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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
 Posted - 11/17/2010 : 11:56:51 AM
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Another major milestone has been reached! Today, for the first time, I was able to run a train around the entire first level! Yes, the mainline loop has been completed from staging all the way around the layout and back into staging, and all associated wiring has also been completed. I still have some sidings to lay in, and of course all the industrial trackage and most importantly, Northumberland Yard, but with this milestone reached, I truly feel like I’m finally accomplishing something!
So today, I assembled the first train in staging and took it for a tour around the railroad. Here we have train BF-4 from Buffalo headed to Enola led by a pair of SD-40’s. We have just exited the staging yard at the steps and are headed southbound and approaching Northumberland Yard limits.
Here is BF-4 making it’s way past the future home of Northumberland Yard.
After coming around the end of the peninsula, here we see train BF-4 crossing the Susquehanna River and a road bridge before entering the town of Sunbury, Pa. This is the same bridge that was on the old layout. Unfortunately it suffered some damage during the move but this was easily repaired. It is a through truss bridge but the top part of the bridge is still on the workbench getting repairs.
Here we catch the tail end of BF-4 crossing over the Susquehanna River. The bridge piers are permanently set into place.
We are now headed through the center of the town of Sunbury. The Sunbury passenger station will be located just to the right of the engines. In the back round you can see the hole in the wall for the Wilkes-Barre branch and in the middle of the picture you can see the layout for the ‘Horn Track’ which is the Shamokin Secondary as it leaves Sunbury on it’s way to the helix.
Continuing south, we now pass through south Sunbury. To the left of the train will be South Sunbury Industrial park, home to a few large industries, including Weissman Foods Distribution Center.
Continuing past South Sunbury Industrial Park and headed towards Selinsgrove Junction.
Not much to see here, and it will remain that way! This is Selinsgrove Junction and when complete, will be a fairly remote area with lot’s of trees and scenery. You can barely make out the switch under the engines. The Selinsgrove Secondary track will come off here and head into Selinsgrove and on to Shamokin Dam, home of the Pennsylvania Power and Light complex that eats lot’s of hoppers of coal!
We continue southbound and the train will enter the staging yard area through the hole in the wall. When finished, this track will be barely visible through a line of trees.
And finally entering ‘Enola’ in the staging yard!
So, while there is still an awful lot to do, it feels good to hit this point. I enjoy having something running around while doing work on the layout. It’s also good to test trackage as you install it, and now I can!
My immediate plans are to continue installing some of the sidings and then most likely being work on installing Northumberland Yard. SteamNut will continue with the helix and we will then turn our attention to getting the branchlines installed on the upper level. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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dlwrailfan1
Crew Chief
USA
574 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 12:35:24 PM
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[:-jump2][:-jump2]
Hip hip hooray -- first train and a freight none the less. When will the white hats tour the property?
Thanks for the photo tour -- keep the track laying machine rolling along.
Eric[:-thumbu] |
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dnhman
Fireman
USA
1049 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 2:55:27 PM
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Way to go Mark, nice overview
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Cheers!, Joe |
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Harsco
Fireman
USA
1107 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 07:22:01 AM
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| Wow.....no doubt you were smiling ear to ear...congratulations, your first grandchild and first train, all in the same week. Buy a lottery ticket, Mark! |
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17866 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 07:25:26 AM
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| Nice job Mark. [:-thumbu] |
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sjconrail
Engine Wiper
USA
132 Posts |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 11:42:58 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Harsco
Wow.....no doubt you were smiling ear to ear...congratulations, your first grandchild and first train, all in the same week. Buy a lottery ticket, Mark!
Yeah, how about that! It's been a good week, that's for sure! [:-angel] |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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BN_Fan
New Hire
USA
35 Posts |
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wvrr
Fireman
5018 Posts |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 9:47:32 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by BN_Fan
Congrats on reaching another major milepost. I look forward to seeing partial operations soon.
Soon Bob, soon! Of course, this is only the main line on the lower level. I still have to get the three branchlines installed and layout some industries. But, it's progress! Maybe in a year or so? |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Vagel Keller
Crew Chief
USA
727 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 9:49:45 PM
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Congratulations, Mark! Great feeling, h'ain't it!? And it's just wonderful to see another Pennsy layout coming together. [:-jump2][:-jumprefect][:-jump2]
Vagel |
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belg
Fireman
USA
4381 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2010 : 06:10:18 AM
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| Mark, congrats on getting to this milestone. The crummy with the red marking lights, did it come that way or did you install them? Who makes it if they came with it? Pat |
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hunter48820
Fireman
6029 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2010 : 06:41:33 AM
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Hi Mark,
It is looking great. You have sure come a long ways at a good pace. It sure is fun building them, isn't it!!
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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LVRALPH
Fireman
5431 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2010 : 06:59:02 AM
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I broke out a bottle of bubbly to celebrate, but could not walk or drive to see it in berson.
Congrats, I'll bet your toes are smiling! |
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jatravia
Fireman
USA
2564 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2010 : 06:59:57 AM
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Very good Mark! Have you had your grand daughter down to try out a throttle yet? 
I see what appears to be an unfinished helix in the background of one of those photos. How is that going?
Joe <>< |
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Topic |
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Construction of the new PRR Northern Division
