Is W & W the Winchester & Western? They still run here in South Jersey. They haul our nice sand from the Bridgeton/Millville area to the NS tracks where it goes on it's way.
Moonman posted:Is W & W the Winchester & Western? They still run here in South Jersey. They haul our nice sand from the Bridgeton/Millville area to the NS tracks where it goes on it's way.
Carl, W&W is indeed the Winchester & Western. The W&W also hauls sand in this area out of sand mines in the Gore, Va area thru Winchester, Va.
Yes, I like it better all the time! I certainly like your selection of motive power as well! I need to find an auxiliary tender for my J as well!
W&W posted:Moonman posted:Is W & W the Winchester & Western? They still run here in South Jersey. They haul our nice sand from the Bridgeton/Millville area to the NS tracks where it goes on it's way.
Carl, W&W is indeed the Winchester & Western. The W&W also hauls sand in this area out of sand mines in the Gore, Va area thru Winchester, Va.
Wheaton Glass used the sand here. A big company from 1888 in Millville. I recall reading about the "Sandman" train, a regular run for W & W in Va.
Moonman posted:W&W posted:Moonman posted:Is W & W the Winchester & Western? They still run here in South Jersey. They haul our nice sand from the Bridgeton/Millville area to the NS tracks where it goes on it's way.
Carl, W&W is indeed the Winchester & Western. The W&W also hauls sand in this area out of sand mines in the Gore, Va area thru Winchester, Va.
Wheaton Glass used the sand here. A big company from 1888 in Millville. I recall reading about the "Sandman" train, a regular run for W & W in Va.
W&W known locally as 'OL' Weak & Weary started in 1916 to haul timber out of W. Va to supply railroad ties for the B&O which ran into Winchester. W&W now runs from Gore, Va thru Winchester to Hagerstown, Md, approx. 54 miles of track, hauling various products, but primarily sand from the sand mines at Gore.
Photo material under consideration for my backdrops. Backdrops to be 24"-31" in height. Scenes will be NYC skyline, eastern mountains, industrial scenes.
New MTH Norfolk Southern Executive Train w/cars I've received too date. Voice is retired NS Ceo. Thought some may want to see.
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I came to this thread late and must congratulate you on your progress to date and for providing such a good thread showing the main stages of your layout development.
I'm in the process of moving house so my old layout had to be demolished and all my trains, track and accessories are in store.
I plan to keep this thread as a reference work for my new layout - thank you for documenting it so well.
britrailer posted:I came to this thread late and must congratulate you on your progress to date and for providing such a good thread showing the main stages of your layout development.
I'm in the process of moving house so my old layout had to be demolished and all my trains, track and accessories are in store.
I plan to keep this thread as a reference work for my new layout - thank you for documenting it so well.
Thank you "britrailer" for the kind words. I have learned so much from reading the O Gauge RR Forum postings from the many knowledgeable fellow railroaders. Your comments inspire me to continue to post to this forum in the hopes of sharing my learning experiences and helping other model railroaders as they have helped me. You are the first reader of my posts to make me feel as though I've actually helped someone else. Thank you!!
Craig,
Documenting the layout build is more helpful than you realize. Read Rich's post on the website activity. Many will read and learn with no comments or posts. The time it takes to document the project is a worthy contribution to the community.
Thank you.
Moonman posted:Craig,
Documenting the layout build is more helpful than you realize. Read Rich's post on the website activity. Many will read and learn with no comments or posts. The time it takes to document the project is a worthy contribution to the community.
Thank you.
Carl,
Your kind comments make me feel good knowing my posts could be helpful to someone. Being my first layout, learning how to build a layout, I had no idea I would be helping someone else. Glad to help anyone, as many have helped me, especially from reading this forum.
I have not posted progress for a while. Been busy wiring 17 Atlas turnouts that are installed using two MTH AIUs for DCS. Will have another 10+ turnouts to wire when they are installed on upper level. Also wired End of Track (EOT) flashing red LEDs for hidden yards that are installed to provide visual warning on control panel when a train is getting to end of yard track. The first upper level panel has been temporality installed where an upper level main loop will be and yards. Will start next upper level panels this week which will be the area for my Millhouse Pennsylvania turntable, Spurs, yard for backshop. Hope to get the turntable installed this week. I want to thank all you Ogauge forum members whom have helped with info, problem solving issues, i.e. AIU issues, LEDs using AC power for EOTs etc. I also want to thank Steve Horvath, whose help with electrical planning/installation has been invaluable. I want Steve to know that his help, patience is greatly appreciated by me! We have spent many hours on the phone this last year.
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Craig,
Yes, wiring can be time consuming, and you don't have much to show for your work, until you power everything up and it works! You have accomplished a lot. Your panel looks neat, and being an old telecom guy, I like your punch down 66 blocks. I'll look forward to future updates!
