PRR Panhandle Division

there is a David Barnhart painting of that very scene. I remember taking the bus from Toronto with Mom to Steubenville to go shopping at the Hub. There was so much car and foot traffic, they had bells that would ring at the intersections to let the people cross. And when you went thru Follansbee, you held you breath because the coke mill stunk so bad. Downtown Steubenville is a shadow of it's former self, but Mingo Junction is a ghost town since the mill closed. Did you stop by Naples for pasta?

Steamer posted:

there is a David Barnhart painting of that very scene. I remember taking the bus from Toronto with Mom to Steubenville to go shopping at the Hub. There was so much car and foot traffic, they had bells that would ring at the intersections to let the people cross. And when you went thru Follansbee, you held you breath because the coke mill stunk so bad. Downtown Steubenville is a shadow of it's former self, but Mingo Junction is a ghost town since the mill closed. Did you stop by Naples for pasta?

Are you sure you don't mean David Barnhouse?   I know David Barnhouse has painted many scenes of the area but I've never heard of David Barnhart.  

you're right! and he did a great one of C&O 2700

mrmuggs posted:

You've done a great job.  What are you using as a canvass?  Is it plywood, masonite or artist canvass?  

Thanks, but I can't take credit for it.  The artist is Janice Snapp of Marysville, PA.

The backdrops are 1/8" masonite, prepped with 2 coats of Gesso, and then painted with acrylic paints.

George

Updated 6/24/2016:

Had another visit from the artist. She and I installed backdrop #3.5 and she worked on blending the sky colors appropriately for the 3 backdrops. She also adjusted the sky color on backdrop #4.

Here's a 2 shot panorama.

Here's a close up of backdrops 3 & 3.5.

Finally, here's a look at Backdrop #4.  I hope to install it tomorrow.

George

Steamer posted:

There was so much car and foot traffic, they had bells that would ring at the intersections to let the people cross.

I think there is a pretty fair chance the bells were to alert BLIND people that the walk signal was on. They had the same thing in Butler, PA.

Simon

Simon Winter posted:

Steamer posted:

There was so much car and foot traffic, they had bells that would ring at the intersections to let the people cross.

I think there is a pretty fair chance the bells were to alert BLIND people that the walk signal was on. They had the same thing in Butler, PA.

Simon

 

They still do have the bells in Butler.

Updated 6/26/2016:

We have finally reached a milestone - all the backdrops are installed! 

There is still work to be done on the backdrops, specifically:

• Mating of hillsides and ridges between Backdrops 3 & 4
• Blending of sky colors across all four backdrops

Here's the whole set of backdrops installed on the back wall of the layout.



George

Update 7/4/2016:

With the help of my friend Price, I managed to re-assemble the western mainline and Coal Mine Spur.  The geometry is a bit different, but the tracks now line up correctly as they approach the bridge.  

Here's the area before the work.

And here is the area after re-assembly.  



The track has not been fastened down yet, nor have I added the super-elevation yet (you can see the blue wire for it).  This will be done after the bridge is fixed in place.  Track feeders pairs have been attached, but not connected.  Signalling wires are yet to be connected as well.

Both approaches are nearly ready for the bridge.  Before we do that, the artist has to come back and make a few adjustments to Backdrop #4.  And then it will be time to install the bridge!  Exciting!

George

Forgot to mention that the Hidden Passing Siding ultimately became a casualty of expediency. The rightmost (Weirton) end of the siding where it joined the turnout was too difficult a fit with the backdrop, so I cut the siding. It is now a trailing point spur accessed from the Steubenville side. I've justified this in view of the need to immediately get trains going and that the arrangement will be (relatively) short-lived.

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

It's not a big loss and furthers the greater goal - installing the bridge and running trains!

George

Updated 7/10/2016:

The artist just worked her magic and the backdrops are DONE!!!! 

Here's the whole panorama going west to east.

Now we start on the bridge supports and anchors in preparation for hanging the bridge!

We are getting there!

George

I've had second thoughts.  I'm going to ditch the backdrops and go with this...

George

Updated 7/21/2016:

Have been pretty busy with non-MRR activities (i.e. life), but I did get this done.

These are the cleats that the bridge will sit on. The screws and washers will be painted black.

