<![CDATA[ - Layouts]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/ Thu, 07 May 2026 11:51:19 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10056 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:01:28 +0000 Triple-C]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10056
History buffs will know that this was once a real line. It never really got off the ground before it merged into what would eventually become the Big Four. My scenario asks "what if?" The backstory uses a real Cleveland businessman to bring this railroad to life. I used a real railroad map from 1946 to create the CC&C, with a few creative liberties. I work in marketing, so I also enjoy creating advertisements and graphics that will probably spring up here from time to time.

Cleveland, Columbus &amp; Cincinnati Railroad
“The Triple C – Lake to River Route”

Early Roots (1845–1869)
The first Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad was chartered in 1845, with service beginning in 1851. The line quickly became a critical north–south connector in Ohio, linking the Lake Erie port of Cleveland with the capital at Columbus. However, in 1869 the original CC&C was absorbed into the newly formed Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati &amp; Indianapolis Railway (CCC&I), part of the “Big Four” system.

Over the next few decades, the identity of the CC&C faded into history as the Big Four became deeply tied to the New York Central system, focusing on east–west trunk traffic rather than north–south service inside Ohio.

The Vision (1898–1910)
In 1898, Samuel Livingston Mather, a prominent Cleveland industrialist and philanthropist, became increasingly frustrated with the lack of direct, dependable freight service between Ohio’s industrial belt, its capital, and the southern river ports. As the co-founder of Pickands Mather & Company, a shipping and mining company, he believed that a revitalized north–south line could dominate the movement of coal, steel, manufactured goods, and agricultural products.

In 1901, Mather quietly began purchasing small, underperforming lines from major systems:

Uses his connections and influence to acquire lines in Ohio coal country and links them to Cleveland's ore docks.
An NYC-controlled former CCC&I segment between Columbus and Springfield that had been downgraded to secondary status.
A struggling NKP line running from Massillon to Akron, with connections to Cleveland.

These acquisitions, completed by 1904, formed a rough skeletal network. Mather’s next move was bold: he petitioned the Ohio legislature for a revival of the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad name under a new charter, arguing that the historic identity still carried weight among shippers and investors. The charter was granted in March 1905.

Building the New CC&C (1910–1920)
Between 1910 and 1915, the CC&C purchased more surplus and abandoned trackage from larger railroads, then filled in missing gaps with new construction:

A Canton–Cleveland high-speed freight cutoff, using heavy 130-lb rail for the anticipated steel and coal traffic.
Marietta and Wheeling extensions to connect the coal region with Ohio River barge traffic.
Purchased an unprofitable PRR line connecting Middletown and Cincinnati.

Mather personally oversaw the building of key bridges and yards, often touring work sites in his private business car. By 1917, with the U.S. entering World War I, CC&C’s coal lines were operating at capacity. The USRA placed the railroad under federal control, assigning troop and munitions trains to its north–south spine.

The Interwar Years (1920–1939)
Returned to private ownership in 1920, the CC&C weathered the 1921 recession through aggressive marketing to manufacturers in Cleveland and Cincinnati. It branded itself as “The Lake to River Route,” emphasizing its role as a direct, all-Ohio connector. During the coal boom of the 1920s, CC&C added modern hopper cars and invested in centralized traffic control (CTC) on its mainline.

The Great Depression hit hard. Industrial shipments declined and coal demand dropped sharply. Mather, now in his late seventies, resisted selling the road, famously saying, “This railroad is my life’s iron spine — bend it and it breaks.” He died of heart disease on October 18, 1931. The company passed to a board of directors and entered voluntary reorganization.

By the mid-1930s, the Depression had thinned freight ledgers, and many eastern trunk lines were devoting their best power and fastest schedules to bridge traffic linking Chicago and the East Coast. In the eyes of many Ohio businesses, the state had become merely a “pass-through” for out-of-state commerce.

The year 1938 changed everything. As coal demand rebounded—driven by steel production, utility expansion, and the first wave of defense orders — CC&C management launched its “Ohio First” pledge. The campaign promised that Ohio cargo would be treated as priority freight, with direct, high-speed service. The program was more than an advertising line. The Triple C invested in modern diesel engines, rebuilt interchange facilities, and streamlined operations.

Shippers responded — rubber from Akron, aircraft parts from Dayton, and machinery from Springfield began moving over CC&C rails in growing volume.

Wartime Surge and Postwar Peak (1940–1953)
World War II transformed the CC&C into one of Ohio’s most vital freight arteries. Coal tonnage tripled between 1941 and 1945, and troop trains frequently moved between Cincinnati and Cleveland without touching congested PRR or NYC mainlines. Wartime infrastructure investments left the railroad in excellent physical shape by 1946.

In the postwar years, CC&C began another aggressive marketing campaign, this time to the public, introducing streamlined passenger service while continuing to focus on its profitable coal and steel traffic. The railroad remained proudly independent, known among shippers and railfans for its clean locomotives and reputation for punctuality.

Though rumors of mergers with larger systems persisted, the CC&C entered the mid-1950s at its traffic peak, a rare example of a revived 19th-century name thriving in the modern diesel era.

Its passenger services link the state’s principal cities in comfort and speed. In an age when most lines stretch their ambitions to distant cities, the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati continues to prove that there is still power, pride, and profit in keeping Ohio First.]]>
History buffs will know that this was once a real line. It never really got off the ground before it merged into what would eventually become the Big Four. My scenario asks "what if?" The backstory uses a real Cleveland businessman to bring this railroad to life. I used a real railroad map from 1946 to create the CC&C, with a few creative liberties. I work in marketing, so I also enjoy creating advertisements and graphics that will probably spring up here from time to time.

Cleveland, Columbus &amp; Cincinnati Railroad
“The Triple C – Lake to River Route”

Early Roots (1845–1869)
The first Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad was chartered in 1845, with service beginning in 1851. The line quickly became a critical north–south connector in Ohio, linking the Lake Erie port of Cleveland with the capital at Columbus. However, in 1869 the original CC&C was absorbed into the newly formed Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati &amp; Indianapolis Railway (CCC&I), part of the “Big Four” system.

Over the next few decades, the identity of the CC&C faded into history as the Big Four became deeply tied to the New York Central system, focusing on east–west trunk traffic rather than north–south service inside Ohio.

The Vision (1898–1910)
In 1898, Samuel Livingston Mather, a prominent Cleveland industrialist and philanthropist, became increasingly frustrated with the lack of direct, dependable freight service between Ohio’s industrial belt, its capital, and the southern river ports. As the co-founder of Pickands Mather & Company, a shipping and mining company, he believed that a revitalized north–south line could dominate the movement of coal, steel, manufactured goods, and agricultural products.

In 1901, Mather quietly began purchasing small, underperforming lines from major systems:

Uses his connections and influence to acquire lines in Ohio coal country and links them to Cleveland's ore docks.
An NYC-controlled former CCC&I segment between Columbus and Springfield that had been downgraded to secondary status.
A struggling NKP line running from Massillon to Akron, with connections to Cleveland.

These acquisitions, completed by 1904, formed a rough skeletal network. Mather’s next move was bold: he petitioned the Ohio legislature for a revival of the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad name under a new charter, arguing that the historic identity still carried weight among shippers and investors. The charter was granted in March 1905.

Building the New CC&C (1910–1920)
Between 1910 and 1915, the CC&C purchased more surplus and abandoned trackage from larger railroads, then filled in missing gaps with new construction:

A Canton–Cleveland high-speed freight cutoff, using heavy 130-lb rail for the anticipated steel and coal traffic.
Marietta and Wheeling extensions to connect the coal region with Ohio River barge traffic.
Purchased an unprofitable PRR line connecting Middletown and Cincinnati.

