New Engines For My Virtual Operating Sessions!

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

As many may know, I participate in a 3 railroad virtual operating session where like cars go from my railroad to Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L. and PC Ralph's Kings Port Division and of course to my railroad.

A conversation between the three of us was initiated by me as Ralph has a great industry on his layout called Tri Mount Cement.

I have a number of PS-2 covered hoppers which are in NYC and PRR paint schemes that I can interchange via photos with Ralph. John and I move 4 PC PS-2 covered hoppers from his industry, T&R Gravel..

The cars from John's railroad always go to my engine terminal. So I did some thinking and decided that other industries, even if 'Off Layout' can be used to receive these cars. Since I live in Morris County NJ, we have a company called "County Concrete" which uses sand and more to make cement. So why not have an 'off layout' industry as well that can handle these cars? County Concrete fits the bill! 

I have all the freight cars, so that's not an issue. I did have some Atlas HO scale C424 engines in the Morristown & Erie (M&E) that were new. The M&E is a local shortline that has been around for decades and it's possible at one time the M&E serviced County Concrete and both Kenvil and Morristown locations. All the engines needed were decoders. I asked my friend NJ John to do the install and as always, he delivered!

Here's M&E #'s 18 and 19 on the railroad..

Of course, we need a caboose for our virtual op sessions..

The engines and caboose will be in a consist and will be used to pick up the PS-2 covered hoppers that are dropped in Rock Ridge Freight Yard or Rock Ridge East Freight Yard. For those of you who don't know where Rock Ridge East Freight Yard is located, I will explain. During our virtual operating sessions, I pull the 89' Auto Rack freight cars out of the terminal, and use those 3 tracks for my virtual ops. It's very difficult to take photos of things happening in that PC era, so it's best to have engines move them out of the way. The easy thing is to do is move them around the top of the helix since this area is not photographed for virtual op sessions and the 'Five Finger Crane' is not needed...

So let's take a look at the engines taking a run on the railroad!

Until next time!!

Breaking News From The Southern Command!!

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

I mentioned on some earlier Florida layout updates that I had one section of the railroad that I was not happy with. That area is the upper level east wall. I'm having some second thoughts on how it would work. 

I was sitting here looking at for some track plans that I can use in part or in its entirety. I think I found one which I can expand on. I had a copy of this in my binder where I keep all of my notes on the building of this layout. It was published in Model Railroad Planning 2005.

I placed some turnouts on top of the current track area and this can work. While it's made for 6 feet in length, I can expand this for at least 8 feet. Siding "C" would be the lead track that comes from the center section.  The track where you see the crane and scrap yard (siding D) can be expanded as well. The rest I can expand to fit the area. The amount of industries is the same as what I have at present (3) and I can probably add one more industry. 

We're still leaving the 2 tracks against the wall where the passenger trains go and they will be hidden with some type of flat or backdrop now that I have this track plan to work with.

The original track plan you see was made back in 1994 by Scot Osterweil and was made with Peco track. I will be using Atlas #4 turnouts for this plan. 

If I wasn't going back tomorrow (Wednesday), I would have ripped up the current track and put down the new track plan. Looks like this will happen sometime this summer.

Thanks for reading!

Florida Update - April 25, 2021

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

We're getting ready to head back to the northern command this Wednesday, and I wanted to get in one more update before I get into packing mode...

I decided to do some work on the upper level. The first thing I did was to move some freight cars around to see the functionality of the upper yard or interchange yard. This yard will be used to service the industries on the upper level. Two engines will be based in the yard to do work on both sides of this level. A GP39-2 and GP40 will be based up top. 

I wanted to make sure I had enough space for cars to be stored. There are two stub tracks in the yard. 

There was some space on the stub tracks so I added another foot on each track..

This gives me plenty of head space. The two tracks in front of them are the interchange tracks. 

The next thing I decided to tackle were the under the table switch machines in this area. There are 7 that needed to be installed. It's not that easy to do them solo and quite honestly, it's been years since I did them on the NJ layout. Also, add to the fact that I'm height challenged so it makes it a little more difficult (no comments about the latter, please). 

The tough part is adding the wires to them while they are mounted. Working upside down is a challenge. While looking thru some parts I stumbled on these..

