PRR Panhandle 2.0

George,

The pegboard looks good as it is starting to be utilized.  So I take it Samantha has given preliminary approval,sign-off will be given when the backdrop and final lighting is in!  It looks great!!

Mark Boyce posted:

George,

The pegboard looks good as it is starting to be utilized.  So I take it Samantha has given preliminary approval,sign-off will be given when the backdrop and final lighting is in!  It looks great!!

Thanks Mark.  Yes, the pegboard is starting to fill up.  Just this morning I was wondering if I put up too much. 

Yeah, what was I thinking?

And as for Samantha, she's been very annoying and underfoot.

I'm still opening boxes of stuff and wondering why I brought them.  This is going to take much longer than I anticipated.

George

For 3 trains, zipcord is not the best choice,since it doesn't come any larger than 16-gauge.  For top performance, I always use 14 and so recommend.

RJR posted:

For 3 trains, zipcord is not the best choice,since it doesn't come any larger than 16-gauge.  For top performance, I always use 14 and so recommend.

Did you mean to post that here?

Plus if you look here, you can find larger gauge zipcord. 

https://powerwerx.com/red-black-bonded-zip-cord

George

Yes, I did.  He said earlier he would use zip cord.

 I run DCS, and I want to avoid the capacitance effect of having both wires too close.

RJR posted:

Yes, I did.  He said earlier he would use zip cord.

 I run DCS, and I want to avoid the capacitance effect of having both wires too close.

I see.  How does it work for you?  If you wish, you can send me e-mail (in my profile).

George

When 2 conductors in the same circuit are close, there is a capacitance effect.  This has no effect on a wire to a lamp, for example.  But when sends higher frequency signals, it could have an effect.  On my layout, I use 14-gauge stranded  THHM wire, available at Lowes, Home Depot, probably Menards, and many good hardware stores.   I keep hot and ground separated.

If you have 2 conductors from different circuits, say 2 hots feeding separate blocks, close together, you MAY experience inductance between them, that a signal on one induces a signal current on the other.

These issues aren't present if one only runs conventional.  But they MAY be if one uses a system that sends signals over the wires to issue commands to locos.

RJR posted:

When 2 conductors in the same circuit are close, there is a capacitance effect.  This has no effect on a wire to a lamp, for example.  But when sends higher frequency signals, it could have an effect.  On my layout, I use 14-gauge stranded  THHM wire, available at Lowes, Home Depot, probably Menards, and many good hardware stores.   I keep hot and ground separated.

If you have 2 conductors from different circuits, say 2 hots feeding separate blocks, close together, you MAY experience inductance between them, that a signal on one induces a signal current on the other.

These issues aren't present if one only runs conventional.  But they MAY be if one uses a system that sends signals over the wires to issue commands to locos.

Thank you for the insight.

George

Updated 8/9/2017:

Just a few random thoughts, ramblings, and updates.

• While the train room is in pretty good shape, the workshop is lagging the play a bit. I've still got tools to hang on the pegboard, equipment to move downstairs from the garage, modeling supplies to get onto shelves, and books / software to get onto the bookshelves.
• I've decided that I am moving the house-related supplies and materials (wall anchors, hooks, repair items, wall plates, old TV coax cables, etc.) into labeled bins and storing them in the closet or attic. This stuff will be rarely used, and it really shouldn't take up space in the workshop.
• I have re-worked the RR-Track plan to plan (in detail) the Staging Area benchwork. This will be the first area constructed. Once it is in place, the backdrop will go in place. It's due to be photographed in early October.
• I've located a source for the good plywood I want to use on the layout. Will probably place a small order in the next 1-2 weeks just for the Staging Area.
• Will also start thinking about what track and switches are needed for Staging. That will get ordered in time for pickup at York.
• I'm looking forward to next week's Steel Mill Modelers Meet in Bethlehem. Should be enlightening and directly applicable to the Weirton museum layout.

That's the current thinking.

