Contact: Ken Meyer.
I've chosen to model the PRR's Baltimore operations exclusively during the late 1940's. A shelf-type, HO scale layout, it will feature three-levels each 24" wide. Traveling along 3 walls of the 40' x 26' basement, the layout includes a center peninsula to handle trains through the Baltimore & Potomac (B&P) tunnel. This tunnel is approximately 55 feet long with several sections to be modeled open for viewing and access.
A three-track helix is planned to represent Union tunnel. This will connect East Baltimore (lower level) with the "center of the city". Between these two tunnels sits the model of Pennsylvania Station that was featured in "Railroad Model Craftsman," December 2004.
As we leave the station heading west up the Northern Central, the double track mainline passes Mt. Royal coach yard, Mt. Vernon yard (B&O interchange), Baltimore Produce Terminal, the area industries at Woodberry and Melvale, and the station and industries at Mt. Washington.
This line will take us into the upper return loop (Harrisburg and points west) located behind the stairs in the laundry room area. This back stage area will consist of three stacked loops to handle the trains arriving and departing Baltimore for distant points. Below the Harrisburg loop will be one for Washington and points south (middle loop), and one for Philadelphia and points north (lower loop).
The north-south corridor operations will begin as our train travels from the middle loop and first appears at Frederick Road near Gwynns Tower. Making our way past the yards at Gwynns and the connection with the Western Maryland at Fulton Junction, we will enter B&P tunnel. The tunnel, with its ruling 1.8 percent grade, will require "helpers" for many of the freight movements. Also, as mentioned earlier, the B&P tunnel will feature lighting and a brick lining on its roof and far side leaving the foreground side open for viewing and access.
As we exit B&P tunnel, our GG1 should be sounding its bell as we pass B&P tower and glide into Pennsylvania station. Parked in the sleeper yard is a PRR business car being serviced along with a gas-electric doodlebug awaiting its next Parkton Local assignment. There is plenty of activity going on at the north end of the station where a new Baldwin switcher is busy shuffling cars in the Baltimore Post Office.
Departing Pennsylvania Station, we will pass Union tower and just before entering Union tunnel (helix), Calvert station and the Western Maryland's Hillen station are visible in the distance. Union tunnel's helix will consist of three tracks in a space approximately 6'x 8' with five and a half turns.
Making our way onto the lower level, the four-track mainline will feature several girder bridges and a right-of-way lined with typical Baltimore row homes. As we travel through East Baltimore we will pass several coal companies including Gross Coal. Here the "Lane Man" should be working Patterson Park Yard, Rustless Iron and Steel (Armco), or one of several industries located along the industrial track that parallels the mainline.
As we travel under the B&O bridge past Bay Tower, the President Street/Canton secondary begins to descend below the mainline. This branch will be the lowest point on the layout and will serve as a staging yard for goods destined for the Port of Baltimore and surrounding industries. The Orangeville engine terminal will also be located on this lower level.
Located alongside Bay Tower, the yard will feature several departure, arrival, and classification tracks approximately 27 feet long. At the north end of Bay Yard begins the descent of the Sparrows Point secondary. It's purpose will be much like the President Street/Canton branch serving as a staging yard with a return loop.
At River Interlocking, Back River's bridge and Chesco Avenue's crossing, we will sound a blast on the horn. Next we cross the Baltimore City limits by traveling under the stairs and ending our run on one of the four tracks of the Philadelphia loop.
Digitrax Command Control, Peco turnouts, and Tortoise switch machines will be the backbone of the railroad's operation. Valance lighting and painted sky and photo backdrops will be included along all three levels. Two block operators located near the foot of the basement stairs, one at Bay Tower, the other at B&P Tower, will control the lineside telephones and signals that direct the walk-around train crews.
Well, that's the plan anyway.
Copyright 1996 - 2008
Last modified: May 24 2008.
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