I've used them on the Atlas Snap Relays. I took out another switch machine from the drawer and wanted to see if they fit on the machines. As one of my friends says often about himself, and I said to myself - "Neal, you're and idiot!" These work great and once i added the wires to them, I can install the wires on the machines, upside down, in minutes!! What a time saver!

Next project was to decide on how to mount the push buttons and panels for them. Since the upper level is set back from the lower level, there was no need to cut away the wood, just make some small panels and add them to the front. I did 4 of them right now, 3 of which are mounted, the fourth will be mounted by tonight and all will be wired in. There's a fifth panel that will be needed for this section...

Here's the work area and one of the control panels. Since there's not a workbench, I make do with what I have. I use 1/8" automotive pin stripe for the lines. Don't worry, there's no power on the rails...😁

Here's a look at some of the panels mounted...

I will piece in the gray areas with Masonite when all of the panels on the layout are installed...

The layout is coming along and I am pleased with the way it's going to run. I still need to address the upper level east wall with the industries. Those tracks may change as I do have an idea on the building that I want to use as a backdrop to hide the tracks for the passenger trains as they head to 'another destination'. 

That's all for now. More Florida updates in the summer when I come back to check on the place..

Thanks for reading!

Florida Update - April 17, 2021

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad and my blog!

It's been over a year since I was down in Florida, or as my friends call it "The Southern Command", due to the current world situation...

The window of opportunity came up and we took advantage of it, even if it's for a couple weeks....

As I walked into the train room, I felt that I lost touch of what I was working on and more important, the track plan for switching the layout. One thing for sure; the railroad was operational. There were no electrical issues, the DCC system worked fine, and the engines all moved around without cleaning the track (we did clean the track after I saw the layout run). 

For those of you who may have forgotten what the Florida layout looked like, here are a few photos..

Lower level freight yard...

Propane and tank car Transload area on the left in the photo..

Lower level center will have a couple industries to switch...

The corner shows the future cement plant. Florida has plenty of these facilities as any type of residential or commercial building is built with concrete. Something that has to do with hurricanes. Hmmm....

The infamous "helix" to get to and from the upper level...

This photo shows the pellet transfer area and plastics factory on the lower level. Upper level shows the lumber yard..

Warehouse on the lower level corner, grain facility on the upper level..

Another photo of the lumber yard area...

Grain industry..

This will have an aggregate facility to handle Ortner hopper cars filled with sand and other materials as well as cement hoppers..

Another industry..

Need my juice facility, just not as large as the NJ structure. Another warehouse adjacent to it...

This is the upper level yard where cars will be dropped or picked up that service the industries on the upper level...

Just as I left it, March 17, 2020...

A few things have come into my mind, and one of them is do I really want to continue to have passenger trains running on the layout, as its really designed for freight operation. It's a point to point layout, so this keeps me thinking...

My friend Sir John of Georgia made a suggestion to put a large structure in front of the passenger tracks on the upper level to give the impression the passenger cars are going to a far and away place. put some type of scene divider. He suggested a tunnel entrance, I'm thinking an overhead road adjacent to the building going from the front of the layout to the wall. Definitely considering this option before I pull the plug on the passenger train operation. I have Tri-Rail train which has an engine and 3 passenger cars, one of which is a cab coach. The Amtrak train would have to be a push pull with an engine on each end as I have 5 Amfleet coaches down here. While it may not be as prototypical as I want, its my railroad!

One of the areas I started to work on while I was here was the lumber yard area. The original Walthers Kit Walton & Sons lumber yard was nice, but this layout is more modern. Late last year Walthers announced a Lumber Transload kit, which I picked up for a good price and brought with me.

I have built the sheds and will build the office and lumber loads that go with it, once I do a rattle can run. Here's the area on the upper level west wall...

The roadway area needs to be painted a light gray or something to simulate concrete. The office that i need to build has a white roof from the kit, and that needs to be painted as well...

There's an office from another kit I had in NJ and that came down in 2019..

The kit has 2 ramps and concrete sections for trucks and fork lifts to move. I'll have to trim some to size so it fits the space...

Three tracks - one for centerbeams, one for Thrall door box cars, and the one in the front for box cars, including HI Cube 40' & 60' versions..

I'm pleased with this area. The Walton & Sons buildings will head back north and I'll add them to the layout. Once I do the final painting and assembling of the lumber, I'll look at other areas where I can build a kit in a short time. I don't want to spend all of my time in there as management wants to get out and head to places that no model railroader has gone to before...

