What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What's the plan on relocation? Heading south, west, or staying local and just down-sizing?

I am given to understand that he may be running away to join the circus and be a............clown!

Some might say that I already am a clown. Or that I may become a recluse contributor to a famous hobby publication.

It is a growing fraternity.......or is that "collective"? Resistance is futile....

The plan is to head west to the Pittsburgh area (north of city), downsize the house, but upsize the layout.

But will you salvage what you have now or start 100% fresh????

We'll see what reality brings.

No fun there!

[G3750]

OK, since inquiring minds want to know...

What will be saved for the next version of the PRR Panhandle:

• Switches (switch machines, pushbuttons)
• Track and Vinylbed roadbed
• Electrical hardware (wire looms, terminal strips, screws)
• Buildings / structures
• Benchwork hardware (screws, supports, glides, bolts, etc.)
• Transformer cart

What will definitely NOT be saved:

• Benchwork lumber
• Wiring distribution panels
• Foam

Probably most of the wiring will be discarded. We'll see how that pans out.

George

[rogruth]

What about the background paintings?
You have spent a lot of time on them.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Probably most of the wiring will be discarded.

Take that to the scrap metal buyer,

[G3750]

What about the background paintings?
You have spent a lot of time on them.

Probably keep them. I will evaluate their use in the new location and make a decision then.

George

[healey36]

What's the plan on relocation? Heading south, west, or staying local and just down-sizing?

I am given to understand that he may be running away to join the circus and be a............clown!

Some might say that I already am a clown. Or that I may become a recluse contributor to a famous hobby publication.

The plan is to head west to the Pittsburgh area (north of city), downsize the house, but upsize the layout.

We'll see what reality brings.

George

Glad to hear you're not going "snow-bird" (misery loves company )...moving north of Pittsburgh would probably be classified as the direct opposite...

[G3750]

I am given to understand that he may be running away to join the circus and be a............clown!

Some might say that I already am a clown. Or that I may become a recluse contributor to a famous hobby publication.

The plan is to head west to the Pittsburgh area (north of city), downsize the house, but upsize the layout.

We'll see what reality brings.

George

Glad to hear you're not going "snow-bird" (misery loves company )...moving north of Pittsburgh would probably be classified as the direct opposite...

I've never been a fan of Florida. Wife and I took a vacation down there back in the 90s. All it did was rain. Locals kept saying: "Should have been here last week!". My response was unprintable. When you add in the rain, lack of basements, palmetto bugs (aka cockroaches) the size of turtles, and the humidity - no thanks!

I like the four seasons, the Appalachians, and the feel of Pittsburgh. I will also be closer to the Weirton museum (my work there is just starting).

George

[G3750]

Updated 6/2/2016:

OK, enough about future plans. Here's the finished Backdrop #4. Along with Backdrops 2 and 3, it will be installed soon.

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George

[rogruth]

George,

Seems to me that those backdrops could be used on any layout. They look great and should be adaptable.
I feel sure you will be able to use them on your next layout.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What about the background paintings?
You have spent a lot of time on them.

Probably keep them. I will evaluate their use in the new location and make a decision then.

George

If you change your mind, bring them to Strasburg - bet someone there might take them off you hands......

[G3750]

Updated 6/5/2016:

The artist visited again yesterday and painted the remaining backdrop which is designed to go on top of Backdrop #3. It's just sky. It will get another coat of paint and some darkening to match the others.

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I got to Home Depot and picked up some more pink foam (1" thick) that will be used to create more support blocks for the backdrops.

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We are moving along. In the next session, I hope to hang Backdrops 2 & 3.

George

[Steamfan77]

Keep it up George! I have enjoyed your layout from the first time I came here a few years ago. I hope you meet your goals and then some. If I lived closer I'd pitch in and give you a hand...

Andy

[G3750]

Keep it up George! I have enjoyed your layout from the first time I came here a few years ago. I hope you meet your goals and then some. If I lived closer I'd pitch in and give you a hand...

Andy

Thanks Andy! The positive vibes that you and the other folks on this board send my way really help.

George

[G3750]

Updated 6/10/2016:

Just finished hanging Backdrop #2 and prepping for Backdrop #3.

Here is Backdrop #2 installed. Note the hole for the passing siding.

All "white space", i.e. not painted, will be hidden by a styrofoam mountain.

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Here's a close up of the hole in Backdrop #2 for the Hidden Passing Siding.

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Here's a shot of Backdrop #3 on floor near its final position. Note the styrofoam backing for the backdrop.

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This photo shows the brackets that will hold the backdrop 5" off the back wall.

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We would have hung Backdrop #3 but we ran out of velcro.

George

[G3750]

Updated 6/11/2016:

There were a number of things (activities, decisions) that I forgot to mention last night.
First, earlier in the week I did some test-fitting of Backdrop #4. I removed a part of a support for a track in the hopes that the stand-in for the backdrop would fit into the available height between the support and the ceiling. As you can see in the photo, it does not. It will need to be trimmed. I will re-install the support and then measure and cut the backdrop at the bottom.

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Second, because of fit and placement issues with Backdrop #3, I've decided to modify the Hidden Passing Siding, closing off the eastern entrance, and transforming it into a trailing point spur behind the backdrop. This was done because it would have been difficult to provide enough clearance for locomotives entering the siding. It is also the expedient thing to do; in a year, retirement is going to change everything. The larger goal is to get the backdrops installed, the bridge placed, and run some trains.

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Clearance behind Backdrop #3 was checked for both the lead to the Hidden Staging Yard and Hidden Passing Siding (which was identified above as a problem). This photo shows the mounting cleat (just to the right of the backdrop where the ground meets the sky) installed last night. This cleat, along with another piece in front of it, will form an anchor point for the rightmost lower corner of the backdrop.

I also picked up some more Velcro today.

George