Proto-lanced Pennsy: The West Slope

[Philip H]

Ed was bending the rod around a bit to see if it would help.

There's your problem right there.  Ed should not be allowed to bend rods . . .

[chicken45]

There's your problem right there.  Ed should not be allowed to bend rods . . .

It wasn't even his own rod! 

[Lemosteam]

It wasn't even his own rod! 

Hence why you were enjoying it sooo much!   

[chicken45]

So, yesterday we cut off parts of the blue point because it wouldn't fit with the new frame.
You can see in the pics below what was removed. We also cut down the "manual throw arm" on the side that doesn't have the flex link connected to it.

For reference:

 



It takes a lot of effort to throw this using the rods. I was having trouble tightening the black clamp that keeps the red sheath secure so it slips a little bit, too.
I adjusted the tension and throw adjustment and seemed to get more movement out of the spring, but it still is not moving the turnout points, even with me manually pressing the throw on the blue point.

I'm a little worried about pulling this out and replacing it. How many times can you use the same screw hole in a HCD?

[wazzou]

You can always glue a small block of furring strip to the door and screw the controller to it, which I'd recommend anyway but YMMV.

[sizemore]

Nothing appears to be wrong with the Blue Point Control. The problem I believe is that the pivot adjustment is set to the bottom of the switch, way to extreme. The side to side movement of the rod is greater than the width of channel. Essentially your just slamming the rod into sides of the hole (*insert dirty jokes and memes here*).

Slide the pivot adjustment all the way to the top. The brass rod only needs about 1/8-1/4" of movement to throw the switch. Take the old rod out, you'll want to bore sight the switch machine (using the hole in the pivot adjustment) with the hole in the layout. The pivot adjustment hole should be dead center/in-line with the hole in the layout. Replace the brass throw rod since its bent in a couple different places and will not work properly.

HTH,
The S.

[chicken45]

I noticed a lot of play in the blue point because of reusing the screw hole. I took it all out and confirmed the blue point throws just as easily as it ever did. Because of that loose screw, the whole assembly wiggled a bit. Probably enough to throw everything else into chaos. I'll glue on a thin piece of wood as suggested and remount with a new wire!
Thanks, all for your help and suggestions.

[wm3798]

The only time a screw hole should be reused is between consenting adults.

[chicken45]

The only time a screw hole should be reused is between consenting adults.

Ed- we should put that on Lee's mug.

[chicken45]

Here we go! Here's my first draft.
I'm calling the new layout "The West Slope". I will be modeling Portage, PA and the AR vignette of Gallitzin, PA. There will be a view block in the middle.





We aren't sure why NY Interlocking is called that. There's theories but nothing conclusive.
You can see the mainline on the top and the spur that runs off it in to town. Leman Machine has been in Portage since the late 20's. This will be great for me to show off all my great signature PRR flat cars.


And we now travel eastward towards town...

The spot where the Portage Area Historical Soceity is the former PRR passenger station. It's a two story brick building. The Freight Depot, also still standing is trackside near N Railroad Ave and Main St.
Here's a shot of the freight depot:


You can see the feed mill and the depot in this shot (looking west):


Here's the passenger station. Like Johnstown, you enter the station streetside and go upstairs to the tracks.




New Portage Tunnel inspiration:


The Cassandra-ish curve. I don't want to cram too much in so we will see how it turns out.


NY Tower. I don't know if it was still around in this form in the 50's, but I don't care. I like it.


I plan on using a modified J/LEMO tower kit:


I may use this for the freight depot.


As for the Passenger station and nearby tunnel...not sure what to do yet. Here's the scene:

The things is...this tunnel is only a block over. I may use this instead.



As for the AR section...a lot of nothing. Negative space. This will satisfy my PRR main itch as AR was 2 track main. Not sure what to do about that spur off the main though. Ed suggested parking coal hoppers there. Portage had many mines so it does make sense. I don't want to put a whole mine in that spot.
I'm also thinking about how the view block will work on that end. Maybe have those tracks go through the view block on to the Portage side?

Thoughts?

[davefoxx]

I like where this is heading and that you're able to model the same road (PRR) on a similar plan to Dave Vollmer's Juniata Division but still make this track plan your own.  Kudos!  Once you're off and running, I think the comparison to those similarities (something that The S. was concerned with) will cease.

DFF

[wazzou]

Does that TO to Palmer Feed above NY have any of the types of problems it looks as though it would have or is it pretty trouble free?

[Dave V]

Are you going to be okay with the track as-is?  I see 5 tracks in front of NY Interlocking on your plant diagram.

[chicken45]

Are you going to be okay with the track as-is?  I see 5 tracks in front of NY Interlocking on your plant diagram.

Yes.  I will be able to suspend disbelief because 1. I love towers and having one with less than 5 tracks > not having one at all for me.  and 2. I have AR as my prototype scene.  They serve different purposes.

Does that TO to Palmer Feed above NY have any of the types of problems it looks as though it would have or is it pretty trouble free?

I'm not following.

[Lemosteam]

I think @wazzou is referring to this circled "S" transition:

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