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 First, a little background. The Long Island Rail Road was chartered in 1834, and is the oldest continuously running railroad in the nation still operating under its original name and charter. Now primarily a commuter railway, the LIRR played a key role in the development of Long Island from mostly farmland to the suburbia it is today, moving freight to and from New York City. The Oyster Bay Branch comes off the main at Mineola, which is approximately 35 miles east of the City, and travels north and east to the North Shore next to the body of water known as the Long Island Sound. The branch ran through Mineola where I grew up, and I'm excited to bring this to life in O scale. I will be modeling 1948-1957. Steam made its last run on Long Island in the fall of 1955.

Attached is my track plan. In the PDF, the first page is the main part of the layout, and the second page is the staging west of Mineola, which is below the Oyster Bay yard. The staging allows me to turn and store the trains. 

My inspiration to build the Oyster Bay Branch came from an article written by Steve Lynch in the 2004 issue of MR Planning. Dave Keller and Steve Lynch have written two excellent books, The Long Island Rail Road, and Revisiting The Long Island Rail Road. Steve also runs a great site for all train things Long Island at: www.trainsarefun.com

Steve and Dave have been very generous with their advice and time regarding my layout. I can't thank them enough for their guidance and friendship.

Thanks for checking it out.

 Andy

 

 

 

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Last edited by Steamfan77
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I like commuter rail particularly when it captures something close to home.  One question/comment however.  Do you plan on running this as an out and back?  You have a return loop with staging and you may want to plan for a return loop on the upper level as well.  Otherwise, keep up with the pics, I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

necrails, Oyster Bay is the end of the branch. That's where I'll turn the engines and make up new trains to head West. That's the prototype, so I'll stick with that. I think it adds more operational fun too. The staging yard is only to turn and store trains. There is much more West of Mineola, but I don't have the space . Thanks Peter, I'm excited. I should be done with my first section of benchwork soon. I'll post a few pictures as I go.

 

Andy

The first section of Benchwork is complete. It's official, I have a layout! The section shown is Mineola, where the Oyster Bay Branch comes off the main. I will be using L-Girder, made from 3/4" plywood. The oval holes at the top of the joists are for pocket screws. That's how I will attach the 3/4" top. The larger holes are for wiring. I don't know about you guys, but I can't find a straight 2x4 anywhere. Too much time spent picking through the stacks .

 

Andy

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Last edited by Steamfan77

Andy,

 

if the quality of your benchwork is any indicator this is going to be one heck of a layout. I hope you keep posting pictures. Those blue walls are just begging for some beautiful LI beach scenes.

 

 I spend many of my younger days on the LIRR Ronkonkoma line going into the city.  That was back in the days when they had smoking cars,  bar cars, and some double decker cars.  

 

Thanks for sharing your work,

Ed

Thanks Ed. I'll try to show more water by the Jakobson Shipyard area, maybe even a tug sitting nearby. The LIRR had more interesting cars back then, didn't they? I'll keep posting pictures as I go. The benchwork is the easy part for me. It's the rest that will be a challenge .

Ben, what a cool place to live near! Lots of action, I'm sure. My two favorite engines are the MTH G5s (Sunrise Special), and the H10s. I got them from Charlie at Nassau Hobby in Freeport. If you're interested, I'd start there. My white whale is the C-Liner. I'd love to get my hands on one.

Artie, what a great memory from the past! I have a couple of RS-3's for the layout. Nice looking engines. 

PW, I remember reading about that club. I'm lucky, because I live on the South Shore and can visit Mineola, Oyster Bay, and Locust Valley to take some pictures. I have a few of the spur that went into the lumber yard and of course the stations of all three locations. Thanks for all of the encouragement and kind words.

 

Andy

The next section of benchwork is complete. It's where the main comes up to grade with Locust Valley and Oyster Bay. If you look at the PDF in the beginning of the thread, this is the area of the layout that has Kurtz Iron Works, Latham Lumber, etc. This area had more sidings than I'm modeling, and was known to the LIRR folks as "The Hole". I went to Latham Lumber (which is now Riverhead Building Supply) last year, and the track for the siding is still visible in the shed! I'm also putting heavy duty lifting levelers on the bottom of the legs. $25.99 for a pack of four. I had a fair amount, so I only had to buy a few more. From Rockler  http://www.rockler.com/product...053&site=ROCKLERThey are a little pricey, but for me, ease of use outweighs cost. 