Craig,
Installing the power and control may be the heart of the layout. Taking the time now will save time later and add more time for enjoying running trains. Looking good! No hurry, it's a hobby.
Craig,
Your wiring work looks first class. Way better than anything I could have imagined. Yes, we in the community really appreciate the updates on your progress.
Ken
Progress this week included installing plywood for upper level yards, main upper loop to other side of layout(New York City), and Millhouse River turntable and whisker tracks. All went well with no surprises with help from my friend Joe. Joe's help has been greatly appreciated. Love the Millhouse River turntable. Mine is the PRR 34" weathered model. It works GREAT! Next: paint plywood, place whiskers around turntable, place yard and upper main loop. Then move to other side for upper level for NYC scene, Grand Central Terminal.
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Craig,
I'm glad you an Joe figured out how to implement the turntable on the upper (middle after elevated subway) level. I think that operationally it will be simpler and more prototypical to be able to dispatch an engine from your turntable and hook up a consist from your yard without fowling your main. You are making great progress and your layout looks great! Thanks for the update.
Ken
Laying out widgets from the turntable and three yards down front wall as well as loop to go thru Lionel lift bridge to upper level on the other side of the layout(NYC w/Grand Central Terminal).
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Craig,
your moving on! I was looking at the first photo of the TT area and then went back and looked at the layout 3D's that Ken posted last year. I thought I'd toss this up as something to consider while you're at the TT. I have seen other layouts that had a second track, like an escape track, for a serviced engine to exit while another was coming in for service.
If the piece of plywood edge that I am looking at is a 4' section between the TT and the NYC bridge approach line, it looks like you could get an O72 escape track in there. Atlas switch and a piece of flex cut to 36 radius and 15°(or a cut sectional to fit).
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Moonman posted:Craig,
your moving on! I was looking at the first photo of the TT area and then went back and looked at the layout 3D's that Ken posted last year. I thought I'd toss this up as something to consider while you're at the TT. I have seen other layouts that had a second track, like an escape track, for a serviced engine to exit while another was coming in for service.
If the piece of plywood edge that I am looking at is a 4' section between the TT and the NYC bridge approach line, it looks like you could get an O72 escape track in there. Atlas switch and a piece of flex cut to 36 radius and 15°(or a cut sectional to fit).
Carl,
Thank you for the suggestion. Suggestions are always welcome here. In fact, I had thought about doing just what you have suggested. I need to evaluate how many widgets/Spurs I will lose coming off the TT. I want to be able to store as many engines as possible on the layout to eliminate taking them on/off the layout. I lost one yard underneath the TT due to an 072/054 turnout problem that could not be resolved easily.
Thank you for your continued input!
W&W posted:Moonman posted:Craig,
your moving on! I was looking at the first photo of the TT area and then went back and looked at the layout 3D's that Ken posted last year. I thought I'd toss this up as something to consider while you're at the TT. I have seen other layouts that had a second track, like an escape track, for a serviced engine to exit while another was coming in for service.
If the piece of plywood edge that I am looking at is a 4' section between the TT and the NYC bridge approach line, it looks like you could get an O72 escape track in there. Atlas switch and a piece of flex cut to 36 radius and 15°(or a cut sectional to fit).
Carl,
Thank you for the suggestion. Suggestions are always welcome here. In fact, I had thought about doing just what you have suggested. I need to evaluate how many widgets/Spurs I will lose coming off the TT. I want to be able to store as many engines as possible on the layout to eliminate taking them on/off the layout. I lost one yard underneath the TT due to an 072/054 turnout problem that could not be resolved easily.
Thank you for your continued input!
You could isolate that track and switch power on/off and still park an engine there. I used the 48 position 7.5° Millhouse TT. A 20"-24" inch track would fit next to it. Looks like you would lose two whiskers. One directly next to the roundhouse and one for spacing on the other side.
Sometimes you have to taper the ties near the TT to get tight whiskers. Prototype TT's were crammed in that way.
By the way, looking at the 3D's and now your build photos, that pointy inside corner still catches my eye.
Just received my LCCA Lionel '16 Kansas City Convention Car. I really like the personalized container for the South Fork Railroad.
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Wow Craig! Just saw this thread and just finished reading it amazing work and patience. First Class work!
Latest photos showing right side of layout upper level(New York City) area being constructed including lift bridge for upper loop, coal tipple, etc. White board standing on edge will support Grand Central Terminal with gray arched board support at outer edge over the three mains.
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It's looking very good! The lift bridge certainly can work to keep a duck-under to a minimum! Is that your intent?
Mark Boyce posted:It's looking very good! The lift bridge certainly can work to keep a duck-under to a minimum! Is that your intent?
