What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 11:04 am

Input wanted.

Here's what I'm thinking. At Steubenville, the land slopes upward away from the river. Market Street climbs west toward the hills. This photo shows the area looking down (east) towards the river.

Downtown Steubenville.jpg
Downtown Steubenville.jpg (41.94 KiB) Viewed 3762 times


To create this slope, I am thinking of doing the following:
  • At the top (towards the back of the layout), I would install a 30" deep table running across the width of the town that would be level. Track coming across the bridge, the station, and all of 6th Street would sit on that table.
  • Below that (moving towards the front of the layout), I would install a couple of tables that (together) would slope downward 2" over 6' (a 2.27% grade). Those buildings along Market Street as well as 5th Street and 4th Street would sit on shimmed foundations.
  • Below that in the vicinity of Richman Brothers and the Sinclair Building in the diagram below, I would install another table 30" deep running across the width of the town that would be level.

Below is the area in question (ignore the foot markings for the purposes of this discussion).
St-new.jpg
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Specifically, my questions are:
1) Is there a better way to handle this grade?
2) Will this approach screw up the operating characteristics of the layout? I realize I will have to super-elevate the PRR mainline.
3) Any other reactions, thoughts, input?

Thanks,

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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rogruth
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby rogruth » Mon Aug 06, 2018 12:26 pm

Seems as though that should work.
If I am not mistaken you are a model railroader not a railroad modeler so small discrepancies shouldn't affect your plan of operation.
You will have an area that imparts the fell of the real area but may not have every rivet/nail/screw in place.
However many observers will be able to say "I remember that", and all will be pleased. :D
roger

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 12:35 pm

rogruth wrote:Seems as though that should work.
If I am not mistaken you are a model railroader not a railroad modeler so small discrepancies shouldn't affect your plan of operation.
You will have an area that imparts the fell of the real area but may not have every rivet/nail/screw in place.
However many observers will be able to say "I remember that", and all will be pleased. :D


Thanks Roger! Given my ambitious, but flawed plans for Panhandle 1.0, I am (not unexpectedly) a little anxious about how this might work out. My concern is with the practical performance of the track given all the compound curves and elevations.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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rogruth
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby rogruth » Mon Aug 06, 2018 12:46 pm

I understand. So take some liberty with the town and fit it to the track where needed.
roger

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:00 pm

rogruth wrote:I understand. So take some liberty with the town and fit it to the track where needed.


Thanks Roger. I think this new approach to Steubenville also allows me to address the slope to Water Street properly.

As I said, we'll see how practical it all is.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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healey36
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby healey36 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:33 pm

Perhaps a silly question, but do you have an access hole planned for anywhere in that back corner? If not, is that a problem? Maybe the underside is open for access? I know I have trouble reaching across four feet of flat table, especially to the back corners. If I'm understanding your proposal, and your planning a table-on-a-table configuration, than you'll have to box any access hole, right? Sounds complicated...maybe I'm misunderstanding...

Paul

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:19 pm

healey36 wrote:Perhaps a silly question, but do you have an access hole planned for anywhere in that back corner? If not, is that a problem? Maybe the underside is open for access? I know I have trouble reaching across four feet of flat table, especially to the back corners. If I'm understanding your proposal, and your planning a table-on-a-table configuration, than you'll have to box any access hole, right? Sounds complicated...maybe I'm misunderstanding...

Paul


Paul,

The access holes were shown in the original version. I didn't bother showing them in this one, but they will be there.

I've seen that movie before. :lol:

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:23 pm

Updated 8/6/2018:

I applied shellac (both sides) to 18 pieces of plywood today. Most of them will go on the layout. A few are remainders that might figure in later.

I have 6 sheets and all the 2x2's left to go.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Tue Aug 07, 2018 4:56 pm

Updated 8/7/2018:

I applied shellac to the remaining 6 sections of plywood.

I also reinforced the divider by installing a 10’ 2”x4” across the 6 vertical 2”x2”s.

Benchwork_115_.JPG
Benchwork_115_.JPG (130.61 KiB) Viewed 3725 times


Fastened down the table in front of the divider.

Benchwork_114_.JPG
Benchwork_114_.JPG (150.04 KiB) Viewed 3725 times


I also applied shellac to a small number of 2x2's in the basement. They are not drying very quickly; I may have to set up a fan to blow across them.

As I said yesterday, I have been re-thinking the Steubenville area bench work. More later on that.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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Rufus T. Firefly
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby Rufus T. Firefly » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:19 am

G3750 wrote:I also applied shellac to a small number of 2x2's in the basement. They are not drying very quickly; I may have to set up a fan to blow across them.


Humidity is up a bit - was prepping some barn boards yesterday for sealing with some polyurethane....2nd coat took a while to set & fully cure.
There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:22 am

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
G3750 wrote:I also applied shellac to a small number of 2x2's in the basement. They are not drying very quickly; I may have to set up a fan to blow across them.


Humidity is up a bit - was prepping some barn boards yesterday for sealing with some polyurethane....2nd coat took a while to set & fully cure.


Yes, today's humidity in the Pittsburgh area is a bear. Thankfully the 2 x 2's are in the basement and that's where we are treating them. We've got a fan exhausting air through the small window and fan drawing air towards it (around the divider).

Still, we are working in short shifts and vacating the basement when a coat is applied.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 4:38 pm

Updated 8/8/2018:

So far today, my wife and I have applied shellac to 400' of 2"x2". About 100' left to go.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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healey36
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby healey36 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 5:20 pm

You're a machine (and she's a saint)...

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:23 pm

healey36 wrote:You're a machine (and she's a saint)...


Well, you're right about the saint aspect. She's terrific. Very supportive.

I am blessed.

George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust

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G3750
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Postby G3750 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:17 pm

Updated 8/8/2018 (PM):

We didn't get everything done, but that's enough for today.

Benchwork_116_.JPG
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George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."

—Katy Faust


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