PRR Panhandle Division

Updated 1/10/2016:

While thinking about the track geometry for the western mainline rebuild, I came across another “side project” that needs my attention. And as long as I “have the patient on the table”, I figured I should address it.

As trains travel west across the bridge (northernmost track) to Ohio, they encounter an MTH PRR signal bridge with a 7-light position signal at its western end. Beyond the signal is a straight section of track that enters a tunnel. The straight track section has an insulated rail that triggers a DZ-1008A relay which in turn activates the signal. When the track ahead is occupied, the signal displays the STOP aspect. Otherwise, it shows the CLEAR aspect.

Within the tunnel is Switch No. 3 (yeah, I know that wasn't a good idea). This is where the Hidden Passing Siding joins the Mainline. Again, the only direction of travel possible is counter-clockwise.

Currently, the signal protects the approaching train only against an occupied Mainline track. It does not protect against Switch No. 3 being set against the Mainline. That is something that I want to correct, as a derailment or collision inside the tunnel would spoil everyone’s day. 

Switch No. 3 is a Curtis HiRail O54 right-hand switch operated by a Z-Stuff DZ-2500a switch machine. The switch machine is activated by either TMCC (using the DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver) or the DZ-2502P pushbutton mounted in the fascia. I cannot use the non-derailing feature of the switch machine as it is possible for a train from the Hidden Passing Siding to be occupying the switch when another train approaches via the Mainline. Throwing a switch while a train occupies the points would be bad, very bad.    Adding a provision to cut power to the Mainline straight when the switch is set against it seems like overkill and doesn’t modify the signal aspect. I prefer the engineer to be in control of the approaching train and be watching the signal for instruction.

Here's a rough drawing of the area.

Anyway, I am looking for a way to address this. Current thinking is to use a second DZ-1008a relay activated by the DZ-2500a switch machine and just have both relays activate the MTH signal. I'm going to play around with a possible wiring diagram and post it later this week.

I've got this problem going in a thread on the Electrical sub-forum.

George

Updated 1/21/2016:

The weather forecast is for 8-12" of snow beginning Friday night and continuing through Saturday.  I am rooting for the snowstorm because I haven't been able to get "jack" done this week.    Life and work just seem to get in the way! 

Actually I did manage to pick up some paint for the backdrop artist and re-do some electrical wiring diagrams, but nothing visible or substantial.

C'mon snow!!!

George

Hi George,

  Sounds like a good plan as long as you don't need to shovel (like I do). Hope it works out for you.

Tom

MNCW posted:

Hi George,

  Sounds like a good plan as long as you don't need to shovel (like I do). Hope it works out for you.

Tom

That's what the snowblower and the boys are for (I hope).

George

Updated 2/1/2016:

• Corrected and clarified about 10 electrical diagrams.  I renumbered them, added missing items, and re-worked them for clarity.
• Re-organized the electrical wiring plan (Excel spreadsheet) to reduce the amount of paper and put the useful items together. 
• Eliminated redundant areas within the layout manual.  It now takes less space and is much more useful.
• Acquired paint for the backdrop artist.
• Cut and painted the poplar bridge supports.

Progress has been slow and sporadic, but I managed to get some minutiae done. 

George

Updated 2/7/2016:

Over this weekend, I did a little work on the layout:

• Picked up some Plastruct for the Strip Steel building at Cool Trains.
• Did a little more re-organizing and drawing correction for the manual.
• Showed the layout to my sister and brother-in-law who were in town for a short visit.
• Cut and installed a 12" straight (replacing the 9.5" one) on the Coal Mine Spur. Started working the placement of the curve.  As you can see in the photo below, I am going to have to re-align the subroadbed.

The re-alignment was not the desired outcome.  Unfortunately, when the location of the bridge approach tracks was finally correctly fixed, the need for a re-alignment became obvious.  So all that careful template work was for nothing, and I am back to fitting pieces of plywood under the track to support track.    I am going to have to get creative about this.

George

Updated 2/9/2016:

• Spent part of last night cutting and fitting scraps of wood under the new path of the Coal Mine Spur.  There is still a bit more to do on this new sub-roadbed.  I hope to finish the cutting and piecing of this during the hockey game (Pens v. Rangers) intermissions tonight.
• Also determined the location and length of the insulated rail (Coal Mine Spur) that will activate the DZ-1020 & DZ-1020 crossing devices.  These devices will be fired by two insulated rails - one on the Coal Mine Spur and one on the mainline.
• Finished gluing the tops of the bridge shoes into place. All 4 are now ready for installation.

George

Updated 2/10/2016:

OK, the jigsaw puzzle continues.  I'm making slow progress piecing together a sub-roadbed around the Coal Mine Spur.  You can't see it in the photo, but the Coal Mine Spur descends slightly in height from left to right.  The sub-roadbed reflects that with the use of different wood thicknesses and shims.




