New modular layout: CPR Philly Waterfront

[jsoflo]

Greetings! Its been a long time, but Covid quarantine has me starting a new layout after a long hiatus. I am posting a track plan here- open to commentary, and recommendations more on that in a moment.

This is made to be a small, N Scale modular home layout I can operate on a table, and take down and store easily. Not lots of space in a condo! It is 2 modules, each 35" long by 10" wide. Construction is more or less discussed here:https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50483.0

Inspiration comes from an August, 2005, issue of Railroad & Railfan, detailing CPR operations on the Philadelphia waterfront. It is now out of print, but can be found on eBay. I have included a photo of the cover. This is obviously mostly gone now, with CPR not even operating there anymore. 3 customers will be served: Pier 78, where boxcar loads include coffee, beer, paper, lumber, and other "loose" items moving between ship and shore. This pier really did exist, and was served by CPR for just those types of items. I am using modeler's license, the rails actually were located between the ship and the building, in mine the tracks are on the opposite side of the building on a well weathered concrete pier.

The second industry is fictional: Girardi Brothers provisions. The building is modeled after a rail served provisioner I ran across in Florida visit years ago. It will be served by boxcars as well, refrigerated and non.

The third industry is Delaware Valley Plate and pipe. This is modeled off a former rail served business on the Philly waterfront served by CPR: Prime Plate. Prime Plate apparently still exists but is no longer rail served from what I can tell. This will take flats and coil cars and gondolas.

There is a curved lead off the back of the layout where the modules join. If I choose, I could add a small 3rd module there to represent the Holt Marine terminal, which was rail served mostly with coil steel loads at that time.

The layout is designed to offer 20" runarounds, so that 5 car loads can be run around by the switcher. I thought about adding another turnout and 2nd storage track at the front of the module, but decided to keep it simple.

All buildings are scratch built. Girardi and Pier 78 are already on their way but still need lots of work. Del Val. Plate and Pipe still needs to be started.

Thats about it for now- have a good night!
J

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man. I love it.

[CR4100]

Cool project.

Don't forget about Ashland Chemical. Lots of tanks and pipes and cool industrial stuff. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9099502,-75.1382785,3a,90y,119.3h,80.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfjWd-JP9L_NpDhe1CxKkhg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Edit: Not sure if CP served there. I did see Conrail deliver tank cars there.

[jsoflo]

Thanks I worked a similar concept years ago but this is actually less fictional in many respects. My old modular layout was "based" in the same area, but had no reality based industry or buildings-and also included a module upstate in the Poconos- some of you old timers here may remember it- I included two of the few remaining photos of that old layout here.

As for Ashland chemical- yes- there are photos in the article of CSX serving that industry, and there are Youtube videos of the locals working it as well, and if I recall right, CPR as well. It was in consideration, but ultimately I did not have the room to fit it in. If I ever end up creating modules to the west it will definitely end up on one, but for the time being it did not make the cut!

Forgot to give some details: I am using Peco Code 55, all #6 and #4 switches. #6's anywhere a flat might be rolling- I have several of the old N Scale Kits rebar flats, and on the lead to Holt marine, and #4's pretty much everywhere else.

As I wrote in the "module ends" post referenced in my first post here, all track will either be embedded in concrete, or at ground level and poorly ballasted. Photos in the article and on the web and on videos show very poorly ballasted trackage. This will be in winter also, with some snow residue.

Construction is detailed in the "module end" topic as well, but quickly: luan 1/4" ply on pine box frame. I am laying bulk 1/4" cork down on top so I can "dig" out some poor drainage between Girardi Bros and Del. Val. Plate and pipe, and to run more quietly. The last 1.5" of each module will have 1/4" maple wood instead of cork to secure track to. I have .060 styrene I bought bulk that will be the paved surfaces, at .060 it is at rail tie height.

I printed concrete surfaces from textures.com and laminated the back of them. I will then glue the laminated side to the styrene to create paved areas. The lamination means I am not gluing paper directly to the styrene, always seem to get bubbles, ridges, and tears that way.

Finally, I am going to wait and see spacing, but I may build JH Stevedores, a non rail served building, next to Girardi bros. to eat up some of that space. The actual business is in that area. It could be used to create more interest in a otherwise uninteresting part of the modules.

