Chuck used geared locos - Shays and Heislers, and short trains of short cars, so I don't think the grade was too much of a problem.
Snowshoe is a big enough place to actually be listed on an exit sign on US 80 across Northern PA, where Chuck lived. Gum Stump is a real place too, an unincorporated town. And there really was a railroad in the area.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I dug out my April, 1966 issue of Model Railroader and read the original article.
.
After reading it, and seeing the drawings and operational diagrams, I must say I am now impressed.
Getting 30 minutes of enjoyable playtime from operating such a small railroad is amazing. It looks like it could be as much fun as a Timesaver for something just for simple entertainment.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Graham Line I believe the original Gum Stump & Snowshoe was recommended for two-engine operation, one on the east end and one on the west. Part of the game was handing off cars to be spotted.
I believe the original Gum Stump & Snowshoe was recommended for two-engine operation, one on the east end and one on the west. Part of the game was handing off cars to be spotted.
Correct
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Mine was 8'x 2' and had a runaraound and 4% grades.
Thank you Mel for posting some layouts with photos.I am very glad I brought up the subject of the gump stump.
It took a very hard decision from my side to dismantle and break up a good portion of my long time layout ...and incorporate inside the concept of the gump stump design.
one of the most pleasurable operations of my layout.and still you can expand the design around for an oval and whatever for continious running if desired.
I wish I can post some photos to show, and prove the point .
best regards
Nicolas Bikhazi
Beirut-Lebanon
SeeYou190I looked up this track plan, and the lack of run around tracks seems to limit it. . Did I look up the wrong plan?
Nope, that's it. One of those plans that doesn't quite live up to its reputation, very much in my opinion only.
The Vandalia Short Line variant Paul mentioned earlier is a signficiant improvement, again in my view.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I looked up this track plan, and the lack of run around tracks seems to limit it.
Did I look up the wrong plan?
NICOLAS BIKHAZI dear rrebell will you kindly post some photos? regards Nicolas Bikhazi
dear rrebell
will you kindly post some photos?
regards
I am familiar with this layout too. The Kalmbach publication I have is "58 Track Plans you can build", or something like that. I purchased the book back in 1993, when I got back into the hobby, or should I say, transitioned from Lioinel O-27 to HO scale. I studied that article quite a bit, as I was looking at several options for a suitable, yet buildable track plan with my skill level at the time, which was at beginner stage. In the end, I opted for something much bigger, and it enabled me to run trains continuously, two at a time, with a double track main; my first attempt at HO scale modeling. I did find the G S & S plan intriguing, nonetheless.
I built this into a previus layout. I modified it slightly buy having a bit less clearace at the bridge than NMRA but enough for clearance of engines used, also I gave an incline leading up to the bridge. I could have long trains (12 cars) do this with ease and the senery made it look less steep that the 4%.
Graham LineThe tail tracks for the switch backs need to be at least one engine+one car long -- designing it for 1+2 takes more space but makes it a little more fun to operate.
For what it may be worth and I base this on my experience building small ISLs.
I found a happy medium is a locomotive and three cars or a piece of flex track between the end of the board and first switch since this gives you headroom.
On 1x6' ISL I maintain a engine and two car head room between the end of the board and first switch..
The above save a lot of unneeded moves to spot or pull one or two cars.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The original design was drawn to use short engines and short cars. If you redraw it proportionally for the equipment you intend to use, it's still steep but manageable. The tail tracks for the switch backs need to be at least one engine+one car long -- designing it for 1+2 takes more space but makes it a little more fun to operate.
I always liked the original 1966 article because of the physical artistic way the layout idea was drawn. You could actually envision yourself building and operating it. MR did more of that with layout plans during that era. Maybe a bit "impressionistic" and maybe even a little misleading.
But those who actually built it or tried to often decided to lengthen it a little because the grade up to the higher level was rather extreme, both for traction and the couplers.
Dave Nelson
There have been numerous variations over the years. The Carl Arendt micro layout site has some of these.
A very interesting version for those with a little more space would be the Vandalia Short Line in the NMRA's Beginner's Guide in the Scenery/Scenery Tour #1.
Paul
Thanks Carl, pages 32 and 33. The Athearn ad was enlightning to me, since I have so many SD45 and SDP40's.
Some of those also had the cracked gear issue, as I'm finding out.
Nice little switching layout, and on a 1'x6' board.
Mike.
My You Tube
I think it was in the early 1960s, when MR published the track plan of this small switching layout.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
mlehmanThe plan goes back much further than the 1980s, but there's no indication in Bob Hayden's book of when the original published issue was out with Yungkurth's track plan in it. Anyone know?
April 1966
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Hi Nicolas,
That's a pretty well known track plan and one that is a favorite of those with limited space who like to nonetheless climb a little with their freight. The plan goes back much further than the 1980s, but there's no indication in Bob Hayden's book of when the original published issue was out with Yungkurth's track plan in it. Anyone know?
I think it was in Westcott's "101 Track Plans" but can't locate my copy of that right now.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Dear All
this layout appeared in track planning ideas published in the 1980's,by Chuck Yungkurth.Since that time this operating layout fascinated me in it's beautiful design ,ease of construction,and operating theme.Although I have numerous layouts,this one remained as a preference.trying many times to incorporate this design in a readily built layout did not give me any satisfaction.
if any of my fellow modellers ever built it,very kindly post some photos,or video,or discuss,for all to enjoy.
Beirut- Lebanon