Next step will be to re-align the Vinylbed and fasten everything down on the curve.

George

One of the (only) positive aspects of this re-do is that the two tracks (mainline and coal mine spur) will be closer together and have a smaller height difference.  I need to map out the position of the highway crossings and determine road locations relative to the tracks.  That will help me decide the sizes of the sub-roadbed pieces as well.

George

George,

  Looks like you've been busy lately putting in a lot of quality work.

  Any good feedback from your sister and brother-in-law? 

Tom 

MNCW posted:

George,

  Looks like you've been busy lately putting in a lot of quality work.

  Any good feedback from your sister and brother-in-law? 

Tom 

Well Tom, I'm not sure about the quality, but thank you.  I'm really piecing together scrap pieces of wood to try and create something that will hold the Vinylbed and track with some stability.  It is a spur, so perfect roadbed and track would be not be normal.  It is coming together - just a few pieces left to make and install.

My sister and brother-in-law loved the layout.  They were impressed with the attention to detail and, of course, the bridge.  My sister got a kick out of my recollections of the Imperial Hotel.  It was a rather seedy building near the old Steubenville train station on Sixth Street.  Her baptism celebration was held there on the 2nd floor.  In 2014, when I told my Mother the building was planned for the layout, she told me the story.  Dad "got a deal" from the Greek caterer - let me do the food and the room is "free".  So that's how the dinner ended up on the 2nd floor in the "ball room".   In my version, the hotel will be used for more nefarious purposes.  My sister got a kick out of that.

George 

Updated 2/17/2016:

Got some of the new roadbed and track for the Coal Mine Spur laid down tonight.  You can see the old sub-roadbed on the inside of the curve.

George

Updated 2/21/2016:

Despite a crazy weekend watching the grandson (he's a pistol! ), I did manage to get something done.

• I fastened down all the curved track sections for the Coal Mine Spur, including installing power / ground feeders as the wire for the insulated control rail. Here's a sequence of photos from the No. 2 Switch (near the tipple) towards Switch No. 1 where the spur meets the mainline.

• The next focus was on the mainline south from Switch No. 3 (the one that will be in the tunnel ).  I added a curved O54 section, an insulated pin (creating an insulated rail), and power/ground connectors to the feeder wires. I also added a wire for the insulated rail and a long straight. In the process, I computed and marked the location of the tunnel portal. Photos below.

I'll need to check the clearance of that tunnel portal.

George

Coming along.....George....I just looked back.....this have been quite the journey over the 7 years.....looking forward to the finished product!

It's going to look spectacular!

Peter

Putnam Division posted:

Coming along.....George....I just looked back.....this have been quite the journey over the 7 years.....looking forward to the finished product!

It's going to look spectacular!

Peter

Thank you Peter!  I appreciate the encouragement, but it really is taking too **** long in my mind. 

To be honest, I hate re-doing parts I thought were finished.  And having to cram myself into access hatches that seemed a bit larger a few years ago to do it.  Because of the placement of the Hidden Storage Yard (wasn't there during initial construction), I now need orangutan arms to reach the problem area (isn't that how it always turns out?)  !  

But I can see the progress and we are close, so very close to getting the whole thing together.  I am encouraged by the simple progress I made last night.  And by the people like you who view and comment on the (sometimes glacial) progress.   

Thank you!

George

Upgraded 2/24/2016:

Made a little more progress tonight.

• Tested the tunnel portal clearance. We're good.
• Got a short straight and the first O54 curved piece installed, including 3/8" Vinylbed. The blue wire is there to provide super elevation. Also installed another insulating pin. The isolated block of track will be used to activate the crossing signals. The last piece of curved track is only there for test-fitting purposes.
  
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• Laid out the positions of the PRR signal, Imperial Hotel, 4th Street crossing, and DZ-1020 crossing signal. These are marked on the table top but probably not visible in the photo. The PRR signal will be planted in the backyard of the hotel, a forlorn totem visible out the back window of the flop-house. This is the area being discussed.

George

Looking good!

Hi George, 

  Nice work, as always. 

  Are those tracks on that section powered yet and what percent of your layout has power nowadays? 

Tom 

GG1 2340 posted:

Looking good!

Thank you!

George

MNCW posted:

Hi George, 

  Nice work, as always. 

  Are those tracks on that section powered yet and what percent of your layout has power nowadays? 

Tom 

Thanks, Tom.  No, the tracks on that section are not yet powered.  The switch in the distance (No. 3) is last powered piece of track.  I'd say that roughly 80% of the layout is powered.  Neither the Coal Mine Spur or the mainline through Steubenville has power at this time.

In looking over the layout just now, I noticed that I am going to have to cut a few partial curve pieces to get everything to fit the approach with the bridge.  We are just so tight with space that every 1/4" matters.  This is one of the blessings (and curses) of GarGraves track; you can fiddle with it.

