What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Latest - it's really about test placement of track at this point. I've got to accurately place a turnout and have all 3 legs line up. Fortunately, the "ruling leg" (mostly ) is the one headed into Standard Slag. It's got to be straight and line up with the edge of the subroadbed (along the top edge of the slag pit).

I'm slowly coming to grips with the fact that the yard at Weirton Junction is rapidly shrinking. The original plans called for a 2 track configuration that could hold 6-7 cars. But my imagination has gotten the better of me (Wow, what a surprise ), and I am now thinking that a slag pit with a power shovel and 2-3 slag cars dumping their loads will be a much more interesting vignette.

The Weirton Junction "Yard" has now shrunk to a 4 car single track spur. I will probably park the Weirton Steel Alco S-2 there when I need it to push a train (coal or iron ore) into Weirton Steel. Oh, this track might also end up storing cabin cars as well. I can probably get 3 or 4 onto it plus the S-2 switcher.

By the way, Standard Slag used what looks to be a Bucyrus Erie 50.B power shovel. I have the Lionel kit which replicates one of the P&H diesel powered shovels built by Harnischfeger. Oh well. The shovel is going to get the white top, red bottom paint job, and the black Bucyrus Erie logo. Sometimes, you've got to pick your battles.


George

[G3750]

The most I could manage last night was the proper placement of the turnout (but it's not fastened down yet). I've planned out how the rest of the pit and they yard will look. Fortunately, I have just enough left over Vinylbed (3/8" for the mainline and 1/4" for the yard) straights and switch pads for the project.

George

[G3750]

Got a bit more done on the Standard Slag area:
1) Put together a portable TMCC switch programming bed (K-Line PowerChief 120F accessory transformer, Command Base, DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver, euro-style terminal strip). I plan to lend this to a friend who is starting a new layout after moving.
2) Programmed the Standard Slag switch (#16). I'm using a DZ-2500 switch machine that operates under TMCC.
3) Bought some paint at Walmart (Krylon Fusion for Plastic) for the cab of the power shovel. The bottom is red and the top will be white. But first I'm going to have to sand off the Lionel symbol embossed in the cab.

Boy, why does Lionel go to the trouble of creating a scale-looking power shovel (based on a prototype) and then stick their logo on it? For the longest time they were putting out these spectacular freight cars and then placing a decal on it that said "BLT by Lionel 2004" or whatever the date was. Sheesh!

Anyway, I'm going to try getting the cab prepped and painted this evening if I get a chance and the weather holds out.

George

[G3750]

UPdated 5/10/2012:

Well, the weather didn't hold up last night and nothing got painted.

Howver, the following did get done:

• I added another rib to the "sandwich".
• Decided to use my rusted steel wall as the way to hide the "parting" line between the layout and the removable "sandwich" or access hatch.
• Cut and added 1/8" masonite to fill in some of the areas that will support the wall.
• Placed a positioning block of wood under the bottom of the sandwich that will make for easy re-installation of the hatch.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/12/2012:

OK, just got done putting Switch #11 (Weirton Junction) back in its place on the mainline. It is connected with the mainline curve coming from the bridge. That track has yet to be completely screwed down, but it's in its (hopefully) final configuration.

The rusted steel fencing came Friday. That's going to get replicated.

I did a little shopping on Friday. It really saves $$$ when you buy your wire at an electrical supply store vs the local hobby shop. For example, a 50' spool of 20 gauge hookup wire (like Atlas sells) will run you $10.00 at the train store. A 100' spool of the same wire is $9 at the electrical supply store. I picked up 5 spools of 20 gauge hook up wire (red, black, yellow, white, green). I also picked up a 6 pole connector that may work out for the DZ2500 wiring harness.

The sandwich is nearly complete. I still have to add a little piece of flooring. The next step might be to spray paint it primer gray to look like slag. After that, I will wire the switch machine and the track.

So far, so good.

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/16/2012:

I have been bouncing a bunch of ideas off the wall over the past few days, but I did get the following accomplished:

• Decided to buy a new 4'x8' sheet of masonite and cut out the properly sized "floor" of the access hatch. I was tempted to try and piece together the floor from scraps, but I came to my senses in time. That new floor is on the layout awaiting trimming. After that I will attach it to the rest of the hatch.
• Figured out how to remove the access hatch quickly. This involved determining where it had to slide out, how it was going to be connected to the rest of the layout, and what would hold it in place. I will have a small (8" long) piece of hillside retaining wall that will come off, allowing the hatch to slide out of position and be lifted off.
• Determined that the best way to connect the track on the hatch with the rest of the layout was by having a short section that lifted off. It will be connected using GarGraves "fit-up" connectors.

