T-Trak The N scale Pennsy Juniata Division 2.0 - TTrak!

[garethashenden]

Folks who know me know that I love research, and that I don't start a model without a ton of it.

I sometimes find that the research can be the fun bit. When the bug to do something new comes along, I'll research and plan it, see what equipment is available, and then file it away as "that's a nice idea" and go back to what I was working on. I've done this enough that I can usually avoid making any purchases for the new project, because I know its just an ADHD distraction and my interest will fade.

[Dave V]

This is a scene from the corner of my Enola Yard section of the old Juniata Division. I made Enola look more like the 1980-era I was focused on for my early Conrail fleet, hence the modern road striping:

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[Dave V]

Aha! I found proof! I did have a Penn's Cave billboard on the old layout!

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[Dave V]

Following, since I loved your last Pennsy layout, and because I love the Pennsy as well.
Now if I could just find a K4 for a good price... I'll need one for the FoM cars Bmann is due to release.
Or an S2 Turbine in N. 

@nscaler711 ,

This is a K4 for a reasonable price:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326581277081?_skw=%28prr%2C+pennsy%2C+pennsylvania%29&epid=2254826528&itmmeta=01JVWM5KWRPAT2P105BC6DZ5DA&hash=item4c09c2d199:g:1XUAAOSwh~BoJPsO&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eUYX4SoiLJYX%2FytJC3NgZrKvTULRYZCj%2FkU09IplbBdZJfXPXREq76J%2BWtKbJjP%2Bj88uMwjYnR7sV5FPGq9RjQyhy6UbITylLchI89ExxHd3YBEnViPriQ%2FI6N0xqpNupz6spPygtcUiWHZd7DGteYKiSh%2BwlkaSH1zk%2FHrKjwWLX7mTu3x5PuJFIKyuFtlYfjB6EV6p33UFf8A2eNXZzDzHjDjbeeAkqv3hy17AyW46jYHLhMeJsHKkWPjXd57Z7krYVd9jYt9MSfBQ7atauLhCrOmX2GaQBttPo38TzA9JInxMSuzZPtv4j%2Fc2c2%2Bi8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8K-lpTfZQ

[Mike C]

   @nscaler711   I have one for sale at 150.00 . It has a Tsunami 2 Steam decoder and runs great . It's been in storage for a few years since I moved to HOn3 .      Mike

[Point353]

Aha! I found proof! I did have a Penn's Cave billboard on the old layout!

(Attachment Link)

This is the billboard you should have:



(if not you, then @Ed Kapuscinski .)

[robert3985]

I thought of the SPF's on this thread when I happened upon this Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S being offered for sale on FB at the "N scale brass" group.

Photo (1) - Key Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S on FB for sale:


You can see the price & more photos at FB here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577635173919235

Thought that this engine would be able to traverse any sharp T-TRAK/Unitrack curves with ease, and look good doing it while giving off a distinctive Pennsy aroma at the same time! 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is the billboard you should have:



(if not you, then @Ed Kapuscinski .)

Dave's doing a different part of the state.

I, however, am all over the place at times... hmm..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I thought of the SPF's on this thread when I happened upon this Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S being offered for sale on FB at the "N scale brass" group.

Photo (1) - Key Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S on FB for sale:


You can see the price & more photos at FB here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577635173919235

Thought that this engine would be able to traverse any sharp T-TRAK/Unitrack curves with ease, and look good doing it while giving off a distinctive Pennsy aroma at the same time! 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

My dad runs his around T-TRAK layouts all the time.

Thanks to @cbroughton67 it runs like a charm too.

[Dave V]

I thought of the SPF's on this thread when I happened upon this Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S being offered for sale on FB at the "N scale brass" group.

Photo (1) - Key Pennsy 2-8-0 H9S on FB for sale:


You can see the price & more photos at FB here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577635173919235

Thought that this engine would be able to traverse any sharp T-TRAK/Unitrack curves with ease, and look good doing it while giving off a distinctive Pennsy aroma at the same time! 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Oh, my, that's tempting as hell...

