Trenton Transportation Company

[peteski]

... contrary to popular (mis)perception, NJ does have skies like this on occasion--in fact, the last few days it looked pretty close to this.

Spending the last weekend in NJ (Parsippany and Wayne), I can vouch that the sky was in fact blue (at least part of the time). 

[MVW]

Not quite the same techniques as the JRB. The road surface (.060 black styrene) extends all the way under most of the buildings. Next comes building foundations (.040 x .250 strip styrene), which are cut to follow the building perimeters, and topped with indexing strips to position the removable buildings. Next comes the sidewalks (.040 sheet styrene with a tile groove pattern). Last comes the curb (.040 x .040 strip styrene). The storm drains are etched brass from Great Lakes Models, although they're based on area prototypes that are quite different from those typically found in the Trenton area; they are almost half the size, and I should have soldered them together into pairs. They're installed in square holes cut in the road surface.

Here's a photo that illustrates the elements described above:

As Homer Simpson so eloquently put it, "Could you repeat the part of the thing where you said all about the stuff?"

I'm afraid you lost me at the indexing strips, David. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you please provide an image of the area above from a lower angle? I'd like to get a better idea how the foundations, indexing strips and buildings mesh together.

(Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but it's late.  )

Jim

[Baronjutter]

Why does each building have a half dozen wires?

[DKS]

I'm afraid you lost me at the indexing strips, David. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you please provide an image of the area above from a lower angle? I'd like to get a better idea how the foundations, indexing strips and buildings mesh together.

I hope this image helps clarify things. Note that, in the text description, I listed things in the order of assembly: I start with foundations, and then build out around from there, like an onion. This way, everything fits snug against the buildings. Actually, it's good I haven't finished the storm drains, because it lets you see the curb strip clearly.

Why does each building have a half dozen wires?

They daisy-chain through. The incoming supply wire terminates at the connector of one building, then wires go from there to other buildings.

[wm3798]

Can't wait to see this at the Rail B Q on Saturday!
Lee

[davefoxx]

Can't wait to see this at the Rail B Q on Saturday!
Lee

I can't wait to tear out the roads and sidewalks on my layout and redo them, now that I see a method that addresses the deficiencies in my existing construction.  How many times must I attempt building roads before I am satisfied? 

DFF

[DKS]

How many times must I attempt building roads before I am satisfied?

Probably about as many times as I have. Trust me, I did not come by this method via divine inspiration...

[davefoxx]

Probably about as many times as I have. Trust me, I did not come by this method via divine inspiration...

But you sure make it look easy, David.  Thanks for the information, photos, and tips.  Now, I need to go home and get the pry bar out.   

Oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but did I read that you didn't even paint the 0.060" black styrene?  You just sanded it?  Wonderful!

DFF

[DKS]

Oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but did I read that you didn't even paint the 0.060" black styrene?  You just sanded it?

Affirmative.

[MVW]

I hope this image helps clarify things. Note that, in the text description, I listed things in the order of assembly: I start with foundations, and then build out around from there, like an onion. This way, everything fits snug against the buildings. Actually, it's good I haven't finished the storm drains, because it lets you see the curb strip clearly.

I ask for a low-angle photo and he sends a work of art, complete with labels.  That's why you, DKS, are the most admirable man I've never met in model railroading.

Just so I'm clear: The index strips are slightly in-set from the edge of the foundations, correct? Buildings rest on the foundations, with the index strips there to keep them from wandering?

I'm ready to begin my initial attempt at this very task, and I'd like to get it at least halfway right on the first try.

Thanks for your help!

Jim

[DKS]

The index strips are slightly in-set from the edge of the foundations, correct? Buildings rest on the foundations, with the index strips there to keep them from wandering?

Correctomundo.

[DKS]

It's not time for champagne just yet--there's still a bunch of niggling little things left to do--but it's far enough along for some half-decent views.

A tractor-trailer waits for TTC #3 to creep across East State Street.



Reversing the view we see the bustling corner of East State and South Olden.



An antique wig-wag still stands guard next to Capitol Fuel Oil.



At the other end of East State Street, #3 rumbles past a row home.



Following it around the corner, we see it squeeze past a warehouse and under South Olden.



The view from the South Olden overpass looks down the slope past Union Rubber.



And from the other end of Union Rubber, things are looking up.

[peteski]

That is just so wick'd cool!  Some of those photos remind me of places in Somerville and Cambridge (in Massachusetts)  I used to travel through.

[pwnj]

That Warren tank squeezing through and under the bridge is such a money shot! Can't wait to see this in natural lighting. Wish I could make it to Rail-B-Q. HAWT!

[Lemosteam]

Now there's the money shot!  Awesome!

Following it around the corner, we see it squeeze past a warehouse and under South Olden.