George

Hi George, You have a very nice space for your layout and a great plan as well. Although I have not yet started to build my planned layout as yet I did purchase a rolling stool as you have shown in this thread, and afterward I determined that while sitting on the stool I would still have to raise the height of the layout for it to be comfortable working. It seems that my options are raising the layout height or lowering the height at which I sit while under the layout. I am considering a swivel boat seat mounted on a dolly. You may want to sit on that stool and have someone take a measurement before setting the height of your layout. Good luck with your build, it looks like a great plan. Rich

Chooch posted:

Hi George, You have a very nice space for your layout and a great plan as well. Although I have not yet started to build my planned layout as yet I did purchase a rolling stool as you have shown in this thread, and afterward I determined that while sitting on the stool I would still have to raise the height of the layout for it to be comfortable working. It seems that my options are raising the layout height or lowering the height at which I sit while under the layout. I am considering a swivel boat seat mounted on a dolly. You may want to sit on that stool and have someone take a measurement before setting the height of your layout. Good luck with your build, it looks like a great plan. Rich

Thank you, Rich.  I will check that out.

George

G3750 posted:

Updated 8/9/2017:

Just a few random thoughts, ramblings, and updates.

• While the train room is in pretty good shape, the workshop is lagging the play a bit. I've still got tools to hang on the pegboard, equipment to move downstairs from the garage, modeling supplies to get onto shelves, and books / software to get onto the bookshelves.
• I've decided that I am moving the house-related supplies and materials (wall anchors, hooks, repair items, wall plates, old TV coax cables, etc.) into labeled bins and storing them in the closet or attic. This stuff will be rarely used, and it really shouldn't take up space in the workshop.
• I have re-worked the RR-Track plan to plan (in detail) the Staging Area benchwork. This will be the first area constructed. Once it is in place, the backdrop will go in place. It's due to be photographed in early October.
• I've located a source for the good plywood I want to use on the layout. Will probably place a small order in the next 1-2 weeks just for the Staging Area.
• Will also start thinking about what track and switches are needed for Staging. That will get ordered in time for pickup at York.
• I'm looking forward to next week's Steel Mill Modelers Meet in Bethlehem. Should be enlightening and directly applicable to the Weirton museum layout.

That's the current thinking.

George

George,

That is a lot of great planning.

It is good to take the time to get organized, and put little used items out of the workshop.  My workshop will still use a section of the fat garage wall and a kind of temporary workshop area in the train room until all the benchwork is complete.

 I will look forward to seeing the photograph backdrop.  I take it you are looking for early autumn again along the Ohio Valley.

Do you mind me asking what kind of plywood you will be using and where you will be getting it?  I may want to do the same since we now live not far apart.

Good idea ordering track for pickup at York!!

Have a great time at the meet in Bethlehem!!  I'm sure you will come back with a lot of ideas and improvements!!

Mark Boyce posted:

G3750 posted:

Updated 8/9/2017:

Just a few random thoughts, ramblings, and updates.

• While the train room is in pretty good shape, the workshop is lagging the play a bit. I've still got tools to hang on the pegboard, equipment to move downstairs from the garage, modeling supplies to get onto shelves, and books / software to get onto the bookshelves.
• I've decided that I am moving the house-related supplies and materials (wall anchors, hooks, repair items, wall plates, old TV coax cables, etc.) into labeled bins and storing them in the closet or attic. This stuff will be rarely used, and it really shouldn't take up space in the workshop.
• I have re-worked the RR-Track plan to plan (in detail) the Staging Area benchwork. This will be the first area constructed. Once it is in place, the backdrop will go in place. It's due to be photographed in early October.
• I've located a source for the good plywood I want to use on the layout. Will probably place a small order in the next 1-2 weeks just for the Staging Area.
• Will also start thinking about what track and switches are needed for Staging. That will get ordered in time for pickup at York.
• I'm looking forward to next week's Steel Mill Modelers Meet in Bethlehem. Should be enlightening and directly applicable to the Weirton museum layout.

That's the current thinking.

George

George,

That is a lot of great planning.

It is good to take the time to get organized, and put little used items out of the workshop.  My workshop will still use a section of the fat garage wall and a kind of temporary workshop area in the train room until all the benchwork is complete.

 I will look forward to seeing the photograph backdrop.  I take it you are looking for early autumn again along the Ohio Valley.

Do you mind me asking what kind of plywood you will be using and where you will be getting it?  I may want to do the same since we now live not far apart.

Good idea ordering track for pickup at York!!

Have a great time at the meet in Bethlehem!!  I'm sure you will come back with a lot of ideas and improvements!!

Mark, I'm looking at Arauco plywood.  The closest distributor is XXXXXXXX.  Specs:

http://www.araucoply.com/infor...;fin=0&idioma=44

I'm also thinking about a higher grade of 2"x2" for the legs, but haven't settled on a source.  Shoot me an e-mail for the details.