George

Updated 7/25/2016:

Progress is happening!!!!!


Still working at connecting and wiring the approach tracks.

George

Updated 7/30/2016:

I think the video speaks for itself.

George

Very impressive! Massive!

Great video George!  By running the trains over the span, you can really appreciate the size of the model.  Thanks for letting me know about your post.  Backdrop looks great too!

George,

 Very nice. All the puzzle pieces are falling into place. The backdrop goes together well with the bridge. You should be quite happy with how it turned out.

 Glad to see there is enough commerce on your line to keep the B6 active! 

 Tom 

PRRMiddleDivision posted:

Great video George!  By running the trains over the span, you can really appreciate the size of the model.  Thanks for letting me know about your post.  Backdrop looks great too!

Thanks Neal!  It was your advice those many years ago that led to this moment.

George

Updated 8/3/2016:

After several days of sporadically running trains, I've discovered a few areas that need electrical attention.  There are a few dead spots, probably caused by feeder wire pairs that didn't get connected.  We're going to fix those in the near future.

But my wife came down and ran trains with me for 10 minutes.  She was impressed and likes the layout!   

George

Did you see the new RAilPACE magazine with a big article about Mingo Junction ??

have to see if I can find that...Mingo is a ghost town since the mill closed.

On the cover there is a nice big photo of the mill. I want to copy it-maybe use it as a back drop.  I will sent it to you.

Maybe Pat's Trains sells it. One photo of a yard with the remains of an overhead signal. A remnant of the Panhandle line.

jim pastorius posted:

Did you see the new RAilPACE magazine with a big article about Mingo Junction ??

I believe that's Wheeling Pitt on the cover not Weirton Steel or am I missing something?

If it's Mingo, then it's Wheeling Pitt, they had mills up and down the Valley, Weirton Steel is just in Weirton.

Steamer posted:

If it's Mingo, then it's Wheeling Pitt, they had mills up and down the Valley, Weirton Steel is just in Weirton.

Actually Weirton Steel was in both Weirton and Steubenville but the Steubenville plant was closed decades ago.  However, I think you are correct that the picture on the cover of this magazine is Wheeling Pitt not Weirton.  

never knew that, thanks.

So long ago I forget but, I thought, Weirton steel was in Weirton. The credit inside says "the former Steubenville North Blast furnace just south of Steubenville."  A nice big photo of a blast furnace, not too many of them around. as the magazine says "everything is gone"   The article itself is about Mingo Jct.

I've been here since '65, and I never heard of there being part of Weirton Steel in Steubenville. Wheeling Pitt was all over Steubenville,Mingo,down the river, on both sides. Weirton Steel (now Archlor Mittal) remains...but a shadow of it's former self.

jim pastorius posted:

Did you see the new RAilPACE magazine with a big article about Mingo Junction ??

No, I haven't.  Let me clarify a few points.

With regards to the Pennsylvania Railroad, Mingo Junction was a service and storage location for locomotive power on the Panhandle.  I believe there was a roundhouse there. 

First of all, Weirton Steel did have a mill in Steubenville.  My father was an industrial engineer and he did some work there.  I think it existed in the 1940's and part of 1950's.

If anyone is interested in photos of Weirton Steel, you may wish to contact the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center.   They have the entire holdings of the Weirton Steel publication "The Bulletin".  Throughout the glory years of the town and the mill, you couldn't turn around without bumping into a Bulletin photographer. 

http://www.weirtonmuseum.com/

Tell Dennis Jones (the director) I said "Hi". 

George

jim pastorius posted:

So long ago I forget but, I thought, Weirton steel was in Weirton. The credit inside says "the former Steubenville North Blast furnace just south of Steubenville."  A nice big photo of a blast furnace, not too many of them around. as the magazine says "everything is gone"   The article itself is about Mingo Jct.

That's right, the blast furnaces south of Steubenville, OH are from the Wheeling Pitt Steubenville Plant.  They were torn down recently.  I'll see if I can locate some pictures of the tear down.

Steamer posted:

I've been here since '65, and I never heard of there being part of Weirton Steel in Steubenville. Wheeling Pitt was all over Steubenville,Mingo,down the river, on both sides. Weirton Steel (now Archlor Mittal) remains...but a shadow of it's former self.