And... it's a Lines East tender!

[randgust]

Ed, isn't that the one you ran at Altoona last year with full sound and the billboard train?  One of my favorite videos of that weekend.

[Dave V]

I'd been planning to wait for the BLI H10sb... I understand it's in their plans, confirmed with the BLI rep at the Rocky Mountain Train Show. But even under ideal conditions, it's years away. The tariff "stuff" almost certainly will impact that.

So, a brass H9s now that costs more and still needs DCC/sound, or an H10sb that may or may not ever come but would be cheaper with DCC and sound out of the box.

Also, to use this bras engine as an H-class would have been used in the late 40s/early 50s, it needs an operating front coupler. Wonder how easy that'd be. Then again, T-Trak is 'roundy-round so maybe that's not important to me.

[Dave V]

I have a pretty good hoard of Alkem Sale Models PRR position light signals, enough to signal a medium-sized layout. I had every intention of using them on this layout. But, I wasn't enthused about assembling and wiring them up. So I started what I thought would be a futile search for ready-to-install N scale PRR PL signals, fully expecting to be disappointed. But then I found this:

https://www.modeltraintechnology.com/

My first impression is that the signals looked a little chunky (and they are, compared to the Alkem kits whose masts very closely match Pennsy's own plans). But, I thought, why not give them a shot. I selected the fiber optic signals (versus LED) for extra simplicity and reliability. Additionally, I ordered a signal controller and detection system, and the optical sensors (I've selected trackside to avoid drilling into the Unitrack) are cleverly disguised as relay cabinets.

They finally arrived today and they look even better than I thought! I was worried they'd be oversized, but if anything, they may be slightly shorter than the PRR standard mast height. I'd planned to paint them black to be more consistent with PRR practice in my era, and they cam black. The signal head looks just right. The ladder is still not its best feature by a long shot, but it's sufficiently unoffensive that my plans to sacrifice parts from my Alkem hoard may not need to come to pass. We'll see. With a finer ladder and PRR-specific details (like the signal maintainer's work platform) this would be a home run. But for T-Trak and fun, these are quite good enough for me. In fact, the fiber optic allows for a thinner signal head shield in accordance with the prototype.

These signals have their own power supply. I need to fire these puppies up when I have time.





For reference, here are the old Alkem signals I built for the PRR Juniata Division version 1.0. The Alkems are superior for sure, but I'm happy with the Model Train Technology ones for the current project.


 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, isn't that the one you ran at Altoona last year with full sound and the billboard train?  One of my favorite videos of that weekend.

Not I, sir.

That was my far more tasteful father.

[randgust]

I'm always amused that the 'authentic' PRR tower Dimi Trains kit location is almost within sight of my office window, trees and buildings nonwithstanding.

OTTS was where the Salamanca Branch separated from the Philadelphia & Erie on the south side of Warren, PA.  There's still a switch there today but that's all, it's a locked ground throw.   Next tower west was IRV tower where the Salamanca branch diverted down the river at Irvineton.

The best photo of OTTS was in the EP Alexander book "On the Main Line", taken in the 1960's, and well, it was beat like most PRR stuff at that time.

The PRR modelling I do is stuck in the 1920's, although the 1960's PRR I personally remember was the weedy, peeled, run-down and failing organization that went into PC and got even worse.   But in the 20's, in this area, it was a rather amazing enterprise in the region.

And for PRR junkies, the 'last standing' PRR position light in the entire region is where the PRR crossed the Erie Lackawanna in Corry, PA, on a diamond, colloquially known as "MS" tower.   Last I knew the signals were still operating on the PRR side (now B&P), in a FIFO method, but they are still there.  E-L evolved to WNYP, and the have discontinued service on it, so the days of any signals they may be numbered.