GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Just watching your video comparison of drive units. You should be a paid consultant for those guys considering the amount of work you do with their products. As background, my interest in this subject revolves around the Reading Company. We hooked up thru the Reading Modeler. You may recall the roof color battle amongst those guys when IHP anounced the old Reading MU's were coming out. While I currently work with older, easier to model freight ops, Your models take me back to Philly in the 70's riding into and around the Reading terminal. I Really enjoy your enthusiasm on the subject. I do more track planning than anything else these days. Can't help much with power trucks, but if you have time to post a fairly tight room plan with dimensions and available space, I'd like to take a stab at some layout drawings for you.

Mike from IHP actually sent me the IHP drive, so hes already satisfied me! I wish i were though, i love researching this stuff and i've got so many books, that if i don't have the answer now, i will in a short period of time.

I remember the Reading Modeler, though lately it looks like spammers got a hold of it.

Did i not yet mention my plans to build a Reading Commuter module?

Because i can see that electrifying my layout might now be VERY far in the future once again, i wanted to try something else to get more real experience. I've been looking for a good prototype spot, but its been tricky, so I'm still digging through my books. I want to stick somewhere on the line to West Trenton though. A module will be quick and its not likely to change, so i can get away with it. I've got a good diagrams in several books and railroad manuals, (though i don't have the detailed info like i have for the Pennsy catenary).

I better hurry up though, i want to have it done in time for the October "Northeast Rail Prototype Meet". I was there last year with my electrics, and i want to come out with something different. There was already a resident Pennsy electric modeler there, and since Philadelphia models are readily available, why not go Reading?

Definitely plan to get the IHP Reading Green Cars when they come out. the book "The Reading in the Conrail Era: Book 2" has a small roster and photos of some of the unrebuilt green cars still operating up into the early 80s (which fits right in for me). I would have preferred some Blueliners, but I'll be patient.

Because we're talking Reading- former Reading units for the win.

I do more track planning than anything else these days. Can't help much with power trucks, but if you have time to post a fairly tight room plan with dimensions and available space, I'd like to take a stab at some layout drawings for you.

Part of the problem is that i don't even have a good idea of what that is. I do know that i have space for a 9x8 "island". I cannot attach to the walls. I've got a few overhead shots of my layout for now, while i go measure stuff. basically, i want to keep the "industrial" side fairly intact (though changing switches and curves on the ends is OK). However, instead of completing the oval as it is, i'd build an addition to the lower left in the photo, and the mainline would continue along that side of the layout, and the yard would extend to there as well. I'm not sure what to do after that, other than connect it all around again eventually.


I would take apart the "lower" half of the layout (maybe leaving the passenger station as a suburban terminal like Chestnut Hill or something), and the yard would still be where it is, but stretch farther out.