PRR Panhandle 2.0

George, that is an improvement!  I can see how the kink wasn’t visible from the floor.  Now that I have just finished my track, I learn about the water tank!  I’ll save the idea to pass along.

Updated 11/09/2020:

I caught another issue before it became a problem. 

I think this is the tallest car I run (no double-stacks here on the 1950's Pennsy Panhandle Division ).  We'll make the adjustment to this arch and all the holes in the backdrop divider.

George

You just gonna notch the corners where the trailer hits?

@BillYo414 posted:

You just gonna notch the corners where the trailer hits?

Funny man.      Absolutely not.  I'm going to raise the entire cut stone arch by 1/2".  The arch is not fastened down;  this was just a test fit.

I determined how much additional height will be needed for the entrances to the Staging Area and marked off the first one.  If I stay inside the blue tape, it will be fine.

George

Well that's good. It's so helpful to watch others find these things so I know to watch out for them when I start building you're doing a public service here!

@BillYo414 posted:

Well that's good. It's so helpful to watch others find these things so I know to watch out for them when I start building you're doing a public service here!

Bill,

I know you've got a good layout planned.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.

George

George,  Have been dropping in from time to time to follow your progress.  Everything looks great!!  Scenery is sharp and blends very nicely w the backdrop.  I like your wiring plan and have a lot of questions.  If my son comes up from ATL next year, I'd love to bring him up to see your layout.  His great grandfather (mother's side) worked as a salesman for Heinz and often rode the train back and forth from Steub to Pitt.  Progress on our layout has been slow this yr.  In May, got the wiring (switches, plugs, drops, etc) done, the drywall up, taped, & mudded - still have final coat & sanding & painting.  Sept was supposed to finish that up, install drop ceiling, track lighting, vinly flooring, & 2 false walls so we could begin building table at Christmas time.  Nope. Cancelled trip.  Kids in school. Hoping to just get there for xmas and get something done.   Anyway, nicely done on your layout so far. Keep up the good work. Have a nice Thanksgiving.

Updated 11/10/2020:

We continue to inch along.  Today we reached the backdrop divider (Weirton Steel).  I marked off the dimensions of the opening I would need.

I was wondering how I would actually cut through it.  I started by drilling 1/2" holes in the upper corners and then using a saber saw.  But the real star of the show was the Dremel Multi-Max!  Wow, it's awesome having the right tool for the job.  It made short work of cleaning up the edges and cutting all the way to benchwork (can't do that with a hand saw!).

Now, it's time to lay some more track!

More when I know it. 

George

Updated 11/12/2020:

Worked on a lot of things today:

• Switch #33 has been TMCC programmed and installed.
• The straight track eastward from Switch #33 has been installed, along with its wiring (power / ground # 7.11).
• An access pop-up near that switch has been identified on the plan. This will be behind the Blooming Mill and should be hidden from view; no cover will be required.  It will be just large for me to fit.  It has not yet been drawn on the layout.
• Switch #32 has been TMCC programmed and placed on the layout. It is ready for installation.
• Switch #31 has been TMCC programmed.
• Switch #29 has been TMCC programmed.
• Switch #30 has been TMCC programmed.
• Cut holes in the backdrop to accommodate both legs of Switch #32. Test ran a hot metal (torpedo) car through the backdrop to make sure it fits.  It’s a very close clearance.  I might end up shaving a bit more off each side.

This photo shows the test car at Switch #32.  The straight route leads to the Staging Area.  The diverging route leads behind the divider and eventually out again and alongside the Strip Steel Mill.  It will be used to exchange empties for loads (and vice versa) in the mill.

Here's a close-up of the opening.  As you can see, I was shaving away at the edge to get the car to fit.

Here's a shot from the other side of the backdrop.  That post might need a closer shave.  The track is not yet permanently installed as we ponder tweaks.  It's an extremely close fit for that hot metal car! 

More when I know it. 

George

The layout is certainly coming along there George!

@PRRMiddleDivision posted:

The layout is certainly coming along there George!

Thanks Neal!  We are certainly paddling hard. 

George

George, Things are shaping up.  I don't feel so bad having to trim down a couple of upper level supports to get clearance on the lower level. 

Updated 11/13/2020:

Gee, glad I could make you feel better, Mark!   

My worst fears regarding hidden track / divider clearances did come true.  This morning I tested a number of freight and steel-related cars that would be using this hidden siding for empties/loads interchange.  Here’s what I found:

• MTH 200 ton hot metal car – good, but very, very close (a gnat’s eyelash or a coat of paint close)
• Lionel hot metal car – didn’t fit; binds on both the upright & backdrop opening
• Various 50’ mill gondolas didn’t fit; binding on both the upright & backdrop openings; O31 curve isn't very forgiving.
• Lionel slag cars - OK
• MTH slag cars - a bit of a catch up top on the upright because of the wide ladle
• 50' boxcar (used for paper-wrapped steel sheet products) - no way, Jose. 

