My present layout has been in the construction process for about 5 years, but is really starting to take shape now as I have begun scenery and completed most of the benchwork and track on at least the PRR portion. I model the Pennsy in HO scale in September 1967 from Wilmington to Baltimore including Perryville wye and yard tracks and the Port Road up to Wildcat Tunnel (State Line). The focus of the layout is really the trackage around Wilmington, DE with the main yard being Edgemoor. The Shellpot Branch is modeled and yard tracks at West Yard where the PRR interchanges with the Reading and B&O are modeled. Even though I model the North East Corridor I am mainly interested in representing freight traffic. There will be a few typical passenger trains that will be run, but as for now the mainline from Ragan interlocking through Wilmington station where there will be a return loop is not finished.

The layout uses Digitrax command control and occupies most of my 23' by 36' basement. It will be three levels when finished. The bottom two levels are for the most part finished with the upper level devoted to representing the Reading's Wilmington and Northern Branch to Coatesville/Reading. The little known PRR Brandywine Branch through Wilmington will be modeled on a narrow shelf and was, and will be, an important source of traffic for the layout.

A car card system of freight car routing will be in place soon. Most of the mainline track is Atlas code 100 with code 83 in yards and on branches. I am not installing any catenary, but will have the catenary poles in place. This does much to give the "electrified" territory feel and makes the electrics look more appropriate.

Photos

Photos by Don Richard:

Last modified: April 11 2009.

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