George

Updated 2/25/2016:

I've been doing some mental thrashing around on how best to install the bridge.  Here's the current thinking out loud:

1. I am going to start the installation of the bridge from the Weirton (eastern) side.  This is the more accurate and stable approach to the bridge (track spacing, orientation).
2. I'm probably going to prop up the bridge on 3' step ladders, lower the Weirton side to the correct spot, and then fasten in place.  Track installation, installation of wiring, and adjustments will be next.
3. The Steubenville (western) side will follow.  That will firmly anchor the positions of the western tracks departing the bridge.  Wiring and adjustments will be made.
4. With Switch No. 1 in place, connections to the mainline and to the Coal Mine Spur will be completed.
5. Testing of electronics (signaling, switch operation) will take place.  After that we will run locomotives and adjust track and roadbed as necessary.
6. Finally, major train running will take place, some of it at speed.

I think this will work.

George

Updated 2/28/2016:

It's been a long weekend in which I (in order) worked on the western re-alignment, considered abandoning model railroading to pursue stamp collecting, and worked on the eastern bridge approach.

For the Western Re-alignment, I re-did the track alignment in order to get it to fit (this must be the 3rd time ).  Below you can see the changes I was about to make (move the roadbed to fit the track).

By doing that, I was able to fix all the issues you see above.  I now think the mainline track will mate up correctly with Switch No. 1.  However, it was quite a major PITA and it made me re-think the choice of track for the next layout.

After convincing myself that things were OK on the eastern approach, I decided that I'd better inspect it closely.  Wrong!  There was a track spacing issue (too wide).  Since Switch No. 8 and the Hidden Passing Siding were basically immovable, that left the Eastbound mainline to be re-aligned.  Fortunately, that was quick work (see below).  Before...

During (note the raised track screws)...

The position of the tracks, now 4 5/8" center-to-center, was altered by adding 1" to the length of straight above.  That pushed the track closer to Westbound mainline.  Just to verify everything, I ran the M1a Mountain (my most finicky engine) along the track.  Success!!!!

Finally, I measured and placed the 1 3/8" pine bridge cleat under the eastern end of the approach.  A 1/4" thick piece of poplar will be attached to it to hold the bridge.

All that work and I feel like I'm just treading water.

George

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

Updated 3/1/2016:

Managed to get the leg installed under the eastern bridge approach.

The cleat is still clamped in place.

George

Updated 3/2/2016:

I pulled up some Vinylbed and permanently installed the 1 3/8" cleat to the bottom of the sub-roadbed.  This is the anchoring point for the eastern side of the bridge.  I also removed a section of super elevation (blue 14 gauge wire) from the eastbound track.  This was to make sure that the track is level as it joins the bridge.

After that, I measured, marked, and clamped the location of the poplar (black) bridge support.  This will carry the weight of the bridge's eastern end. 

I've got to attack the western end next.  This is getting exciting!!!

George

George,

 Nice work. Looks like you use drywall screws for your benchwork, too.

 Keep the updates coming. 

 Tom 

Tom,

Thanks.  After a few false starts, I have planned the work and am "working the plan".  I'm hoping to get Backdrops 3 and 3.5 (the half height of sky above #3) installed tomorrow night.  Next will be installation of the bridge at its eastern end (shown in the 3/2/2016 post); power and insulated rail hook ups included.  We will then turn to the western end and install the bridge.  From that point, western mainline track installation will proceed until the golden spike is driven.  Bridge piers and river module construction will be next, followed by extensive train running.

George

Updated 3/4/2016:

A friend and I placed the smaller Backdrop No. 3.5 (2.5'x 6') backdrop on the back wall of the layout last night. It is mounted to the wall with velcro and supported by the braces for Backdrop No. 3, which will go in front of it.

The two backdrops (#2 and #3.5) may be taped together and get a paint touch-up to minimize the seam.

The brackets help bear the weight of the backdrop as well as keep Backdrop No. 3 away from the wall, permitting a train to pass behind it.

My friend Price is holding Backdrop No. 3 in its eventual location.   We test fit it to identify the mounting locations and potential pinch points.

On the left side, a small (1/2" square) black spacer has been added to insure train clearance behind the backdrop. This is the western end of the Hidden Passing Siding.

Another spacer will be added at the eastern end of the Hidden Passing Siding. The backdrop will be curved outward to accommodate the clearance.

This photo will be used to identify a mounting point. It shows the lead track to the Storage Yard (below the Hidden Passing Siding).

Last night's effort was very useful in identifying all the attachment areas. It also gave me a tantalizing look at the appearance of the finished product. Once I solve the mounting issues for Backdrop No. 3, we can proceed with installing the bridge.