I feel pretty good about these decisions as I had been churning them for some time.

I love it when a plan comes together!

I hope to execute the plan over the weekend (kid's sporting event and honey-do list permitting).

George

[G3750]

The plan got delayed by the younger boy's lacrosse tournament Saturday (they won!) and the Greek Food Festival and yardwork Sunday. And then the rains came. Oh well, gives me some thing to work on in the evenings this week. I'm going to trim the floor of the hatch, fasten it to the rest of the structure and try to hit it with a coat of paint if the weather cooperates.

George

[HONDO74]

George
You have a very interesting ongoing thread. I will be looking forward to seeing some more photos when you get a chance to post them. I bet there are many more here that would like to see them also.
Robert

[G3750]

Thanks Robert. It's a much trickier project than I first suspected. I will get some more photos up soon. I appreciate the feedback. Sometimes I think I'm talking to myself.

As Jimmy Buffet once sang: "If we weren't crazy we'd all go insane."

HONDO74? Are you a Boston Celtics fan? And Havilchek fan?

George

[rogruth]

George,

As I have pointed out to several posters on this forum,because no one comments does NOT mean that no one is looking.

Keep it coming.There is interest.Even I can sometimes shut up.

[G3750]

Roger,

Ask and ye shall receive.

Here are photos of the access hatch on my workbench. The first shows the bottom of the sandwich (upside down). There is a hole for the wires and the terminal strip for the power connections (each leg of the switch).

MPLX 024W.jpg (231.41 KiB) Viewed 7315 times

The second photo shows the wide (slag pit) end of the hatch. I plan to use building foam to create the slope and provide a stable filler between the top and bottom layers at this end.

MPLX 025W.jpg (113.4 KiB) Viewed 7315 times

You can see that area better in this photo.

MPLX 027W.jpg (120.26 KiB) Viewed 7314 times

At this point, both layers are attached to the ribs. Next step is adjusting the fit for easy removal, a coat of paint, followed by attachment of Vinylbed, the track, and the wiring. After that I will probably try my hand at carving and installing the styrofoam "filler".

George

[HONDO74]

HONDO74? Are you a Boston Celtics fan? And Havilchek fan?

George
I gave up on sports many years ago. I felt that all of them in my opinion had become too professional. I was a football fanatic at one time but never did care for baseball or basketball. A few years ago I did enjoy NASCAR but for me it has lost it's luster.

Back to your project. I always enjoy the ongoing project threads. Just take your time and post when you can.
Robert

[G3750]

I appreciate all the encouragement I find on this forum. It's great.

During the week I managed to pick up a used set of Foam Factory cutting tools at a discount and a 2" thick sheet of 4'x8' Pink Foamular 150 XPS foam. This morning I'm picking up a cheap saw of some sort from Harbor Freight to do the rough shaping. I am going to put the foam "filler" in the sandwich, or at least try. I've never done this before so it should be interesting. I'm going to do the cutting in the garage to try and keep the foam shreds out of the house.

After that, we'll paint the hatch a gray or off white.

George

[G3750]

My father used to say "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach" and it's still true.

But that's no different than many other things I've tried for the first time:

• My first scratchbuilt structure was 24"w x 18"d x 20"h and had a gabled roof with mill vent and 2 smokestacks protruding from it.
• My first layout is 18' x 10' and has slopes and a 7' bridge I've got to figure out how to build

So why shouldn't my first venture into foam scenery be for a complex curve on a removable access hatch?

Crazy? I'm sure someone could make the case and make it stick.

I'm using the pink foamboard, box cutters, and a 12" compass saw I picked up at Harbor Freight to rough out the pieces. Still not sure if these will go together like I want. Did the work in the garage and used the shop vac to clean up, but it's going to be messy when it gets down to final shaping on the layout.

Bottom line: I'm still feeling my way.

More from the asylum when they let me get on the internet again.

George

[rogruth]

George,

This is my litany--Are you having FUN?