PRR Panhandle Division

Pennsylvania & Ohio rr conway yard posted:

 What about the relay controlling the signal  might be bad or The board in the signal is bad 

Yeah, either the relay is gone or the board in the signal itself (hope it isn't this) is toast.  I'm not going to mess with it at this point.  The layout comes down in 3 months or so.

George

Updated 10/29/2016:

Did some major clean-up around the layout today in preparation for the Train Smoker coming up soon.  I am still debating what to do about the Weirton area.  I have it covered with masonite, but I wondering if I should do something else.  It might end up being a display area for photos of Weirton.

First a look at the Steubenville, OH side of the layout.

Next, Weirton in the foreground (a big blank area - looks just like modern North Weirton ) and the bridge in the back.

Finally, a look at Weirton Steel.  I put part of Crawford's Crossing up temporarily.

George

That looks great George!  I love the bridge setting in its place in the scene!

Thanks Mark.  We're almost ready for the smoker.

George

Updated 11/2/2016:

Spent most of the evening getting the trainroom ready for Friday's Smoker.  We have a few things left on our 30-item checklist, but my major OCD impulses have been satisfied.   

Here are some photos:

As usual, we proceed west to east.  Here's the Steubenville, OH side of the layout.

And then the Weirton, WV side.


Some close ups of the photos.  This is my father's book.


Photos and information about the layout.


George

Updated 11/18/2016:

Removed the MTH floodlight towers and got them a spray of black paint.  Most of the tower structure, heck just about everything at Weirton Steel was painted black.

George

Updated 11/27/2016:

I picked up the remaining 2 piers for the extended PRR Panhandle bridge.

George

Updated 12/17/2016:

Despite all reports to the contrary from last year, Barry's Train Shop in Elizabethtown, PA wasn't done.  Several weeks ago, the local community advertising fishwrapper ran an ad from them saying they would be open on Saturday's upto and including December 24th.  The store itself is gone (something else is in that space), but the 3 warehouses would be open.

I visited a week ago and picked up two Petersen Supply PRR gondolas (2-rail) for $24.  Yesterday, I had the chance to replace the trucks and couplers with 3-rail Bettendorf ones from Weaver.  Photos below.

I think they look OK.  Eventually, they will be weathered and put into coil service for the steel mill.

George

Updated 12/25/2016:

This photo of the future train room (under construction) was taken Friday, December 23rd.

George

Updated 1/13/2017 (Friday the Thirteenth edition):

Here's the report:

• All pretense at forward progress has been halted. Last run scheduled for week of January 22-28.
• Boxes and plastic bins are being gathered.
• Inventory of items is being double-checked and some bins are being packed.
• New house construction is going great guns - inspections (structural, wiring, energy star) have been passed, siding is being installed, dry-wall is being installed.
• List of excess items, parts, etc. is being created. These will be sold.

George

George the new train room looks fantastic.  You really will have a great place to build your layout, but in the mean time if you need a place to store that bridge I would be willing to "store it for you"! I know building and moving is a big undertaking but in the long term it will be worthwhile. Best of luck on the whole process.

Scale City Designs posted:

George the new train room looks fantastic.  You really will have a great place to build your layout, but in the mean time if you need a place to store that bridge I would be willing to "store it for you"! I know building and moving is a big undertaking but in the long term it will be worthwhile. Best of luck on the whole process.

Thanks Marty, I appreciate the "offer". 

I'm looking forward to getting the new Panhandle started, but the interim is going to be a PITA. 

George

I just discovered this post and will continue to follow. This post is very sentimental to me as this is where my love of trains and the railroad began. I was born and raised in this small Ohio town and was fortunate enough to see this bridge on a regular basis. I actually crossed it as a boy a few times. 

Thanks for modeling this wonderful area of the Ohio Valley.

luvindemtrains posted:

I just discovered this post and will continue to follow. This post is very sentimental to me as this is where my love of trains and the railroad began. I was born and raised in this small Ohio town and was fortunate enough to see this bridge on a regular basis. I actually crossed it as a boy a few times. 

Thanks for modeling this wonderful area of the Ohio Valley.

You're very welcome.  What small town, Steubenville?

George

Updated 1/22/2017:

Well, the day has finally come.  Today begins the tear down of the PRR Panhandle.  Here are the final photos prior to starting the process.

George

Good luck with the tear down, packing and moving.

Sorry I have missed this thread on your layout progress with the fantastic bridge. You have been busy for a long time. Lots of effort and time I can relate to.  Now a tear down and move. Hope your fresh start brings even more imagination.

pennsynut posted:

Sorry I have missed this thread on your layout progress with the fantastic bridge. You have been busy for a long time. Lots of effort and time I can relate to.  Now a tear down and move. Hope your fresh start brings even more imagination.