You can find many different articles on Weirton Steel and it's Steubenville plant.  He is an excerpt from one found on the internet (http://www.fundinguniverse.com...corporation-history/)

"The expansion of the city coincided with the expansion of Weir's mills. In 1910, ten more mills were added. In 1911, Weir acquired the 12-mill Pope Tin Plate Company in Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1915 and 1916, two more hot mills were constructed at Weir's strip steel plant. Weirton's facility thus became the flagship of Weir's enterprise, and in 1918 Weir named his concern Weirton Steel."

thanks! I'll check that out. I've seen some other books on local history, and between the steel mills, potteries, and the brickyards, there was a TON of industry in this area. sad that so much is gone, and a lot of it since I got out of school.

Steamer posted:

thanks! I'll check that out. I've seen some other books on local history, and between the steel mills, potteries, and the brickyards, there was a TON of industry in this area. sad that so much is gone, and a lot of it since I got out of school.

Very sad isn't it?

yup.....especially everytime you see how much "Made in......" is in all our stores.

Steamer posted:

yup.....especially everytime you see how much "Made in......" is in all our stores.

It is sad.  At one point in time, Weirton Steel was making 20% of the tinplate for the world's tin cans.

That's an amazing statistic.

George

I work in a Litho plant minutes from Mittel (Weirton Steel) and their quality has really slipped. we don't get a lot of their coils. The coils we get from Germany, and Korea, have much better quality. USS steel is as bad as Mittel. ANd about the time we do start getting more Mittel, they jack up the price and drop the quality a bit more.Dang shame.

Steamer posted:

I work in a Litho plant minutes from Mittel (Weirton Steel) and their quality has really slipped. we don't get a lot of their coils. The coils we get from Germany, and Korea, have much better quality. USS steel is as bad as Mittel. ANd about the time we do start getting more Mittel, they jack up the price and drop the quality a bit more.Dang shame.

Too bad.  Once you fall off the tightrope, it's hard to get back on.  I hope Weirton gets their act together and stages some sort of (small) comeback.  I would hate to see them disappear altogether.

George

Updated 9/12/2016:

Spent part of the morning today working on the layout.  

The river surface module was installed, along with the piers, pedestals, and bridge shoes.  

Have not gotten to a few electrical problems areas, but that is next.

George

Updated 9/19/2016:

Happy to report that I fixed two areas of intermittent electrical conductivity, aka dead spots.   

Also learned a valuable lesson for the next version of the Panhandle - save your fit-up connectors for spots away from the bridge.  The next time, the bridge will get pins.

George

George,

Glad you are figuring everything out. Hope you can post some pictures again soon.

Tom

MNCW posted:

George,

Glad you are figuring everything out. Hope you can post some pictures again soon.

Tom

Thanks Tom.

There isn't much new to post, at least regarding photos.  Now that the 3 dead spots are history, I will be working on the piers and abutments.

George

George....your heart and soul is in this thread..... Beautiful work and incredible dedication!

Peter

Putnam Division posted:

George....your heart and soul is in this thread..... Beautiful work and incredible dedication!

Peter

You are too kind, Peter. 

Are you headed to York next month?

George

Updated 9/23/2016:

The train room has been cleaned and a lot of debris removed. Excess and scrap building materials are lined up to be thrown away. I am starting to prepare the layout for what I call a Smoker (running trains with guests) in early November. The good news is that track performance has greatly improved and stabilized. I'm still having trouble getting block occupancy signals reconnected and operating properly. Not sure what the problem is exactly, but de-bugging continues.

Samantha is taking a rest after "helping" me.

Inventory has been updated. I have started putting away materials and tools.

The workshop has also been cleaned up to some extent. Still lots of junk to discard.

George

G3750 posted:

Putnam Division posted:

George....your heart and soul is in this thread..... Beautiful work and incredible dedication!

Peter

You are too kind, Peter. 

Are you headed to York next month?

George

Up in the air. My wife had a knee replacement this past week and it my be too early to leave her alone, and certainly too early for her to make the trip.

Peter

Putnam Division posted:

G3750 posted:

Putnam Division posted:

George....your heart and soul is in this thread..... Beautiful work and incredible dedication!

Peter

You are too kind, Peter. 

Are you headed to York next month?

