It’s been awhile since the last layout update. I’ve had several inquiries so I snapped a few new photos for this post.
The Wheeling Freight Terminal has been up and running since late 2023. The track has been tested and I’ve switched the team yard a couple of times.
The freight car fleet has been unpacked. Each car has been checked for coupler and truck issues. Only a few adjustments were required. I found quite a few freight car that had been forgotten.
One piece didn’t not make the move from Tennessee. I had built a large building block using foam core. It couldn’t fit into my loaded vehicle for the trip to Philly. A couple structures and a box will be used for operation.
I was concerned with the freight house layout sections as they are the oldest parts of this layout. The benchwork grids were originally built for a proposed portable, modular narrow gauge layout in the late 1990s. They survived the move without any issues.
The long freight house mockup was a little worn from the move, but some glue and TLC brought it back into service.
Here’s a look at the layout plan again. I’m almost ready for an op session, but I need to install a couple of lights above the main yard. This area is below the finished drop ceiling area that covers the air ducts and steel beam. Much of the yard is between the recessed ceiling lights. I’m having a hard time reading freight car numbers and I don’t want a guest operator to have the same difficulty. I bought some Burisma Burrina LED lights and need to install them above the yard. It’s as simple as that, but I’ve procrastinated. Time to get that done.
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Eric…glad the layout is coming together. Enjoy the process.
Thanks, Dave! It’s great to have a working layout to test newly built equipment and iron out ideas. – Eric H.
Hi Eric. Love your posts. Curious on your layout planning. At one time, I believe you were looking at changing to the B&O Allegheny yard on the Pittsburgh North Side. I saw your presentation at the RPM session in Greensburg a number of years ago. I have collected quite a bit of info on that branch but focusing on a more modern era (I like diesels). Have you abandoned that potential concept?
I’ve been reviewing that branch as a layout concept for years. I recently retired so I hope to get serious and actually do something! There is so much there which makes it difficult to narrow down.
Thanks for all your updates, tips and advice. All great!
Regards,
Eric K
Greensburg, PA
Thank you for your comment, Eric K! I’m still planning on the B&O Allegheny Yard Branch but I need to upgrade the other half of the basement space before I can start building. Having the older layout available to operate keeps my modeling interests strong. Neat to hear you are attracted to the same B&O Pittsburgh branch. We need to compare some notes! – Eric H.
Eric,
It’s looking great. Really like seeing it all out like that and nearly ready for ops. Looking forward to future posts.
I can relate to the concept of “rediscovering” freight cars!
Awesome to see progress Eric.
Thank you, Ted! – Eric H.
I enjoy your posts, and I am glad to see that you got your layout up. Keep posting on your progress. Many times I learn something new.
Thank you, Bob! Now to update some lighting so I can host op sessions! – Eric H.
Looking great. After I got my layout up and running it felt great to be able to take rolling stock out so I can see it. LOL I like the Barrina LED shop lights. I installed them around my layout to try to eliminate shadows and to be able to see what I’m doing without extra lights. They made a huge difference. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Stephen! – Eric H.
Hi Eric! We miss you here in Nashville at the Dixie Club! I noticed what appear to be turnout actuators of some sort on your layout fascia…how do you operate your turnouts…what devices are used? I just move the points by hand on my small layout (PECO), but I’ve a few at the back that are a bit of a nuisance to reach.
Good to hear from you, Peter! I mounted Caboose Hobbies hand throws on fascia platforms. They operate a dowel under the subroadbed that throws the points. There’s also a momentary contact SPDT activated by the dowel that changes the frog polarity. It’s a bit of a Rube Goldberg set up, but it’s been working for me. With the rails at 50-inches off the floor, I didn’t want crews to reach in to thrown a switch. I also wanted them to “bend the iron” with a ground throw, rather than using a push-pull mechanism. – Eric H.
Your resurrected layout with representative structures is a good reinforcement of the principal that some railroad in 3D is much more satisfying than carrying dreams around in your head. It also scratches the itch that would otherwise drive you to order and then shelve every new release from Tangent and Moloco. My modeling time is generally spent on club projects, but there are a quartet of 16″x48″ baseboards at home to keep me busy.