Proto-lanced Pennsy: The West Slope

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That is branchline trackage after all...
He'll just need to post one of these signs there:
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[chicken45]

Hey now. I have video evidence of one Centipede (the other may be broken) doing complete laps!

[chicken45]

The Hungry Modelers had a session yesterday where we fixed that troublesome bluepoint. All is well. Just need to order 2 more brackets to mount the other two. Then, I will mount the turnout knobs to the frame and be done with the turnouts.

@sizemore - you mentioned using a DPDT switch on the programming track? How did you envision that working?

[C855B]

Ambiguous signage. I'm interpreting that as "DGLE 5-stripe Centipedes Prohibited". What if I show-up with a single-stripe? Or a UP foob?   

[wazzou]

@sizemore - you mentioned using a DPDT switch on the programming track? How did you envision that working?

When you flip the switch, you'd isolate the remainder of the layout from the programming track.

[Dave V]

What's the curve radius?  It looks ever so slightly more generous than my 15" outer radius.  I will say that using a 13.75" inner radius has a non-negligible impact on pulling power to the tune of a car or more between my inner and outer tracks for long trains.

[OldEastRR]

Why don't you make the crossing (AR) a double track split? Including a crossing? You lose the switch spliting the two spurs and have the RH track come across the other and into the RH spur.You can stage an eastbound train on one dead-end sidings  and have a westbound train come in on the other. Then hand-move the westbound into an eastbound on the EB track. The Atlas track sections should have the correct geometry to make a split double-main w/o kinks. Also shouldn't be any polarity problems.
A double-track junction looks pretty cool.

[chicken45]

Why don't you make the crossing (AR) a double track split? Including a crossing? You lose the switch spliting the two spurs and have the RH track come across the other and into the RH spur.You can stage an eastbound train on one dead-end sidings  and have a westbound train come in on the other. Then hand-move the westbound into an eastbound on the EB track. The Atlas track sections should have the correct geometry to make a split double-main w/o kinks. Also shouldn't be any polarity problems.
A double-track junction looks pretty cool.

The simple answer is "because it's already done." I don't really want to rip up anything.

I don't know the curve radius. I'll have to measure it unless @sizemore remembers.

[sizemore]

The simple answer is "because it's already done." I don't really want to rip up anything.

I don't know the curve radius. I'll have to measure it unless @sizemore remembers.

Its a 36" door, probably in the 17" radii.

The S.

[chicken45]

Getting ready for the move back to the motherland.
The Thirsty Modelers came over and helped me install the turnout knobs.
We eventually figured it all out.



@DeltaBravo drilled the hole on the left.



We had some luan ready to go to mount behind the holes but we quickly learned that we need to screw those clamps in so we needed something more substantial.

Once all that was done, Ed and I realized there was one switch machine that didn't have a metal bracket for mounting to the flex rod. It would have been a pain to drive 40 minutes to Klein's just to get one, or pay $7 to ship one to me, so I improvised with a scrap of wood. I drilled a hole in the wood scrap and Gorilla Glued it to the door and it added just enough pressure to the flex rod that I probably didn't even need the clamp installed. But I wasn't taking any chances. Screw that sucka in.



This week, we will prep for packing and will remove the hooks, straps, and chains from the walls.

[Chris333]

Is there a technical name for those black clips? I forgot to order any and would like to just find some on e-bay.

Answered myself:
Sullivan Gold-N-Rod clamps s533

[chicken45]

My final Thirsty Modeler session was held last Thursday. We started out the night with the worst bartender at Abbey Burger.
Kids in the future: If you work as a server/bartender: don't be lazy. When the table wants to split the check, don't say hand back the whole check to us and say "just tell me the amounts you want for each card."
Split the check like we asked. It's easy to do. Don't ask us each again "What did you guys order?" It was a four top. I knew what everyone got and it's not even my job to know. Anyways, caption this:




We move Thursday!

[btsnyder27]

It has been nearly a literal eternity since I stepped foot into the virtual world of the railwire.  Hi everybody.
@chicken45  - I'm really happy with where this is going.  I look forward to trying to be on here more often to follow along with your progress.
@sizemore - Sorry that I didn't really do much to it in the time that I had your old layout, but I'm happy that it is now in a great and productive home.

[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?

Hey @David K. Smith , got a minute?   
I'll keep saying this every time I post...glad you're back! Look how much I've matured spending time with @Ed Kapuscinski in the negative space zone.
Thanks for drawing up all those great plans for me not to use! 

[jpec]

Thank you for those loop modules - they're still in the exact spot I put them in when I bought them home. Never thought trying to fill the 10' that will be between them would take so much thinking. Up side is spending a lot of time along the NC trail for inspiration . Of course, Christian wants Windsor St. Yard Jr. but I don't see that happening...