Like the majority of modelers, I enjoy the steam to diesel transition era of the Pennsylvania Railroad and have selected the very late 1940's as the time period for my layout. The HO scale railroad fills a 24' x 32' basement room and features a faithful, yet compressed representation of Horseshoe Curve as the primary viewing area for visitors. I have also included a locomotive service facility featuring a 120' turntable, 12-stall roundhouse and four-track diesel shop. The city area is somewhat based on Harrisburg and includes a passenger terminal with six stub tracks and four through tracks for passenger trains as well as a few sidings to serve REA and local industry. The passenger platforms are approximately 60" in length.

Due to my desire to primarily operate steam power and long trains, I choose to sacrifice aisle space in order to allow for larger radius curves. Therefore, one must duck under the layout to reach the rear aisle serving the locomotive and passenger terminal areas. The minimum radius used is 36" with the majority of mainline trackage being 40" to 42" radius. There is a hidden reverse loop that necessitated use of 30" radius trackage, but it is not used during normal operations. All curved trackage includes easements which greatly improve the layout's operational qualities. Mainline trackage is Walthers code 83 and all secondary trackage is Micro Engineering code 70 and 55. Currently, the layout is wired for block control and can accommodate three operators out on the mainline and two more operating in the locomotive service and passenger terminal areas. DCC is a serious consideration for the future in order to simplify helper operations.

I have included a representation of the narrow gauge East Broad Top Railroad in the form of approximately 200' of closed-loop trackage elevated above the majority of the PRR's trackage. The EBT's loop is integrated into the entire layout in such a way as to appear as a point-to-point operation rather than a closed, continuous loop. This is accomplished with hidden trackage in mountain tunnels as well as portions concealed inside several of the city buildings. There are enough sidings and industries served by the narrow gauge line to occupy a sixth operator if desired, but the closed-loop design also allows for continuous, unattended operation as well.

Construction of the layout was begun in 1986 and at this point in time approximately 90% of the trackage is in place and fully operational. All turnouts are controlled by Tortoise motors mounted beneath the roadbed. I am concentrating on trackage and wiring prior to installation of the scenery as many areas will be difficult to access once the scenery is in place. Grades are limited to .75% to facilitate operating 60 to 80 car freight trains and 15 car passenger trains with prototypical locomotive assignments.

Photos:

This is a general view as you enter the room. You can see Horseshoe Curve at the end of the aisle (actually surrounding the center aisle). MG tower is just behind the steel column on the left (across from the green Overland boxes).

This is basically taken from the corner of the room that shows in the first photo. This shows the early stages of the locomotive facility construction (to the right in the photo). That's an Overland PRR coal tower that covers three tracks leading to the turntable behind it.

PFM 2-10-0 pulling a "Coast to Coast" tender that I scratchbuilt in brass.

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are a weathered Red Caboose X-29 and a Westerfield X-25. (6/20/00)

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are detail shots of the trainphone installation on an Overland FM C-Liner. (6/22/00)

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are detail shots of the trainphone installation on an Overland FM Erie-built. (7/26/00)

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are detail shots of the trainphone installation on an Overland Baldwin Centipede. (7/26/00)

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are detail shots of the trainphone installation on an Overland Alco PA-1. (7/26/00)

Model photos by Jerry Breon. Included are detail shots of the trainphone installation on an Overland EMD E-8. (7/26/00)

Last modified: April 10 2009.

Keystone Crossings has served 5227556 pages since June 1, 1997.