 

Andy

 

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Last edited by Steamfan77

Andy Nice design and quality L-Girder bench work. We at the TMB are just starting to put the bench work together on a new 4000 SF layout and we are now locate din Farmngdale, if interested in joining let me know  we would love to have you visit.

 

Ben

I might have a beat on the LIRR H-10 Sunrise special. The one you saw at TMB MIGHT be available

Steve

 

Hauspiper,

 

My motive power is all Long Island. I am modeling 1955, but as I started to build my collection, I "cast a wider net" as to what I would run. As for steam, I have:

4-4-0

4-4-2

0-6-0

2-8-0

4-6-0

diesels:

RS-1

RS-3

VO 1000

H16-44

F7 ABA

GP38-2

C420

RDC Budd car set

I would like to get a C-Liner, and an S-1, or S-2

i have a pretty good collection of various passenger cars, and a few MOW cars.

 

Andy

 

Guys,

Of course the Maiden voyage will be steam . Either the 4-6-0, or the 2-8-0, or maybe both! I'm anxious to see all of them running. I also have a small collection of freight cars to move around between passengers runs. I wish I had more room to model the area on the layout known as "The Hole" more extensively. It had some interesting track work. I'll model what I think is the most interesting part. I recently ordered the MP-15 from Charlie at Nassau Hobby. Who knows, he might have some left. I was in Oyster Bay in the Spring, and was lucky enough to get a picture of one crossing the Mill Race Bridge. I'll attach it. Don't forget, the MU passenger set, and Rail Inspection Car from MTH are coming out in December. I always keep my fingers crossed for new Long Island motive power in the catalogues. I hope we all get a nice surprise for the Holidays!  

 

Andy

 

 

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Well getting the bright Idea to go back to college a few years ago and graduating at 32 I had to take down my layout I had at my fathers house. I still have a small 5x9 with 0-48 fastrack now. When I had my apartment in Rhode Island before I moved into a dorm I had an N scale layout. I am doing some work right now at my dads house in the garage. Attached is my original layout which was 4x12 never got to do scenery because I was out at sea alot during my 20s and will be most of my 30s as well. On it when this when I took these photos back in 2011 I have all NYC steam besides the K-4.

 

Mike Arnold 

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My first cab ride was in G5s #34 from Floral Park to Oyster Bay.

 

The Long  Island bought several cabooses from the NYO&W, and Walter Matuch's RMT center cupola caboose is similar.

 

As for Long Island rolling stock, LITTLE and the RMLI each produce a commemorative piece yearly.  The Nassau Operating Engineers also produce Long Island cars.

 

 

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Long Island Camelback [1)

N0. 19 4-6-0 westbound at the Oyster Bay Branch Junction in Mineola.

 

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Last edited by Bobby Ogage

I did like the RMLI sub car and I have the boeing container on a flat somewhere. But I also want to get the Islander car NOLE came out with? But some stuff is to much toy like. I cant wait for a Spreader someday even if I have to make it myself out of the MTH one. See I do not like operating items or stuff like that when I build my layout it will be like a real layout maybe the only thing would be the lift bridge.

 

Mike Arnold 

I have three Rail King H Class 2-8-0 engines that will get Long Island livery and tender backup lights. Road Nos will be 108, 110 & 111.

 

I have also been collecting Rugged Rails 027 heavyweight passenger cars which have a 13.5" length which equates to a scale 54' length like the commuter P54 Coach. These cars will be re-lettered Long Island and sprayed Tuscan Red or the light gray color scheme of the early 1950s. The three axle trucks will eventually be swapped for 2-axle trucks.

 

 

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I've installed and painted Homasote in some additional areas of the layout. I've also installed the track in those areas. The track for the grade coming East out of Mineola is temporarily placed on blocks. I just wanted to get a rough idea of the grade, and it pretty much falls in line with what I expected (~2.7%). I'll build permanent supports soon. The track for the rest of the grade is a little less. I wanted to make the grade around the turn as small as possible, and then increase it where the tracks go straight again. I made some adjustments to the track plan as I go along. It's kind of like a 3D puzzle, and I've had to cut and re-cut, but that's OK. I wired the Staging Yard, and will test every engine I have backwards and forwards. This area has to be 100%, as I'm going to cover the entire space with the Oyster Bay Yard. I'll also be building a lift out section to support the tracks that span the Staging Yard to Mineola. I'm going slow because this is all new to me, and I want the best result possible. 

