

David Trone's West Penn Railroad
Contact: David Trone.
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 now provides a larger layout space and a much needed crew lounge. The 1700' mainline is now operational, with the "golden spike" driven on April 24, 2010.
Specifications
- 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 (1st Loop - 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 - 1st 2007, 2nd 2008, 3rd 2009, 4th 2010).
- 12 - Industrial switching areas with several stand-alone sidings for a peddler (3 operational).
- 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 - 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 3450'.
- 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%).
Track Plan
Lower Level (PDF).
Middle Level (PDF).
Upper Level (PDF).
Photos
Construction Photos provided by John Frantz.
Copyright 1996 - 2010
Last modified: April 26 2010.
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