I tried filing the upright (2”x2”), but realized that would take hours.  I don’t have the angle or the working space to use a wood chisel.  Ultimately, the solution was to use the Dremel SawMax to make a series of ¼” deep furrows about ½” apart across the length of the upright.  Then I used the Dremel MultiMax to chisel out a shallow trough.  I also widened the backdrop openings.

This is before I started shaving the upright.

After the cuts with the SawMax and MultiMax.  Boy, these are awesome tools!!

Here's a test with my problem-child, a 50' boxcar.

Ooh, hold your breath! 

As they say on Top Gear, "And across the line!!"

Clearly a fit.  Phew! 

There is some additional good news.  The other (southern) end of this siding has an opening in the backdrop and it is nowhere near an upright.  That should be easier to construct once the track has been test fitted and the location of the opening finalized.

George

Looking good for the cars fitting through!!  Yes, sometimes I think I didn't plan well enough, though I know from decades of well planned projects at word always needed revised. 

Here's my problem child.  I was able to chisel it out as can be observed.  I didn't realize it was clean back in May that I did it.  I bought a Dremel Ultra Saw in the summer on some Forum members' recommendation for the layout and a couple of home projects I have in mind.  I only used it once so far, but it is really nice.

Wow Mark, that looks like a Challenger?  (Clinchfield?)

Nice job getting it to fit without compromising the upright's structural integrity.

Don't feel bad.  It's very hard to predict where these problems are going to crop up.  I knew I would have to have a larger backdrop opening because the track passes through it diagonally.  But I didn't think the upright would get in the way. 

George

It's a Lionel Western Maryland 2-6-6-2 M1 based on the ex C&O 2-6-6-2 #1390 that is at Western Maryland Scenic RR.  WM had M1s that numbered up to 959.  I do not know if WMSR intends to repaint and renumber the #1390 to #960 or not.  It handles 054 curves so it runs on my layout, though the overhang is a bit more than I would like.  Still a nice engine.

Very nice!!!

Updated 11/13/2020 (PM):

Managed to get a bit more done on the layout:

• Organized some storage boxes to get them out of the way.
• Positioned roadbed for the start of the Staging Area track.  We are going from 3/8" Vinylbed for the mainline to 1/4" Vinylbed for the Staging Area tracks.
• Laid down Switch #31 in the Staging Area.
• Finished (for the day) working on the entrance to the Staging Area; that involved putting down feeder wires.
• I have now laid 41' of mainline.

Some photos of the effort.

Looking (east) towards the Weirton Steel yard.

Looking west towards the Ohio River and Steubenville (beyond the bridge).

The signal bridge near the eastern approach to the bridge.  It's not permanently in place yet.

Another look eastward.

Here's a peek at the Staging Area just under the basement window.  Switch #31 has been laid down and is ready for wiring.

More when I know it. 

George

George, nice progress, looks great.

Andy

Heck of a grade you got there in the 3rd and 4th pic.

I can't go over how good the backdrop looks! I always consider that a big factor in getting a good look/feel on a model railroad. That one just looks awesome!

@BillYo414 posted:

Heck of a grade you got there in the 3rd and 4th pic.

I can't go over how good the backdrop looks! I always consider that a big factor in getting a good look/feel on a model railroad. That one just looks awesome!

Yeah, that first step's a doozy!        

I'm really happy with the backdrop as well.  It does really make the layout look much nicer.

Thanks!  I'm glad I spent the money on it and that it was shot on location - accuracy counts.

George

I get that grade concept. I saw it on a star trek movie where they pushed her over a cliff to gain enough speed to get the warp drive to engage so they could reach gravitational escape velocity.  It's brilliant George. Think how much electricity you'll save - once.  Have a nice weekend guys.

@TomSuperO posted:

I get that grade concept. I saw it on a star trek movie where they pushed her over a cliff to gain enough speed to get the warp drive to engage so they could reach gravitational escape velocity.  It's brilliant George. Think how much electricity you'll save - once.  Have a nice weekend guys.

Aye, Captain!

Updated 11/14/2020:

Work today focused on the north side of the Staging Area.  We moved left to right.  Photos were taken from the 2 pop-up areas.  Below is Switch #31.

Switch #30 leads to two through train tracks, while Switch #29 (straight) will store one engine.  The diverging track leads toward the double cross-over in middle of the Staging Area.

Here's the track off Switch #29 leading to the double cross-over.

This is a slightly more cleaned up view of Switches 29, 30, and 31.

Here's an over view of the work done today.

