New Hope & Ivyland shelf layout (ex-Reading)

[amato1969]

Oldest child off to college?  Check.  Downsized to a smaller home?  Check.  Time to start a new layout!

A 12” x 8’ shelf plan will give me a chance to prove out handlaid code 40 switches on a branch/switching style layout.  The modest size should let me complete more scenery and detail than on my old racetrack layout!

I had initially sketched out a few ideas based on the Lehigh Valley West End Branch (Allentown, PA) but this line was essentially dead by the 1970s.

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad (former Reading branch out of Philly) offers some interesting operating potential:

  - Freight interchange with Pennsylvania Northeastern (was Conrail back in the 80s, then CSX)

  - Variety of modern industries for switching

  - Occasional hopper/stone loads from the northern (rural) portion of the line

  - Flexibility to operate a variety of second-hand locomotives

Low-fidelity track plan, focused on the Johnsville/Warminster industrial park:



More to come!

[eja]

Warminster PA..... ??

Lived there .. long time ago  ...  worked at Johnsville NAB  ...never saw a train unless I went to Hatboro to take the SEPTA into Philly

Layout looks like fun ... enjoy

[amato1969]

@eja yes that Warminster...  definitely not a high-traffic line, but here's some inspiration:

I grew up in Churchville, and remember watching many P-3 Orions on approach to Johnsville, back when the base was still active.

  Frank

[Hawghead]

Frank,

Are going to hand lay with spikes or PC ties and solder?

Scott

[amato1969]

Scott, I am using FastTracks PC ties and solder for the switches, and I have a pack of ME flex for the rest of the track. 

That said, I am keeping an eye on this thread as an alternative for the ME flex (it's not easy to form curves):

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48446.0

  Frank

[Hawghead]

Frank,

The reason I asked was that I was thinking hand laying code 40 rail switches by spiking, while it could be and has been done, would be an exercise in frustration.  The Fast Tracks jigs make things so much easier.  As for the ME flex track, I like the fact that when you bend it, it stays bent.  I find it easier to make small adjustments to get what I want if the track doesn't always try to flex back to straight.

Scott

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome! What are you planning on for power?

[amato1969]

@Ed Kapuscinski I am picturing a CR GP38 or B23-7 for 1980s-era interchange power.  Present day diesel roster is a GP30, GP-9u, and a scabby ex-CP SD40-2.

[amato1969]

Completed this weekend - Minimum Viable Benchwork!  I had planned on building with traditional 1x4 framework, but stumbled upon these 12" wide shelves on sale 

Metal brackets saved me a ton of time, and a layer of ceiling tile serves as subroadbed:





I snapped a quick chalk line and started laying out switch and siding locations:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@Ed Kapuscinski I am picturing a CR GP38 or B23-7 for 1980s-era interchange power.  Present day diesel roster is a GP30, GP-9u, and a scabby ex-CP SD40-2.

Good deal. There are a handful of Lansdale area photos on the CRHS site if you look in the Philly category: http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/OnLocationWithConrail/Philadelphia

A GP15-1 or SW1500 would be perfectly viable choices too.

[OldEastRR]

Why no Double H Plastics spur? It's far enough from the plant to look fine just by itself along the layout edge.

[amato1969]

Hi @OldEastRR , short answer is that I don't need that extra siding/capacity at this point.  Once I get things up, running, and scenicked, I may expand (beyond Street Road crossing), but that's out a ways.

[amato1969]

Finished up the switches I'll need!  I had to tweak a few of the guard rails, as I had them too tight initially 



I was a bit nervous about cutting the frog gaps, but my Knew Concepts saw made it a breeze.  If you're on the fence about buying one, do it.

  Frank

[CRL]

You mean that $95 jewelers saw?

 

[amato1969]

@CRL , I have the $75 version (lever tension), took advantage of free shipping right before Xmas.