Toy train operating and collecting

 Finally got some images up of our public display in the form of youtube videos.

Here are the links: 1st one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Dbcg6hWOA

2nd one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b29gtXoXWAU



The color balance is a bit off, and there is a firmware issue with the Camera a Canon G10 that caused some vertical lines to appear in the video. This is my first attempt at video so it's not the highest quality but it will give you an idea of the scope of our layout. Both videos are a walk around the layout. What you see is a 24' x 55' by 4 level layout. There is a main level, then a sublevel where the trains go underneath the layout, looping under themselves. Then there is a 3rd level with 2 mains that are just loops that go in and out of a mountain. The 4th level is inactive, not complete. There is also 3 trolley tracks, that were not active when this was shot, but normally run. Track 1 consist of conventional trains locked in forward only. There are 6 trains, 3 in each direction. They start and stop automatically using isolated grounds for stop and trigger tracks, and passing sidings. Mainline 2 is commnad control using mainly DCS and also TMCC. We can run upwards of 4 trains on there at a time, but during this video we were shorthanded and only one 2-8-0 with hoppers is running. Tracks 3 an 4 are conventional and or command. That day they were running conventional under Cab-1 control. You will see some major scenery works in process. watch for trains running on the sub-level. If this works out I'll get more video with the trolleys and more DCS running. BTW Track is Gargraves, Switches are Gargraves. Smoke is via JT's Mega-Steam. Like I said this is a first for me, please advice me if something doesn't work, but I will be out of town Sunday. Thanks, Dave

FYI: To maintain family harmony we are not opened this weekend, Memorial Day

Wow, thanks for posting this! So massive, I would love to visit.

I love the ballasting job seen in the first video at 3:09, nice dark color.

Great videos! You must be proud, quite an accomplishment to make a layout this size.

 Thanks, the ballast is actually very fine screened Anthracite Coal. During the period we model the ballast they used was cinders and coal / coal dirt.  I hope to post more videos as we get all the trolleys running and have more Command control engines running.  Plus we just got a new member who's specialization is scenery so we are excited to see what he can do.  Thanks for the kind words.  Dave

Very nice layout. Are you modeling the Reading area or just the Pennsylvania area in general?

You can add some of the CNJ, Central Of New Jersey, as they were friendly with the Reading Railroad and allowed Reading to run into New Jersey on their tracks. The Reading Railroad leased some motive power in the 1950's to the Pennsylvania Railroad.

If you can afford it you can add some Reading & Northern rolling stock, hoppers mainly.

I went to high school near Reading PA, on the north side, Muhlenberg Township. I have some Reading engines on my layout, a Reading T-1 and a couple of SD-45's.

Lee F.

phillyreading:

Very nice layout. Are you modeling the Reading area or just the Pennsylvania area in general?

You can add some of the CNJ, Central Of New Jersey, as they were friendly with the Reading Railroad and allowed Reading to run into New Jersey on their tracks. The Reading Railroad leased some motive power in the 1950's to the Pennsylvania Railroad.

If you can afford it you can add some Reading & Northern rolling stock, hoppers mainly.

I went to high school near Reading PA, on the north side, Muhlenberg Township. I have some Reading engines on my layout, a Reading T-1 and a couple of SD-45's.

Lee F.

We are modeling the Mahanoy Valley in Schuylkill County, Anthracite Coal Country circa 1928 or so.  Right now we are modeling the Reading, the PRR, and hope to add the LVRR. The BMRN is too new, though if we ever have modern days we could add it, it does run there right now.  I live in Wyomissing by the outlets, but I drive up to Frackville were the layout is located 1-2x a week.  Once a week for a worknight and 1x every other week for public display.  Closer to the Christmas Holiday we are open every weekend.  Thanks for your interest.  Dave