More when I know it. 

George

As we used to say, ‘You’re going to  town’ 👍🏻👍🏻

@Mark Boyce posted:

As we used to say, ‘You’re going to  town’ 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks Mark!  We are sure trying. 

George

Updated 11/15/2020:

Spent today programming all 4 switch machines on my Ross double cross-over.  Three out of four (naturally!) went smoothly.  The fourth (last) took most of my time; the spring was a bit cantankerous.  I only lost 3 of them! 

More when I know it. 

George

Three springs, you mean?  That’s not bad!  I hate springs.  😄😄

@Mark Boyce posted:

Three springs, you mean?  That’s not bad!  I hate springs.  😄😄

Honestly, what a PITA.  I spent a lot of time trying to get them attached. 

George

Updated 11/20/2020:

Working on the layout got kicked to curb as the end of the semester rolls around - grading, evaluating student projects, etc.  But some work got done today:

• The bus for Power District #8 (can't see it - it's under the layout) was extended from the vicinity of the power distribution panel to the far end of the double cross-over.
• The double cross-over got its track feeder wiring pairs (4) at each end.
• Both eastern spurs (for parking locomotives) were laid out.
• For as far as we've gotten, all feeder wiring pairs are now hanging down below the bench work.
• Holes for all switch machine wires have been drilled in the bench work.
• I made a slight modification to the RR-Track plan for the Staging Area.  We are now up to version 100, which can accommodate 1 more locomotive spur on the aisle (south) side of the Staging Area.  I don't think we need it, but there's room if it becomes necessary.  Current storage capacity for the Staging Area is 6 large locomotives and 3 through trains.  And that doesn't count the steel mill interchange track immediately behind the divider.

Eventually all the track will be permanently screwed down into place.  For now, here are a few photos of the area.

More when I know it. 

George

Looking good, George!  However, La Roche is cutting into layout time just too much!!  😉  Keep u the good work in the basement and for the college!!

Updated 11/21/2020:

Not a great bunch of visible progress, but:

• Did get Switches 22 & 23 programmed (TMCC) and tested.  They are awaiting installation on the layout.
• Identified some power/ground feeder pairs on the layout.  Always good when the plan and layout agree! 
• Started installing the two through tracks.  I don't expect to be running trains at high speed through the Staging Area (in fact quite the contrary), but I did super-elevate the curves laid down so far.  Mostly that's to counterbalance the twisting effect of the track.

Both photos were taken inside the Staging Area.  This first photo is looking towards the south-east corner of the layout.  In the foreground is one of the through tracks.

The second photo is taken looking in the opposite direction, and shows where one of the through tracks connects to its switch.  That's an O54 curve, so we can handle all but the largest locomotives on that track.

More when I know it. 

George

It is looking great, George!!!

Updated 11/23/2020:

• Programmed Switch #20, a Curtis HiRail O54 LH beauty.
• Made a little progress towards the south edge of the Staging Area.
• Test-fit Switch #21, marked an O54 curve for cutting, and marked up Switch #20 for placement.  It looks as if we will hit the divider at the planned location!  Hey, I love it when a plan comes together!      (Such a rare event!  )

More when I know it. 

George

Updated 11/24/2020:

School work took up most of today, but I did manage to test fit track, roadbed, and 2 switches (21 & 20).  We are close to wrapping up the Staging Area track work.  Below you can see the two "through train" storage sidings meeting at Switch #21.  The sidings will receive some super-elevation for safety's sake.  The pad for Switch #20 has been laid just beyond Switch #21.  And holes for the switch machines' wiring bundles have been drilled.

No track has yet been fastened down, although power/ground track feeders are in place and dangling beneath the bench work awaiting connection to the bus.

More when I know it. 

George

Have you been able to resist the temptation to wire up a transformer and test driver some locos on the completed sections?

Sometimes I set out to test a model I printed but I get distracted and drive trains instead.

@BillYo414 posted:

Have you been able to resist the temptation to wire up a transformer and test driver some locos on the completed sections?

Sometimes I set out to test a model I printed but I get distracted and drive trains instead.

You must be reading my mind.   

I've been thinking about doing that a lot lately.  I've got 47' of track laid - one entire length of the basement and I'm itching to run an engine down it.  The only reason I haven't is that not all of it has the feeders connected.  And I don't want to pull the protective paper off the bridge and clean all the track.  I know the construction dirt and sawdust will affect the TMCC signal. 

But yeah, I'm tempted! 

George

Updated 11/26/2020:

This is really yesterday's progress - nearly all the track work is down.  Fastening it down and attaching the feeder wires is still to be done.

More when I know it. 

George

Looking good, George!  Happy Thanksgiving!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Looking good, George!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks Mark!  Same to you!

George