Mather personally oversaw the building of key bridges and yards, often touring work sites in his private business car. By 1917, with the U.S. entering World War I, CC&C’s coal lines were operating at capacity. The USRA placed the railroad under federal control, assigning troop and munitions trains to its north–south spine.

The Interwar Years (1920–1939)
Returned to private ownership in 1920, the CC&C weathered the 1921 recession through aggressive marketing to manufacturers in Cleveland and Cincinnati. It branded itself as “The Lake to River Route,” emphasizing its role as a direct, all-Ohio connector. During the coal boom of the 1920s, CC&C added modern hopper cars and invested in centralized traffic control (CTC) on its mainline.

The Great Depression hit hard. Industrial shipments declined and coal demand dropped sharply. Mather, now in his late seventies, resisted selling the road, famously saying, “This railroad is my life’s iron spine — bend it and it breaks.” He died of heart disease on October 18, 1931. The company passed to a board of directors and entered voluntary reorganization.

By the mid-1930s, the Depression had thinned freight ledgers, and many eastern trunk lines were devoting their best power and fastest schedules to bridge traffic linking Chicago and the East Coast. In the eyes of many Ohio businesses, the state had become merely a “pass-through” for out-of-state commerce.

The year 1938 changed everything. As coal demand rebounded—driven by steel production, utility expansion, and the first wave of defense orders — CC&C management launched its “Ohio First” pledge. The campaign promised that Ohio cargo would be treated as priority freight, with direct, high-speed service. The program was more than an advertising line. The Triple C invested in modern diesel engines, rebuilt interchange facilities, and streamlined operations.

Shippers responded — rubber from Akron, aircraft parts from Dayton, and machinery from Springfield began moving over CC&C rails in growing volume.

Wartime Surge and Postwar Peak (1940–1953)
World War II transformed the CC&C into one of Ohio’s most vital freight arteries. Coal tonnage tripled between 1941 and 1945, and troop trains frequently moved between Cincinnati and Cleveland without touching congested PRR or NYC mainlines. Wartime infrastructure investments left the railroad in excellent physical shape by 1946.

In the postwar years, CC&C began another aggressive marketing campaign, this time to the public, introducing streamlined passenger service while continuing to focus on its profitable coal and steel traffic. The railroad remained proudly independent, known among shippers and railfans for its clean locomotives and reputation for punctuality.

Though rumors of mergers with larger systems persisted, the CC&C entered the mid-1950s at its traffic peak, a rare example of a revived 19th-century name thriving in the modern diesel era.

Its passenger services link the state’s principal cities in comfort and speed. In an age when most lines stretch their ambitions to distant cities, the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati continues to prove that there is still power, pride, and profit in keeping Ohio First.]]> <![CDATA[Major Issues]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10020 Sun, 16 Mar 2025 06:06:17 +0000 tompm]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10020
I have been having problems with locomotives surging at various locations throughout the layout. This is happening in both DCC and DC. This started after I began working on the siding for the Golden Valley Canning Company. 

The layout is divided into four power districts/sections. This issue is happening in all four districts.

I have tried numerous things.

Cleaned the track several times.
Replaced a couple of suspect pieces of track.
Removed the fuse circuit.

Nothing has helped and I am at my wits end.]]>
I have been having problems with locomotives surging at various locations throughout the layout. This is happening in both DCC and DC. This started after I began working on the siding for the Golden Valley Canning Company. 

The layout is divided into four power districts/sections. This issue is happening in all four districts.

I have tried numerous things.

Cleaned the track several times.
Replaced a couple of suspect pieces of track.
Removed the fuse circuit.

Nothing has helped and I am at my wits end.]]> <![CDATA[Warehouse Row - A switching layout]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9930 Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:25:39 +0000 Porthos63]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9930
My approach for this is to build a model of the layout which allows me to tweak things before actually building it full size. This is where things started:

This is the track plan that I started with. Its based on a Jack Trollope plan called Ness Street Yard. The "box" above the track plan is my initial attempt to represent the benchwork. My intention was just to draw directly on this, but the PVC sheet I used was a bit soft and difficult to draw on and then correct mistakes.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.1,R.jpg (Size: 54.11 KB / Downloads: 686)

This shows some of the small buildings I built up from PVC sheet and doors/windows etc glued on. These came from the DPM template package and reduced to the proper size (or close enough at this point). These are only representations at this point to get an idea of heights and spacing.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.2.R.jpg (Size: 56.86 KB / Downloads: 620)

And since it is a model of a model railroad then it also needs locomotives and freight cars to run on it.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.3.R.jpg (Size: 56.57 KB / Downloads: 607) ]]>
My approach for this is to build a model of the layout which allows me to tweak things before actually building it full size. This is where things started:

This is the track plan that I started with. Its based on a Jack Trollope plan called Ness Street Yard. The "box" above the track plan is my initial attempt to represent the benchwork. My intention was just to draw directly on this, but the PVC sheet I used was a bit soft and difficult to draw on and then correct mistakes.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.1,R.jpg (Size: 54.11 KB / Downloads: 686)

This shows some of the small buildings I built up from PVC sheet and doors/windows etc glued on. These came from the DPM template package and reduced to the proper size (or close enough at this point). These are only representations at this point to get an idea of heights and spacing.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.2.R.jpg (Size: 56.86 KB / Downloads: 620)

And since it is a model of a model railroad then it also needs locomotives and freight cars to run on it.

.jpg   WarehouseRow.Model.3.R.jpg (Size: 56.57 KB / Downloads: 607) ]]> <![CDATA[CNR Kensington Subdivision]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9929 Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:54:09 +0000 Canadian Atlantic Railway]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9929
The Kensington Subdivision is set on Prince Edward island in eastern Canada in the 77-85 era when CN actually served Canada from coast to coast. Traffic traveled to and from the island by car ferry. The section I am modelling is from Traveler's Rest to Summerside. Power will be MLW RSC-14's (There were 38 on CN from 1977 - 1996 and used on light rail trackage. They have A1A trucks to distribute the weight of the loco over poor track. They started out as  standard Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) B-B RS-18's) Caboose (vans) and transfer vans will be used.

I attached a working draft of the track plan. I'll update it as changes take place. 


.jpg   IMG_5507.jpg (Size: 134.2 KB / Downloads: 669)

.jpg   cnf34.jpg (Size: 107.24 KB / Downloads: 639)


.jpg   FB_IMG_1725290522867.jpg (Size: 41.08 KB / Downloads: 637) ]]>
The Kensington Subdivision is set on Prince Edward island in eastern Canada in the 77-85 era when CN actually served Canada from coast to coast. Traffic traveled to and from the island by car ferry. The section I am modelling is from Traveler's Rest to Summerside. Power will be MLW RSC-14's (There were 38 on CN from 1977 - 1996 and used on light rail trackage. They have A1A trucks to distribute the weight of the loco over poor track. They started out as  standard Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) B-B RS-18's) Caboose (vans) and transfer vans will be used.

I attached a working draft of the track plan. I'll update it as changes take place. 


.jpg   IMG_5507.jpg (Size: 134.2 KB / Downloads: 669)

.jpg   cnf34.jpg (Size: 107.24 KB / Downloads: 639)


.jpg   FB_IMG_1725290522867.jpg (Size: 41.08 KB / Downloads: 637) ]]> <![CDATA["PistonBroke" a Computer Controlled Layout]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9773 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:53:37 +0000 OBJack]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9773
I couldn't really find a suitable part of the forum that dealt with this sort of topic so...... here we are.  Icon_cool

I started to do this on the PistonBroke Thread but will now start separate thread here for those who are curious



So I will attempt to copy and Paste the relevant posts from the other thread to refresh and start again and see how we go

 

This new layout will be using a computer to control it (when I call it into action) with the "Train Controller" ®  programme by Freiwald Software
Here is a PDF of the computer drawing of my layout done with the "Train Controller" software
Which is a very simple exercise, just using the mouse as a pencil .