George

Up in the air. My wife had a knee replacement this past week and it my be too early to leave her alone, and certainly too early for her to make the trip.

Peter

Oh wow.  Best wishes for her early and complete recovery.  Hope to see you there.

George

Putnam Division posted:

G3750 posted:

Putnam Division posted:

George....your heart and soul is in this thread..... Beautiful work and incredible dedication!

Peter

You are too kind, Peter. 

Are you headed to York next month?

George

Up in the air. My wife had a knee replacement this past week and it my be too early to leave her alone, and certainly too early for her to make the trip.

Peter

Peter, 

 Best wishes for her to have a speedy recovery. Good time for her to have some good books to read. 

Tom 

Updated 10/4/2016:

I'm getting to the point where forward progress on the original Panhandle is becoming difficult.  I've abandoned work on the bridge abutments.  In fact, I've completely re-thought the original design as well.  I think it was too difficult to build.  It did not use the right materials or play to their strengths.  Chances are the plywood sheets for the abutment sides would have warped.  It would have required a lot of effort to make them match up without a guarantee of a decent outcome.  I'm learning.  In the past, I would have powered through and hoped for the best.

I've decided to re-design the abutments and have them made by the same person who did the wonderful job on the bridge piers.  As the bridge is the centerpiece of the layout and the expansion will improve the accuracy (wrt the prototype), this makes the most sense.  The result should be better than what I could deliver and it will compliment the bridge.

I've also decided not to spend any effort re-attaching signals.  The layout is coming down in mid-January.

George

10/10/2016:

We're making steel!  Or at least we appear to be making steel.

I got the Open Hearth smokestacks wired up.

George

Updated 10/16/2016:

I received the first of my new piers today.  It will be going to York later in the week when I speak with the bridge builders.

First, the prototype.

Now, the model.

I think they look pretty similar.  What do you think?

George

Those piers will look great!

Peter

I see that bridge several day sa week, those look great.

Peter & Dave,

Thank you.  I am very happy with the look as well.  It will be interesting to see what the builders think of it.

I am currently working on the abutments (end piers).  I think those are going to be fascinating; they are very different from all the others.

Peter - have your odds of attending York improved?

George

Updated 10/23/2016:

Figured I'd wire up some MTH Floodlight towers using my 12VDC bus. Did the first one and this is what I got...

I'm seeing 9.6 VDC at the bridge piers (they have Evans Design U3TR slow red blinking LEDs on them as navigational aids). I might have to go to a nearby 12VAC bus (same one that fires the smokestacks at the Open Hearth).

Here's a view of both floodlight towers.

That's annoying.  I just spent 30 minutes under the layout. 

George

Looks great George! I like the look of those towers...

Andy

Updated 10/24/2016:

Lamp issue fixed. I was putting 9.6-9.7 volts through the MTH Floodlights. Although they are rated for 7-16 volts (AC or DC), obviously 9.6v produces a very dim light.

I took my 12 VAC feed (from a PowerChief 120F) to my Open Hearth smokestacks and ran an extension to one of the floodlights. Turns out to be 13 VAC at the accessory. 

But at least the tower lights up. It's somewhat brighter than before, but not overpowering.

And yes, that Pennsy signal in the background has lost its mind.  It's indicating "ALL CLEAR" when it should be indicating "STOP".  Not sure what's up with that.

George

Updated 10/25/2016:

Got both MTH Floodlight towers hooked up to the 12VAC accessory bus.  The view is looking "north" with the Open Hearth on the immediate right.

George

 What about the relay controlling the signal  might be bad or The board in the signal is bad 

Pennsylvania & Ohio rr conway yard posted:

 What about the relay controlling the signal  might be bad or The board in the signal is bad 

Yeah, either the relay is gone or the board in the signal itself (hope it isn't this) is toast.  I'm not going to mess with it at this point.  The layout comes down in 3 months or so.

George

Updated 10/29/2016:

Did some major clean-up around the layout today in preparation for the Train Smoker coming up soon.  I am still debating what to do about the Weirton area.  I have it covered with masonite, but I wondering if I should do something else.  It might end up being a display area for photos of Weirton.

First a look at the Steubenville, OH side of the layout.

Next, Weirton in the foreground (a big blank area - looks just like modern North Weirton ) and the bridge in the back.

