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Fort Pitt was Fabulous!

BANDOBBANDOBOGR Forum Member

I do not think enough good words can be said about the excellent Fort Pitt Hirailers display in the White Hall. It was a scenic marvel, and the operating turntable and roundhouse area especially spectacular. Here's a few of the photos I took on my visit. Thanks, TCA, for changing the rules! And special thanks to Mike CT, for demonstrating the turntable operation.

 

This display would be great as a"Kids Scavenger Hunt" site as well. Have a list of neat things for kids to try to identify on the layout: ghostbusters vehicle, spider police car attack, etc. Maybe the group already does this?

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Last edited by BANDOB
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electrolinerelectrolinerOGR Forum Member

It blows my mind that this is a temporary display layout. I cannot begin to imagine what set up and take down is like. More discipline that I could ever muster. Photos like this make me reconsider avoiding York like an alcoholic avoiding a tavern. Thanks for these photos...the variety of layouts at York are a draw in of themselves..at least for yours truly.

Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by Joe Hohmann:

I am more impressed with scenics than feet of track on a modular layout (or any layout, now that I think of it). Ft. Pitt was a winner in my book. I know from experience that great scenics adds to the shipping problem, setup time, and expense.

Thank you, Joe.  Scenic Express help us a lot, we supplied a blank module, track only, and they provided a complete display for the module.  The display was returned to Scenic Express after the York show.  There was at least one work session at the Scenic Express shop.   A lot got done, with excellent supervision.

 

Last edited by Mike CT
Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by catnap:

I like the "Terrible Trolley." I'm sure somewhere in his grave the late Myron Cope is saying, "Yoi!"

 

It reminds of the time when you could take trolleys (streetcars) from the South Hills into tahn.

Note that the standard trolley most likely would not hold-up to 3 days of back and forth on an 8 ft end to end  track.  We used a Dallee  Automatic Back and Forth control system (#682).  Once adjusted it works well.   Picture of the control boards.

 

Last edited by Mike CT
Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by electroliner:

It blows my mind that this is a temporary display layout. I cannot begin to imagine what set up and take down is like. The Display was (100 ft X 24 ft), 4 track oval (43 modules). 100 ft was limited by the size of the building and an attempt at 6 ft walkways at either end.  More discipline that I could ever muster. Photos like this make me reconsider avoiding York like an alcoholic avoiding a tavern. Thanks for these photos...the variety of layouts at York are a draw in of themselves..at least for yours truly.

(1.) Most asked question.  How long did it take to set this up? 

We were allowed access to the building, (White hall), shortly after lunch Tuesday to unload.  About 3 hrs. to unload.  Set-up was Wednesday 8:00 AM to about 7:00 PM. We were still tweek-ing things Wednesday morning until opening at noon.  It is difficult to achieve 100% operation on something this big and complex.  IMO we made maybe 96% by tear-down time.

(2.) DCS was operating well on two tracks, one TIU. The (2) variable channels are programmed to fixed, (4) fixed channels.  (2) channels are used for one loop, (248 ft of track), 124 ft per channel.  Those members using DCS indicated it operated O.K.   

(3.) Tear-down and load-out was complete by 6:30PM Saturday evening.  It's a 4 1/2 to 5 hr. drive to Pittsburgh via the PA Turnpike.  Most of the modules were transported in a 26 ft car trailer.

(4.) 10 of the Fort Pitt High Railer's members participated in the York display, at York.  There was other participation getting ready for the event.

Thanks to all who viewed our layout.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by BANDOB:
I do not think enough good words can be said about the excellent Fort Pitt Hirailers display in the White Hall. It was a scenic marvel,  Scenic Express, one of the forum sponsors, helped with a lot of the complex detail.  Thank you, Jim, and the Scenic Express crew.  and the operating turntable and roundhouse area especially spectacular. Here's a few of the photos I took on my visit. Thanks, TCA, for changing the rules! And special thanks to Mike CT, for demonstrating the turntable operation.    You're welcome

This display would be great as a"Kids Scavenger Hunt" site as well. Have a list of neat things for kids to try to identify on the layout: ghostbusters vehicle, spider police car attack, etc. Maybe the group already does this?  Yes, we do this at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, a general public with a lot more children.  Works well.    The animations with push-button access to the public also works well.
We also had help from Dave Minarik, Mercer Junction Train Shop. The two Steel fabrication modules were detailed at Dave shop on a Sunday work session early March. Dave also supplied the scratch built Steel shop and roll mill. 
Thank you, Dave
Last edited by Mike CT
Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Again.  Thanks to all for the nice comments.   A quick check this morning with Dan G. and all returned safely to Pittsburgh, though late into Sunday morning. 

 

For a follow-up dose of trains there is a TCA Fort Pitt Train meet at the Sheraton, Four Points, Cranberry Twp., PA, north Pittsburgh off I 79, this coming Sunday May 4th. We will be operating the trains, much smaller than our layout at York. IMO, Still a nice layout.

Best wishes and Thank you,

Fort Pitt Hi-Railers.

Mike CT

Last edited by Mike CT
Allan MillerAllan MillerOGR Editor-in-Chief SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

The Fort Pitt group's layout was indeed first rate.  Some very nicely done modules, including the one I watched my friend Dave Minarik work on at his in-shop scenery clinic not too long ago.  I am also now motivated to get my "Terrible Trolley" fixed so I can enjoy running her again…something has gone amiss with one of the boards, I guess.

 

Thanks to all the club members for their efforts and participation.

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