What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Andy,

It’s a long story, but basically I’m paying for the sins of the past. The PRR Panhandle is my first permanent layout (other than a loop on a 4'x8' plywood board) and with it comes those rookie mistakes. When I started, my ambitions clearly outstripped my skills (or as my father would say “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach” ). I chose 11/32” plywood as my sub-roadbed (way too thin), took shortcuts in construction, and made some other poor design decisions. I also got some dubious advice early on. As time has gone by, my knowledge, skill, experience, and (hopefully) judgment have improved. Fortunately, I collect lessons learned. All of that has resulted in some dissatisfaction with how the layout is constructed. But I'm a number of years into this and about 2 years away from retirement and a potential new layout, so I am attempting to fix the major issues and live with the rest.

Having said all that, I'm focusing on things that prevent the layout from operating reliably. The pending installation of the new bridge has raised the performance requirements for the rest of the layout and prompted the western re-build. I have to be able to get trains safely and precisely to / from the bridge; properly aligned solid track work is an absolute necessity. That work is taking longer than it should (in my mind) and I keep finding previous shortcuts that continue to delay and bite me.

You are right when you say not to rush the process. In part, rushing the process got me into this situation. The good news is that I think I have worked through the approach in my head. The plan described a few posts back (2/25/2016) is being followed. Yesterday I made progress on the rebuild of the western mainline and stopped prior to connecting to Switch No. 1. I began work on the eastern approach to the bridge. I am close to completing that; it will be the anchor/guide for the bridge installation and all track going west to Switch No. 1. So despite all my grumbling, progress has occurred. It's just not going fast enough!

I appreciate you and all the folks following this build thread. That encouragement helps keep me going. Plus I really want to run trains across that bridge! And I want that grandson to see the layout run while he is still a small boy.

George

[rogruth]

George,

I'd like to see this layout and bridge while I still am.

[G3750]

George,

I'd like to see this layout and bridge while I still am.

I know you are and I am trying damn hard to make that happen.

George

[Steamfan77]

George,

Thank you for your insights and thoughtful commentary. For me, hard lessons are the best remembered ones. I wish you smooth sailing from here on in. You are making upgrades that in my opinion are worth the effort.

Andy

[G3750]

Updated 2/29/2016:

No physical work was done, but I determined the location of an additional leg for the eastern approach. The leg will support the bench work at the bridge anchor site and help keep it level. I found the wood in my shop. Now I need a glide, which I will pick up at the hardware store today.

The artist is due tomorrow to finish up the small backdrop that will go over the river (I named it Backdrop 3.5 ). And I expect we will rough out (draw in pencil) Backdrops 4 and perhaps 5.

George

[healey36]

There's nothing that will ruin your satisfaction more than unreliable operation. Every minute expended assuring reasonably good operations is, IMHO, well spent. That said, the best laid plans nearly always run askew at some point, typically the latter stages. An introduction of the "fudge-factor" is usually warranted...I think you're there.

Healey

[G3750]

There's nothing that will ruin your satisfaction more than unreliable operation. Every minute expended assuring reasonably good operations is, IMHO, well spent.

Yes, I completely agree. I ran a 2 hour open house with the layout back in 2011. I was on pins and needles the whole time wondering if things would hold together. Not too much fun.

That said, the best laid plans nearly always run askew at some point, typically the latter stages. An introduction of the "fudge-factor" is usually warranted...I think you're there.

Healey

Yes, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. Oh, hell yes, I'm there.

George

[G3750]

Updated 3/1/2016:

Managed to get a leg installed under the eastern subroadbed near the bridge anchor point. This will help to keep the subroadbed level.

W_Rebuild_52_.JPG (47.59 KiB) Viewed 3429 times

George

[rogruth]

George,

Your layout base reminds me of what my oldest daughter said about mine in a similar stage.
She went to the train room and looked at it, went back t o the house and said to her husband, who is a carpenter and builds houses
that "He used a bunch of scrap lumber to build a lot of it". He said "Good carpenter".
Nothing has changed, fallen off, warped, broken or changed in over ten years.

[G3750]

George,

Your layout base reminds me of what my oldest daughter said about mine in a similar stage.
She went to the train room and looked at it, went back t o the house and said to her husband, who is a carpenter and builds houses
that "He used a bunch of scrap lumber to build a lot of it". He said "Good carpenter".
Nothing has changed, fallen off, warped, broken or changed in over ten years.

I'm glad yours is holding up. But I think mine is horrible. Too many compromises. I look at it and I cringe. Can't wait for a do-over.

There's an old (at least 40 years) saying in the IT industry:

"If carpenters built houses the way programmers make programs, the first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization."

No matter how many times I hear it, it makes want to ROFLMAO. It's true.

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

"If carpenters built houses the way programmers make programs, the first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization."

No matter how many times I hear it, it makes want to ROFLMAO. It's true.

George

The end is nigh!

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Are they looking for insects or tapping to find a hollow to carve out as a new home?

I remember the first time I heard a woodpecker in the forest. As I was hiking, I heard a loud tap-tap-tapping and had no idea what it was - it seemed so foreign to the peacefulness of the idyllic place. So, I traced the sound source with my eyes and discovered the li'l fella knocking himself out. Nice. A new discovery for me. They must have some strong neck muscles!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Are they looking for insects or tapping to find a hollow to carve out as a new home?

Neither. They are at work poking holes through reality to let the Elder Gods enter......

[Rufus T. Firefly]

[rogruth]

Murph,

In ornithology class we learned it was the tongue muscle that was so strong.
I will not try to explain that. Not sure I understood it 60 years ago.