.jpeg   Screen Shot 2020-07-2 at 09-38-06.jpeg (Size: 31.18 KB / Downloads: 632)



Seeing as I was thinking that I wanted to mainly try and run trains with a computer controlling all turnouts timetables and schedules, I tried to keep the layout as level as possible to maximise my grossly inadequate track laying skills, and minimise any future problems. However I do have one line over a tunnel on the layout so as a quick turnaround run is achievable. This meant gouging out two rights of way into my foam baseboard to give the required clearance.




.jpeg   Making incline.jpeg (Size: 245.76 KB / Downloads: 675)   
and

.jpeg   Incline Track.jpeg (Size: 257.6 KB / Downloads: 666)     
The Set-up


When using these computer programmes fun facts are easy to come by ........ if I can just find where to look!!
eg: There are 77 turnouts,
     4 of which are double slips,
     1x3 way turnout
     33 left hand turnouts
     and 37 turnouts are Right hand.
With a few more to add, about 3 I think.
I drive them all with Tortoise switch machines connected to DCC Specialties Wabbit Feedback stationary decoders.
I don't have the feedback component connected yet.



.jpeg   Tortoise & Wabbits.jpeg (Size: 307.48 KB / Downloads: 645)
Moved Wabbit decoders out from under for accessibility 

.jpeg   wabbits.jpeg (Size: 467.48 KB / Downloads: 704)

.jpeg   Notated Wabbits.jpeg (Size: 124.34 KB / Downloads: 645)


each Turnout will be able to be switched from the side of the layout via a momentary on toggle switch, as well as by the throttle and computer ......... eventually.
Below is my crude attempt to make a switchboard with these toggles switches in a busy area of the layout.



.jpeg   IMG_9098.jpeg (Size: 90.81 KB / Downloads: 653)


But they will mainly be just on the side of the layout near the turnout, like this.

.jpeg   ManualSwitches.jpeg (Size: 87.23 KB / Downloads: 608)    
The layout is divided into 75 blocks, for detecting where the trains are at any given time. .....Hopefully...... 
These 2 DR4088's are some of the Block detection modules

.jpeg   IMG_6457.jpeg (Size: 95.81 KB / Downloads: 630)
You just keep adding them in series to increase the number of sections that you need feed back from 

.jpg   DR4088 Setup.jpg (Size: 132.69 KB / Downloads: 639)   
and 5 reverse loops.
 Each Reverse loop is controlled by a DCC Specialties "PSX-AR Power Shield Auto Reverser/circuit breaker"

.jpeg   IMG_4685.jpeg (Size: 100.58 KB / Downloads: 663)    
I know this is not a huge layout compared to some I have seen on the internet in American Basements but I think this will take me more than my lifetime to complete.
Happy days for my kids when the time comes to clean up Pops mess when I depart.   null 
I have a Lenz LVZ100 Controller from my old layout, but I was intrigued by the Digikeijs "DR5000" controller as it has the ability to connect to either Lenz/Rocco (Expressnet System) or the Loconet System, all the while being able to just use a USB to connect to your computer and relay any system Info. to the programme.
Seems like all the magic in one box. 
I bought one, so we will see.  Icon_e_biggrin
Here we go this is the Brains. 

.jpeg   DR 5000 2.jpeg (Size: 335.28 KB / Downloads: 635)
    
I have no idea why I am embarking on this tech Mission, as I would be the least Computer literate fellow around.
I guess it's the Challenge. ...... Wait. Wut. did I just say that!   Icon_rolleyes
But I have started, and I am enjoying the journey, so I guess that's all that matters.


Cheers,   219  Jack

LIFE....

..... Abandon the search for truth  

Look for a good fantasy]]>
I couldn't really find a suitable part of the forum that dealt with this sort of topic so...... here we are.  Icon_cool

I started to do this on the PistonBroke Thread but will now start separate thread here for those who are curious



So I will attempt to copy and Paste the relevant posts from the other thread to refresh and start again and see how we go

 

This new layout will be using a computer to control it (when I call it into action) with the "Train Controller" ®  programme by Freiwald Software
Here is a PDF of the computer drawing of my layout done with the "Train Controller" software
Which is a very simple exercise, just using the mouse as a pencil .


.jpeg   Screen Shot 2020-07-2 at 09-38-06.jpeg (Size: 31.18 KB / Downloads: 632)



Seeing as I was thinking that I wanted to mainly try and run trains with a computer controlling all turnouts timetables and schedules, I tried to keep the layout as level as possible to maximise my grossly inadequate track laying skills, and minimise any future problems. However I do have one line over a tunnel on the layout so as a quick turnaround run is achievable. This meant gouging out two rights of way into my foam baseboard to give the required clearance.




.jpeg   Making incline.jpeg (Size: 245.76 KB / Downloads: 675)   
and

.jpeg   Incline Track.jpeg (Size: 257.6 KB / Downloads: 666)     
The Set-up


When using these computer programmes fun facts are easy to come by ........ if I can just find where to look!!
eg: There are 77 turnouts,
     4 of which are double slips,
     1x3 way turnout
     33 left hand turnouts
     and 37 turnouts are Right hand.
With a few more to add, about 3 I think.
I drive them all with Tortoise switch machines connected to DCC Specialties Wabbit Feedback stationary decoders.
I don't have the feedback component connected yet.



.jpeg   Tortoise & Wabbits.jpeg (Size: 307.48 KB / Downloads: 645)
Moved Wabbit decoders out from under for accessibility 

.jpeg   wabbits.jpeg (Size: 467.48 KB / Downloads: 704)

.jpeg   Notated Wabbits.jpeg (Size: 124.34 KB / Downloads: 645)


each Turnout will be able to be switched from the side of the layout via a momentary on toggle switch, as well as by the throttle and computer ......... eventually.
Below is my crude attempt to make a switchboard with these toggles switches in a busy area of the layout.



.jpeg   IMG_9098.jpeg (Size: 90.81 KB / Downloads: 653)


But they will mainly be just on the side of the layout near the turnout, like this.

.jpeg   ManualSwitches.jpeg (Size: 87.23 KB / Downloads: 608)    
The layout is divided into 75 blocks, for detecting where the trains are at any given time. .....Hopefully...... 
These 2 DR4088's are some of the Block detection modules

.jpeg   IMG_6457.jpeg (Size: 95.81 KB / Downloads: 630)
You just keep adding them in series to increase the number of sections that you need feed back from 

.jpg   DR4088 Setup.jpg (Size: 132.69 KB / Downloads: 639)   
and 5 reverse loops.
 Each Reverse loop is controlled by a DCC Specialties "PSX-AR Power Shield Auto Reverser/circuit breaker"

.jpeg   IMG_4685.jpeg (Size: 100.58 KB / Downloads: 663)    
I know this is not a huge layout compared to some I have seen on the internet in American Basements but I think this will take me more than my lifetime to complete.
Happy days for my kids when the time comes to clean up Pops mess when I depart.   null 
I have a Lenz LVZ100 Controller from my old layout, but I was intrigued by the Digikeijs "DR5000" controller as it has the ability to connect to either Lenz/Rocco (Expressnet System) or the Loconet System, all the while being able to just use a USB to connect to your computer and relay any system Info. to the programme.
Seems like all the magic in one box. 
I bought one, so we will see.  Icon_e_biggrin
Here we go this is the Brains. 

