Hello all...
After about five years of collecting motive power and rolling stock and about six months of actual construction, I figured the time has come to announce my forthcoming model railroad to my fellow hobbyists.
I'm modeling the PRR and CNJ jointly-owned New York and Long Branch line along the New Jersey Shore during the period between 1953 and 1958. I know this is a rather broad time frame to model, but it will allow me to operate a variety of operating scenarios using a pretty wide range of motive power. The rolling stock and the adjacent ROW and scenery on the NY&LB changed little during this time period, so I think I'm safe.
I'm lucky to have at my disposal a dry basement about 25x27 feet. Since the NY&LB was a double track commuter line with a modest amount of freight traffic, I decided to build a double-deck shelf layout to maximize the linear footage. This is being done as LDEs of the more interesting and operationally important portions of the line, including the balloon track and yard at Bay Head Junction, the junctions at Sea Girt, Red Bank, Matawan and South Amboy, and the three Scherzer rolling lift bridges at Manasquan, Belmar and Morgan. Two helixes are planned to connect the lower and upper levels.
I also set up a web site detailing the construction of the layout which you can find here.
This is the first layout I've built since about 1975 and I'm having a blast. Since I'm also the local historian for my hometown, this project has been a very satisfying challenge. I'm hoping this will be a very accurate representation of this important commuter line and I already have a growing list of scratch-build projects. Construction of the layout has begun at the southern terminus at Bay Head.
If anyone has modeled this line already or has any comments, I'd love to know your thoughts and experiences.
Hey, keep us posted. This should be fun to watch as you build your layout.
Very nice web site, incidentally. Keep it up to date and remind us from time to time.
Rich
Alton Junction
First off welcome, nice to see another Jersey guy here.One of my favorite parts of the PRR for many reasons but mainly because it's almost in my back yard. Not as close as you are over in point but it's still home turf. Nice to have you aboard and keep the pictures coming.
Thanks for the encouraging comments everyone.
I set up the web site to kind of maintain a person log of the project while keeping the site itself as simple as possible. By the way, the K4s images on the home page were taken on my layout as it is right now, so that kind of gives a clue as to where I really am at with construction.
Even though I'm trying to be as faithful as possible to the trackwork of the NY&LB, I have already had to make some compromises. For instance, at the Bay Head loop, I had to reduce the number of engine servicing tracks from three to two, while the coach yard shrank from 15 tracks to six. But it appears to still be functional and really does capture the feel of the area. My model of the loop contains 18 motorized turnouts and six electromagnetic uncouplers. The loop running track is a tight 26 inch radius which is banked slightly. That's the tightest radius I plan for the layout. Below is a photo of the Bay Head Junction control panel which is still under construction.....
I'll be updating my web site every few days with construction photos till I reach the point where I'm presently at.
Doc...sounds like your layout is pretty far-reaching! The South Amboy yard and engine house will be at the opposite end of my layout. I'm figuring your modeling the PRR Camden and Amboy route into SA?
Great to here there are fellow modelers nearby. I'll keep in touch.
Jerry
As the Holiday weekend winds down, I thought I'd add some more details about the NY&LB in my basement.....
The lower deck height is generally 38 inches above the floor. The upper deck is running about 57 inches above floor level. Since I'm rather tall (6'4"), these heights work for me, while keeping in mind that most people that might view or operate the layout in the future will be shorter than me.
The benchwork consists of 1x4 pine stringers glued and screwed together, topped with 3/4 inch birch plywood. I'm using various thicknesses of foam board to build the landforms adjacent to the r.o.w., while the mainline is being laid on a layer of camper foam tape topped with cork roadbed using Atlas code 83 flex track. The sidings are ME code 70 which drop down to just cork for the roadbed.
For dcc, I'm using the Prodigy Wireless system. Most of my turnouts are going to be manually operated using Blue Point and fascia-mounted knobs, but the busy yards will have tortoise switch machines.
I'm also using Hex Frog Juicers to power my turnouts, which have worked out really well so far.
Again, click here to go to my web site documenting the construction of my layout.
more later......hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!
Started posting my track laying efforts on my web site for anyone who's interested. It's interesting that the original contruction of the NY&LB in the 1870s began at the northern end in Perth Amboy and finished at Bay Head in 1881, while my version is being built just the opposite. The actual loop at Bay Head wasn't constructed until 1918.
I'm also occasionally throwing in some prototype photos of what I'm trying to model so to give some perspective to what I'm doing.
The bottom line is ... I'm having a ball building this layout!
