The N scale Pennsy Juniata Division 2.0 - TTrak!

[Dave V]

Notice to the Public:

The Pennsylvania Railroad Juniata Division v2.0 has finally started construction.



This module will be Jack's interlocking, which was just west of Mount Union, where the old mainline (and interchange with the East Broad Top) connected back into the new mainline. Jacks was in a narrows on the Juniata River, so the scenery will slope down from the track in the front.

LED position light signals assembled by our own Mad Max @mmagliaro will protect the crossovers in this two-track incarnation of a Pennsy interlocking.

Not shown is a big old box of green scenery material and a much better static grass applicator than the one I have, courtesy of Scenic Express' Black Friday sale.

[PiperguyUMD]

Looks like you painted the ties. Crazy how much of an improvement the right spacing and color makes!

[davefoxx]

Talk to me about the Color Position Lights, because I’ll need some for a Summerhill module.

Thanks,
DFF

[Dave V]

Talk to me about the Color Position Lights, because I’ll need some for a Summerhill module.

Thanks,
DFF

These are the old Alkem ones, long out of production. But these are the monochrome Pennsy position lights. Only color is yellow.

[davefoxx]

These are the old Alkem ones, long out of production. But these are the monochrome Pennsy position lights. Only color is yellow.

D’oh!  Yes, you’re right, all one color, which is what I remember seeing on the Northeast Corridor, too!

DFF

[Dave V]

D’oh!  Yes, you’re right, all one color, which is what I remember seeing on the Northeast Corridor, too!

DFF

The operation of these signals can be seen in this old and shakey video. Max built his a little taller than mine (I have a Pennsy plans book suggesting 17 feet from the ground to the center light on the head), but I may take advantage of the high ballast shoulder to disguise the height a bit, and maybe sink the signale base into the foam a hair.

Max wired the ones I'll be using to display "stop" and "proceed" skipping the "approach" aspect, and I actually think that's better considering how small a layout I'll start with.

[Point353]

Notice to the Public:

The Pennsylvania Railroad Juniata Division v2.0 has finally started construction.



This module will be Jack's interlocking, which was just west of Mount Union, where the old mainline (and interchange with the East Broad Top) connected back into the new mainline. Jacks was in a narrows on the Juniata River, so the scenery will slope down from the track in the front.

Will you be matching the polarity of the wiring for the two tracks to allow operation on DC, or will you only be running on DCC?

[crrcoal]

I agree! Looks amazing!

Looks like you painted the ties. Crazy how much of an improvement the right spacing and color makes!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Talk to me about the Color Position Lights, because I’ll need some for a Summerhill module.

Thanks,
DFF

Showcase miniatures has you covered.

https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_signals/

[Dave V]

Will you be matching the polarity of the wiring for the two tracks to allow operation on DC, or will you only be running on DCC?

All DCC, but then if I plug my module into a larger T-Trak setup, I can either get the connection from the ends, or maybe rig up a DC bus. But for home use, DCC is the way to go. My BLI engines no likey DC.

Crap. In need another Zephyr, LOL...

[wm3798]

I may have mentioned this previously, but if you add a dpdt switch to the orange line (inner) you can set the polarity for the typical modular set up (BWWB) and when you're clipped in at home throw the switch to establish BWBW for the parallel bus.  Disguise the switch as battery box or a window air conditioner so it's not interfering with the fascia, OR recess it into the fascia (Important when you're boxing them up to move) then just make sure it's thrown the right way for whichever installation you're playing with.  Equip each module that would need to be convertible, and you're good to go!



Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

All DCC, but then if I plug my module into a larger T-Trak setup, I can either get the connection from the ends, or maybe rig up a DC bus. But for home use, DCC is the way to go. My BLI engines no likey DC.

Crap. In need another Zephyr, LOL...

Just remember: "BWWB" when it comes to your feeders.

My personal solution to this is flipping "Rail A" and "Rail B" between the two tracks at the command station (or between it and the layout), so "Rail A" is connected to the blue wire for the front track and the white wire for the back track. Vice versa for Rail B.

[Point353]

The Pennsylvania Railroad Juniata Division v2.0 has finally started construction.

The January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine has the first installment in a series of articles on building a layout using T-Trak modules.
Perhaps you could create a similar article for either Railroad Model Craftsman or N Scale magazine.

[Dave V]

The January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine has the first installment in a series of articles on building a layout using T-Trak modules.
Perhaps you could create a similar article for either Railroad Model Craftsman or N Scale magazine.

Yup! Ordered that and David Popp's new N scale book. Allegedly out for delivery.

I may have mentioned this previously, but if you add a dpdt switch to the orange line (inner) you can set the polarity for the typical modular set up (BWWB) and when you're clipped in at home throw the switch to establish BWBW for the parallel bus.  Disguise the switch as battery box or a window air conditioner so it's not interfering with the fascia, OR recess it into the fascia (Important when you're boxing them up to move) them just make sure it's thrown the right way for whichever installation you're playing with.  Equip each module that would need to be convertible, and you're good to go!
Lee

I really like this idea. The "main" module is an interlocking that had all kinds of relay boxes and sh!t, so coloring a DPDT switch silver might make it look like scenery. Just have to remember which position is which.

Now FWIW, I kinda screwed up and bought "terminal tracks" where you don't get to swap the red and white directly, so I do like the DPDT idea for that reason.

[wm3798]

The other advantage is that you can retain the Kato connectors as is.  You just have to provide for a reversed connection on your home layout, which only has to happen at each end of the mobile module set.  Plug and play, all the way!
Lee