.jpeg   DR 5000 2.jpeg (Size: 335.28 KB / Downloads: 635)
    
I have no idea why I am embarking on this tech Mission, as I would be the least Computer literate fellow around.
I guess it's the Challenge. ...... Wait. Wut. did I just say that!   Icon_rolleyes
But I have started, and I am enjoying the journey, so I guess that's all that matters.


Cheers,   219  Jack

LIFE....

..... Abandon the search for truth  

Look for a good fantasy]]> <![CDATA[Boswald Connection, shunting layout]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9686 Fri, 06 Jan 2023 21:03:36 +0000 Kitty]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9686
So, I got to this forum through a YouTube video from The Pixel Depot that took inspiration from a layout here: 59th and Rust
Now I would like to document and discuss my journey into making my own layout.
I am living in Germany and my "play" layout will be modeling a fictional place here, but still decided to post here for the reasons above.
Hoping it could be interesting and would love to get any feedback.

As a kid, I inherited a simple analog layout with one siding that I ended up passing on to my nephew.
Back then, I did barely have the skills to build together a simple plastic kit without modifications.
Frankly, only driving in circles started to bore me to tears.

This time around I have the following:
- a 2m * 60cm baseplate (6,56 foot * 1,97 foot / 78,74 inch * 23,6 inch, what do you use?)
- a V60 small Diesel Shunting locomotive
- Some freight wagons (6 running, 3 needing DC wheels, 5 bought)
- Too many tools, but no clue


.bmp   Scarm.bmp (Size: 489.01 KB / Downloads: 1196)

The idea for my layout is a small shunting yard a little off the main line.
Once having only a small woodworking shop in the basement of a house, it grew.
Now holding a larger woodworking shop, a brewery, a small good shed and a team track.
Easy to see that this yard is too small for the amount of traffic.

Hoping the pictures want to attach, and happy to no longer be lurking only
Kitty

[attachment=39810]
.jpg   PXL_20230106_191211033.jpg (Size: 474.13 KB / Downloads: 1123)
.jpg   PXL_20230106_191109240.jpg (Size: 486.93 KB / Downloads: 1161) ]]>
So, I got to this forum through a YouTube video from The Pixel Depot that took inspiration from a layout here: 59th and Rust
Now I would like to document and discuss my journey into making my own layout.
I am living in Germany and my "play" layout will be modeling a fictional place here, but still decided to post here for the reasons above.
Hoping it could be interesting and would love to get any feedback.

As a kid, I inherited a simple analog layout with one siding that I ended up passing on to my nephew.
Back then, I did barely have the skills to build together a simple plastic kit without modifications.
Frankly, only driving in circles started to bore me to tears.

This time around I have the following:
- a 2m * 60cm baseplate (6,56 foot * 1,97 foot / 78,74 inch * 23,6 inch, what do you use?)
- a V60 small Diesel Shunting locomotive
- Some freight wagons (6 running, 3 needing DC wheels, 5 bought)
- Too many tools, but no clue


.bmp   Scarm.bmp (Size: 489.01 KB / Downloads: 1196)

The idea for my layout is a small shunting yard a little off the main line.
Once having only a small woodworking shop in the basement of a house, it grew.
Now holding a larger woodworking shop, a brewery, a small good shed and a team track.
Easy to see that this yard is too small for the amount of traffic.

Hoping the pictures want to attach, and happy to no longer be lurking only
Kitty

[attachment=39810]
.jpg   PXL_20230106_191211033.jpg (Size: 474.13 KB / Downloads: 1123)
.jpg   PXL_20230106_191109240.jpg (Size: 486.93 KB / Downloads: 1161) ]]> <![CDATA[Canadian Atlantic Railway - Dominion Atlantic Railway subsidiary]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9643 Mon, 19 Sep 2022 01:45:09 +0000 Canadian Atlantic Railway]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9643 Canadian Atlantic & Maine (CAM) & the Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR). The Canadian Atlantic family is strictly a GE railway with U23B/U36B's being the core of the fleet. CAR also has a leasing arm that is strictly EMD 645 equipped unit's. More on it in another post.

This is all freelance set in the present day although the Canadian Atlantic Railway and Dominion Atlantic Railway names have been recycled.




.jpg   FB_IMG_1661563401947.jpg (Size: 164.7 KB / Downloads: 1215) ]]> Canadian Atlantic & Maine (CAM) & the Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR). The Canadian Atlantic family is strictly a GE railway with U23B/U36B's being the core of the fleet. CAR also has a leasing arm that is strictly EMD 645 equipped unit's. More on it in another post.

This is all freelance set in the present day although the Canadian Atlantic Railway and Dominion Atlantic Railway names have been recycled.




.jpg   FB_IMG_1661563401947.jpg (Size: 164.7 KB / Downloads: 1215) ]]> <![CDATA[Rainbows in the Lehigh Valley Gorge]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9623 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:27:48 +0000 TMo]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9623 Here we go....  my thread on this forum for my model railroad.  Hope to add to this - paralleling my website devoted to the same subject.

I'll start at the beginning in Armstrong fashion by filling out the Givens and Druthers:

This is the “Givens and Druthers” that the late John Armstrong used when designing layouts for people. It’s a very useful way to clarify your thoughts about what you want to do with yoThis is the “Givens and Druthers” that the late John Armstrong used when designing layouts for people. It’s a very useful way to clarify your thoughts about what you want to do with your model railroad.

Givens and Druthers

"Rainbows in the Gorge"
Scale:  HO
Gauge: Standard

Prototype: The section of the ex-Lehigh Valley mainline running between Jim Thorpe through White Haven, PA, now known as the Lehigh Valley Gorge.  The trackage rights were owned by Conrail, but the Delaware and Hudson also had rights on the same tracks during the period I'm modeling. 

Era: Summer of 1976
Region: Lehigh Valley Gorge
Railroad: Conrail and Delaware and Hudson

Space:

The layout runs around my office, which is a wierd space in my basement.  Diagram is below:


.jpg   Office Space.jpg (Size: 24.26 KB / Downloads: 1719)


Governing Rolling Stock: Primary trains running through the gorge included the Apollo TOFC trains on 89' flat cars.  I also run a coal drag and a local cement train running from Allentown to Wilkes Barre.

Relative Emphasis: (move the V)

|___________________________________V__________|
Track/Operation .................................................. ..Scenic realism
|____V_________________________________________|
Mainline Running .................................................. ........ Switching

Operation Priorities: (rearrange as required)

1. Main-Line Freight Train Operations

Typical operating Crew: ___1___

Eye Level (Owner) _63__In.



Add to this any features required or intolerable (e.g. duckunders, multiple levels).ur model railroad.

Features include sharp turns and grades running at around 2% - 2 duckunders were deemed necessary to allow the office to function.  Eye level operation and freedom below the layout for storage and access.  I wanted to store trains on the lower level and have them magically appear on the upper level using a tunnel (there is one in the gorge at Rockport) and some cleverly disguised buildings in the town of Hazleton.

Next post will be my track diagram (circa 2006 in pencil).]]> Here we go....  my thread on this forum for my model railroad.  Hope to add to this - paralleling my website devoted to the same subject.

I'll start at the beginning in Armstrong fashion by filling out the Givens and Druthers:

This is the “Givens and Druthers” that the late John Armstrong used when designing layouts for people. It’s a very useful way to clarify your thoughts about what you want to do with yoThis is the “Givens and Druthers” that the late John Armstrong used when designing layouts for people. It’s a very useful way to clarify your thoughts about what you want to do with your model railroad.

