree angle to make a pointy tip and insert it into the chuck on my drill/screw gun.  Goes through 2" foam and a HCD like butter.

Looking forward to your progress and keep us posted.  As we like to say here on the Railwire, "Pictures, or it didn't happen."

DFF

[pjm20]

Ooh boy, another Pennsy layout! I will follow this with great interest, especially since I am starting my Dad out with and HCD like layout. Keep us updated and bring forth another PRR layout to the world.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

When you go to drop feeders, I've also found it really helpful to make a thin, hard wire "bishops crook", feed it up from below grade, push your wires through, and pull them down.

It's like a needle threader:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_threader

[eric220]

Ooh boy, another Pennsy layout! I will follow this with great interest... Keep us updated and bring forth another PRR layout to the world.

What he said.

[chicken45]

Since stone has been a hot topic last week, I did some viaduct work...




I shaved down some code 55 rail for the braces.
Thoughts?

[Scottl]

I like it a lot, especially the finishing of the stone,  but I'm wondering how the braces would be secured in the prototype?  I don't know, but some kind of welded plates that could support bolts into the rock would make sense to me.  They look like they are kind of hanging on the side.