Model Train Journal

A little late!!

I'm in Chattanooga this week w/ the family so nothing new from me. I have been working on the layout a bit though before we left. Made a bunch of changes which I think look cool. I'll post some pics next weeke when I'm back home.
I did take a few quick shots of the Lionel layout at TVRM -








Hope everyone has a happy & safe New Year!!!

I don't remember a Lionel layout at TVRM on any of my visits.
So is it a new display or seasonal?

I remember on my first visit to TVRM that I met Paul Merriman.
He and a few others, were working on 4501. At that time the
entrance was in the roundhouse area and it was not easy to find.

On Friday night I visited my friend Neal Schorr and his PRR Middle Division layout. I've been there a number of times and it never disappoints. Here are just a few of the photos I took.


Grade crossing at Mattawana, PA. Neal painted the backdrop himself. This is one of my favorite vignettes - note the drainage ditch, route signs, relay box, retaining wall, cattails.


Bridge and ground detail.


Double-headed Lionel K4s thunder across Sherman's Creek at 70 mph pulling a long passenger train.


A brunswick green A-B-A set pulls coal over Sherman's Creek past View tower.


Double-headed K4s locomotives pull a 15-car passenger & fast mail train.


The detail in this relay box and signals are phenomenal!


A closer look at View interlocking tower.


This is Duncannon, PA.


George

George,
Beautiful layout and thanks for posting it.

I hope that soon I will be saying that about your layout,

I have seen numerous photos of Neal’s layout over the years, and have always admired his work, especially the backdrops. Just brilliantly done...

rogruth wrote:George,
Beautiful layout and thanks for posting it.

I hope that soon I will be saying that about your layout,

You're welcome, Roger. I draw lots of inspiration from it. I don't know how soon my layout will be at that point, if ever. Neal is a true artist.

George

healey36 wrote:I have seen numerous photos of Neal’s layout over the years, and have always admired his work, especially the backdrops. Just brilliantly done...

For me, it is Neal's painting of backdrops that truly amazes. I tried to get him to paint my backdrop, but he refused.

So I had to make due with the real thing.

George

After seeing Neal's layout again, I decided that I really want to run double-headed K4s again on my layout (when it's ready). The other decision is that I want to run double-headed Decapods on a coal or ore drag. I think watching two of those beasts will be impressive!

George

I saw double headed Decs on the river line, south of Mingo, many times.
Double headed Pacifics on most passenger trains through that area.
Even double headed Ts at times. And yes both were working.
IMHO the only trains I saw on a regular basis that were more impressive
were coal trains on the B&) with two Yellowstones (2-8-8-4) up front and
another on the rear.

Until the late 1950s I think most of the ore was shipped in hopper cars that were only part full.
The ore cars became more common @ 1960s.

rogruth wrote:I saw double headed Decs on the river line, south of Mingo, many times.
Double headed Pacifics on most passenger trains through that area.
Even double headed Ts at times. And yes both were working.
IMHO the only trains I saw on a regular basis that were more impressive
were coal trains on the B&) with two Yellowstones (2-8-8-4) up front and
another on the rear.

WOW, that would have been something to see.

rogruth wrote:Until the late 1950s I think most of the ore was shipped in hopper cars that were only part full.
The ore cars became more common @ 1960s.

Interestingly enough, some ore jennies date to the 1940's. The Pennsy shipped ore in hoppers as you noted (half full due to the tremendous weight of the ore). The PRR built its own ore jennies in 1960, G39?

George

I LOVE Neil's layout! As someone who has railfanned the real thing many times over, I can say his layout captures the flavor of it down to a t! He has done a fantastic job.

As far as the TVRM layout, it's on the 2nd floor of the station. It was there when we went last year as well. We went over the holiday season last year too, so it may be seasonal. Will hav eto have someone go back in the Summer to find out!

At one time the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel had an HO layout in an outlying building on the second floor that depicted that area very nicely.
I had heard that it was moved but I don't know when or where.

Was the TVRM layout 2 or 3 rail?