Finally, a look at Weirton Steel.  I put part of Crawford's Crossing up temporarily.

George

That looks great George!  I love the bridge setting in its place in the scene!

Thanks Mark.  We're almost ready for the smoker.

George

Updated 11/2/2016:

Spent most of the evening getting the trainroom ready for Friday's Smoker.  We have a few things left on our 30-item checklist, but my major OCD impulses have been satisfied.   

Here are some photos:

As usual, we proceed west to east.  Here's the Steubenville, OH side of the layout.

And then the Weirton, WV side.


Some close ups of the photos.  This is my father's book.


Photos and information about the layout.


George

Updated 11/18/2016:

Removed the MTH floodlight towers and got them a spray of black paint.  Most of the tower structure, heck just about everything at Weirton Steel was painted black.

George

Updated 11/27/2016:

I picked up the remaining 2 piers for the extended PRR Panhandle bridge.

George

Updated 12/17/2016:

Despite all reports to the contrary from last year, Barry's Train Shop in Elizabethtown, PA wasn't done.  Several weeks ago, the local community advertising fishwrapper ran an ad from them saying they would be open on Saturday's upto and including December 24th.  The store itself is gone (something else is in that space), but the 3 warehouses would be open.

I visited a week ago and picked up two Petersen Supply PRR gondolas (2-rail) for $24.  Yesterday, I had the chance to replace the trucks and couplers with 3-rail Bettendorf ones from Weaver.  Photos below.

I think they look OK.  Eventually, they will be weathered and put into coil service for the steel mill.

George

Updated 12/25/2016:

This photo of the future train room (under construction) was taken Friday, December 23rd.

George

Updated 1/13/2017 (Friday the Thirteenth edition):

Here's the report:

• All pretense at forward progress has been halted. Last run scheduled for week of January 22-28.
• Boxes and plastic bins are being gathered.
• Inventory of items is being double-checked and some bins are being packed.
• New house construction is going great guns - inspections (structural, wiring, energy star) have been passed, siding is being installed, dry-wall is being installed.
• List of excess items, parts, etc. is being created. These will be sold.

George

George the new train room looks fantastic.  You really will have a great place to build your layout, but in the mean time if you need a place to store that bridge I would be willing to "store it for you"! I know building and moving is a big undertaking but in the long term it will be worthwhile. Best of luck on the whole process.

Scale City Designs posted:

George the new train room looks fantastic.  You really will have a great place to build your layout, but in the mean time if you need a place to store that bridge I would be willing to "store it for you"! I know building and moving is a big undertaking but in the long term it will be worthwhile. Best of luck on the whole process.

Thanks Marty, I appreciate the "offer". 

I'm looking forward to getting the new Panhandle started, but the interim is going to be a PITA. 

George

I just discovered this post and will continue to follow. This post is very sentimental to me as this is where my love of trains and the railroad began. I was born and raised in this small Ohio town and was fortunate enough to see this bridge on a regular basis. I actually crossed it as a boy a few times. 

Thanks for modeling this wonderful area of the Ohio Valley.

luvindemtrains posted:

I just discovered this post and will continue to follow. This post is very sentimental to me as this is where my love of trains and the railroad began. I was born and raised in this small Ohio town and was fortunate enough to see this bridge on a regular basis. I actually crossed it as a boy a few times. 

Thanks for modeling this wonderful area of the Ohio Valley.

You're very welcome.  What small town, Steubenville?

George

Updated 1/22/2017:

Well, the day has finally come.  Today begins the tear down of the PRR Panhandle.  Here are the final photos prior to starting the process.

George

Good luck with the tear down, packing and moving.

Sorry I have missed this thread on your layout progress with the fantastic bridge. You have been busy for a long time. Lots of effort and time I can relate to.  Now a tear down and move. Hope your fresh start brings even more imagination.

pennsynut posted:

Sorry I have missed this thread on your layout progress with the fantastic bridge. You have been busy for a long time. Lots of effort and time I can relate to.  Now a tear down and move. Hope your fresh start brings even more imagination.

Thank you.  I plan to document the build of Panhandle 2.0.

George

Updated 1/27/2017:

Deconstruction in progress.

