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

[davefoxx]

Dr. Dave:

Allow me to make one observation and suggestion.  I know the going recommendation is to plant line poles closer together for a forced perspective, but I don’t think it usually works.  Similarly, there was a gentleman named Lorell Joiner, who had a beautiful O scale layout named the Great Southern that was featured in Model Railroader magazine in the early 1980s.  I recall that he liked to install the ties in his track closer together for the same reason, but even preteen me at that time noticed that it looked off in a photograph.  Maybe it’s effective when you’re staring down the track centerline, but from the side, it looks odd.

Back to line poles, it’s always glaring to me when line poles are too close together.  Again, when staring down the track, perhaps it works, but from the aisle (as T-Trak is typically viewed and photographed), it’s noticeably off.   I’d suggest taking every other pole out.  In the photo above, I’d remove the second and fourth poles from the left.  And, you’ll save money on line poles, because they now go farther. 

DFF

[Chris333]

I came up with 132 feet apart.

[Dave V]

They are 80 scale feet apart…which allows for 2 on a single module while maintaining a consistent spacing. I appreciate the feedback but I'd prefer to keep the poles as they are since they're set up so that no matter what order in which I set the modules up, the line poles maintain an even spacing. 3" from the edges, 6" between.

I feel like they compare favorably (visually) with a typical PRR installation:

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From the side I don't think it looks too far off to my eye either...



Diff'rent strokes for different folks...

[turbowhiz]

Looks lovely, but the clear signal indication is very scary with the train there…

[Dave V]

Looks lovely, but the clear signal indication is very scary with the train there…

Hah! Good catch! That’s because those are driven by IR sensors and ooops…that train hadn’t moved in a while! So the timer ran through stop, approach, and then to clear.

[Point353]

Hah! Good catch! That’s because those are driven by IR sensors and ooops…that train hadn’t moved in a while! So the timer ran through stop, approach, and then to clear.

Either that or, since it was traversing the Middle Division in daylight, the Broadway must be running really late.
Therefore, it was likely going so fast, trying to make up time, that the entire train passed the signal before the aspect could change.

[Dave V]

Either that or, since it was traversing the Middle Division in daylight, the Broadway must be running really late.
Therefore, it was likely going so fast, trying to make up time, that the entire train passed the signal before the aspect could change.

This! This is what happened! 

[dem34]

They are 80 scale feet apart…which allows for 2 on a single module while maintaining a consistent spacing. I appreciate the feedback but I'd prefer to keep the poles as they are since they're set up so that no matter what order in which I set the modules up, the line poles maintain an even spacing. 3" from the edges, 6" between.

I feel like they compare favorably (visually) with a typical PRR installation:


From the side I don't think it looks too far off to my eye either...

Diff'rent strokes for different folks...

Issue with modelling the standard railroad of the world is how much of their standard practices come off as model railroady in the context of any other railroad.

[chuck geiger]

I came up with 132 feet apart.

In the 1950s, railroad telegraph and telephone line poles along major rights-of-way like the Pennsylvania Railroad were typically spaced about 132 feet apart, corresponding to a standard layout of 40 poles per mile.

Now i do 100' for AT&SF/BNSF and this says:

On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) and most other major North American railroads, the standard spacing for trackside telegraph and signal code line poles was traditionally 40 poles per mile, which equals 132 feet apart.

BNSF 100 so I finally did something right! - Dr. it sure looks great!

[Chris333]

I remember asking when I did mine. Think they are much closer than 132'. Maybe like 80 or 100'
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pGL9hqxJsJnUmxHK8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/knYHX4ptYUjPezud6

Looks like about 2 FT's apart
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4y9RHS6UAfTt43rA6

Hey wait I remember this photo from when we were talking about it. This is the Erie main in Youngstown. Looks like 80'.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bLhuztW7rMUhZ2ST8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ja7cXuznFpLJdviU6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mT3ze3cKQAiAqhUq7

[Angus Shops]

Does anybody make a lineside telegraph/communication pole with 10 insulators per arm? 4 insulators per arm just doesn’t look right to me, although I know you’ve gotta go with what’s available. My layout is really waiting for a more prototypical poles…

[arbomambo]

Does anybody make a lineside telegraph/communication pole with 10 insulators per arm? 4 insulators per arm just doesn’t look right to me, although I know you’ve gotta go with what’s available. My layout is really waiting for a more prototypical poles…

Been in Showcase Miniatures catalog for 10 years now…
https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_accessories/521.html

[dem34]

Been in Showcase Miniatures catalog for 10 years now…
https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_accessories/521.html

Keep forgetting about those, but think I've been rolling my own for the last 4 years. Good beginner project for 3D printing as every bit of signaled railroad can have wildly different variations in insulator count and locations on the arm.

[Dave V]

Those station signs really pop the modules.... Right now they're on with double-sided tape until I figure out how I want to attach them permanently:

[peteski]

Those signs do look good.
Maybe that double-sided tape could be the "permanent" solution. My train of thought is that since those signs have some thickness, and sit on the surface of the fascia they can be subjected to getting ripped off while handling and transporting the modules.  Well that depends how exactly you do that.  With double-sided tape, even if the sign gets knocked off it can be easily reattached, hopefully with no damage.