[Shaggy170]

What a great idea. If it is the area I am thinking of, such a small operation but such variety in the area. I don't know too much about what the industries, track arrangements, or trackage rights were like down there but I have several memories as a kid seeing different CP roads down there. I remember seeing or taking pictures of CP, ICE, DME, and StL&H engines parked next to a warehouse with box cars from I95 or before Phillies games in the late 90s and early 2000s. Always tried to stretch in my seat to see over the barrier to check for red engines through the bushes.

I wonder if DH/CP had an interchange agreement with CR/CSX since the south Philly yard is right there. Might add some extra variety with switching without taking up much room.

[p51]

You just gotta make a model of the bow of the "SS United States," long a feature of the waterfront and can't be missed on a visit there as it dominates your view...

[jsoflo]

I know what you mean Shaggy- grew up visiting the old navy yard down there with a neighbor who was employed there, really interesting area. Used to go to Phillies games at the Vet.

P51-- the S.S. United States is THE landmark down there, it shows up in every photo it seems- see attached photo from- it is right in the middle of the area I am modeling- the photo also shows the crappy, lack of ballast in area....

Unfortunately, I have to compress the hell out of the area to model it. When it was active in 2005 it extended from the navy yard, to north of Pier 78, up and down Columbus. CPR, CSX, and NS were all working the area and doing Conrail Shared work.

To incorporate the scenes I want to model and work I have to move Holt Marine terminal north of the bridge to the general area where the United States is docked. Prime plate (Delaware Valley Plate and pipe on my modules) is being moved from the area of the Navy yard- down on Langley, all the way up to Pier 78.... There will, however, be an opportunity for a backdrop cargo ship at Pier 78, on the other side of the building. I already have been scouring for some photos to work from that are oriented in the right direction. JH Stevedores (photo attached) is actually in this area.

[amato1969]

@jsoflo here is a cool map (dated 1944) showing the tracks between piers 73 and 84; a lot more than exist now!

https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/view-image.cfm/Streets-DelR-1941-07

  Frank

[jsoflo]

That is awesome- thanks Frank!

[jsoflo]

Progress.... slow and painstaking...

The west module has the 1/4" maple glued to both ends where track will (or may with respect to the west end where the single track is- someday) cross over. 1/4" cork is glued across rest of the Luan plywood top. Substrate- done. The East module- the port/pier- has wood glued down onto Luan as well, and is about 3/4 done with cork attachment (ran out of cork)- its close to having substrate done.

First soldering is also done- with the concrete "replacement" area of feeder track soldered to the unifrog turnout, which is soldered to the Electrofrog turnout. Placement of track is transitioning from paper to module.

Anyone here ever used Yankee Dabbler in NJ? Heard great things, but covid restrictions have really impacted a lot of businesses and patience is the name of the game. I am sort of stuck now waiting on insulated joiners.

Hope everyone is good!
J

[EL3632]

Anyone here ever used Yankee Dabbler in NJ? Heard great things, but covid restrictions have really impacted a lot of businesses and patience is the name of the game. I am sort of stuck now waiting on insulated joiners.

They are my LHS. They tend to be extremely responsive when it comes to shipping out in stock items. I have heard that their packaging is questionable sometimes, but I personally have not had any issues. I am unsure if they are open or not right now for in person sales.
@VonRyan may be able to elaborate more.

[VonRyan]

Anyone here ever used Yankee Dabbler in NJ? Heard great things, but covid restrictions have really impacted a lot of businesses and patience is the name of the game. I am sort of stuck now waiting on insulated joiners.

They’ve always been my go-to store for stuff, and as of 9/15 I’m a full-time employee there.

If it’s in stock, orders go out same day or next day at the latest.
Backorders go out as soon as stock is replenished.

Depending on which insulated rail joiners you’re looking for, we probably have them in stock.

The main issue we’re having is with manufacturers and distributors that are still trying to catch up.

[jsoflo]

Excellent!

[Blazeman]

Got to Yankee Dabbler Sep 19.  Well-stocked.  For the most part, no prices on items, so you have to ask for it to be scanned. Staff is very model-rail oriented and eager to help. 

I asked them about Cody and they vouched for him. 

[davefoxx]

Yankee Dabbler has become my go-to LHS.  I support them whenever I can, and, yes, they do have a decent selection in a brick-and-mortar store for window shopping or times when I need to see an item rather than blindly ordering off of the internet.

DFF