 

Andy

 

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Last edited by Steamfan77
See what is rare in this hobby by that I mean o scale for people to model one railroad. Every time in open classic or o gauge which I love you see either Santa Fe  F7 running with a Texas special or New York Central, this is why I left o gauge. This layout will be awesome. Can't wait to see kier steam going around the line. See I need a big enough basement to have 3 o scale layouts one post war only with operating as even though I hate them. One Maine with Bangor & Aroostook/ on30 and one Long Island granted they will all be small. Can't forget my TT scale either one European and one American to dream.
Mike

Hey Greg,

 

I've set up the permanent structure for the grade East of Mineola, and I'm currently working on a drop down section between the staging and Mineola. I'm following the plan of Jim Barrett in his Backshop series, volume 11. I've wired all of my drops in the staging area. I'm waiting to hear back from Terry Christopher at Custom Signals. I think it's best if I wire the signals in now. I'm going to start building the Oyster Bay yard over the staging shortly. That should be interesting. I'll post some pictures when the drop down is complete. Thanks for your interest!

 

Andy

Thanks Russ!  I've always loved the turntables but was always concerned about the reach.
 
Originally Posted by Steamfan77:

Thanks John, I'm enjoying the process. I look forward to the steps ahead. I should be installing the retaining walls this weekend. I also have some plate girders to install. Then I'll continue to wire up the power drops. Most of the switches will be hand thrown. I think that will bring me closer to the action. 

 

Andy

 

I've been installing the signals for the past few months. They are PRR Single Color Position Light signals. Haven't been able to work on the layout as much as I would have liked, but I'm pleased with the progress. I got the signals from Terry Christopher at Custom Signals. I wired the main panel myself, and have most of the signals in. I'll begin testing the signals in the near future. These signals are unbelievable!

 

Andy

 

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Last edited by Steamfan77

Thanks Rich, I think the signals give the layout a nice touch. Matt, that's a great description of the operations. I won't have continuos running though. I guess I'll have to pay attention at all times! Oyster Bay is the end of the branch, and is just the yard and turntable. There are local organizations that are trying to restore the turntable, and one of the last 4-6-0 G5s engines, as well as the station itself. Thank you for the kind words Spence.

 

 

Andy

Thanks Steve, that engine is my favorite. Murnane, I agree that is one of the coolest looking stations, but unfortunately, I don't have the space for it. I'm transitioning from Locust Valley into Oyster Bay, even though Mill Neck would be a logical choice. Check the layout plan earlier in the thread, and I think you'll see what I mean. If I had the room, I would have shown the whole branch! Lots of interesting stuff, as you well know.

 

Andy

My grandparents lived in East Norwich. I used to visit them from Minnesota in the summers. My grandfather would take me down to the turntable at Oyster Bay several times during each visit to watch the diesels get turned. I even got a couple of cab rides on to the table, around and back off again. We also rode the line together on several occasions, sometimes just a stop or two and back, and sometimes all the way into the city. This was early 70s.

 

I was last there as an adult in 1993 to visit my grandfather a couple of years before he passed away. My wife and I had been in Manhattan and took the Port Jefferson branch out to Syosset. After our visit we stayed in Oyster Bay overnight and took the first train from there back into the city the next morning. Alcos had changed to EMDs and no cab ride this time, but the experience was still great. Lots of memories.

 

I look forward to see how your project comes along.

Last edited by Len B

I've made some pretty good progress recently. I finished the benchwork for the yard area, and laid most of the track. I just need to install the turntable, and the lead. The second picture is the open area, to allow for an access hatch in the yard. The open space in the third picture is where the 24" Millhouse River Studio turntable will be installed. The open space in the last picture is the same spot for the turntable, only covered by sub roadbed and Homasote. I will need to cut out the staging area below the turntable for ease of installation and access. I just need to move a joist, and reinforce the area.