Thanks for reading!

P.C.C.M. #82 Part 6 On The A.P.R.R. - Delivering The Freight!

Welcome back to the continuation of Penn Central Car Movement #82 on the Atlantic Pacific Railroad. A three part virtual train layout move with Sir John's N.Y.C.T.L.and PC Ralph's Kings Port Division.

**Before you read on, management HIGHLY suggests that you use the rest room, get your drink or libation and some munchies as this is a long post...! And now, on to the blog post! **

Today the crew at Rock Ridge Yard will build 2 local trains to deliver the freight. Another move withing the Rock Ridge Yard limit will take place as well. Here's today's work schedule for Rock Ridge Yard...

The yard crew starts the build. 1:87 Dan is working AP 106. 

AP 107 has 1:87 scale Norman working the yard area ....

Cars are being moved for each train....

AP 304 is at the north end of the yard, holding at CP Rock as they add cars to the engine...

AP 105 with 1:87 scale Jim shoves a caboose on the end of the train...

AP 304, now designated as AP Train RC-1 awaits on Rock Ridge Yard departure track 1, holding at the yard limit sign...

Next up, more moves in the yard. AP 302 is in the yard and will take out the freight for Ideal Auto Parts and C&P Restaurant Supply. Since he'll be running light back to Richmond Hill Engine Terminal, they'll take the 4 PS-2 hoppers loaded with sand from T&R Gravel on the N.Y.C.T.L. to the terminal and load up the sand silos...

Let's watch some yard action.....

AP 106 pulls the 4 PS-2 sand hopper cars for the train. The Corning covered hopper will head out on another non-P.C.C.M. move...

The caboose is added to the train...

AP 302 heads out of Rock Ridge Yard...

AP 302, now at the Rock Ridge Yard Limit sign will head out as AP Train RI-4...

Both trains depart the yard and head out!!

AP Train RI-4 makes a stop at Ideal Auto Parts to drop off LV box car from Delco in Flint, MI via the K.P. & W....

AP #302 spots the car at Ideal Auto Parts...

Next stop is Marcal Paper where a pair of AP RBL Box cars from Moore & Co. and the PC box car from Terminal Warehouse. All 3 cars are loaded to the rafters with bulk paper made at industries located in Empire City.. 

The cars are dropped and they train will head out...

Since AP Train RI-4 has made it's local deliveries, the next stop for them is Richmond Hill Engine Terminal. They're bringing the 4 PS-2 covered hoppers loaded with sand to the terminal..

Now they can head out...

AP 302 heading out to the engine terminal, passing Little Jamaica...

Now passing West Harold Interlocking. AP Train RC-1 is being held at the tower waiting for clearance to work Three Amigos Warehouse.....

West Harold Tower Operator 1:87 scale Joe give the crew a quick hello and tells them they have the secondary track..

AP Train RC-1 backing on to the West Harold Secondary...

Now the move can be made..

Let's watch the spotting of 3 cars at Three Amigos Warehouse....

And now on to C&P Restaurant Supply....

The crew will spot the HRC Box car from Reynolds Beverage on C&P track 2 while the six 57' reefers get dropped on track 1..

The last set of cars are dropped and AP Train RC-1 will head back with caboose in tow to the yard...

A quick stop at CP South to check in...

And AP Train RC-1 is finished...

Back on the west side of Rock Ridge Yard AP #106 will take a short run over to AP Cargill with the Hostess covered hopper for a reload which will get turned around back to EC Cargill, then drop a pair of KP&W coal cars from the the LV via West Mill...

CP South tower operator 1:87 scale Rich gives him the railroad and they're off!!!

They'll drop the pair of coal cars just past the Cargill Tank lead switch as AP #900 will pick them up and spot them in the power plant...

1:87 scale Dan has this job locked up!!

Here come AP #900 with 1:87 scale JP to pull in the coal cars...

Another job well done!!

1:87 scale Dan is back in the yard and his job is completed...

All in a days work, the Rock Ridge Yard freight crew gets the jobs done!!

It's a wrap for P.C.C.M. #82 on the A.P.R.R.! 

Make sure you check out the inbound portions of P.C.C.M. 82 to see where my freight has landed...

Sir John's Incredible N.Y.C.T.L. 

AND

PC Ralph's Amazing Kings Port Division

Until next time... Thanks for reading!!