PRR Northeastern Divison in N Scale

[CodyO]

finally having time during the move here`s some updates

Staging is done and full, 5 tracks loop around(about 30' each) and 4 stub we use the 4 stubs for passenger trains



Also added a 3rd track around the helix along with a spot for 3 new industries



Removed the X on the other side also



Installed this custom built set of switches to replace a X crossing for the reversing loop(whiuch will be replaced by a helix once atlas delivers)



Future industry site



rough draft of the future sidings


this flat will go along the wall


The new add-on benchwork was shipped to texas where I`ll build it and then ship it back to PA for my dad to install. Figured that would be better than starting a HCD.

[CodyO]

Here's my lastest plan for the upper level my dad and I have been doing a lot of back and forth over it

The plan is for a ruling grade of 1% to lower the tracks from a starting height of 4-6" though a very scenic landscape typical of northeastern pennsylvania down to the 0" passing tracks seen at the bottom where trains can pause to either reverse and head back up the grade to the helix or to go into staging in a separate room seem by the 4 tracks at the top right

[CodyO]

So with the upper layout plan pretty much nailed down
the next thing to look at is the current yard on the main level

Though this is a much future project I`d like to have the plan somewhat nailed down

So here`s the current yard

I`d like to make it easier for trains to come though the yard on the A/D tracks and swap out power on the head in

The main goal of the yard will be making it easy to swap out certain blocks of a train for example
The Purple Emperor
BF-3
South Philly-Hughestown-Buffalo
Buffalo…AR…6:45PM
Block   Classification
1       Buffalo and beyond including perishables not requiring re-icing at Hughestown
2       Perishables to Buffalo requiring re-icing at Hughestown
   
The Bison
BF-4
Buffalo-Hughestown-South Philly
Block  Classification
1        Cars for Chevy at Baltimore, MD ; Cars for Ford at Chester, Pa., Norfolk Va., and Atlanta Ga. And cars for General Motors at Wilmington Del.
2        Enola, New York, and Southern routing except as provided by Blocks 1 &4 and by Trains BNY-16, BF-14
3        Hughestown inclusive
4        Perishables for Enola, New York, and Southern routing which require re-icing at Hughestown

Train BF-3 pulls into the yard and the power cuts off and heads to the roundhouse, a switcher comes out and cuts off block 4 and takes it to the Ice house, the cars already in the ice house will be taken and put on train BF-3 which will now have new power at the headend. The train then departs the yard and heads for the upper level

Train BF-4 pulls into the yard and the power cuts off and heads to the roundhouse, switcher comes out and cuts off blocks 3 & 4. Block 3 gets put into the yard while Block 4 goes to the ice house, the cars already at the ice house become block 4 while the cars from the on layout industries(Hughestown inclusive) already waiting in the yard become block 3. New power is put on the headend and the train heads out towards the uper level 


I included these examples to example what I`ll be trying to do with the yard

[CodyO]

New work done on the layout

Atlas bridge kit-bashed for the tracks on the reversing loop that go over the top exit of the helix


New switches installed with tortoise mounts


Tracks on right will go to upper helix


view down all the new tracks



All the new hand laid switches are powered by tortoise machines, my dad and I plan to convert all main line switches and staging yard to tortoise`s.
He`ll be doing all the work on that though due to me being 1,800 miles away but still trying to plan it all out

[CodyO]

New exit/entrance for reversing loop into yard instead of back onto the mains


Some tortoise mounts where installed





Switch control panel for the new machines


Throwbar on the hand laid track

[CodyO]

End Of an Era

Over the last weekend we removed most of the current layout. We saved the staging yard to be reused in my current layout, the Helix is apart and ready to be reused possibly in the future. All the handlaid switches where removed and saved and all buildings.

Everything else will have reusable items removed.


Staging yard on right. right half on yard and helix benchwork on the left


Helix is in the lower right corner



Cleaned off the layout and removed the raised deck for the mainlines


One section removed showing off the middle of the yard


Roundhouse before removal



Roundhouse removed


Everything stacked up


Staging yard and boxes packed up to move the staging yard to my house. Funny thing is this Jeep has carried all of my current layout from PA to Maryland.

My fathers Future plans are a new HO switching layout in the space

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Make sure he's read Lances ops book.