I want to create walls that look like those used in the Pittsburgh area by the PRR

[Scott U]

I'm working in HO scale and want to recreate the look of the walls used in the Pittsburgh area by the PRR. What materials does anyone suggest?

[charlie9]

From what I remember when I was around there years ago, there were a lot of different types of retaining walls.  A photo or reference to one would be most helpful.

One thing I have in mind but have not done yet is trying to use scraps of new linoleum floor covering.  Expose the back side to view and maybe you could scribe or emboss whatever detail you choose.  Just an idea.

Charlie

[cv_acr]

Photo references or more information would be helpful.

Are they concrete? Brick? Cut stone? Random stone? What?

[Overmod]

See railandsail's thread a few months or so ago about building curved arch-bridge abutments.

Take color pictures of some of the structures involved and work from them.  You might even 'tool' tha back face of a paper copy, reinforce it with plaster or resin, and then press in more detail and add additional mortaring or pieces...

[NittanyLion]

I have an intimate and exquisite knowledge of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.  While my layout is firmly in the planning stages (pending basement reno), it will be blend of various scenes and inspriation from downtown and the immediate surroundings.  This means that I'll need to do the same sort of retaining walls for hillsides and elevated tracks.  

In my studies, I've identified at least four different styles of wall, presumably tied to different phases and times of construction.  Is there a specific inspiration you're thinking of?  

The "square" cement near Penn Station?

The "rectangle" cement on the Conemaugh Line?

The "smooth" cement, like on the flyovers? 

Wide rough stone?

[BigDaddy]

I was traveling to Boyertown PA, south central PA, and saw an ordinary size stone house made with MASSIVE stone blocks. They had to be 2' long.  It had to be left over from a PRR bridge or stone wall.  Unforturnately I did not take a picture and don't remember exactly where it was.

Boyertown has a nice auto museum.  That area of PA was an area where early autos and trucks where manufactured.  It's a museum worth visiting if you are there.