Chessie System and Conrail 1979

[unittrain]

I had a thread going on this but decided to start fresh and hopefully get this layout off the ground. My layout is modular and each module or section of modules either depicts Chessie or Conrail scenes based on the lines as they were through the Kent Ohio area. I have progress so far on the Conrail modules which depict the Conrail former Pennsy main through Bradylake a double track main with switching operations via the former Lake Erie and Pittsburgh line that crosses over the mainline via a truss bridge I've built, there's a second track where South bound LE&P trains joined the pennsy main where it had trackage rights. This le&p was abandoned in 1968 by PC but trains still served a gravel company and chlorine to a water treatment plant hence allowing for some switching. So a long winded intro for some information as to the story behind my current project! So hope to post regular progress. Here's a few pictures so far. Oh by the way I do go back in time and will have PC trains.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1635/26144242233_18fa512f91_k.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/26552025844_425f74b5f3_k.jpg
Here's a scene from the Chessie former B&O module depicting a large scrap yard along the main through Kent the curve is Atlas 71" radius sectional track. I got a lot more autos and trucks to add to this junk yard also vegetation and a few buildings. Along the main will be B&O block signals from Traincat I hope to add leds to them, other than that line poles and ballast and track weathering.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/27089652391_3163a8099f_k.jpg

[Rich_S]

Very nice job on the scratch build bridge.

[svedblen]

I dig that scrap yard scene. It really looks vaste and desolate! Let it stay that way 

[Cajonpassfan]

Very nice job on the scratch build bridge.

Agreed, wow, love the brass lattice work.
Did you work off actual plans?
Otto K.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I love it!

[unittrain]

Didn't have any plans for it just some photos from various people most were too distant to get any detail then finally got a hold of I a guy on Flickr that had a close up (the bridge was removed in 1994). They left 2 abutments so I measured those and found tons of dimensions from that then used Google earth to measure length the weird thing is the oldest satellite photo on Google earth was one month before demolition. I also researched Google books on bridge design from that era. As far as the details I used Gold medal models w and x bracing for girders, it's available in 18" and 24" sizes. I used styrene strip for everything else. Still have to add strips to the main chords with rivet detail and then paint.

[unittrain]

Working on soldering feeders to track on a 19' stretch of straight track (double track main), I'm wondering what's the best adhesive to use to attach the track to the WS roadbed as I have insulation foam below that and have used Loctite power grab all purpose construction adhesive, but have sometimes had the road bed peel right off is there any adhesive other than WS that works better with this road bed? The Loctite doesn't mention plastic, should I just use plain elmers glue all?

[davefoxx]

I use yellow carpenter's glue- the theory being that it's somewhat water-resistant when dry, so it won't release when saturated during ballasting.  However, I use cork roadbed over 2" foam, not the WS foam roadbed.  I use this glue for both the roadbed and the track.  Why not just try a test sample to see if it sticks?

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Cajonpassfan]

I recommend using Weldwood contact cement. It's waterproof when dry, allows I little flex for expansion/contraction even after it sets, and is easy to work with. Brush on both surfaces, let dry a little, and install; great stuff, and designed to work with dissimilar material.
Otto K.

[unittrain]

Added some pepper grass trees and a NZT used tie stack to a module thats nearing completion still adding Pennsy position light signals to this module. Here string of Chessie hoppers passes by.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/27336874380_679778e5f3.jpg

[unittrain]

Heres an early PC coal train passing Bradylake.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7661/27580475276_c0d2b8a919_k.jpg

[bman]

You've nailed the bridge at Brady Lake that's an awesome job. And I do remember the scrap yard  though I'm having trouble remembering it in greater detail.  It was a pretty large operation though.  I've not been through there since my college days at Kent in the mid 80's.  Always had a good evening working the back door at one of the bars downtown that was up against the Chessie mains.  Of course the tracks were lower than the exit and I used to get a great top down view of trains as they ran by.  Of course I didn't own a camera(not that I MAY have been sober enough to hold one steady then anyway) and it was always dark-thirty when I was there.  Can't wait to see what else your working on. 

[unittrain]

Thanks, so your from kent too! Cool I did share of drinking in Kent too theres definatley no shortage if bars! Stay tuned I'll have more updates on the layout hopefully soon I'll be doing structures you might recognize.

[unittrain]

Doing some changes to my scrap yard scene topography. After this is done add more grout then mud puddles and all kinds of brush and trees and of course junk vehicled ect.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/27869114251_f5e4645352_k.jpg

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Still getting the tinglies.