Givens and Druthers

"Rainbows in the Gorge"
Scale:  HO
Gauge: Standard

Prototype: The section of the ex-Lehigh Valley mainline running between Jim Thorpe through White Haven, PA, now known as the Lehigh Valley Gorge.  The trackage rights were owned by Conrail, but the Delaware and Hudson also had rights on the same tracks during the period I'm modeling. 

Era: Summer of 1976
Region: Lehigh Valley Gorge
Railroad: Conrail and Delaware and Hudson

Space:

The layout runs around my office, which is a wierd space in my basement.  Diagram is below:


.jpg   Office Space.jpg (Size: 24.26 KB / Downloads: 1719)


Governing Rolling Stock: Primary trains running through the gorge included the Apollo TOFC trains on 89' flat cars.  I also run a coal drag and a local cement train running from Allentown to Wilkes Barre.

Relative Emphasis: (move the V)

|___________________________________V__________|
Track/Operation .................................................. ..Scenic realism
|____V_________________________________________|
Mainline Running .................................................. ........ Switching

Operation Priorities: (rearrange as required)

1. Main-Line Freight Train Operations

Typical operating Crew: ___1___

Eye Level (Owner) _63__In.



Add to this any features required or intolerable (e.g. duckunders, multiple levels).ur model railroad.

Features include sharp turns and grades running at around 2% - 2 duckunders were deemed necessary to allow the office to function.  Eye level operation and freedom below the layout for storage and access.  I wanted to store trains on the lower level and have them magically appear on the upper level using a tunnel (there is one in the gorge at Rockport) and some cleverly disguised buildings in the town of Hazleton.

Next post will be my track diagram (circa 2006 in pencil).]]> <![CDATA[loft layout]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9462 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 21:46:48 +0000 mr bachmann]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9462 Dried and cleaned track has been re-laid and now my first attempt at balasting (Woodlands)


.jpg   user1273_pic32536_1591288943.jpg (Size: 125.83 KB / Downloads: 1174) ]]> Dried and cleaned track has been re-laid and now my first attempt at balasting (Woodlands)


.jpg   user1273_pic32536_1591288943.jpg (Size: 125.83 KB / Downloads: 1174) ]]> <![CDATA[Rescuing and possibly restoring a Layout section]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9423 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 15:25:14 +0000 cnrglen]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9423 My friend and I were wondering what happened to his layout since we weren't involved in the take down on it but a few weeks ago some of his equipment started to show up on Ebay. and this past week the section of the layout that I had always wanted went up for sale. Here's a few pictures of the section 'Hemsley' taken in 2016 while it was on his layout:


.jpg   DSCF6542.JPG (Size: 470.5 KB / Downloads: 1098)


.jpg   DSCF6544.JPG (Size: 468.36 KB / Downloads: 1077)

Hemsley was built by another model railroader that I knew and the owner of this layout incorporated it into this one. I believe the structures are a mix of scratchbuilt and Campbells.
Anyway, Hemsley was for sale for the low price of 26$ and I only had to think about it for about 3 seconds before hitting the 'buy in now' button. Yesterday My friend and I drove about an hour away to pick it up. This is what I got:


.jpg   DSCF9605.JPG (Size: 240.24 KB / Downloads: 1098)


.jpg   DSCF9615.JPG (Size: 284.72 KB / Downloads: 1040)

The section is 41X15" unfortunately it was removed with either a Jig saw or Sawz-all and the sides and back cuts are a bit butchered as well as the track.]]> My friend and I were wondering what happened to his layout since we weren't involved in the take down on it but a few weeks ago some of his equipment started to show up on Ebay. and this past week the section of the layout that I had always wanted went up for sale. Here's a few pictures of the section 'Hemsley' taken in 2016 while it was on his layout:


.jpg   DSCF6542.JPG (Size: 470.5 KB / Downloads: 1098)


.jpg   DSCF6544.JPG (Size: 468.36 KB / Downloads: 1077)

Hemsley was built by another model railroader that I knew and the owner of this layout incorporated it into this one. I believe the structures are a mix of scratchbuilt and Campbells.
Anyway, Hemsley was for sale for the low price of 26$ and I only had to think about it for about 3 seconds before hitting the 'buy in now' button. Yesterday My friend and I drove about an hour away to pick it up. This is what I got:


.jpg   DSCF9605.JPG (Size: 240.24 KB / Downloads: 1098)


.jpg   DSCF9615.JPG (Size: 284.72 KB / Downloads: 1040)

The section is 41X15" unfortunately it was removed with either a Jig saw or Sawz-all and the sides and back cuts are a bit butchered as well as the track.]]> <![CDATA[Port Able Railway 2021]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9348 Wed, 12 May 2021 15:25:01 +0000 Mike Kieran]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9348
.jpg   Port Able Railway 60x40 inch 2 piece 5-12-2021 v1.0.JPG (Size: 131.45 KB / Downloads: 1257)
PORT ABLE RAILWAY
Reporting Marks: PA
The railroad is about a mile long and handles 650 cars per year.

Customers                              Maximum Weekly Carloads In/Out

Wattsup Dock & Transloading                                              4/4
Ed Ibble Foods Inc.                                                             4/1
Hertz Uranus Chair Corp.                                                     2/0
Total                                                                               10/5

Back in 1970, with the collapse of the Paddle Creek Bridge due to fire and thus severing the branch to the Port Able Navy Yard, The Atlantic Lines decided to abandon the Navy Yard Branch. The last 3 customers on the line, Wattsup Dock & Transloading, Ed Ibble Foods, and the Hertz Uranus Chair Company did not wish to end rail service. Enter recently retired Port Able Division Supervisor, Artie Fischel decided to supplement his retirement income as well as relieve his boredom by purchasing the 1 mile industrial track and creating the Port Able Railway. He started operations with a GE 45 tonner purchased from government surplus and an old caboose, since there were no longer any runarounds, the train would travel up the branch line caboose first. In it's first year of operations, the railroad handled a modest 250 cars. by the end of his tenure at the helm, it increased to 650 cars per year.In 1979, Artie decided that he no longer had the energy to run the railroad.  It was time for his full retirement and he wished to sell the short line for a modest profit while doubling the traffic that he started with. Two of his railroad employees, Andy Scores along with Pat Onnabach, purchase the railroad and resumed operations.

While I've been off the grid for a little while, a new abode will allow me to pursue my model railroading endeavors. I still don't have access to permanent wall space, but I will still make use of my dining table which measures out to a standard 5 feet by 3 feet. The layout will measure 60x40 inches and fold in half. As many of you know, I love short lines, switchers, no runaround caboose shoves, industries that receive AND ship freight, and portability. It will fit in the tailgate of most cars in case I want to transport it and it will have storage for the locomotives, cars, and DC/DCC power pack (in case I run older engines). 

The track is Atlas Code 83 with an 18 inch minimum radius and 4 Snap Track 18 inch radius turnouts. I know that this roundy round layout isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I hope to share that there are possible options out there. As usual, I put out a car loadings chart. The purpose of this is so that I can plan out the traffic with car cards and to decide on the inventory that I wish to have with regards to rolling stock purchases. I will use a variety of rolling stock. With the transload/team track, I can literally have any freight car on the Port Able Railway's tracks.

