| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
 Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:09:26 AM
|
The title of this update is: "State Street- The Final Frontier"
The M&B (or B&M) construction company came over this evening to go through some of the items needed for our third benchmarking session when Steam somewhat innocently asked if I'd accept some "constructive criticism", which in Steam-ese really means "please hand me your tape measure..."
Well, about an hour later, the final area of my layout - the one section that's isolated in the workshop, had been discussed, sketched, reviewed, discussed again, and finally decided (this time they allowed me to vote!). Becuase it's "out of sight and out of mind", the State Street area has always been something of an orphan...a "manana" area that we all agreed would eventually be taken care of at some point in the distant future.
Turns out that tonight was the future.
Here's a pic of the final area:
Because of it's location, I really never had any kind of firm plan (stop snickering, Mark)for what would be there, other than a large scale user of Harsco molten iron and steel, ideally a pipe foundry. What got this whole discussion started is the building shown in this second pic, the former Harsco Maintenance Shop:
The building, which was the object of Steam's original question, has been set down at it's future spot. Behind it will be a two track Reading stub-ended staging yard and the yard lead for the Herr Street yard (which is to the left of the picture). As discussed, a backdrop will be installed between the building and the tracks to disguise the staging and drilling going on. Here's a sketch (courtesy of Mr. Tape Measure himself, Steam) showing the proposed arrangement:
Harrisburg Pipe and Pipe Bending will produce both ductile iron as well as steel pipe; two additional benefits of this arrangement that warmed the cockles of the Ops Chief is that moving the Reading staging here frees up some much needed room in the existing staging yard, which believe it or not, is running out of available tracks (without us ever actually using it yet!) as well as INCREASING the number of addtional cars that will be needed to actually operate the foundry as well as two other smaller, as yet unamed industries that will be added. Here's a diagram of the staging yard BEFORE this latest concoction:
Here, foolish me thought I had PLENTY of staging.....time to start charming the Chancellor of the Exchequer!
All told, another seven turnouts and some additional track, but once again I had to admit..they're right.
Having wreaked their usual arrary of havoc, the two of them left, cackling and rubbing their hands vigorously, leaving me to ponder The Next Step...which fortunately will not need to be done before the next operating session, and take a few additional pics:
My last shot is of the venerable #6 showing off her sporty new idler cars....I need another four built before the next session or else those Hot Crews will be aptly named:
|
Edited by - Harsco on 08/11/2008 12:15:28 AM |
 |
|
|
LandNnut
Fireman
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:18:37 AM
|
Rick;
Yea my handle didn't work so good. I can't remember anyone that has gotten it correct without an explanation. No problem Its:
L&N nut (Louisville & Nashville nut)
I kept wondering how people on the Forum know each others real name then one day I clicked on someone's handle and looked at their profile and found most people have listed their real name there. Duuuoh. Bingo. The light finally went on so now I click on the person's handle to get their name.
Stopping rambling for now;
L&N nut
Jon R Gearhart |
 |
|
|
|
MarkF
Engineer
USA
9270 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:36:15 AM
|
| Rick, don't feel too bad! I too am a victim of Steam's creativity. The thought occured to me tonight that I now have to change some of that new paperwork I just finished up, now that the Reading Interchange has been moved out of the the 'Enola' staging yard to it's own track! [:-banghead] But I like his idea. I think that area is going to be a great addition. Can't wait to see it finished when I get back from vacation. [:-eyebrows] |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
|
|
|
|
Steam Nut
Fireman
USA
1272 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 07:42:45 AM
|
| I should have a gold plated tape measure! |
Steam Lives! |
|
|
|
Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23228 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 08:55:48 AM
|
| More staging/drilling and more switching - that looks like a winner to me.[:-thumbu] |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
|
|
|
Bbags
Administrator
USA
13049 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 10:53:46 AM
|
Very nice.[:-thumbu][:-thumbu]
It must also be nice to have 2 friends who are willing to offer suggestions and help with the construction. |
John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
|
|
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 2:08:24 PM
|
Friends? Who said they're friends? Do you have any idea how much my monthly rolling stock lease payment is?
Seriously, Mark and I have known each other for.....too many years, during which he continually tried to get me to accept assistance from others. It wasn't as though I was unilaterally opposed to the idea, it was simply I hadn't a clue what I wanted, much less trying to tell someone else what I wanted. Add to this my personal loathing of the fundamental aspects of the hobby: benchwork and wiring, as well a limited time and resources and you end up with effective recipe for Prolonged Procrastination. In many ways, it's been the cosmic combination of Mark being between layouts, Steam's innate sense of engineering, and my own life circumstances changing (children grown up, job changing, and the time and disposable income needed to actually get something DONE). Let's face it....young children, career demands, and a crazy lifestyle aren't exactly conducive to effective layout construction, at least for some of us.
