What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[healey36]

Nope, pretty interesting. Such heavy industry is always of interest. You’re putting a tremendous amount of effort into replicating the process/facility. It’s gonna be something.

[G3750]

Nope, pretty interesting. Such heavy industry is always of interest. You’re putting a tremendous amount of effort into replicating the process/facility. It’s gonna be something.

Thank you. I hope so.

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/12/2022:

This update is focused on the Open Hearth currently under construction.

• Originally, I planned to have the top and front of each furnace glued together as one piece. It was supposed to be removable from the furnace. I have rethought that. That wouldn't be strong enough to endure repeated movement. And I've determined that the smoke unit(s) in the furnace can be reached with a pipette through the open center door.
• I also decided to space the vertical "C" channel stiffeners further apart on the walls of the furnaces. This will eliminate a few of them (a bit less work and less expensive) while still conveying the "look and feel" of a 1950's open hearth furnace.

George

[healey36]

What is new on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[G3750]

What is new on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

Oh boy! Not a whole lot. Life has gotten in the way of model railroading over the past three weeks.

I am currently inching towards completion of the first oven. The roof and front wall are nearly ready to be attached to the structure. I bought a couple cans of paint to test for the Charging Floor.

Next week I head to York. I'm looking for:

• Post-war crane hooks (with pulleys)
• 3/8" Vinylbed or Flexxbed

George

[healey36]

Yup, maybe I'll see you scurrying around. I'm going to swing by for a few hours on Friday, and I actually have a list of stuff to look for, which makes it fun.

[G3750]

Updated 10/29/2022:

Saw an interesting YouTube video tonight by RBP Trains (Chris something or other). He just bought (at York last week) and installed a version of the Steubenville bridge that I commissioned from Custom Model Railroads / East Coast Enterprises back in 2014. The video was amusing, in its own way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6osDJuQMk

He made some statements that I corrected in my comment. Apparently, he didn't appreciate my insights (and my role in) on the model's origins as my comment disappeared.

Oh well, everybody wants to be a star.

George

[gregj410]

Updated 10/29/2022:

Saw an interesting YouTube video tonight by RBP Trains (Chris something or other). He just bought (at York last week) and installed a version of the Steubenville bridge that I commissioned from Custom Model Railroads / East Coast Enterprises back in 2014. The video was amusing, in its own way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6osDJuQMk

He made some statements that I corrected in my comment. Apparently, he didn't appreciate my insights (and my role in) on the model's origins as my comment disappeared.

Oh well, everybody wants to be a star.

George

He looks like Ace Ventura. We discussed our thoughts about him here

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19558

[G3750]

Updated 10/29/2022:

Saw an interesting YouTube video tonight by RBP Trains (Chris something or other). He just bought (at York last week) and installed a version of the Steubenville bridge that I commissioned from Custom Model Railroads / East Coast Enterprises back in 2014. The video was amusing, in its own way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6osDJuQMk

He made some statements that I corrected in my comment. Apparently, he didn't appreciate my insights (and my role in) on the model's origins as my comment disappeared.

Oh well, everybody wants to be a star.

George

He looks like Ace Ventura. We discussed our thoughts about him here

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19558

Yeah, I went back and looked at that. I'd forgotten that I commented on him. And after further review, the call on the ice still stands. "He's annoying". Just another snowflake attention seeker.

George

[G3750]

Updated 11/08/2022:

I measured and cut holes for the mid-line steel columns in the northern part of the floor. I also painted the next section of the flooring and test fit some columns and an oven.

The oven roof has received its front girder array and is close to being permanently attached to the rest of the oven. I have also measured a number of external oven wall braces.

George

[G3750]

Updated 11/12/2022:

We are making some headway.

• Over the past week or so, I have installed the 1/4" height supports for the Pouring Floor. The 1/4" supports raise the floor up to the level of the rails, making it look as if the rails are embedded in the floor.
• I also installed both sections (each is 12" x 36") of Pouring Floor after scrubbing them with iron wool. Ever see a mill floor that wasn't scuffed? Afterwards, they got a coat of Rustoleum Aged Iron texture paint for that dirty, scaled spattered effect. The floor sections were glued onto the 1/4" supports and weighted down until the E-6000 took.
• I then measured (several times ) and cut the holes for all but 2 of the mid-line steel columns.

George

[G3750]

Updated 12/16/2022:

Been awhile since I issued an update, so here goes:

• I applied all the vertical supports ("c" channel) to the sides and back (pouring side) of the first furnace (No. 11). Also attached the pouring plate and spout. Then I weathered it with layers of grimy black, dingy gray, etc. in a pattern that looks like it has been making steel for a very long time. I don't think it's possible to apply too much dirt to a steel mill.
• I have test fitted its position on the mill floor and it looks good there.
• Repeated the process for the next furnace (No. 12). This one is a bit different. I cut a hole in the pouring side before mounting the plate and spout. The background piece behind the hole has been painted a glowing orange to simulate molten steel. Also installed LEDs there. Still need to building the roof and put the front door structure on a backing wall for installation.
• A friend 3D printed a new transfer ladle (with pouring lip). It looks fabulous! It has me thinking about crane arms to hold it.
• Touched up the roof of Furnace No. 11. I've got some detail work to do there before installation.

Later,

George

[healey36]

George, are you still building the mill as a lift-out module for the layout?

[G3750]

George, are you still building the mill as a lift-out module for the layout?

Yes, I am. The insanity continues here on the Panhandle. It will be a 2-person lift. Either that or I will have to build muscle to do it by myself.

I have installed handles on the backside of the module. I will probably do the same for the front (and hide them under ground cover flaps).

George

[healey36]

Okay. Reading along over on that "other" forum, I wasn't sure if you were still pursuing that objective.