The operation is simple. I will shuffle my car cards (each piece of rolling stock will have it's own card), then roll a dice. if it rolls an even number, there are 2 cars at the interchange. When cars are ready go back to the interchange, the same will happen in reverse. I downloaded a dice rolling app to my phone and I will use 2 colored 6 sided die, green for incoming and red for outgoing traffic. I figure that setup, operation, and putting away the layout will take approximately 1 hour. I will use a 4:1 fast clock (1 hour is 15 minutes) and only operate 2-3 hours of a crew's work day. Hertz Uranus does have outgoing shipments of chair kits in box cars every other week.

A friend on my Tonawanda Island Railroad page in Facebook was the railroad's General Manager. From discussions with him, I learned that he had many varied daily duties. He would run the train; handle billing & paperwork; the railroad's own bills; make phone calls to Conrail the Delaware & Hudson regarding routing and charges; talk to customers and local politicians; maintenance; fueling; filing and typing; and cleaning the toilet (his words). I then came to the realization that the train operations didn't happen for 8 hours each day.]]>
.jpg   Port Able Railway 60x40 inch 2 piece 5-12-2021 v1.0.JPG (Size: 131.45 KB / Downloads: 1257)
PORT ABLE RAILWAY
Reporting Marks: PA
The railroad is about a mile long and handles 650 cars per year.

Customers                              Maximum Weekly Carloads In/Out

Wattsup Dock & Transloading                                              4/4
Ed Ibble Foods Inc.                                                             4/1
Hertz Uranus Chair Corp.                                                     2/0
Total                                                                               10/5

Back in 1970, with the collapse of the Paddle Creek Bridge due to fire and thus severing the branch to the Port Able Navy Yard, The Atlantic Lines decided to abandon the Navy Yard Branch. The last 3 customers on the line, Wattsup Dock & Transloading, Ed Ibble Foods, and the Hertz Uranus Chair Company did not wish to end rail service. Enter recently retired Port Able Division Supervisor, Artie Fischel decided to supplement his retirement income as well as relieve his boredom by purchasing the 1 mile industrial track and creating the Port Able Railway. He started operations with a GE 45 tonner purchased from government surplus and an old caboose, since there were no longer any runarounds, the train would travel up the branch line caboose first. In it's first year of operations, the railroad handled a modest 250 cars. by the end of his tenure at the helm, it increased to 650 cars per year.In 1979, Artie decided that he no longer had the energy to run the railroad.  It was time for his full retirement and he wished to sell the short line for a modest profit while doubling the traffic that he started with. Two of his railroad employees, Andy Scores along with Pat Onnabach, purchase the railroad and resumed operations.

While I've been off the grid for a little while, a new abode will allow me to pursue my model railroading endeavors. I still don't have access to permanent wall space, but I will still make use of my dining table which measures out to a standard 5 feet by 3 feet. The layout will measure 60x40 inches and fold in half. As many of you know, I love short lines, switchers, no runaround caboose shoves, industries that receive AND ship freight, and portability. It will fit in the tailgate of most cars in case I want to transport it and it will have storage for the locomotives, cars, and DC/DCC power pack (in case I run older engines). 

The track is Atlas Code 83 with an 18 inch minimum radius and 4 Snap Track 18 inch radius turnouts. I know that this roundy round layout isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I hope to share that there are possible options out there. As usual, I put out a car loadings chart. The purpose of this is so that I can plan out the traffic with car cards and to decide on the inventory that I wish to have with regards to rolling stock purchases. I will use a variety of rolling stock. With the transload/team track, I can literally have any freight car on the Port Able Railway's tracks.

The operation is simple. I will shuffle my car cards (each piece of rolling stock will have it's own card), then roll a dice. if it rolls an even number, there are 2 cars at the interchange. When cars are ready go back to the interchange, the same will happen in reverse. I downloaded a dice rolling app to my phone and I will use 2 colored 6 sided die, green for incoming and red for outgoing traffic. I figure that setup, operation, and putting away the layout will take approximately 1 hour. I will use a 4:1 fast clock (1 hour is 15 minutes) and only operate 2-3 hours of a crew's work day. Hertz Uranus does have outgoing shipments of chair kits in box cars every other week.

A friend on my Tonawanda Island Railroad page in Facebook was the railroad's General Manager. From discussions with him, I learned that he had many varied daily duties. He would run the train; handle billing & paperwork; the railroad's own bills; make phone calls to Conrail the Delaware & Hudson regarding routing and charges; talk to customers and local politicians; maintenance; fueling; filing and typing; and cleaning the toilet (his words). I then came to the realization that the train operations didn't happen for 8 hours each day.]]> <![CDATA[Making a swinging type bridge.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9286 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:13:00 +0000 toptrain]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9286  Things change! A hurried attempt to pass under the main line has caused a red painful bump to appear on your forehead. It all happened so fast there wasn’t much to remember but the cause, the attempt, and the result. Well, something needs to be done! The information available in layout-related magazines and books all point to one fix, a removable or hinged track section.
  My first attempt actually worked rather well. My 2 track bridge hinged down. When lifted it fits up into a restricted place where no left or right movement was possible. Once up at the correct height, a metal supporting piece hinged up underneath, and a pin held it in place allowing no movement in any direction except slightly up to allow for the metal support to be un-pined.
   Next, I saw in a railroad magazine a gate type of movable bridge hinged on one side allowing 90 degrees of movement creating a swinging gate. Well, I abandoned my lift-type bridge to build a swinging gate type. Now knowing what has happened I should have remained with the lift type. I am certain I can get my swinging gate type bridge alining better after some more additional work.
frank


.jpg   IMG_8035 - Copy.JPG (Size: 215.69 KB / Downloads: 972) ]]>  Things change! A hurried attempt to pass under the main line has caused a red painful bump to appear on your forehead. It all happened so fast there wasn’t much to remember but the cause, the attempt, and the result. Well, something needs to be done! The information available in layout-related magazines and books all point to one fix, a removable or hinged track section.
  My first attempt actually worked rather well. My 2 track bridge hinged down. When lifted it fits up into a restricted place where no left or right movement was possible. Once up at the correct height, a metal supporting piece hinged up underneath, and a pin held it in place allowing no movement in any direction except slightly up to allow for the metal support to be un-pined.
   Next, I saw in a railroad magazine a gate type of movable bridge hinged on one side allowing 90 degrees of movement creating a swinging gate. Well, I abandoned my lift-type bridge to build a swinging gate type. Now knowing what has happened I should have remained with the lift type. I am certain I can get my swinging gate type bridge alining better after some more additional work.
frank


.jpg   IMG_8035 - Copy.JPG (Size: 215.69 KB / Downloads: 972) ]]> <![CDATA[Amtrak New York Division/Conrail Atlantic Region]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9264 Mon, 18 Jan 2021 17:28:22 +0000 Green_Elite_Cab]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9264
As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to model the Northeast Corridor. 

That is not an easy prototype, there are challenges beyond the catenary.  The Northeast Corridor is by its nature, more of a "heavy mainline operation".    4-6 track mainline,  frequent passenger and commuter trains,  and "distinctive" NEC pieces of equipment like the Jersey Arrow commuter cars and the E44s are EXTREMELY rare items.  You might find one or two Arrow III kits,  but you'd need many to actually start making a representative model of operations.

However,  I think I have actually overcome that obstacle.  I have enough Amtrak and Commuter equipment (including 34 Arrow IIIs) to the point where I think I could keep up with the "flow"  of the Northeast Corridor and still have larger, more prototypical consists.  I've managed to snag some of the more rare distinctive pieces like a GP40P and 4 pairs of Arrow IIs,  and I have 4 E44As to supplement the more readily available E33s and GG1s in freight service.  

I have manage to match the volume of the prototype, which is still unreal to me.  

The real problem, is building a satisfying layout to run it all on. 

