The WEST PENN railroad was established in 1996. In October 2004 the layout was dismantled while I built a new ranch style home to eliminate steps in the main living space. The new home for West Penn would now provide a larger layout space and a much needed crew lounge. Currently 1380' of the mainline is operational. The layout is still under construction with 98% of the roadbed completed.

The model railroad is...

38' x 70', HO scale, freelance switching layout.
Layout height is 46" to 102". It is a mushroom design with 39" raised walking platform for the upper level (completed 2006).
L-girder bench work construction.
Upper deck suspended by 5/16" threaded rods (completed 2006).
Roadbed is 5/8" ply with homasote. 60' experiment with splined masonite.
1700' mainline loop to be operated as out and back (1380' operational (1st Loop Ð 220', 2nd Loop - 720', 3rd Loop - 440', 4th Loop - 520', Helix 18')).
Designed such that mainline can be separated into 4 separate loops (Operational loops Ð 1st 2007, 2nd 2008, 3rd 2009).
12 - Industrial switching areas with several stand-alone sidings for a peddler.
4 - 70' Offline storage tracks for guest trains between operating sessions/shows (completed 2006).
3 - 17' Interchange tracks to interchange with the Central Penn and South Penn Railroads (completed 2007).
16 - 17' staging tracks hidden under yard (completed 2008).
15 - Classification tracks holding 30 - 36 cars each will make up the main double-ended yard.
12 Ð Arrival/Departure tracks to keep classification yard flowing.
130' turn table with 8 stall roundhouse.
Track is code 83 for the mainline and code 100 for hidden staging. Total track laid 2500' (Code 100 Storage/Staging 700', Code 83 1800' on 7th box - 10 bought so far).
Most turnouts will be hand laid and use slow motion switch machines with constant voltage circuits.
DCC control Ð Digitrax / EasyDCC (boosters).
Signaled with a simplified PRR style signaling showing occupancy only.
Car card system will be used for operating sessions.
Dispatcher controlled train movement with dispatchers booth under steps (80%).

Photos

Construction Photos provided by John Frantz.

Last modified: January 02 2010.

Keystone Crossings has served 5641706 pages since June 1, 1997.