George

Updated 3/6/2016:

Completed assembly of the 4 remaining bridge pedestals, although they still need some sanding and painting.  I also worked on the remaining 4 bridge shoes.  They are mostly assembled.  I installed a spacer for Backdrop No. 3.  

No painting took place this weekend as the artist was ill.  I'm hoping she will be back this coming Saturday.  We are going to push to rough out Backdrops 4 & 5, possibly even do the skies.  It makes sense to do them together to ensure color continuity.

Here are the pedestals.

George

Updated 3/7/2016:

I have been unhappy with the backdrop situation on the layout for some time.  The use of a backdrop to hide a passing siding behind the bridge truly complicated the placement and joining of all the backdrops.  Delaying backdrop acquisition and installation until bench work was finished, further muddied the waters.  Until this morning, I had not figured out a way to deal with it.  But I think I may have come up with a solution for the problem.  I'm still working through the details.  Bottom line - I'm not yet sure if this is a brain storm or a brain fart.

More when I know it.

George

Updated 3/7/2016:

I think my backdrop idea has some merit.  Here's the plan:

1. Uninstall Backdrop #2.  Prop it and Backdrops 3, 3.5, and 4 in line so that all can be painted or touched up with the correct shade of paint.  Lines for hillsides and lines would be continuous. 
2. Take Backdrop #2 and re-install it 6" out from the rear wall.  It would be anchored at the table top.  A 6" block of pink foam and some Velcro would work as a spacer.
3. Cut Backdrop #3.5 to fit the opening created.  Mate it to Backdrop #3.
4. Install Backdrops 3 & 3.5 as planned - 6" out from the rear wall to accommodate the passing siding.
5. Install Backdrop #4 in the same manner - 6" out from the rear wall.
6. Seam and tape all backdrops together.  Touch-up with paint.

The upside is the elimination of the goofy 3-D effect.  There would be 1 large backdrop with continuous sky and hillside levels.

The downside is a bit more work, a bit more delay, but not the end of the world.

Besides deriving this plan, I did get some real work done.  Here are 4 more bridge shoes (for the abutments).

 George

Updated 3/8/2016:

Here's a diagram that shows both overhead and (below) face-on views of the backdrop solution.  In the face-on view (not to scale, BTW), the assumption is that the backdrops are blended so that their boundaries are difficult to discern.  Here we show the boundaries for illustrative purposes.

Hope this makes the concept clear.  All backdrops on the back wall of the layout are 6" out from it.

Comments?  Questions?

George

The backdrops will look great when finished, I'm sure!  

Mark Boyce posted:

The backdrops will look great when finished, I'm sure!  

Mark, that's the plan.  All I have to do is execute it (easier said than done). 

George

Updated 3/9/2016:

Removed Backdrop No. 3.5 in preparation for the artist's visit on Saturday.  Will try to get to Backdrop No. 2 tonight.

George

Updated 3/10/2016:

Backdrop #2 has been removed. We are now prepared for the artist on Saturday.

George

Updated 3/12/2016:

The artist and I had a very fruitful working session today:

• The artist adjusted Backdrops 2 & 3 so that the hills and ridges lined up.
• I determined the correct length of Backdrop 2.
• After several measurements, I determined the correct length of Backdrop 4.
• The artist drew the ridge line for Backdrop 4; it lines up with Backdrop 3 correctly.

Here's Backdrop 2.  Note the line at the bottom - it will be cut there.  There is also a hole for trains from the Passing Siding to meet the Mainline at Switch No. 3.

Backdrop 3 is next.

Backdrop 4 is just being roughed-out.  Note that it has been elevated to the correct height relative to Backdrop 3.

George

Updated 3/19/2016:

The artist visited today and we got some work done.

Backdrop #2 was cut to the proper length (6') and touched up.  A hole was cut in the bottom to allow the track to pass through and permit grabbing any derailed trains.

Backdrop #4 was cut to length (4'8") and trimmed at the bottom.  A first coat of paint was laid down.

George

Updated 3/27/2016:

Spent some time over the past couple of days cutting pink Styrofoam.  A 5" thick (2 x 2" + 1") block will be used to support the backdrops (between the backdrops and wall).  I ordered and received a MicroMark Hot Foam Knife.  I used it.  It's good, but slow.  After a few long cuts, I opted to back to a saw.  That made a bit more mess, but didn't make those nasty fumes (I did this in an open garage).  And it is much faster.  Anyway, I hope to finish the cutting tonight and glue some pieces together to get 5" thick blocks.

George

Updated 5/21/2016:

After a lengthy delay, I am happy to report that Backdrop #4 was scrapped and re-done today.  It still needs another session, but it is in pretty good shape. 

It looks like this will be the last piece of backdrop to be prepared.  I have decided not to do a backdrop behind the steel mills on the eastern side of the layout.

George