I definitely have my braindead days after work, so I would totally appreciate just "watching the trains go",  but I also do like operations,  especially after having gotten a taste of them at my local train club.  Unfortunately, the "mainline running" nature of the NEC isn't very conducive to that. 

There are areas that DO have freight switching,  but they have some limitations.  

Through central NJ, in the towns of Deans, Adams, and New Brunswick,  there were "ought" tracks that ran along side the NEC that had switching at some point.  You can still see them when you ride up today, but many of these spurs are clearly abandoned, and its not clear even if the ought track itself is in service, or when they were last served, though they are present on a 1987 Conrail ZTS chart.  These were apparently the last bastion of cabooses on Conrail, since they had no "run around", and so the trains switched the line in one long back up move.  Pictures of any of this operation as basically non-existent, probably due to accessibility and the fact that the whole area could be considered "boring".   It would however, be the easiest to do, since the NEC is only 4 tracks wide,  and any extra depth for the ought tracks wouldn't be too painful to do.


.png   Adams New Brunswick.png (Size: 104.17 KB / Downloads: 1125)

Farther north, the first freight yard you hit would be Metuchen, which supported the nearby Ford Metuchen Assembly plant.   There are tons of local industries in this area,  but the yard is the only thing near the NEC.   You could easily make a whole "industrial shortline" layout based on these tracks,  and I actually have an article published in November 1980 that discusses in detail the movement of freight between Metuchen's yard and its local industries.  As the diagram below shows however, the majority of all of this is out of sight of the Northeast Corridor itself.  This wouldn't be so bad if I had more space for a peninsula to work with.    The other "concern" is that this area south of  "Union interlocking" where the Jersey Shore trains would diverge from the NEC.  This means that the only common NJ DOT trains would be Arrow IIIs, and the GP40Ps and the GG1s in commuter service would not normally stray this far south.  


.jpg   20210118_113121.jpg (Size: 75.52 KB / Downloads: 977)

The next best location is Stiles Street Yard in Linden NJ.   This is ideal, since there is a large yard, with lots of industries around it.    You could basically make an entire layout around the operations here.  Present is the GM Assembly plant,  Merck Pharmaceuticals, and a few odds and ends that appear to take general freight.  It is also north of Union Interlocking,  so it would be realistic to have Jersey Shore trains passing by.  I also own a New York Division dispatcher sheet that details some of the activity as far as trains entering and leaving the yard. 

The main limitation is that the area is thick.   The Northeast Corridor is not only 6 tracks here,  but there is some big space between Track 1 and Track 2 for reasons I don't understand.   Stiles Street yard and its associated running tracks are also  parallel and large,  and while only a few of the yard's tracks are electrified,  it would mean that all of that would be towards the back of a shelf style layout.    The orientation of the GM plant and the size of the auto-parts cars means that  it will require longer, broader curves, that mean the assembly plant might need to jut out on its own peninsula.   

There is just a lot going on, and while any of these prototypes would require selective compression, this one would DEFINITELY need to be cut down.  


.png   Stiles Street yard.png (Size: 474.17 KB / Downloads: 1119)

So you can see why I am struggling a bit.  

Givens and Druthers

Amtrak New York Division/Conrail Atlantic Region (NJ Division?)
Scale: HO
Gauge: Standard

Prototype: Conrail,  Amtrak, NJ DOT

   Era:1979
   Region: Northern NJ
   Railroad: Northeast Corridor

Space:

Essentially, I have space for something similar to a semi-dog bone layout that is 40' long, ~11' wide on the ends, and ~5' wide in the middle.   The previous owners partially finished the basement, so one room is nice (and I'll probably store my trains and work tables in there) but the rest of the basement is unfinished.  There are a pair of unfinished walls where one only has partial drywall and some electrical switches installed, and the other is just the 2x4s. Both look easy to remove.  I can't invade the entire basement since we need room for other things,  but if I needed to extend the curve of the dog bones a few feet beyond the 11' boundary, I can. 

The only concern I have is in the back corner, there is my sump pump, which I would like to be accessible.   The breaker cabinet is technically just beyond the edge of the partial wall on the bottom right, and though I don't intend to block it, it is there.  

There are no overhead limitations.


.png   Screenshot_3.png (Size: 32.19 KB / Downloads: 1053)

Governing Rolling Stock: 89' TOFC/Autoracks,  86' Hi-cube Boxcars, 85' passenger cars.  

Relative Emphasis:

I would like to keep operations and scenic realism somewhat balanced.  That said, despite the NEC being a largely "mainline running" kind of railroad,  I would like to focus on areas where there is switching.  

|______________________V_______________________|
Track/Operation .................................................. ..Scenic realism
|_________________________V____________________|
Mainline Running .................................................. ........ Switching

Operation Priorities: (rearrange as required)

  1. Local Freight Operations
  2. Main-Line Passenger Train Operation
  3. Long Freight Train Operations
  4. Passenger Train Switching 
  5. Engine Terminal Movements
  6. Helper District Operations

Typical operating Crew: 2-3

Eye Level (Owner)- I'm 6'2",  so my eyes are probably somewhere just below that.

Other considerations:

Considerations for catenary are a must.  This means I need the vertical clearance, but it also means keeping the track in the electrified areas relatively simple.

I would like to have a multi-deck layout where the lower level is staging for longer passenger trains and mainline freights. 

Trackplan attempt.

I did attempt to make a "Stiles Street Yard" trackplan in my space, but it strikes me as being a bit "much".  To start, the GM plant tracks (and to a lesser extent, the Merck tracks) stick out very far.   I am considering making these spurs be detachable modules so they can be stored when not in opreation.     Next, even with just the yard in place, it will be very deep going back to the mainline.  There are no switches back there (and I'm not crazy enough to model the industries on the westbound side of the tracks) but that could still be an issue to reach that far.    My train club has a special "platform" that can sit on its station tracks and support my weight for when work needs to be done in the city out of reach,  so I might need to do something similar.   There would also need to be a "duck" under and pit in the top right corner, so that  operators could more readily switch the "B" Yard and industries. 

Almost all the mainline switches are just "place holders",  the big gray circles are helixes where the outside radius is I believe 42", to accomadate a 4 track broad helix.    The switches are long enough to accomodate the 86' boxcars and 89' autoracks where necessary, though on shorter stub tracks I've employed tighter curves and switches. 

I am proud of getting many of the tracks in, even though I know I will cut a few of them in the end.    Its just a shame there isn't more depth in my space.   If i was able to build the layout slightly away from the wall, i could make pop-ups from behind to access it.


.png   Screenshot_2.png (Size: 142.33 KB / Downloads: 969)

Welp, thats all I've got for now.   Very much open to ideas and suggestions, because I am far from satisfied.]]>
As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to model the Northeast Corridor. 

That is not an easy prototype, there are challenges beyond the catenary.  The Northeast Corridor is by its nature, more of a "heavy mainline operation".    4-6 track mainline,  frequent passenger and commuter trains,  and "distinctive" NEC pieces of equipment like the Jersey Arrow commuter cars and the E44s are EXTREMELY rare items.  You might find one or two Arrow III kits,  but you'd need many to actually start making a representative model of operations.

However,  I think I have actually overcome that obstacle.  I have enough Amtrak and Commuter equipment (including 34 Arrow IIIs) to the point where I think I could keep up with the "flow"  of the Northeast Corridor and still have larger, more prototypical consists.  I've managed to snag some of the more rare distinctive pieces like a GP40P and 4 pairs of Arrow IIs,  and I have 4 E44As to supplement the more readily available E33s and GG1s in freight service.  

