I originally built a switching layout last year but needed the bench space for a money making project so it was tore down. After that project was done I built on to the bench work and built a layout based on my 2 year old always wanting to come and sit to watch the trains go around and around. I quickly realized while she liked watching them go around the bench work that only lasted for 5 minutes and I was left with a layout that I could have any fun with...this layout version 3 was born. Using the original "L" shaped bench work I built a second switching layout to give me something to do. Their is absolutely nothing prototypical about my layout and is simply everything I liked rolled into one.
Conrail and/or Norfolk Southern will be seen the most, this is due to my childhood memories of my father taking me to Central Pennsylvania to watch Conrail in the 1990's and 2000's around Altonna. Even though it's a smaller switching layout I've always enjoyed passenger services so I have a phase 1 metroliner (2nd to be added next month) that will be on track 1 that will be also be set up for automation so my little girl can press a button to have the train go from one station to the other. The side with just one track is the "town" that will hold the metroliner when not in use. The forward (closet to the end) track to nowhere is their with the intentions of adding a small section by the door for an industry of some type.
I also enjoy automation and computer control so JMRI will run the signals/blocks (required for automation). The signals will be a mix of PRR and the new safetrain signals (I like both).
I set out several cars that will be up for sale soon but needed to move the North Carolina engine back to the "yard" to get overhauled next month (new engine and DCC). The conrail is pulling those cut of cars off the storage track so I can get access to the locomotive:
Next the North Carolina F59PHI is pushed onto track 2 so I can move the cut of cars back to storage so I can use the run around:
The Conrail locomotive passes the clear signal into the end of the run around and what will be a commuter passenger station.
The F59PHI that's dead in the water is pushed into a holding track in the yard:
As all that is happening Amtrak waits at the stop signal into the station area to drop off passengers and return to it's destination.
With the passengers loaded, Amtrak gets a clear signal to leave the station:
Conrail and/or Norfolk Southern will be seen the most, this is due to my childhood memories of my father taking me to Central Pennsylvania to watch Conrail in the 1990's and 2000's around Altonna. Even though it's a smaller switching layout I've always enjoyed passenger services so I have a phase 1 metroliner (2nd to be added next month) that will be on track 1 that will be also be set up for automation so my little girl can press a button to have the train go from one station to the other. The side with just one track is the "town" that will hold the metroliner when not in use. The forward (closet to the end) track to nowhere is their with the intentions of adding a small section by the door for an industry of some type.
I also enjoy automation and computer control so JMRI will run the signals/blocks (required for automation). The signals will be a mix of PRR and the new safetrain signals (I like both).
I set out several cars that will be up for sale soon but needed to move the North Carolina engine back to the "yard" to get overhauled next month (new engine and DCC). The conrail is pulling those cut of cars off the storage track so I can get access to the locomotive:
Next the North Carolina F59PHI is pushed onto track 2 so I can move the cut of cars back to storage so I can use the run around:
The Conrail locomotive passes the clear signal into the end of the run around and what will be a commuter passenger station.
The F59PHI that's dead in the water is pushed into a holding track in the yard:
As all that is happening Amtrak waits at the stop signal into the station area to drop off passengers and return to it's destination.
With the passengers loaded, Amtrak gets a clear signal to leave the station:
