What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

George,

This is my litany--Are you having FUN?

Yeah, I am Roger. I'm just feeling my way and I want to do a good job (I have to look at it!). I had a look at some really great work by other modelers earlier today and I don't want to embarrass myself.

A friend of mine referred to herself as a "recovering perfectionist". I'm not quite recovering, yet.

I know - this is supposed to be fun and for myself. But I sometimes fall into that pothole.

Thanks for asking.

George

[Garfield]

G3750,

Just rename your railroad the Maumee & Western Railroad and your dips will be authentic.
Reference: http://youtu.be/7IcMnlBtH4c
The first minute is scary.

Here is the long version of that clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TaNeam-J-g&feature=plcp
I think my favorite is the part with the cat. First i was thinking "Get off the tracks, you can't out run a train!"
After a little bit I'm thinking " Never mind"

[G3750]

G3750,

Just rename your railroad the Maumee & Western Railroad and your dips will be authentic.
Reference: http://youtu.be/7IcMnlBtH4c
The first minute is scary.

Here is the long version of that clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TaNeam-J-g&feature=plcp
I think my favorite is the part with the cat. First i was thinking "Get off the tracks, you can't out run a train!"
After a little bit I'm thinking " Never mind"

Wayne, Garfield

Man, that makes my track work look like the "raceway" at Crestline. What's the top speed on that road, 15 mph?

And the cat was never in any danger. First, the train can't match her walking speed. Second, cats can go from 0-Warp8 in .2 seconds. I know- I've got two. Even the fat one has acceleration to burn.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/27/2012:

OK, there has been some progress:

• I managed to cut several pieces of foam to the approximate shape and glue them to the floor (1/8" masonite) of the sandwich. I also started to check out the video instructions that came with the Foam Factory I bought earlier this week.
• I started laying the last quarter segment of the curve west of Weirton Junction. Tomorrow, we'll cut the last straight piece and connect the mainline back up again.
• Contacted the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society to arrange for a visit to their archive. I have been told there is a drawing of WC (Weirton Junction) tower there! All we have to do now is coordinate schedules.
• Found out that Lowe's carries Durham's Water Putty - we're going to check that out.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/28/2012:

Mainline operations have been restored on the Panhandle!
Although not readily noticeable, improvements included:

• Realignment of roadbed, track and switches
• Replacement of electrical track connectors with new spade ones that fit up into the web of the track for better conductivity
• Tighter fit of track segments for smoother running
• Finalization of the concept for Weirton Junction, Standard Slag, and the removable access hatch. Implementation to follow.

First photo shows the mainline as it approaches Weirton Junction from the bridge. That is all in place and awaiting test running. If we need to, additional track screws and shims will be installed to make the line absolutely smooth for those engines with scale pilots.

Weirton Jct Approach 001W.jpg (121.84 KiB) Viewed 8285 times

The second photo shows mainline curve west (railroad east) of Weirton Junction being placed.

Mainline Curve001W.jpg (138.65 KiB) Viewed 8287 times

The final photo shows the completed line powered up (lit cabin car). I used the N8 to test power over the entire repaired length. Next step is running trains and testing.

Mainline Restored002W.jpg (118.07 KiB) Viewed 8284 times

George

[rogruth]

I remember when my layout started to look like something and the elation I had as it progressed.Scenery was put on hold for awhile to just watch trains run.

I also had time then to think about it and change some of my plans .I'm glad I did because I made some changes.

Representing an industry as large as a steel mill would be too much for me.I am really looking forward to seeing it near completion.

[G3750]

I remember when my layout started to look like something and the elation I had as it progressed.Scenery was put on hold for awhile to just watch trains run.

I also had time then to think about it and change some of my plans .I'm glad I did because I made some changes.

Representing an industry as large as a steel mill would be too much for me.I am really looking forward to seeing it near completion.

Roger,

I was at that stage back in 2009 when I got all the trackwork done. Unfortunately, I took some shortcuts which I am correcting now. We still have some major trackwork issues to fix - some spots still need bracing, the bridge must be replaced - but we've taken a big first step in improving reliability. I do feel pretty good about that.

And you're right, plans do change as you contemplate how well (or not) 2-D plans translate into 3-D reality.

Representing a steel mill in a 2' x 10' area is a significant challenge. But I'm blessed with a (mostly) existing prototype, lots of photos, lots of reference materials, and a (too) vivid imagination.