Any room for one of those passenger GG1s? The GG1 never had the need to be turned around!
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Actually, I plan to run the GG1s into the other end of my layout at South Amboy. I came across a guy who had several boxes of brass PRR catenary poles made by Friedlein's Rail Replicas (#03000) that are right on the money. They'll come in handy.
I presently have a stable of impaitent BLI G's waiting for me to build their short domain on the line between South Amboy and my imaginary connection with the NE Corridor.
In the meantime, I have been satisfying them by running the G's around the BH yard testing the track. But they'll eventually have a good home under the wires at South Amboy when I get to the other side of my basement. (wife permitting)
You'll get a prototype kick out of the 4-part GG1 An American Classic at YouTube! The 1/2-hour documentary highlights the last run of NJT's -- GG1 #4877 -- Big Red -- including a stop at South Amboy.
Those construction layout pictures are great
You are a master craftsman
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
New York&Long Branchclick here to go to my web site documenting the construction of my layout.
Amazing how fast you can build stuff! And it's good clean work, too! How many hours a day do you spend on the layout?
But I have a request - where's the track plan? I can't think without a track plan...
- Gerhard
gerhard_kNew York&Long Branchclick here to go to my web site documenting the construction of my layout. Amazing how fast you can build stuff! And it's good clean work, too! How many hours a day do you spend on the layout? But I have a request - where's the track plan? I can't think without a track plan... - Gerhard
Right now, the track plan is in my head, on a bunch of scrap papers, and scribbled on plywood and foam sub roadbed. I will eventually get it down on official scale paper, but probably as a finished product after the fact. Modeling a main line such as the NY&LB, it's not as much a head scratcher as most model RR plans, since it is depicting a linear double track commuter line with various freight sidings, yards and interchanges.
Think of Tony Koester's new Nickel Plate layout set at the Jersey Shore with the PRR and CNJ as the players. When I can get around to it, I'll try to put some kind of plan on the site.
Right now I'm dealing with choosing real-photo background scenery for a portion of the second level between Asbury Park and Long Branch. (A hint as to where my progress is really at)
Just thought I'd show you this:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1213993270039019157pUcMwU
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
steemtrayn Just thought I'd show you this: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1213993270039019157pUcMwU
Wow! That's a great map of the NY&LB juction with the CNJ Southern in Red Bank. It's pre-1950 but it has already answered a few lingering questions I had about the junction. Even though the turntable was decommissioned by 1953, I'm planning to leave it on my layout since it was the only one on the line by the 1950s and I do like turntables. I'm modeling the junction with the Raritan River RR at South Amboy as well, but I don't plan to include the engine facility and turntable on the RRRR there.
Thanks for the great pic!
Have started the early scenery phase of my layout using your everyday run-of-the-mill pink construction foam and a hot blade. Click here to see the progress.
In addition, I have begun using the foam camper tape as a sub-roadbed on the mainline. So far, I am very happy with the results. Also, construction of the engine staging on the PRR Atlantic Division spur south of Bay Head has begun and details will appear in the next week.
Thanks to everyone for the constructive comments!
Just an update here....I have uploaded photos detailing the construction of the six track staging/fiddle yard off the Bay Head loop on my NY&LB layout. You can find them here.
This was my first foray into using construction foamboard for the layout base and it turned out to be an interesting alternative to plywood. I will be using it again in upcoming construction segments.
The second level is under construction as well as lower level benchwork as far as the Manasquan River. These projects will appear over the next few weeks. The Manasquan was bridged by the NY&LB on a long, low steel girder span set on concrete piers. A small wood trestle was at the Point Pleasant end of the bridge. A double track Shertzer Rolling Lift Bridge crosses the river channel, which I have started scratch-building on the work bench using various brass and plastic parts. I hope to make it operational if I can keep the tolerances tight. That bascule really gets a workout during the busy summer boating season!
More later.....
New York&Long BranchJust an update here....I have uploaded photos detailing the construction of the six track staging/fiddle yard off the Bay Head loop on my NY&LB layout. You can find them here. This was my first foray into using construction foamboard for the layout base and it turned out to be an interesting alternative to plywood. I will be using it again in upcoming construction segments. The second level is under construction as well as lower level benchwork as far as the Manasquan River. These projects will appear over the next few weeks. The Manasquan was bridged by the NY&LB on a long, low steel girder span set on concrete piers. A small wood trestle was at the Point Pleasant end of the bridge. A double track Shertzer Rolling Lift Bridge crosses the river channel, which I have started scratch-building on the work bench using various brass and plastic parts. I hope to make it operational if I can keep the tolerances tight. That bascule really gets a workout during the busy summer boating season! More later..... Jerry
The picture history is fantastic and I doubt there was ever a neater cleaner work in progress undertaking
You have got to be a prototype for plan it out in detail and do it once
Gate 5
Very impressive work. That loop is quite an outstanding undertaking you've done.
