I've seen a lot of good plans for the Thomas Sub. Elkins is an outstanding yard to model, it's compact, yet with the car shops and engine terminal, it was plenty busy. But I can't get away from the desire to model the through freights that ran on the Connellsville sub and on through to Lurgan and Baltimore. That's where the real operations action is, with the pick ups and set outs for the Alpha Jets. On the present design, the Thomas Sub works like a separate branch line to scratch the coal mine and local industry itch. The RS-3's and F units make for cool, if not terribly varied power.
But the main line trains are where the real meat and potatoes are. Big SD's, run through power from the Reading and N&W, trackage rights movements from the B&O...plus just about every pound of coal, came through the funnel of Williamsport/Hagerstown/North Junction.
I'm still chewing my pencil over this. Right now I'm scheming to install a make-shift eastbound yard around the corner from the current yard to help loosen things up there a bit. I know, it's another stop gap measure, but unless I hit the lottery soon, that's just the way it's going to have to be for the time being...
That's a great design, by the way, Bernie...Thanks for sharing that.
Lee