WRONG.  There's a supplier in Tarentum - Allegheny Lumber.  The distributor is located in New Stanton, but they don't sell to the end-user.

Sorry about the confusion

George

Neat, George!  Get the best you can afford!

I just got back from the 2017 Steel Mill Modelers Meet and boy is my head spinning with new ideas!

Yeah, this could be bad.  Real bad.   

First of all, I picked up a set of plans for an Open Hearth. It's huge. That got me thinking about reducing the size of the Staging Area and giving the steel mill about 22 square feet of additional space. Right now, I'm toying with the idea of eliminating the Blast Furnace altogether and replacing it with a more scale sized Open Hearth. I would model the inside as well; it wouldn't just be a 3-D backdrop building.

Nothing's been decided yet. Lots of ideas rattling around in my head.

(In the back of my mind, I hear my father saying "George, your eyes are bigger than your stomach")

George

G3750 posted:

 

Today is the start of the design and construction of version 2 of the PRR Panhandle Division.

Good grief!! I can't believe I missed the start of your new layout build...and I have been watching for it too. At least I found it now. I'll be following along with interest.

Looks like a beautiful new home you have too and I certainly hope you enjoy it.

Good luck with everything and time permitting, please post lots of detailed updates. 

Also, moving is rough, we moved 4 years ago this month and are still fiddling around trying to get things where we want/like them. It takes a while! I have a small layout up and running, but it needs an addition in the worst way. Also have my workshop set up, but nothing is in the right place, still some re-arranging to do to get things in more efficient locations. Hope I live long enough to get all this completed!  

The stool you have posted for below layout work is great. I have one of those and also a mechanic's stool (slightly lower and a little different) and I would never have made it without those two items. Might be the best tools I have. Harbor Freight has them pretty reasonably priced and they are of decent quality as well. I think they were like $20 each when I got mine. 

Mark Boyce posted:

I agree about lighting.  With cataract surgery on the horizon, I may get a reprieve from dark shadows.  However, even before I liked a lot of light on the subject.  

As to the stool, I think I would rather build high enough so I can sit on something similar instead of using something like a mechanic's creeper.

You won't believe the difference the cataract surgery makes! I had both eyes done in 2015 and the improvement was just incredible! I only need glasses for small close up work and reading really fine print. I had 'coke bottle' thickness lenses before that and still couldn't see anything. It's just amazing what they can do these days! Good luck and I hope all goes well, I think you will be really pleased.

rtr12 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

I agree about lighting.  With cataract surgery on the horizon, I may get a reprieve from dark shadows.  However, even before I liked a lot of light on the subject.  

As to the stool, I think I would rather build high enough so I can sit on something similar instead of using something like a mechanic's creeper.

You won't believe the difference the cataract surgery makes! I had both eyes done in 2015 and the improvement was just incredible! I only need glasses for small close up work and reading really fine print. I had 'coke bottle' thickness lenses before that and still couldn't see anything. It's just amazing what they can do these days! Good luck and I hope all goes well, I think you will be really pleased.

You are the second guy about my age who told me he had it done.  I'm not feeling as bad since I usually thought of folks over 70 having trouble.  I was far sighted, and it reversed to near sighted in about a year.  I didn't realize how dim things were getting too.  Thank you for the good report!!!

You are welcome! And Good Luck!

Updated 8/19/2017:

I've been doing a lot of thinking (always dangerous   ) about the Weirton Steel and the Staging areas of the layout.  Here's the new look.



The major changes are: 

• Shrunk the Staging Area.  In the process I lost 1 holding track, but gained 22 square feet in the Weirton Steel Area.
• Enlarged the size of the Open Hearth and modified its shape to better reflect the prototype.
  
• Modified the track arrangement in the Weirton Steel area to add a wye.  This helps in moving hot metal cars between the Open Hearth and the Blast Furnace, and also prevents fouling of the main line (in order to access the switching lead).
• Added spurs in the yard that serve the building.  For example, the Blast Furnace now has a Highline, a spur for slag cars, and a spur for hot metal cars.  The Blooming Mill has a spur for ingot cars and for slab cars; an old photo tells me where the doors should be in the building.  The Blooming Mill is in the top right of the postcard below.
  

I haven't fully fleshed out the dimensions of the blast furnace, but if I specify it as No. 1 (the smallest), I have some flexibility there (modeler's license).

Your thoughts?

George

PS.  Thanks to the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center for their use of the photograph.