Track is coming up, but not all gone yet.  Same for electrical components.  Both power distribution panels have been cleared.  The transformer cart has been mostly emptied.

George

How much for the Bridge ??

Hey there.  Life-long resident of Weirton here.  I'm up on Maryland Heights.  If you're going to part with the bridge, I'd LOVE it and definitely be interested. 

Thanks,

Paul

jim pastorius posted:

How much for the Bridge ??

ROFLMAO. 

The bridge is NOT for sale.

George

Yes, I meant it as a joke. Waiting to see its new home across the Olde Ohio !

jim pastorius posted:

Yes, I meant it as a joke. Waiting to see its new home across the Olde Ohio !

I took it as one. 

Yes, I can't wait to see it in place, either.

George

Updated 1/29/2017:

Nearly all the track has been removed.  The backdrop was sold yesterday and was transported to its new home.

And before anyone else asks:  No, the bridge is not for sale. 

I will start on the benchwork tomorrow.

George

George,

You are well on your way, but I do not envy you tearing everything down and the whole process of moving.  As you know now, we have moved more times than I want to think about.    I'll look forward to your new layout build, as I know you are!  The bridge sitting on the folding table gives a good perspective of just how large it is!  Of course the one across the real Ohio River is absolutly massive!

Updated 2/3/2017:

More destruction to follow!  The Western side of the layout is pretty much down.

Eastern side benchwork is still intact.

River module is gone.

All taking place under the watchful eye of demolition supervisor Samantha. 

George

George,

I can see you are making great progress with Samantha overseeing the job!!  We will keep focused on that new house!!

George:

Your bridge looks big enough to span the Ohio River.  Great modeling. 

Mike CT.

Thanks Mike!  It is!  It is!

I didn't model it though.  Took out my credit card. 

George

I wanted the bridge for a WW II  Remagen Bridge module  !!

jim pastorius posted:

I wanted the bridge for a WW II  Remagen Bridge module  !!

So you can blow it up? 

Before or after the bridge collapses?????

In either case, the answer is NO! 

George

Sure hope your supervisor lets you take a break every now and then. If she is working you too hard I would suggest some Pounce or possibly even some Catnip. 

Updated 4:17 PM 2/4/2017:

The first version of the PRR Panhandle is officially history.

Since 2004, this layout has been viewed approximately 130,000 times.  I want to express my very sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who have followed, commented, and encouraged me on this journey.  People have walked up to me at York and other train shows and inquired as to progress or just to say "Hi".  I have to say that I am overwhelmed by the good will you all have sent my way.

God willing, it won't be too long until Panhandle 2.0 starts to take shape in our new home.

May God bless you all,

George

Well George, those photos are bittersweet!  I know it is hard to say good bye to a layout you have put a lot into.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I will be looking forward to seeing the next rendition of the Panhandle Division first hand in your new home.

May God bless you and your wife too as you make your move to a new home!

Mark Boyce posted:

Well George, those photos are bittersweet!  I know it is hard to say good bye to a layout you have put a lot into.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I will be looking forward to seeing the next rendition of the Panhandle Division first hand in your new home.

May God bless you and your wife too as you make your move to a new home!

I am not too saddened by this event.  I know the new Panhandle will be much better.  I made a lot of mistakes in building this one and I am looking forward to a fresh, new start.

Thank you for the kind thoughts.

George

Best of luck with moving and beginning your new layout. And good luck with the new house. Also looking forward to your new layout building, please keep us posted.

Thank you, I will.   Unfortunately, it will be awhile.  I took the layout down to help with the selling of the home.  Realistically, I don't expect much to happen with the new layout until late summer / early fall.

George

This is the end of the line for the PRR Panhandle thread.  Since I began documenting this layout build in 2004, it has appeared 5 times on the OGR Photo Forum (back when threads expired after a certain amount of time due to disk space constraints).  In that time, the thread has been viewed over 130,000 times.  I am grateful and humbled by all the attention.  My thanks to everyone for their viewing, "Likes", constructive criticism, suggestions, and support!  I am much obliged.

Shortly, I will launch a new PRR Panhandle 2.0 topic to document the building of the new layout.

George

George, Very nice. Thanks for telling a good story. Looking forward to the next one. Keep that B6 switcher steamed up! 

Tom