It also helps that the three of us are usually on the same page, if not the same chapter. Aside from their experience in fundamental stuff, Steam and Mark have operated a wide array of layouts over the years and have developed a fairly well-honed perspective on what works and more importantly, what doesn't. While I was distracted and away from the hobby, they were active and learning...and thankfully are willing to share the knowledge so I don't have to continuously re-invent the wheel. Simply put, the layout I've been documenting these past nine months is a testament to their knowledge and skills...I just happen to oversee the process, provide logistical support, assemble gondolas, and serve snacks. I suppose as a modeler I should feel embarrassed for not doing all this on my own, but to be perfectly truthful, I'm not. After waiting most of my adult life to have an honest-to-gosh, functioning layout, it's finally happening, right in front of my eyes.....what could be wrong with that?
I just wish they'd tell how to turn it on.....LOL
|
Edited by - Harsco on 08/11/2008 2:12:23 PM |
|
|
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 3:46:29 PM
|
Not being gifted enough to visually translate a pencil sketch into something tangible, I dug out the templates this afternoon and laid out the proposed track arrangement for the future State Street area. As the following pictures will hopefully illustrate, we'll be able to squeeze enough sidings in to make this one of those infamous "better pack a lunch" areas. The first is an overall shot...bear in mind that a 24 wide x 27 inch deep extension will be added on the right (so that the dangling staging tracks can be extended).
For accesibilty reasons, the extension won't go all the way to the wall; here's a slightly wider view to show the additional sidings on the lower right:
Now a reverse view; the backdrop/skyboard will be placed between the building and those staging tracks to enhance the illusion that the Reading is entering the Herr Street Yard area from another direction. I should also note that it won't be necessary for an operator to crawl into this opening in order to operate unless there's a derailment:
 |
Edited by - Harsco on 08/11/2008 3:47:52 PM |
|
|
|
MarkF
Engineer
USA
9270 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 6:55:16 PM
|
Geez, I am humbled!!! Thanks Rick, but truthfully, it's been a lot of fun getting you to this point, and will be even more fun watching it continue to develope. Remember though, while you are giving Steam and I all this credit, these are really YOUR ideas! We just found a way to pull them out of your head and put them to paper, and then to wood! There is still a long way to go though. State Street looks good. Prior to last nights brain storming session, I have to admit that I wasn't too excited about that area. But now, after moving the Reading track and seeing what Bruce laid out, I think it's going to be a GREAT area and it's going to add so much more to your operation! Can't wait to see the finished product when I return from vacation.  |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
|
|
|
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 10:58:53 PM
|
| As far as having it done by the time you get back, don't hold your breath unless you look good in blue....there's at LEAST two weeks of heavy-duty pondering, mulling, contemplation, and procrastination ahead before I get things together....might as well stay true to form...LOL |
|
|
|
hunter48820
Fireman
6024 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2008 : 12:52:43 AM
|
Hi Rick,
That is going to be a neat area to switch. I find that as I build my layout, I'm spending more time trying to perfect the switching districts and customer car spots as much as possible since it seems my crews love getting a switching train and just disappear for hours! They like it much better than running a road train (on average)! |
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
|
|
|
Diamond Bill
New Hire
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 4:06:29 PM
|
Rick:
I finally got a chance to read this entire thread. Thanks to Joe for sending the link.
Wow! your modeling skills are fantastic. That is a great layout with a lot of operating potential.
I am amazed you could build such a beautiful layout with the help you are using. (Mark F. Steam Nut and John)
I had no idea you were that desperate for help. But you gotta use what you can get. Right?
I have plenty of Foam Core available when you are ready to get into some serious modeling.
If you keep this great work up, I will have to uninvite you to my next operating session. I don't like to be upstaged!
Diamond Bill (snicker) (snicker) |
|
|
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2008 : 08:00:36 AM
|
Thanks, Bill....I'm still in awe of yours, so don't even think that way! I'm a HUGE Foam Core fan.....much to Mark and Steam's dismay....LOL. Instead of my usual one or two pithy comments regarding the M&B Construction Company, I have to give credit where credit is due. As Mark can attest, I'm the undisputed Potentate of Procrastination... without his continual prodding to accept some help, I'd still be pushing bottle cars back and forth on the original section with my finger. The fact that all of this happened in nine short months is even more amazing. For me, the fun part (structures, scenery, and detailing)is about to start, and the best part is there's no deadline (right guys?).
|
|
|
|
Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23228 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2008 : 09:07:09 AM
|
Rick,
I was looking at the latest issue of RMC and saw the ad for Hot Metal Cars by State Tool & Die Co. That made me wonder whose cars you were using on the layout. |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
|
|
|
Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2008 : 2:46:59 PM
|
Depends on your definition; I refer to the larger, torpedo shaped 100 ton units as "bottle cars" - those are Walthers. The smaller, open-topped 50 ton units are sometimes called "hot metal" cars. On The HTRR, the smaller ones will be used to deliver molten iron or steel to on-line customers such as foundries and/or casting firms.
Here's a picture showing both; the one on the left is a State Tool open-top fifty ton hot metal car equipped with "wings" which allow the customer to tip the ladle over and pour the molten metal into a ladle or directly into a casting machine. Mills typically filled these cars, then placed a layer of coke on top to retain heat as well as exclude air.
|
Edited by - Harsco on 08/14/2008 2:53:23 PM |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Harrisburg Terminal Railroad (HTRR)
