3D MODELS OF LAYOUT AND BUILDINGS I use 3D models to create a picture of how the physical models will look and effect the suroundings after they are inserted into the layout. 3d models take alot of the guess work out designing, revising plans and models. I draft a plan and create 3D models of every structure before it's built.
THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JOSEPH M. SOMERS MY BIG BROTHER WHO HELPED ME BUILD THE FIRST SECTION OF THIS TRAIN TABLE. AND MY GRANDMOTHER "NELLIE" FOR HER TRAIN SUPPORT FOR 25 YEARS
Name: HO Philadelphia (Philadelphia terminal)@ Prrnortheastcorridor.com Scale: HO Size: 15x 18 feet Prototype: Pennsylvania Railroad Locale: City of Philadelphia Era: 1980’s to Present Style: Island with peninsulas Operations: Passenger & small freight (point to point and continuous running) Mainline Type: 4 tracks wide and electrified Stations: 30th st Station, Broad st. Station & West Philadelphia Station Mainline Run: 26 feet Highline Run: 120 feet (dog bone w/hidden staging) in construction Catenary System: Scratch built Min Radius: 20” Min turnout: no. 6 mainline , no 4 yards Max Grade: 4 percent (yeah! limited space ) Bench work: plywood on 2x4s Height: 36”-44” Roadbed: Cork Track: Atlas code 100 Flex Scenery: Foam Backdrop: Photographic background printed out on 36” x 100” sheets Control: Bachmann DCC Dynamis
Trolley Layout at a Glance
Name: HO Philadelphia (Philadelphia terminal)@ Prrnortheastcorridor.com Scale: HO Size: 15x 18 feet Prototype: SEPTA surface trolley lines Locale: City of Philadelphia Era: 1980’s to Present Style: Island with penisulas Operations: 9 Trolley Routes Mainline Type: street Longest Mainline Run: Route 9 @ 90 feet Trolley System: Stratchbuilt Min Radius: 7” Min turnout: no. 4 Max Grade: 6 percent Benchwork: plywood on 2x4s Height: 36”-44” Track: Atlas code 100 Flex Scenery: Foam with buildings ground to ceiling Backdrop: Photographic background printed out on 36” x 100” sheets Control: Bachmann DCC Dynamis
HO Scale Philadelphia is model city that is comprised of essentially two separate model train layouts. The largest being the Electrified PRR Northeast corridor layout and the other the Septa Surface Lines Layout. The two layouts are intertwined on three levels. There are various grade separations throughout the city. But in West Philadelphia the two layouts meet at two grade crossings similar to the Darby crossing of the CSX & SEPTA route 11 except in this model city Catenary meets Trolley wire at grade.
Operations of the PRR NorthEast Corridor. The PRR northeast corridor layout was made so that the operator could run 3 to 4 trains continuously on the main line with out any intervention for viewing purposes but trains can also be run from point to point (30th street station to west Philly station and then into Broad st. Station or Broad st station to 30th street station) by using the North Philly interlocking and West Philadelphia Highline section. In addition at the throat of broad station there is a Wye where Passenger trains can be turned for return trips out of Broad street station or a local freight or passenger can bypass 30th street station & Broad street station by using the High Line. At the Zoo interlocking there is a passenger bypass track that can divert through trains past 30th st Station. Staging of passenger trains are located at both stations. 30th st. Station side tracks and Broad St. Station stub tracks can hold 8 trains. Recently a new MU and layover yard has been installed with a loop track. A Small Penn coach yard of 3 tracks is being proposed for additional storage. Storage for Local freights is not available at this time because of limited space, but in the future a 46th street yard is planned. (see old plans). An electric engine maintenance facility is located in North Philly It can hold 5 engines and has a motorized transfer table. A Signal System is in development
Operations of the Septa surface transit lines The Septa Surface lines are comprised of routes that serve city sections and or travel from neighborhood to City center, just like the Prototype. There are a total of 9 routes in the city. There is a trolley track on almost every street just like there was back in the day. Below is a list of routes with the total amount of city blocks per route & return trip Route 1- short route (6 blocks of North Philly) loop@ Broad & Cameron St Route 2 - North Philly (8 blocks of North Philly) Loop @ Broad & Christopher St. Route 3 – Crosstown North Philly (14 blocks of North Philly/Mt airy)Loop @ Cameron & Sylvia St. Route 4 – Downtown Loop (11 blocks of Center City ) via a loop Route 5 – Downtown to 30th st. (13 blocks) Loop @ 30th st Route 6 – Mt airy, North Philly, Downtown & 30th St. Station. (30 blocks Loop @ 30th st Route 7 - North Philly, Downtown & 30th St. Station. (17 blocks) Loop @ 30th st Route 8 - North Philly, Downtown, 30th St. Station, West Philly, Darby.(30 blocks) Loop @ Somer Maintenance Facility Route 9 - Mt Airy, North Philly, Downtown, 30th St. Station, West Philly, Darby, Broad st Station & City Hall (54 blocks) Loop @ City hall Somer Maintenance facility is the Heart of the Trolley system with a 3 track maintenance building trolley storage yard and Offices. Another area of action is the North Philly Transportation center located next to Temple university. All trolleys are individually controlled and obey local traffic laws.
SPECIAL THANKS TO MY WIFE SYLVIA FOR LETTING ME TAKE OVER HALF THE BASEMENT FOR THE MODEL CITY - ALSO SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MOTHER FOR HAVING THIS TRAIN LAYOUT TAKE UP HALF HER DINNING ROOM FOR 10 YEARS