Here's short list of mini-projects within the Weirton Steel area of the layout

• Open Hearth Furnace DONE
• Blooming Mill DONE
• Strip Steel - early construction phase (framework done)
• Mill Administration Building - conception phase
• Employee Honor Roll and flagpole - conception phase
• Compressed gas tank racks - conception phase
• Concrete wall along Main Street - conception phase

Right now, the emphasis is on the trackwork and on getting Standard Slag to look realistic.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/31/2012:

Made a bit of progress tonight, installing two bracing pieces of wood under the layout as well as screwing in place 3 risers that had been temporarily clamped. Hope to get some photos to augment this post, probably tomorrow.

Way earlier in this thread suggestions were made about creating a "T" with the bracing piece and the subroadbed. I have used that to add rigidity to the affected areas.

Still have to get my test locomotive, Lionel PRR M1a, to pass over the newly reconstructed segments. If that runs properly (it's pilot is close to scale), then we are on the path to success.

George

[G3750]

Bracing Photos:

I fixed the photos to show the new bracing I added. The red arrows indicate the additional support.

This shot is taken from under the layout and shows the long 1"x2" that holds up 2 subroadbed cleats on a long curve.

Brace 0041W.jpg (9.64 KiB) Viewed 8195 times

This photo shows the same brace from above the layout and includes the curve being supported.

Brace 0051W.jpg (27.92 KiB) Viewed 8195 times

This photo actually show two braces (although only 1 is highlighted by the red arrow). That brace supports the switch at Weirton Junction (extreme right edge) and flows left to the brace shown in the first two photos.

Brace 0061W.jpg (20.2 KiB) Viewed 8194 times

George

[G3750]

Please take a look at the previous post. I fixed the photos to better illustrate the new bracing.

George

[Roy]

...Way earlier in this thread suggestions were made about creating a "T" with the bracing piece and the subroadbed. I have used that to add rigidity to the affected areas...

George, I need to clarify. The top of the T is the plywood underneath the track. By putting cleats in between the two parts of the T, you have lost the continuous support the T form gives.

I'm telling you this, for future reference. In any event, I hope your efforts prove fruitful.

[G3750]

...Way earlier in this thread suggestions were made about creating a "T" with the bracing piece and the subroadbed. I have used that to add rigidity to the affected areas...

George, I need to clarify. The top of the T is the plywood underneath the track. By putting cleats in between the two parts of the T, you have lost the continuous support the T form gives.

I'm telling you this, for future reference. In any event, I hope your efforts prove fruitful.

You are absolutely correct, Roy. The brace shown in the first two photos only provides a marginal increase in stability. I did that because I happened to have a piece of wood that fit and it did help a little bit. Plus that part of the roadbed is already pretty stable.

The approach shown in the 3rd photo is the one you described and the one I intend to pursue for other parts of the layout.

Thanks,

George

[G3750]

First operational test PASSED on new mainline stretch of PRR Panhandle!

I'm pleased to report that my finickiest engine, the PRR M1a Mountain ran over the new stretch of track slowly without a hitch. Nonetheless, I've added very thin Plastruct sheet under two track joints, which for some reason seem to flatten out where they occur. Anybody got any ideas as to why?

More trackwork changes and bracing is next on the horizon, after which I will finish adjusting the fit of the access hatch and maybe lay and wire that track.

George

[G3750]

Updated 6/4/2012:

I'm kinda feeling my way around with this foam business.

Yesterday, I started cutting away the foam to make the sloping hillside at Standard Slag. I'm using a box cutter and having limited success. The blade tends to tear rather than cut. At one point, I took a file to the hillside.

Anyone care to recommend a file-like tool for dealing with the tight angles at the bottom of a hillside? I think I need something small and coarse, but I can't quite visualize the solution and I don't know what's out there.

After the hillside gets roughed out, I plan to use one of the following (probably try both) to finish the slope:

• Durham's Water Putty w/ India ink for coloration
• Wall Joint Compound w/ sifted charcoal cinder dust

I've also toyed with using Sculta-mold, but I think that's essentially overpriced Wall Joint Compound.
Both options may also get some real slag (we'll see how that looks).

I'm sure both options will need a fixative. Any recommendations?

Talked with my friend and he is preparing to make a mold of the steel pier fence. I will probably need 15 pieces of fence to complete the scene.

I made another test fit of the access hatch on the layout and have determined how the scenery will come off to allow its removal.

George

[bluelinec4]

Looking good George Can we see some closer pics of the steel mill Did you build it?