PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[Dave V]

I discussed this with my wife on the way to church this morning.  She's usually very encouraging about my projects (CR patch jobs on diesels not withstanding).  She raised the same concerns I had about continuing to compromise for the sake of portability given that my career is still open-ended.  I can retire in 2016, but I haven't ruled out going for full Colonel.  So, a permanent basement with fixed dimensions is still 6 or more years off.  So I'm back to asking myself what I can do with the existing Juniata Division to make it more enjoyable.

If you had and wanted to keep and upgrade the Juniata Division, what would you do?

[Ian MacMillan]

In a military setting I would stick with what I know, and that is the layout currently moves well. I would hate to build a larger layout and then find out half of it does not move well and into the roll away it goes. However....that may make me more diligent in building a layout that I know will transport well, which may lead to overbuilding benchwork but who cares.

However, the term "permanent basement" is not really a good term to use. We built our house 4 years ago. Do I see myself in it long term, yeah, but maybe not permanent. Who knows, it may catch fire (please god... I could really build a much better house with todays construction prices), we may find a better deal on a much larger house, I may change what I want to model. Who knows. Being willing to have to part with a layout for something better is a big part. I am putting A LOT of work into the current layout, but who knows, 5 years down the road I may want to go back to modeling a rural setting with trains dwarfed by the mountains...we all don't have to have 20+year layouts like Tony.

[Dave V]

Ian, that's a good point...  I think I've always considered that I would build sectional, removable benchwork.  That's distinct from 100% portable.  My current layout can be moved to a train show and set up in less than 30 minutes.  I would not have the same requirement for a more "permanent" layout.  But yes, even if I went with a wall-mounted shelf-style layout, the benchwork would be built in manageable sections (such as 6' lengths) on the expectation that I might have to move it.  If nothing else, I know that if I have a second retirement then I would not have to sell a permanently-mounted layout with the house, and that the layout could go to one of my sons.

I'm mulling over the Juniata Division and am still convinced it needs new track.  Some of the Peco switches are starting to act a little flakey.  Moreover I think I can arrange the track in a more prototypical way through Lewisport (which would morph into Lewistown).  I can probably double-track the interchange with Enola Yard to separate east- and westbound traffic from staging.  It also needs a full pair of cross-overs at Lewis Interlocking to avoid left-hand running out of staging.



To correct the slight warp on the overpass end of the layout, I'm considering buying some steel angle brackets and screwing them into the 1x3 frame brackets that hold the legs in place.

[bbussey]

Dave V,

It seems you're anxious to dismantle the Juniata section, but I too would recommend hold off.  DKS' suggestion of adding two doors to make a "G" shape would be the direction I would lean toward given your current career situation.  A section added to the available ends of each of the Juniata and Enola sections would provide plenty of modeling opportunity, maintain portability, and allow additional work within your available leisure hours without removing the ability to simply run trains when you want to do that.  Then, if you finish the two new sections before you retire and settle down in one place, you can always upgrade the Juniata section.

The other option of simply selling the Juniata section as is and using the proceeds to rebuild it and boost the "model railroad funds" also is viable, if you truly are unhappy with the section as it stands now.

[DKS]

Dave, every time I see your overview image of the extended layout, I have an urge to do this with it...



Does this look even vaguely interesting? It might add some more interest to operations; do you think that by looking at things from a different perspective, it might give the old layout enough new life to keep it interesting for the next few years? If you decide to re-lay all of the track, this might be an opportunity to mix things up a bit. It's just a thought...

BTW, you can't tell from the image, but there is a crossover at the left end of the wye that looks something like this:

[John]

I agree with Dave and others .. keep the existing layout .. you need something to play with .. I wouldn't wast time on relaying the track .. its fine for now .. wait until after you make full bird .. and you get the big CC housing

[Dave V]

Wow, Dave, I really like that!  The only downside is there's a lot of blank space to the left of the wye.  But I like the out-and-back concept very much!

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree with Dave and others .. keep the existing layout .. you need something to play with .. I wouldn't wast time on relaying the track .. its fine for now .. wait until after you make full bird .. and you get the big CC housing

Why keep the existing door layout?  Strip off what is salvageable or sell it as it is... And create a new door layout using the track and scenery materials that you now want to use.  I doubt this would be hugely expensive.

If it were me, I wouldn't keep a layout I wasn't happy with... Especially one that wouldn't be prohibitively difficult or expensive to replace. 

[DKS]

The only downside is there's a lot of blank space to the left of the wye.

Well, any number of things could go there... or not. Nothing wrong with some nothing. But glad you like the idea. I think it might give the old house a fresh coat of paint.

[Brakie]

Dave,Here's my thoughts if I had 6 more to go before the eagle makes it monthly flight..I would keep the existing layout..In the mean time I would gather information and the needed models and once in a permanent retirement address  I would build a larger layout.

[Dave V]

Believe it or not there is much about the Juniata Division I still like, mainly from a scenic perspective...  I think I could take a page from Lee's book and recycle much of the original layout as I upgrade it.

Dave, the other thing that strikes me about the modification you've made is that some day I could, space allowing, add a whole other layout on the lower end of Enola with another wye, making either two separate layouts connected by a yard, or one much larger one.  The other, not yet modeled, end could be Harrisburg with catenary.  Very cool!

[DKS]

Dave, the other thing that strikes me about the modification you've made is that some day I could, space allowing, add a whole other layout on the lower end of Enola with another wye, making either two separate layouts connected by a yard, or one much larger one.  The other, not yet modeled, end could be Harrisburg with catenary.  Very cool!

You actually beat me to my next recommendation, but I was going to wait to see how this suggestion was received first. We're definitely thinking along very similar lines.

[Dave V]

As if to foot stomp the "keep it" chorus, I just got some more fan mail from the website.  I get a few a week.  It's humbling, considering how flawed it really is when you think about it (roundy-round, code 80, oversized signals, etc.).  But I guess people like it because it's so small and compact.

[DKS]

One thought to deal with some of the "nothingness" of the corner, as well as perhaps add a bit more spice to the plan, is to move the coal mine there, and raise the siding to it up over the main, something like this--



Then more "townish" stuff could go in place of the mine.

[davefoxx]

Dave and DKS,

I, too, was wondering about that large dead section in the upper left-hand corner.  How about shifting the yard section to the right, so that the left edge of the JD and the long side of the Enola Yard section line up?  This might straighten the s-curve in the yard-lead from the top left corner of the JD.  You might not even have to move the turnout that is the yard lead in Lewisport(town), because of the straight section that could be curved to join to the yard.  Nice morphing, David, and a great design!

Dave Foxx