Everybody, thank you: Greg, Bill, Pete, Carl, Chuck, Frank, Bob, David, Rich, Louis, Larry and Bruce. I appreciate the nice comments and hope it lives up to your expectations.

So I’ve been asking myself, other than a new thread, what makes this a new phase? After all, it’s part of the same layout, I did the trackwork months ago, and I’ve completed a couple of buildings. Looking back, it’s like I’ve been transitioning to this new period.

- I’ve long enjoyed reading about Pennsylvania logging and collecting plans of rural structures. This new part of my layout will be definitely rural, in contrast to the urban scene I’ve been building.

- The Auburn end of my layout has little need for scenery past a few trees, grass and dirt. Alderson will need some hills and even more trees. Maybe a stream.

- Auburn has been built with Sanborn maps close at hand as well as photos. I will base the depot area of Alderson on a prototype photo, but I will exercise a lot more freedom in constructing additional buildings. I’ve already done that with the kindling wood factory I built earlier this year.

- I am also pushing the date of my railroad back around a decade to the early 1880s (although motive power is a challenge. ) Having removed cars longer than 30’ from my layout I am now rebuilding my fleet with more 28’ cars or smaller.

So that’s the new phase. I’ll try to have photos the next time I post, but first I’ll need something to show. Modeling will be slow this week because I will be busy with online lessons, concerts, jams and lounges centered around country blues guitar.

Mike

I like this phase. sounds like a east coast version of my neighborhood.

Bob

Mike, How far north did the prototype extend to the North? Does your version end in Auburn or go north to the ore docks on Fair Haven Bay.

The reason I ask is that I personally know the superintendent of the HOn3 North Coast Railroad. It runs along Lake Ontario between Williamson, Sodus and Oswego.

He would consider trading trackage rights in the interest of helping the both railroads take tonnage from the New York Central.

Keep this up Mike, and you will end building the entire US Rail System. Go for it!

Jim

Well Mike on to bigger and better things. What RR could do without a company store.

Can I add my personal business car for the train ride on this layout?

Definitely will be following along with the progress of this line as it expands into NY.

Bernd

Thank you Bob, David, Jim, Frank and Bernd.

Bob, I think our visions are very similar these days.

David, the LV did indeed run up to Faif Haven via the P&NY and the Southern Central. We will have to work out a point to interchange.

Jim, I think it’s business as usual: expand or die.

Frank, one nice feature is this is one of those company stores served by the railroad.

Bernd, except for a decade’s worth ov living here and there, I’ve spent my life in NYS and the Appalachians. This is like modeling home from the Finger Lakes to the mountains.

Your era is at the edge of the Erie's wide gauge, Mike. If you model the Waverly area, will you include the Erie wide gauge? I think there was an ore transfer facility in Waverly to transfer to the Erie from the LV.

edit: I just checked Robert Archer's Lehigh Valley book. There is a full page photo of the coal pocket, which is what I referred to above, on page 50.

Chuck

Wow, Mike, you are doing great work along with your historical information. Looking forward to seeing more progress'...

Thank you, Ted!

Chuck, although that would be an impressive scene, I don’t plan to model it. Waverly is a little west of the Soothern Central/P&NY connection. Also, the time and space required would not pay off in operation interest. I enjoy building large structures but after building a 150’ coal shed and 200’ car shop I’m done with large buildings for a while. I have a couple more photos of that transfer trestle so could do a credible job. I believe that about the time I’m modeling a third rail was laid on the Erie to Buffalo, eliminating need for transfer.

Mike

Mike, onto the next 100 page thread.

I'm liking you progress so far.

:up:

Thank you, Rob.

I’ve reached this point in building the company store:



I’ll be working on the roof next.

Mike

Nice sharp, clean progress.

What Bill said!

Bravo!

Pete

in Michigan