What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 9/7/2015:

OK, hopefully third time's a charm. I took some detailed photos of each end of the benchwork where the bridge will go. I also did a test fit of bridge shoes and pedestals on Sunday night. I learned a lot, mainly that I was making a number of big assumptions as to how the bridge would be mated to the layout. After a significant amount of analysis, I think I have finalized the design of the end piers or abutments.

First, the top view. Note that the bridge is transparent, indicated by the thick dotted line.

End Abutments v004-1.jpg (115.69 KiB) Viewed 3480 times

Western end.

End Abutments v004-2.jpg (88.34 KiB) Viewed 3482 times

Eastern end.

End Abutments v004-3.jpg (91.72 KiB) Viewed 3483 times

George

[rogruth]

George,

I'm really looking forward to seeing the actual placement of the bridge on the layout.
Come to think of it, we haven't seen any of the layout for some time.
Waiting.

[G3750]

George,

I'm really looking forward to seeing the actual placement of the bridge on the layout.
Come to think of it, we haven't seen any of the layout for some time.
Waiting.

Like I said, I'm working on getting the bridge in place. We are making progress, but it's not a straightforward process.

As for the layout, I doubt anyone is interested in photos of a demolition site.

The bridge piers and the river module are where "the action is" and I've put up photos of them. The artist is coming over tomorrow to work on the backdrop. If we get some photogenic material out of that exercise, I'll post it.

The heavy lifting has been in the design of the river module. I had to figure out how the backdrop, river surface, abutments, and bridge piers all worked into the module as well as correct the track laying sins in the approaches. Most of that has been designed. Getting the backdrop painted and in place will be a huge enabling step. After that, the bridge piers, pedestals, and shoes are ready to be installed. Wiring the bridge's warning flashers will be the next step (15 minutes). The abutments must be constructed next; they've been designed and what remains is cutting the wood, assembly, gluing, and installation. Finally, we will temporarily mount the bridge, level, measure, and install the real bridge supports (that's a huge effort). At that point, the cosmetic work of getting the abutments and piers to cinch up to the bottom of the bridge will take place. Electrical hook up is next, followed by a power check and the first train across the bridge (video).

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/10/2015:

Roger, your wish is my command.

Some significant progress was made today:

• The glass for the surface of the Ohio was collected from the store.
• The artist delivered the masonite river surface and we test fit it in place.
• Adjustments (cuts) to the backdrop were made to correctly mate it to the river's surface. I determined where the backdrop must be fastened to the benchwork to provide clearances.
• We roughed out where the river, land, and sky will be on the backdrop. The artist started painting and made some progress.

Photos below:

Here is the surface of the river (with aquatex glass).

Paint_02_.JPG (40.85 KiB) Viewed 3421 times

Here is a second shot with bridge piers. This is a test fit; permanent assembly will follow backdrop installation.

Paint_03_.JPG (36.3 KiB) Viewed 3419 times

Here is a shot of central backdrop (in progress).

Paint_01_.JPG (31.15 KiB) Viewed 3420 times

George

[rogruth]

Are the upper and lower tracks in the photos going to be hidden?

[G3750]

Are the upper and lower tracks in the photos going to be hidden?

Yes, that's the plan. The backdrop is going to hide them.

George

[rogruth]

I assume you will still have access to the tracks some way?
You know, just in case.

[G3750]

I assume you will still have access to the tracks some way?
You know, just in case.

There is limited access to both tracks from the sides. Fortunately, these are straight tracks.

Interestingly enough, one of the things keeping me from getting the backdrops (along with the dip**** backdrop vendor) was DCS. When I saw how unreliable it was, I knew backdrops would be a huge PITA. I just couldn't put up a backdrop because the train would stall behind it. I'd be constantly taking them down to retrieve trains and then putting them back.

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/12/2015:

I made some more progress yesterday and today.

Yesterday, the parts for the bridge abutments (end piers) were cut. A friend used his very nice Proxxon table saw to make some precision cuts. Below are all the parts for 1 abutment. Eventually, when the height of the river's surface is finalized, the abutment will be cut to the proper length (height).

Bridge_05_.JPG (29.8 KiB) Viewed 3375 times

As noted previously, the bench work at each of the bridge approaches needs work. Back in 2006 when I built these, I really wasn't sure how to attach a bridge. Originally, I thought the bridge might lift out; that proved to be unrealistic. Now, I have come to realize that the eastern approach does not have quite enough space to accommodate the diverging track to the Hidden Passing Siding as well as the backdrop and width of the bridge. I am in the process of reworking that by adding a short straight section after the switch. That will end up moving the siding back towards the wall (there is room).

