Idea for the new 2X4

[choochin3]

After discussing options with Ed over a couple of beers at the Hard Hat bar during the CRHS Rail-B-Q,I think I have settled on a setting for my little 2X4' n scale layout.
I have decided to model (loosely) the Fells Point operations of the Pennsy/Penn Central.
Now I know this trackage was switched with a rubber tired tractor,but I am gonna use small 4 axle power.(unless someone decides to make one of those critters that runs on rails)
Here's the problems that I have encountered so far.
1. When did the PC abandon most operations of the Fells point street trackage?
2. I can't seem to find any maps that show where these tracks ran.
3. How the heck can I model street trackage with cobblestones,and how to put in,and operate switches with cobblestone streets?

Any input would help greatly!
Thanks,

[DKS]

Can't help with items 1 and 2, but for #3, I think a workable solution would be to use vacuum-formed cobblestone sheet mateirials from either Noch or Kibri. It's thin styrene that can easily be cut and fit around the rails after the track has been laid. Careful cutting should allow you to work it into switches as well. The switches could be operated via steel wires inside brass tubes embedded in the roadbed surface, with push-pull knobs along the edges of the layout.

[johnhale]

Sounds like a fun project. I think urban modeling is a blast.

For cobblestone streets, I think there are two basic choices. If you want texture, there is Plastruct RANDOM COURSED STONE N SCALE Sheets (CODE: PS-67) that are 12” x 7”. But the other option is to go with a printed sheet with cobblestone on it (like from ScaleScenes: http://www.scalescenes.com/scratchbuilders-yard).

Either one should be able to be cut to go between the rails. You will have to be a little creative at the switch points, but I think it is achievable. After all, switch points in concrete or asphalt have the same issues.

[DKS]

Try these:

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/bus/bus7089.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/noc/noc34222.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/fal/fal222569.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/bra/bra2810.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/vol/vol7370.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/fal/fal222561.htm

http://www.nscalesupply.com/FAL/FAL-Bridges.html

[sirenwerks]

I wouldn't worry about the cobble too much. Most, if not all, of Fells Point street pavers are roughly brick size and shape on the top surface (at least on the streets I frequented when I lived and worked there). The hard part's going to be capturing the random coloring.

[choochin3]

Thanks for your input guys, I'm thinking of mixing types of street like in some photos I've found.
I see cobblestone,brick,and concrete used in various areas,and I will most likely use all at the front of the layout which will be the main viewing area.
One problem I may also have is the curved tracks are streetcar type rail,and I'm unsure if anyone makes it in C55.

Again,Thanks Fellas!

[davefoxx]

After discussing options with Ed over a couple of beers at the Hard Hat bar during the CRHS Rail-B-Q,I think I have settled on a setting for my little 2X4' n scale layout.
I have decided to model (loosely) the Fells Point operations of the Pennsy/Penn Central.
Now I know this trackage was switched with a rubber tired tractor,but I am gonna use small 4 axle power.(unless someone decides to make one of those critters that runs on rails)
Here's the problems that I have encountered so far.
1. When did the PC abandon most operations of the Fells point street trackage?
2. I can't seem to find any maps that show where these tracks ran.
3. How the heck can I model street trackage with cobblestones,and how to put in,and operate switches with cobblestone streets?

Any input would help greatly!
Thanks,

Carl,

1) I thought some of it survived to Conrail.  I seem to recall Lee posting a picture of the last run and it was behind a Conrail locomotive.  (Yep, found it!  See the CRHS link below.)

2) I can check my old B&O HS mags.  There were at least two issues that covered downtown trackage, and I think one may have even shown some trackage over in Fells Point in addition to the Pratt Street tracks.  The next time I go over to my other house, I'll see if I can dig them out.  I could pass them along to you the next time I see you at Eric's.

3) If it were me, I might consider plaster roads, because then I could pour the "pavement" and carve the different types of road materials.  Yeah, that might require some meticulous work, but it's only a 2' x 4' layout.  There was a great article in Model Railroader in the early-1980s on a traction layout, where the author handlaid street trackage and paved it in plaster.  He carved brick streets.  Beautiful!  (Found that, too!  Refer to the July 1980 and October 1981 issues of MR re Bruce Goehmann's Midland Electric.)

Here's some links that may help, if you haven't already discovered them:
http://www.monumentalcity.net/railroads/street/
http://www.btco.net/ghosts/railroads/street/streettrack.html
http://prr.railfan.net/RubberTiredSwitchers.html
http://thecrhs.org/?q=ScenicAndActionGallery/ConrailOnBostonSt

As for power, this might be a great excuse to get a 44-tonner!  If you move your focus over to Pratt Street, Bachmann offers a B&O version.

[wm3798]

There were trains going in to Allied Chemical into at least  1980-81.  I remember working at the Candler Building and watching them switch around President St. from the roof.  You'd have to do some digging to find out about other rail customers along the route.

I also have a 1948 era map of Baltimore showing every industrial siding and every rail line.  I also have a copy of the number key with all the industry names.

The place was lousy with spurs and switches.  PC had two bases of operation that I'm aware of.  One was Guilford Avenue, under the Fallsway near the Sunpapers plant, and the other was President Street Station.  This functioned as a freight station at least through the PC era.  One area that would be fun to model would be Central Avenue below Pratt Street.  This was sort of the main line between Guilford Av and the the Boston Street line.  Street running, lots of sidings into buildings.  There was a lot of warehousing and medium industry like furniture, commercial bakeries and such, plus the traffic for Allied.

For streets, I'd used Plastruct sheet.  They make a variety of scales of brick patterns, and it's pretty easy to work with.  With turnouts, you're probably going to have to suspend belief a little no matter what you do.  I think for a switching layout like this, reliable operation will trump appearance.

Lee

[sirenwerks]

Actually, the street track would be a neat test for the Silhouette SD. With pre-planning, and that tool's cutting and etching capacity, you could not only get cobblestone, but sewer grates, manholes, switch plate covers, lower curbs, etc. already in place; curves could be completed perfectly (it might be best to use sectional track for laying out street trackage); and when it comes to working around switch points, master one and the rest would just be exact duplication on the machine's part.

[wm3798]

Oh My.... Now THERE's and idea!

[choochin3]

So what is this Silhouette SD you speak of?
But it sounds expensive.

Dr. Pennypincher

[DKS]

Oh My.... Now THERE's and idea!

+1

[sirenwerks]

So what is this Silhouette SD you speak of?
But it sounds expensive.

Dr. Pennypincher

http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,23354.0.html

[DKS]

But it sounds expensive.

Any thing but. Almost alarming how affordable this bit of technology is.

But listen to me... mine is still sitting waiting for me to fire it up. I have just received a nice collection of colored vinyl products, so I have some ideas brewing...

[Dave Schneider]

So what is this Silhouette SD you speak of?
But it sounds expensive.

Dr. Pennypincher

The SSD cutter was first introduced to The Railwire by Jamie/lashedup on about page 11 of his Franksville thread. It was a day that changed my life!  
http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,17191.150.html

Here is the thread on the trials, errors, and successes of various SSD users.
http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,23354.0.html

My plans are to use this as Bryan has suggested to create streets, sidewalks, street trackage, etc... but haven't gotten there yet. I should do a proof of concept test on this soon.

They are now in the neighborhood of $175 or so. Best modeling purchase I have ever made.

Best wishes, Dave