 

Andy

   

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Mike, Peter,

 

Thanks for the kind words. I just cut the hole for the turntable this morning. I cut and moved a joist below the staging area that gives me access to the turntable. The turntable has to fit in a tight space, with the staging tracks below, and a yard track right next to it. All I need to do is install the turntable. The quality is outstanding. I'm looking forward to the finished product. I'll post pics and a video when it's up and running.

 

Andy

This is my first attempt at Ballasting. First I painted the track a flat camo brown, then ballasted. Instead of using wet water, I tried using some isopropyl alcohol. I mixed some brown paint and water with the white glue to tie it in with the track. in the first picture, the track to the left is painted, to the right is unpainted. Let me know what you think! 

 

Andy

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 It's been a while, but I've been painting track and ballasting as time will allow. I recently finished painting all of the track on the main level, and all of the visible ones in the staging area. The second to last shot shows part of the staging track, and the last one shows the glued ballast on the left, and unglued on the right. 

 

 

Andy

 

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Last edited by Steamfan77

I'm starting to ballast the yard. Before I do that, I want to raise the ground up, being that yard tracks are typically more at ground level than not. I'm cutting and fitting 3/16" foam core to raise the ground up. This helps minimize the amount of ballast needed, and gives me the look I want. After the foam core is in place I'll paint it earth brown as I did with the Homasote on the rest of the layout, then apply ballast. Because yard ballast is grimier than the mains, I will leave it black, unlike the brown wash I gave the mains when I glued it down. Thanks for looking. In progress...

Andy

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Last edited by Steamfan77

Great : My Layout  is three loops .Each side has Switches cross over to each tracks on each side of my Layout.  My yard is seven spears tracks for the lay up subway service after rush hour is completed from a hard days work..

My layout is 24"long  x 8'Wide. My layout is all about MTH Subways NYC. The Home Signal in the Picture is My Design.   Sold on Integrated Signal Systems.com 

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I've started ballasting the yard. I have eleven switches, and some good stretches of track, so this will take a little longer. Unlike the mains, I now have to consider the placement of the station, REA building, freight house, etc. So I'll guess as best as I can on the placement of the structures, and I'm sure I'll need to make adjustments as I go. I'm going to leave the yard ballast black to show the grimy condition of the yard during the end of the steam era, and will add some extra weathering to the area afterwards. 

Andy

 

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I've been gluing the ballast in the yard for the past several months, and when I do that the mind does wander a bit. I've decided that I can in fact add the coal tower that I wanted to do from the beginning. I will need to widen the benchwork by about 8" If you refer to the track plan at the start of the thread, I'll be adding an Atlas #5 right turnout to the freight track along with some flex track for the new siding. This will add some height and visual interest in that area. Pictures to follow.

Andy

Hauspiper posted:
I keep watching the progress and I'm amazed. Are you doing a Jacobson area? Had to ask being oyster bay. I'm still planning on doing the Port Jefferson branch someday. Mike

Port Jeff branch? You mean the 'Mountain Division'

Andy, your layout looks amazing! Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your progress!

-Tom

I recently installed some girder bridge sections to span the main line East, and also what will be a two or four lane road. I spray painted the sections a flat gray, then used some Pan Pastel powders for some weathering. I will add more weathering when I do the scenery around that area. For comparison, the second picture shows a closer view where the left section is weathered, and the right section is not. The bridge abutment under the track is temporary, and will be replaced by something with more visual interest.

Andy

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Hi 645,

Good eye. Yes this is "only on the layout". As you know in reality, the Oyster Bay branch runs north and east away from the main at Mineola. I bent the branch line over the main to get the best use of the space. I have a much larger run for the yard and staging area where it is now. I had to use selective compression in deciding what to model. I was going to go with Roslyn instead of Locust Valley, but changed my mind at the last minute. Locust Valley just seems to be a better fit. 

Andy

 

 

 

Thanks Mike. Steve, you're the first person to mention the lack of clearance under the girder bridge. Good catch! I actually did that on purpose. My thinking was this: since the majority of trains would be on the branch line (upper track), I wanted the grade they would have to travel on to be minimal. It is roughly 1.3%. The lower track under the girder bridge hits the wall just a foot after the bridge, so no big deal. It was more important for me to have a smaller grade. 

Andy

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