What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Plus, I'm not 40 years old any more.

Hmmmm..... I thought you were the same age as Jack Benny,

[G3750]

Plus, I'm not 40 years old any more.

Hmmmm..... I thought you were the same age as Jack Benny,

I am. Just 25 times removed.

[healey36]

Yup, sorry, we covered that earlier.

Your proposed timeline seems doable to me. There's always tremendous satisfaction in getting that first loop of track train-capable, sans scenery and all the rest. Having rugrats breathing down your neck should be a good inducement.

Paul

[G3750]

Plus, I'm not 40 years old any more.

Hmmmm..... I thought you were the same age as Jack Benny,

I am. Just 25 times removed.

Unfortunately, I can't play the violin. So I'm going to sell that Stradivarius I bought in the White Hall at York 10 years ago.

Maybe I should trade it for a post-war locomotive?

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Having rugrats breathing down your neck should be a good inducement.

The fastest way to avoid rugrats breathing down your neck is to get up off the floor.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Hmmmm..... I thought you were the same age as Jack Benny,

I am. Just 25 times removed.

Unfortunately, I can't play the violin. So I'm going to sell that Stradivarius I bought in the White Hall at York 10 years ago.

Maybe I should trade it for a post-war locomotive?

Maybe that SMR PRR 4-4-0...........

[G3750]

I am. Just 25 times removed.

Unfortunately, I can't play the violin. So I'm going to sell that Stradivarius I bought in the White Hall at York 10 years ago.

Maybe I should trade it for a post-war locomotive?

Maybe that SMR PRR 4-4-0...........

Hmm, what will I do with 1,000 4-4-0s locomotives on the Panhandle? I've have to go waaay earlier than my selected timeframe?

Oh no!!!!

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Unfortunately, I can't play the violin. So I'm going to sell that Stradivarius I bought in the White Hall at York 10 years ago.

Maybe I should trade it for a post-war locomotive?

Maybe that SMR PRR 4-4-0...........

Hmm, what will I do with 1,000 4-4-0s locomotives on the Panhandle? I've have to go waaay earlier than my selected timeframe?

Oh no!!!!

Ok, I think that there were maybe 25-50 made total, so no danger of a flood of 4-4-0s...............but you could give them away to some deserving individuals,

[rogruth]

Maybe that SMR PRR 4-4-0...........

Hmm, what will I do with 1,000 4-4-0s locomotives on the Panhandle? I've have to go waaay earlier than my selected timeframe?

Oh no!!!!

Ok, I think that there were maybe 25-50 made total, so no danger of a flood of 4-4-0s...............but you could give them away to some deserving individuals,

Oh,I would like one of those but I don't deserve one.

[G3750]

Hmm, what will I do with 1,000 4-4-0s locomotives on the Panhandle? I've have to go waaay earlier than my selected timeframe?

Oh no!!!!

Ok, I think that there were maybe 25-50 made total, so no danger of a flood of 4-4-0s...............but you could give them away to some deserving individuals,

Oh,I would like one of those but I don't deserve one.

Oh, I don't know about that.

[G3750]

Updated 7/6/2018:

I notched and test fitted Table #5. It is too wide and must be cut to the proper width. Therefore, I have left it and Table #6 lying in place but not fastened down. See photos.

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These tables are temporarily acting as spacers for the divider sections (1/4” masonite) that must be installed above them. In the photo you can see one of the 3 masonite divider sections leaning against the vertical 2x2”. I’m using carpenter shims to help place the divider sections. The photo shows all the pieces just before test-fitting. I’ve got to move the 2 track lights and notch the top right section of the masonite to clear the lighting track.

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The debate I have been having with myself revolves around cutting openings for the hidden reversal tracks and entry/exit tracks for the Staging Area. I could try to cut the openings in the divider before I put it in place. Unfortunately, my ability to accurately place these openings is appallingly similar to my success picking winning lottery numbers or horses. In other words, it sucks. Therefore, I am going to install the dividers, lay down the sub-roadbed and track, move it around until I’m happy with the geometry, and then fasten it down. After that, I will know where the reversal track entries / exits and the Staging Area portals should go. A plunge type cutting tool like the Saw Max followed up by a saber saw should do the trick. This approach should work, especially if I pull away Table #5 to get another 5/8” of vertical clearance for the cutting tools.

Here's the first of three masonite panels that form the divider. It is partially installed.

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Because of some inaccuracy on my part or the warping of this 2"x2", I don't have enough of the vertical support to anchor the adjoining masonite panel. The answer is to install another 2" x 2" next to this one.

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That's enough for now.

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/7/2018:

Added the extra 2"x 2" vertical support for the divider.

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Also fastened the first section of the divider to the vertical supports.

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I cut a notch in surface #4. I will apply shellac to it tomorrow.

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Spoke with the backdrop vendor. He is going to correct the problem. Our task over the next few days is to test-hang the backdrop and make sure that there are no other discrepancies.

George

[rogruth]

George,
Maybe you said and I have forgotten but who is the backdrop vendor?

[G3750]

George,
Maybe you said and I have forgotten but who is the backdrop vendor?

RailroadBackdrops.com. I am very pleased with their work and their way of doing business. I would recommend them without reservation.

George

[G3750]

Updated 7/11/2018:

Past few days have seen the addition of surface (table) #4 to the bench work as well as the test hanging of the backdrop.

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George