Thank you.  I plan to document the build of Panhandle 2.0.

George

Updated 1/27/2017:

Deconstruction in progress.

Track is coming up, but not all gone yet.  Same for electrical components.  Both power distribution panels have been cleared.  The transformer cart has been mostly emptied.

George

How much for the Bridge ??

Hey there.  Life-long resident of Weirton here.  I'm up on Maryland Heights.  If you're going to part with the bridge, I'd LOVE it and definitely be interested. 

Thanks,

Paul

jim pastorius posted:

How much for the Bridge ??

ROFLMAO. 

The bridge is NOT for sale.

George

Yes, I meant it as a joke. Waiting to see its new home across the Olde Ohio !

jim pastorius posted:

Yes, I meant it as a joke. Waiting to see its new home across the Olde Ohio !

I took it as one. 

Yes, I can't wait to see it in place, either.

George

Updated 1/29/2017:

Nearly all the track has been removed.  The backdrop was sold yesterday and was transported to its new home.

And before anyone else asks:  No, the bridge is not for sale. 

I will start on the benchwork tomorrow.

George

George,

You are well on your way, but I do not envy you tearing everything down and the whole process of moving.  As you know now, we have moved more times than I want to think about.    I'll look forward to your new layout build, as I know you are!  The bridge sitting on the folding table gives a good perspective of just how large it is!  Of course the one across the real Ohio River is absolutly massive!

Updated 2/3/2017:

More destruction to follow!  The Western side of the layout is pretty much down.

Eastern side benchwork is still intact.

River module is gone.

All taking place under the watchful eye of demolition supervisor Samantha. 

George

George,

I can see you are making great progress with Samantha overseeing the job!!  We will keep focused on that new house!!

George:

Your bridge looks big enough to span the Ohio River.  Great modeling. 

Mike CT.

Thanks Mike!  It is!  It is!

I didn't model it though.  Took out my credit card. 

George

I wanted the bridge for a WW II  Remagen Bridge module  !!

jim pastorius posted:

I wanted the bridge for a WW II  Remagen Bridge module  !!

So you can blow it up? 

Before or after the bridge collapses?????

In either case, the answer is NO! 

George

Sure hope your supervisor lets you take a break every now and then. If she is working you too hard I would suggest some Pounce or possibly even some Catnip. 

Updated 4:17 PM 2/4/2017:

The first version of the PRR Panhandle is officially history.

Since 2004, this layout has been viewed approximately 130,000 times.  I want to express my very sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who have followed, commented, and encouraged me on this journey.  People have walked up to me at York and other train shows and inquired as to progress or just to say "Hi".  I have to say that I am overwhelmed by the good will you all have sent my way.

God willing, it won't be too long until Panhandle 2.0 starts to take shape in our new home.

May God bless you all,

George

Well George, those photos are bittersweet!  I know it is hard to say good bye to a layout you have put a lot into.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I will be looking forward to seeing the next rendition of the Panhandle Division first hand in your new home.

May God bless you and your wife too as you make your move to a new home!

Mark Boyce posted:

Well George, those photos are bittersweet!  I know it is hard to say good bye to a layout you have put a lot into.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I will be looking forward to seeing the next rendition of the Panhandle Division first hand in your new home.

May God bless you and your wife too as you make your move to a new home!

I am not too saddened by this event.  I know the new Panhandle will be much better.  I made a lot of mistakes in building this one and I am looking forward to a fresh, new start.

Thank you for the kind thoughts.

George

Best of luck with moving and beginning your new layout. And good luck with the new house. Also looking forward to your new layout building, please keep us posted.

Thank you, I will.   Unfortunately, it will be awhile.  I took the layout down to help with the selling of the home.  Realistically, I don't expect much to happen with the new layout until late summer / early fall.

George

This is the end of the line for the PRR Panhandle thread.  Since I began documenting this layout build in 2004, it has appeared 5 times on the OGR Photo Forum (back when threads expired after a certain amount of time due to disk space constraints).  In that time, the thread has been viewed over 130,000 times.  I am grateful and humbled by all the attention.  My thanks to everyone for their viewing, "Likes", constructive criticism, suggestions, and support!  I am much obliged.

Shortly, I will launch a new PRR Panhandle 2.0 topic to document the building of the new layout.

George

George, Very nice. Thanks for telling a good story. Looking forward to the next one. Keep that B6 switcher steamed up! 

Tom