Bridge_04_.JPG (41.59 KiB) Viewed 3375 times

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/15/2015:

• The realignment of the Hidden Passing Siding is turning out to be a bigger project than anticipated. Had to adjust the adjustment, including the position of the switch to provide more clearance. Also affected are two risers (upright supports) as well as the subroadbed for the siding. Photos follow.
  
  Had to lift up the roadbed to unscrew the wooden subroadbed and move it to the proper position.
  

  

  Backdrop_10_.JPG (37.31 KiB) Viewed 3349 times

  
  
  This photo shows the new position of the subroadbed. A small piece of wood will be glued into the 1" wide gap created by the change.
  

  

  Backdrop_11_.JPG (34.26 KiB) Viewed 3350 times

  
  
  While I was back there, I took the opportunity to correct some of my early wiring mistakes (sloppiness, really). I replaced feeder wires jammed into the track joint with crimped male spade connectors forced into the track itself. That creates a much more solid and trouble-free connector. Hopefully, I'm not going to be back here any time soon.
  

  

  Backdrop_09_.JPG (49.14 KiB) Viewed 3347 times

  
  
• The artist also made significant progress on the river surface. It is much more gray than before (more realistic) and less ocean blue.
  

  

  Backdrop_12_.JPG (40.2 KiB) Viewed 3348 times

  
  
• The artist also started to fill in some of the landscape features for the backdrop that will go behind the bridge. Fall foliage and details are still to be added, but I think it's starting to look pretty good.
  

  

  Backdrop_13_.JPG (34.21 KiB) Viewed 3348 times

I am really happy about this. Hopefully, we will see even more progress tomorrow!

George

[rogruth]

Ah yes. Now I realize the Ohio River has been cleaned up a lot
but does it actually look blue now? Understand that I am not
saying it is wrong, just that I never saw anything other than
a muddy brownish Ohio River.
I also remember going from Wheeling to Pittsburgh [pre interstates]
and looking down on Pittsburgh from the hilltops and not seeing the
town because the smog was so thick. It was a real surprise when I
was back there in the 1990s and could see the city. However, almost
all of the mills were gone.

[G3750]

Ah yes. Now I realize the Ohio River has been cleaned up a lot
but does it actually look blue now? Understand that I am not
saying it is wrong, just that I never saw anything other than
a muddy brownish Ohio River.
I also remember going from Wheeling to Pittsburgh [pre interstates]
and looking down on Pittsburgh from the hilltops and not seeing the
town because the smog was so thick. It was a real surprise when I
was back there in the 1990s and could see the city. However, almost
all of the mills were gone.

Roger,

I actually had the artist make the river more gray than she initially painted it. But you're right. The river is a bit more blue than when we lived in the valley. And that is especially true when it reflects the sky, which is a large part of the color.

In my little time-warp that is the Weirton-Steubenville area in the 1950's, we have full employment, almost no air pollution, and a clean and nearly blue Ohio River.

So basically, it's my party (and I'll cry if I want to)

George

[rogruth]

Completely agree.

For the same reason I don't weather most of my stuff.
Nothing against weathering, I'm probably just lazy.
I still prefer a clean auto over a dirty one even though
I know it may not be completely accurate and life-like.

[G3750]

Updated 9/16/2015:

Progress was made today on several fronts.

First, the artist is nearly done with the center backdrop that will go behind the bridge. She added more detail and autumn foliage to the painting. Clouds to follow.

Backdrop_14_.JPG (35.53 KiB) Viewed 3312 times

Next, I completed the re-alignment of the Hidden Passing Siding. This involved changes to 2 risers, the subroadbed, and 6' of track. I also took the opportunity to add several spare bus wire pairs and re-wrap the wiring bundle that hangs under the subroadbed.

Backdrop_15_.JPG (39.05 KiB) Viewed 3309 times

Here's a close-up of the re-aligned Switch No. 8 and the siding. The green wire will be used to connect an insulated (control) rail on the bridge to indicate occupancy. That will trigger the position signal on the signal bridge (off camera to the right).

Backdrop_17_.JPG (41.27 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

Finally, I tested the Hidden Passing Siding by running my PRR I1s Mikado up the eastern approach to the bridge, over Switch No. 8, and across the siding to the western side of the layout. It checked out. The cleat between the legs of the signal bridge will be used to anchor the western end of the bridge.

Backdrop_16_.JPG (43.81 KiB) Viewed 3310 times

George

[rogruth]

Now you can see it's coming along.