I have manage to match the volume of the prototype, which is still unreal to me.  

The real problem, is building a satisfying layout to run it all on. 

I definitely have my braindead days after work, so I would totally appreciate just "watching the trains go",  but I also do like operations,  especially after having gotten a taste of them at my local train club.  Unfortunately, the "mainline running" nature of the NEC isn't very conducive to that. 

There are areas that DO have freight switching,  but they have some limitations.  

Through central NJ, in the towns of Deans, Adams, and New Brunswick,  there were "ought" tracks that ran along side the NEC that had switching at some point.  You can still see them when you ride up today, but many of these spurs are clearly abandoned, and its not clear even if the ought track itself is in service, or when they were last served, though they are present on a 1987 Conrail ZTS chart.  These were apparently the last bastion of cabooses on Conrail, since they had no "run around", and so the trains switched the line in one long back up move.  Pictures of any of this operation as basically non-existent, probably due to accessibility and the fact that the whole area could be considered "boring".   It would however, be the easiest to do, since the NEC is only 4 tracks wide,  and any extra depth for the ought tracks wouldn't be too painful to do.


.png   Adams New Brunswick.png (Size: 104.17 KB / Downloads: 1125)

Farther north, the first freight yard you hit would be Metuchen, which supported the nearby Ford Metuchen Assembly plant.   There are tons of local industries in this area,  but the yard is the only thing near the NEC.   You could easily make a whole "industrial shortline" layout based on these tracks,  and I actually have an article published in November 1980 that discusses in detail the movement of freight between Metuchen's yard and its local industries.  As the diagram below shows however, the majority of all of this is out of sight of the Northeast Corridor itself.  This wouldn't be so bad if I had more space for a peninsula to work with.    The other "concern" is that this area south of  "Union interlocking" where the Jersey Shore trains would diverge from the NEC.  This means that the only common NJ DOT trains would be Arrow IIIs, and the GP40Ps and the GG1s in commuter service would not normally stray this far south.  


.jpg   20210118_113121.jpg (Size: 75.52 KB / Downloads: 977)

The next best location is Stiles Street Yard in Linden NJ.   This is ideal, since there is a large yard, with lots of industries around it.    You could basically make an entire layout around the operations here.  Present is the GM Assembly plant,  Merck Pharmaceuticals, and a few odds and ends that appear to take general freight.  It is also north of Union Interlocking,  so it would be realistic to have Jersey Shore trains passing by.  I also own a New York Division dispatcher sheet that details some of the activity as far as trains entering and leaving the yard. 

The main limitation is that the area is thick.   The Northeast Corridor is not only 6 tracks here,  but there is some big space between Track 1 and Track 2 for reasons I don't understand.   Stiles Street yard and its associated running tracks are also  parallel and large,  and while only a few of the yard's tracks are electrified,  it would mean that all of that would be towards the back of a shelf style layout.    The orientation of the GM plant and the size of the auto-parts cars means that  it will require longer, broader curves, that mean the assembly plant might need to jut out on its own peninsula.   

There is just a lot going on, and while any of these prototypes would require selective compression, this one would DEFINITELY need to be cut down.  


.png   Stiles Street yard.png (Size: 474.17 KB / Downloads: 1119)

So you can see why I am struggling a bit.  

Givens and Druthers

Amtrak New York Division/Conrail Atlantic Region (NJ Division?)
Scale: HO
Gauge: Standard

Prototype: Conrail,  Amtrak, NJ DOT

   Era:1979
   Region: Northern NJ
   Railroad: Northeast Corridor

Space:

Essentially, I have space for something similar to a semi-dog bone layout that is 40' long, ~11' wide on the ends, and ~5' wide in the middle.   The previous owners partially finished the basement, so one room is nice (and I'll probably store my trains and work tables in there) but the rest of the basement is unfinished.  There are a pair of unfinished walls where one only has partial drywall and some electrical switches installed, and the other is just the 2x4s. Both look easy to remove.  I can't invade the entire basement since we need room for other things,  but if I needed to extend the curve of the dog bones a few feet beyond the 11' boundary, I can. 

The only concern I have is in the back corner, there is my sump pump, which I would like to be accessible.   The breaker cabinet is technically just beyond the edge of the partial wall on the bottom right, and though I don't intend to block it, it is there.  

There are no overhead limitations.


.png   Screenshot_3.png (Size: 32.19 KB / Downloads: 1053)

Governing Rolling Stock: 89' TOFC/Autoracks,  86' Hi-cube Boxcars, 85' passenger cars.  

Relative Emphasis:

I would like to keep operations and scenic realism somewhat balanced.  That said, despite the NEC being a largely "mainline running" kind of railroad,  I would like to focus on areas where there is switching.  

|______________________V_______________________|
Track/Operation .................................................. ..Scenic realism
|_________________________V____________________|
Mainline Running .................................................. ........ Switching

Operation Priorities: (rearrange as required)

  1. Local Freight Operations
  2. Main-Line Passenger Train Operation
  3. Long Freight Train Operations
  4. Passenger Train Switching 
  5. Engine Terminal Movements
  6. Helper District Operations

Typical operating Crew: 2-3

Eye Level (Owner)- I'm 6'2",  so my eyes are probably somewhere just below that.

Other considerations:

Considerations for catenary are a must.  This means I need the vertical clearance, but it also means keeping the track in the electrified areas relatively simple.

I would like to have a multi-deck layout where the lower level is staging for longer passenger trains and mainline freights. 

Trackplan attempt.

I did attempt to make a "Stiles Street Yard" trackplan in my space, but it strikes me as being a bit "much".  To start, the GM plant tracks (and to a lesser extent, the Merck tracks) stick out very far.   I am considering making these spurs be detachable modules so they can be stored when not in opreation.     Next, even with just the yard in place, it will be very deep going back to the mainline.  There are no switches back there (and I'm not crazy enough to model the industries on the westbound side of the tracks) but that could still be an issue to reach that far.    My train club has a special "platform" that can sit on its station tracks and support my weight for when work needs to be done in the city out of reach,  so I might need to do something similar.   There would also need to be a "duck" under and pit in the top right corner, so that  operators could more readily switch the "B" Yard and industries. 

Almost all the mainline switches are just "place holders",  the big gray circles are helixes where the outside radius is I believe 42", to accomadate a 4 track broad helix.    The switches are long enough to accomodate the 86' boxcars and 89' autoracks where necessary, though on shorter stub tracks I've employed tighter curves and switches. 

I am proud of getting many of the tracks in, even though I know I will cut a few of them in the end.    Its just a shame there isn't more depth in my space.   If i was able to build the layout slightly away from the wall, i could make pop-ups from behind to access it.


.png   Screenshot_2.png (Size: 142.33 KB / Downloads: 969)

Welp, thats all I've got for now.   Very much open to ideas and suggestions, because I am far from satisfied.]]> <![CDATA[Southern Pacific's Jefferson Branch]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9238 Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:44:41 +0000 ratled]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9238
I’m moving my blog for my layout here to the Big Blue.  I am going to try and post about one entry a day so you can can catch up to the current status.

ratled]]>
I’m moving my blog for my layout here to the Big Blue.  I am going to try and post about one entry a day so you can can catch up to the current status.

ratled]]> <![CDATA[CN Blackwater division]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9188 Wed, 16 Sep 2020 00:30:38 +0000 cnrglen]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9188 First a few pictures on the current layout.


.jpg   DSCF8873.JPG (Size: 384.58 KB / Downloads: 1578) ]]> First a few pictures on the current layout.


.jpg   DSCF8873.JPG (Size: 384.58 KB / Downloads: 1578) ]]>