A nice project to follow up.
Matt
Proudly modelling the Quebec Railway Light & Power Co since 1997.
http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com
http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com
Thanks! Actually, I tend toward being a bit on the messy side in real life...the wife is always commenting on my clean clothes not put away where they belong, blah, blah ect.
I found with doing a project such as this, I'm forced to be fairly organized and clean up after myself after a few hours of layout work. Otherwise, the basement becomes a total mess and I fear for my life (or sanity) even going down there. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm finding myself to be pretty disciplined to clean up after myself, at least in my sacred basement space! I'm certainly not a neat freak!
When I first started this layout, I tried to put a track plan down on paper, but I couldn't do it beyond the basics because I didn't know what was going to fit/work with the space I had. I finally settled on doing the track plan on-the-fly, so to speak, as I build the benchwork with the whole eventual layout plan locked in my brain. This has made it easy to make on-the-fly adjustments to the track plan as needed. It sure helps to have a real prototype to work from, such as the NY&LB. I hope to have some plans posted soon.
Even so, I have already made at least one boo boo in my plan and will have to remove a turnout (which I wasn't happy with anyway) and relocate it. I suppose that procedure will also appear on my web site too. This has been a real learning experience so far!
Hello all.... just an update here
Progress continues on my HO New York and Long Branch railroad set in the 1950s. I recently completed a bit of surgery on a portion of the already completed line...removal of a turnout that I wasn't too happy with and inserting a new turnout. If you want to see how I did this, you can go to my web site construction page by clicking here.
I'm now getting into building my signal blocks and grade crossing protection. I'm planning to use the Logic Rail Blockmaster and IR Grade Crossing Pro for these. If anyone would like to comment, I'm all ears. It's still a steep learning curve here!
More soon...
For anyone who might be interested....the latest construction on my NY&LB line has involved the building of the rairoad's crossing of the rather wide and tidal Manasquan River, less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Since this river is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, the rail crossing features a classic double-track Shertzer rolling lift bridge, which was originally built in 1911, with the steel girder approaches built a few years later.
I am attempting to model this structure using a couple of vintage 1960s single track lift bridges (Pola) kitbashed. It's still a work-in-progress, but it looks promising. You can check it out here.
Happy Holidays everyone. I've finally finished my double track crossing of the Manasquan River on my HO NY&LB along the North Jersey Coast. The Scherzer rolling lift turned out pretty good considering the amount of kitbashing and scratchbuilding I had to do (which ultimately slowed down progress on the rest of the layout). But now I have pushed construction into Sea Girt and the junction with the PRR Freehold and Jamesburg line, which during the 1950s ran mostly Brill gas-electrics and occasional G5 and E6 steam.
You can check out the latest construction photos here. Enjoy!
Great work!
Dante (originally a Jersey boy and always a lover of THE SHORE!)
Jerry: Pretty impressive work. Your lift bridge is absolutely great.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Jerry-
Amazing work!!! I am from the Sea Girt area originally and have been a huge NY&LB/CNJ fan. Your layout is looking very impressive and a true representation of the line. Any plans on running doodle bugs up to Red Bank???
Sean
CNJSouDiv Jerry- Amazing work!!! I am from the Sea Girt area originally and have been a huge NY&LB/CNJ fan. Your layout is looking very impressive and a true representation of the line. Any plans on running doodle bugs up to Red Bank??? Sean
Yes, the doodlebugs will run once again on the NY&LB between Sea Girt and Red Bank. I have two brass models representing the PRR 4666 and 4640 which, along with a trailing coach or N6 cabin car, will run between the Red Bank yard and a staging track off-layout at the junction with the Freehold & Jamesburg at Sea Girt. I also plan to model the two track freight yard at Sea Girt, the four track signal tower, and the military siding which ran behind SG tower to the Sea Girt Military Camp.
Sea Girt is one of the select places along the prototype that's getting the full and faithful treatment on my layout.
Will the doodlebugs have sound? When I lived in Little Silver, the bug would pass our house around 7 pm, and it's unique horn would get the dog howling, Sounded like a cross between an air horn and a police whistle.