Pavonia Diesel Shop TTRAK Module

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, gents, all my discussion about TTRAK has gotten me thinking about a fun project in the vein of my Philly modules.

I've wanted to do a model of a diesel shop for ages. I have fond memories of the Pavonia Camden shops from when I was a kid, and since much of my TTRAK stuff is driven by nostalgia, it feels like a natural outgrowth.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9466257,-75.1038342,229a,35y,90h,44.94t/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

But as I was sitting here planning it out, I kept finding myself annoyed with the idea of having to build a "ladder" to get to it. I just didn't feel like dealing with all that.

And THEN I came to a realization. I don't have to! I'm probably never going to need to get into the shops when participating in a layout, so screw it! The tracks are just gonna end. They'll be properly spaced for future connection, but for now? Screw it! I'm hitting the "Easy Button".

Now... do I want to go with the Pikestuff building or the Micro Engineering one. Hmm...

[wm3798]

Or Union Bridge... which might actually fit on a module...
https://railfanguides.us/md/mmid/UBridge2.jpg

I'd do the prewar version with the wood shop buildings and the turntable.
https://hsccmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/11-27-2016-1536x1209.jpg

The idea of building the yard ladders ex-post facto is what separates you from the beasts of the forest.
That and your squeaky voice.

Lee

[Pomperaugrr]

Ed, that sounds like a great scene idea.  After looking at your reference photo, I would say the Micro Engineering version would be too small for what you are representing.  I used that kit for the Housatonic's shop on my layout, because it was very close to the prototype, but still not quite wide enough.



The Pikestuff 3 bay car shop may be an option, since you could place it on a masonry foundation wall to give it height like the prototype.

Scratchbuilding would also be an option.  The biggest bang for the buck though might be to use the Walthers HO scale Corn Unloading & Storage Sheds Bldg. Kit # 933-2974

You would need to cut the height of the walls down by half, but could reuse that material elsewhere.  That is what I did with the Neeltran scene on my layout.  You would just need to cut in the rail and vehicle doors.  This will give you an idea of how it looks, when cut down, sans doors.  The section on the right is the upper half of the kit and I used the cut off segments to make the flat roofed section.  Note the tan addition, which is a ME shop kit cut on half, as a width comparison.  (Please disregard the loos roof vents and lack of weathering and detail - winter project)  The far left structure "Strata's Foods" is scratchbuilt, which is also an economical option.  I used ME doors and windows.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Like most of my Philly stuff, I'm just aiming for close enough. You're right about the Micro Engineering building though. I have one of the three bay car shop buildings that should be ready for pickup at MBK tomorrow

Along with this ridiculousness for just inside the door.
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/artitec-n-316-098-workshop-tool-cabinets/

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, by the way @Pomperaugrr , your warehouses are absolutely inspirational. They're freaking awesome.

[Pomperaugrr]

Like most of my Philly stuff, I'm just aiming for close enough. You're right about the Micro Engineering building though. I have one of the three bay car shop buildings that should be ready for pickup at MBK tomorrow

Along with this ridiculousness for just inside the door.
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/artitec-n-316-098-workshop-tool-cabinets/

Those tool and storage cabinets look great!  Do you know if they come painted like that?

[dem34]

Now... do I want to go with the Pikestuff building or the Micro Engineering one. Hmm...

I would just get some appropriate evergreen sheet. As long as you have an idea on the end product it takes about the same amount of time to just scratch build a curagated pre-fab and give more control over the final look.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I would just get some appropriate evergreen sheet. As long as you have an idea on the end product it takes about the same amount of time to just scratch build a curagated pre-fab and give more control over the final look.

I thought about that, but sometimes it's nice to hit the "easy button".

Those tool and storage cabinets look great!  Do you know if they come painted like that?

For $24 they freaking better!

[Point353]

Is this the shop building in question?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yep, that's the one.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I know the original idea was just to have everything parallel, but I had another idea too, so I mocked them both up.

Option A: The original.

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Option B: The alternative.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Option A gives me more track to play with and allows me to include the servicing tracks along with the shop tracks.

Option B gives me direct access to "the world" without having to build another module (which I may never actually do). It orients the building in, what I think, is a more visually interesting orientation that also lines up with the way I remember experiencing the whole scene as a kid (from this crossing).

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That said, I'm leaning towards A, but I'd love to hear thoughts from the assembled  brigade.

[Pomperaugrr]

There are good points about both.  I like the scene spacing in A, but I think that option B provides more visual and operational interest, in that the shop tracks are functional.  It is refreshing to see elements that are not parallel to the fascia.

I really like the Pikestuff shop building for this module and the prototype it represents.. 

[chessie system fan]

I lean towards A.  You get more tracks to showcase more trains.  The tracks don't go directly to the main line instead of a yard lead (a stretch too far, if it was my project).  Even if you don't build an adjoining yard ladder module so that the terminal is useable, I recommend planning one out anyway.  That way, you can get the terminal tracks in perfect locations so there won't be fudging and much unprintable language later on if you decide to expand. 

Of course, if you're using flex track, you could do a combination of both A and B.  Take option A and angle it a plausible amount.  Or have the tracks start parallel but then shift rearwards sort of like in the street view.  You could probably do that at the cost of one terminal track.

[Dave V]

I vote B. I understand that many TTrak modules have disconnected tracks, but I personally find it distracting and realism-killing. A thriving diesel shop full of locomotives completely stranded from the operational mainline...not my thing. I'm also a fan of angling things relative to the benchwork so you feel more like it's just a random slice of the world versus something deliberately built to accommodate the benchwork.