New York Central/Conrail Toledo Division Free-moN Layout

[btrain]

So after attending the National N Scale Convention last month, the Free-moN bug has bitten me pretty hard. While I’ll probably never have a basement empire in my life, the ability to create certain scenes and share them with many people, along with easily storing and transporting modules pretty much sells me on this approach to model railroading.

These modules will be slightly different than my Lake Shore Central ones. The Toledo Division will focus on double track mainline running through prototypical scenes, while the LSC will be a single track freelance railroad. I plan on bringing this new set up to local shows (as well as the LSC at times) and hope to help broaden the appeal of Free-moN to the area.

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As it currently stands there’s three main scenes I plan on building to replicate the line from Cleveland to western Ohio. The first is Stryker, which will be a return double track loop. The signature part of it will be the LS&MS Lines West depot from N Scale Architect. The Farmer’s Exchange elevator in town will serve as the main industry. These scenes can easily be switched between the 1950s for NYC or early 80s for Conrail, as I don’t plan to super detail structures that would dominate in one of these eras. From my research, I can tell there’s a good overlap, minus the automobiles and the color of signal masts.

The next one in line is the long causeway with lift rolling bridge over Sandusky Bay. This is a pretty grand scene and one that I was on the fence about for quite some time. After seeing Ryan Adam’s Wickenburg modules in Bethlehem, it gave me enough confidence that such big scenes can be easily used in set ups and transported. The real McCoy scaled down would be nearly 35 feet long, which is way too much for any Free-Mo organizer, let alone my car. So my version will be 13’ 4” total divided in four 40” by 14” segments. I did take advantage of this past weekend of having a borrowed table saw at my disposal and have ripped all the lumber for it. I even mocked up a plywood pacific scene to gauge the look of everything.

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The last scene will be of the interlocking in Berea, Ohio. I have the tower and the station both beautifully made by different 3D kit companies (isn’t this a great time to be alive?), along with some tri-light signal heads for Showcase Miniatures. The track plan here was pretty hectic during the days of the Central, with much of the traffic coming west off the Toledo side and switching over to the old Big Four, where much of it was destined for Cleveland Union Terminal. It makes for a spaghetti (or lasagna?) bowl of tracks, but I’ll simplify to what it was like in the first years of Conrail.

There will be other odds and ends, along with some curves added to this setup. As every Free-moN event I’ve been at, the organizer is always happy to have more curves. But, this is what I feel is my last big itch I’ve had for quite a while in modeling. So I hope what follows is a build diary that you’ll enjoy.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh f*** yeah!

[seusscaboose]

soooo......

this is right down my proverbial alley

there was a NYC Sandusky branch (aka the Norwalk branch) that took off west of Toledo - tying back in at Elyria (via Bellevue)

my FreeMoN set is the wye from the Toledo division onto the Norwalk division... and then down to the first town (Genoa)

(I'm staring at the Millbury Junction module as we speak)

eventually I will do Bellevue as well with the Wheeling, PRR and NYC all converging at the tower

EP

[vermonter_railfan]

These better be making it to Amherst next year!

[seusscaboose]

Altoona is closer

[btrain]

soooo......

this is right down my proverbial alley

there was a NYC Sandusky branch (aka the Norwalk branch) that took off west of Toledo - tying back in at Elyria (via Bellevue)

my FreeMoN set is the wye from the Toledo division onto the Norwalk division... and then down to the first town (Genoa)

(I'm staring at the Millbury Junction module as we speak)

eventually I will do Bellevue as well with the Wheeling, PRR and NYC all converging at the tower

EP

That’s awesome! I grew up playing on the abandoned roadbed of the branch between Kipton and Wakeman as a kid. Also, my great grandfather was a regular conductor in the 50s and 60s on it from Elyria to Bellevue. I know Conrail worked the part of the line you’re modeling up until 1983 or there about. The Geona Historical Society has a great selection of photos from the Penn Central to Conrail days on their Facebook page.

Speaking of the book of faces, I did create a group for the branch last year that might help you in your research: https://www.facebook.com/share/b4hU6PYt1MR3LeL7/?mibextid=K35XfP

You’re also in good modeling company as Jim Six’s recent layout is of Fremont around the 1930s. Here’s a link to his building blog: https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/limited-modeler-jim-sixs-new-layout-project-12243878?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3EXxuOkZYHxi1vmv2-b7IW0RcjOZO698uiCZ9t1vkQ_uD7H1vfKGG8LwA_aem_gRzXa2kz5URkNGFggpADGQ

[btrain]

These better be making it to Amherst next year!

The loop hopefully will be completed for Altoona this year. Building Sandusky Bay, I’m tempted to say it might be ridiculously easy after watching people use toilet paper for modeling water features (and by writing that, I know I’ve doomed this project to linger for several years in my spare bedroom). Scratch building the lift bridge will take some time. Currently I’m mulling over how to make the concrete causeway bridges and pier sections out of wood. But the goal is to have these modules ready for Amherst.

[seusscaboose]

i'm gonna pass that facebook page on to some family and friends...

it's very helpful!

EP

[SAH]

There will be other odds and ends, along with some curves added to this setup. As every Free-moN event I’ve been at, the organizer is always happy to have more curves.

Hmmm.  Stryker, Sandusky Bay and Berea.  You're going to need a bigger vehicle.

[btrain]

Hmmm.  Stryker, Sandusky Bay and Berea.  You're going to need a bigger vehicle.

Haha, that’s very true! If I hold my breath in while driving, I’ll have enough space to move everything in one trip.

[seusscaboose]

how's the loop coming along?

[btrain]

how's the loop coming along?

The build for it has been pretty stagnant for this summer. The past two and a half months, life threw me a commitment that ate up all my afternoons and evenings. It worked out, since there was a wood shop there that I could complete almost all of the modular benchwork and shipping panels. I’m thankful that the situation has changed and now I have more free time, so I’m starting to chip away on some of the to-dos I have for the loop build.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the loop this summer, was going out to Stryker and doing some research for a scratch build of the Farmer’s Exchange Mill. I’m glad to report that it’s still doing what it was built to do. I was walking around taking reference photos and a worker invited me to take a tour inside. I was amazed to find that they still individually bag feed for customer’s orders, along with ancient Toledo scales in use with century old graffiti on the walls. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping off the turnpike to give it a good look see.

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I also have the article from the NYCHS Modeler that details how to take the N Scale Architect Lines West Depot kit and chop it down is size for Stryker. Not sure if it will be done in time for Altoona N Scale Weekend, but that’s the current goal for the loop to be functioning and look somewhat presentable for the show.

The loop was brought to Ohio N Scale Weekend this past May with wiring and track work completed on the inner line. I had wired it with a Digitrax AR-1 reverser, but it gave me nothing but grief. I thought I had it properly adjusted at home to switch polarity instantaneously, but with different engines running on it at the show it became a headache and just wouldn’t change over fast enough, even with a booster placed next to it. After talking with some other Free-moN folks, they recommended DCC Specialties PSXX-AR reverser. The solid state unit changes over without any hesitation and can automatically throw a Tortoise switch machine at the end of the loop.

So that’s this weekend’s project, which is to install and test the PSXX-AR on the loop, along with lining up the depot build.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Friends don't let friends use AR-1s.

[seusscaboose]

yeah - that ASR-1 is not a good fit

Tony's is the way to go

[wm3798]

The modules look great, @btrain !  Even the one you forgot to bring large chunks of!

Lee