The goal of this page is to help a prospective modeler to match their modeling interest with prototype locales of the Pennsy. That is, if you have a particular modeling interest and you want to match it to a prototypically accurate setting, this page hopes to help you locate such a place.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this page thus far. New submissions may be directed to j-e-r-r-y@p-e-n-n-s-y-r-r-.c-o-m. Thank you.
Harrisburg, Pa. -- The four-track main line went through Harrisburg, and there were ten tracks through the passenger station, including a feed from the Cumberland Valley Branch and Northern Central Branch. There was a coach yard and Railway Express Agency. The train sheds remain in place today. This was also the end of electrified territory, so motive power changes took place here as well. Requires a medium sized modeling area.
Philadelphia, Pa. -- 30th Street Station. Mainline action on two levels, commuter trains, coach yard operations. Requires large space.
Washington D.C. -- Washington Terminal...trains and car switching, rpo. Also Icy City enginehouse (passenger engines), many RRs besides PRR to interchange with. Coach yards and a little commuter work. Needs large space.
New York, N.Y. -- Penn Station and/or Sunnyside Yards...trains, engines, rpo. Also Long Island RR and Lehigh Valley trains, coach yards, commuter trains. Needs large space.
Baltimore, Md. -- Passengers stations (4 before 1950), Orangeville engine house, B&O, Ma & Pa, Western Maryland trains and interchanges.
North Philadelphia, Pa. -- North Philadelphia...thru and local trains...Chestnut Hill branch and near-by Zoo tower...medium space?
Inglewood, Ill. -- Main line and side by side running with NYC. Medium space.
Harrisburg, Pa. -- The four-track main line passes this facilty which was located at the end of electrified territory. Steam facilities included a 180-degree roundhouse, 125' turntable, and 750-ton coal dock. Diesel facilities included an eight bay repair building. Serviced predominantly passenger power, with freight power serviced at Enola. Requires a medium sized modeling area.
46th Street Enginehouse / Philadelphia, Pa. -- Requires a ____ sized modeling area.
York, Pa. -- The two-track Northern Central Branch passes through York and has junctions with the Frederick Branch and the Wrightsville Branch (via a wye). There are two yards, plenty of team tracks, warehouses, and online customers, and a small locomotive facility. Also, an interchange with the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad. Requires a medium sized modeling area.
ZOO Interlocking / Philadelphia, Pa. -- Where the east-west mainline intersected what is now known as the "Northeast Corridor". Local commuter train traffic in addition to mainline passenger and freight traffic. Requires a large modeling area.
East Slope / Horseshoe Curve -- Four tracks on the mountain that saw more than 100 trains a day during its heyday. Helpers ran from Altoona to Cresson at the summit. There is a loco facility at the summit. Requires a large open modeling area for the Curve.
Keating Summit -- One-two tracks running out of Renovo, Pa. (near Williamsport) up and over Keating Summit to Olean, NY on the way to Buffalo. Heavy ore traffic. Some passenger service. May make use of unusually shaped modeling areas.
Elmira Branch -- One-two tracks running from Williamsport, Pa. to Sodus Point, NY, with a substantial yard en-route and interchanges with several other roads. Very-heavy coal traffic with helpers being essential. Some passenger service. Very scenic route with right-of-way hugging mountainsides, crossing streams, and two very high bridges in the wine region of New York State. May make use of unusually shaped modeling areas.
See the Elmira Branch, under Helper Operations.
See the East Slope / Horseshoe Curve, under Helper Operations.
Rockville Bridge -- Four-track mainline action just north of Harrisburg. Plenty of freight and passenger action. Flat junction at east end with the Sunbury Branch. Flyover junction at west end leads south to the Enola Yards. Requires a long modeling areas, but may be used to bridge across room or between rooms. Size requirement at ends determined by whether or not interchanges are modeled.
Spruce Creek -- Tunnels, stone bridges, streams on the mainline in the Middle Division. Requires small space. Ideal for shelf or modular layout.
Atglen & Susquehanna Branch -- Two level bridge as it leaves the Susquehanna and the Columbia & Port Deposit Branch...then crosses a very high and long bridge inland at Martic Forge. May make use irregular shaped spaces.
See the East Slope / Horseshoe Curve, under Helper Operations.
See the Rockville Bridge, under Emphasizing Scenery.
Copyright 1996 - 2008
Last modified: November 23 2007.
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