Mark, yes and no. I am planning to install lift bridge to enable me to lift the bridge entirely out when I want to. I have 2 different Lionel bridges. I plan to use the other lift bridge on the subway line which will run 7 or so inches above the 2nd level which will be a higher duck under. Thanks for your comments and looking!
Thank you. That makes sense!
Craig, if you still need the longer screws try Gargraves, they sell both 3/4 inch and 1 inch. Great layout thanks for your post. Rich
Chooch posted:Craig, if you still need the longer screws try Gargraves, they sell both 3/4 inch and 1 inch. Great layout thanks for your post. Rich
Thank you Rich for the info, I have found longer screws. OGR Forum members have been great with ideas, help since I've been building this layout. Thanks for watching.
Recently added widgets to the Millhouse turntable. Need to wire widgets to my 2nd control panel. Also recently received new diesels for the South Fork Railroad, Lionel Norfolk Southern SD60s and ES444ACs shown in the pics. Progress moving slowly on the layout, but continuing to get things accomplished. Basically all track has been installed, need to install Lift Bridge to connect upper loop. After that will concentrate on upper level NYC area including the original Grand Central Terminal sitting over the lower tracks that will run beneath.
This time of year my time is consumed getting rid of leaves and attending football games. Thanks for looking.
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Looking good! And I am tired of leaves. Fortunately I don't have to attend games any more. The player is grown and married!
Thanks to the helpful posters on this great forum, I have my Lionel 6-12782 lift bridge installed & working. Bridge would not go up out of the box which was sealed from 1991. Researched posts on this forum, and found a post that indicated Lionel had put out a bulletin that the "v2" tension button within the control box may need to be slightly adjusted. Did that, it works great. I have installed the bridge to enable it to be removed from the layout if need be with little effort. It can be lifted up & away quickly. Next, control panel with toggles/leds for turntable widgets. Also shown in pics working on passenger platforms between 4 tracks that will be under the Grand Central Terminal. Undecided exactly what to do. Thought about painting platform a concrete look, or getting software to print a brick or stone look?? Now platforms at track level. Should I raise? All suggestions welcomed. Thanks again for all the great posters on this forum. You have helped been to build this layout!!
Thanks for looking.
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Craig,
Good to see your still busy layout building. Amazing what you can do if you put your heart into it,keep up the great work. Keep posting and sharing with others,hope you and family have a great Christmas.
Steve H
Steve Horvath posted:Craig,
Good to see your still busy layout building. Amazing what you can do if you put your heart into it,keep up the great work. Keep posting and sharing with others,hope you and family have a great Christmas.
Steve H
Thank you Steve. Your help/knowledge has been greatly appreciated! Hope you have a great Christmas also.
Craig,
One seldom modeled feature of above track-level passenger terminals is the track crossings used by baggage handling equipment to ferry baggage to a single, centrally (or non-centrally) located baggage elevator. Platforms at track level could easily add this feature, but would require metal stools scattered along the platform for passenger car egress. Raising the platform to comfortable passenger car egress levels would require slight dips where the track crossings would be built.
In my older passenger rail days, I remember seeing both methods employed.
Chuck
Latest update on the SFRR. Holidays, being sick have slowed progress. Widgets at turntable complete & wired. Placed Grand Central Teriminal on 2nd level after completing extension over lower tracks for GCT to sit on. Lift Bridge re-installed and working. Had problems with lift bridge going up/down, but thanks to the posts on this forum from several years back, was able to get it working. Also completed 2nd control panel with toggles for the turntable widgets. Backshop placed, tight fit. In process of checking out backdrops, which should have been done long before now. May be a big task installing. Looking for LEDs with shades to go between tracks under the GCT. Thanks for looking.
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Craig,
I know what you mean about holidays, illness, etc getting in the way of trains!! Your station and engine facility is going to look top notch when you have it finished considering what you already have in place!!
Update on South Fork Railroad. Installed - stained fascia around edge of layout, second control panel(toggles/leds) for turntable & widgets), three tunnel portals, stone walls(not completed yet), began retaining wall between main/second level coming out from under Grand Central Terminal, started some landscaping placing cardboard strips for plaster wrap. I am sort of at a halting point at the moment due to finalizing backdrops to be installed around the complete layout. This should have been done months ago, but due to circumstances it didn't happen. Reach ability is going to be difficult in areas, but believe I can do it with some good help, which so far I've had. That about covers what has been done since my last post. Thanks for looking. All comments, suggestions welcomed as this FORUM has greatly helped me with constructing my layout.
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The facia looks great! I love that rich looking stain color! Ah ha! The Western Maryland 734 front and center on the turntable! I rode behind and saw the prototype spin on the turntable in Frostburg a long time ago! I have the MTH H9 #839, and am happy with it.
