New Roads for Empire City

Greetings All,

"Roads, where we're going we don't need roads" said Doc Brown in one of the 'Back to the Future '' movies. That was true for his journey but for the New York Central Train Layout roads are still required.

Paving roads is not my forte and I'm not comfortable working with the materials involved. Some fellow modelers and friends are artists making roadways and sidewalks for their layouts. Check out Ralph's K.P.D. to see what I'm talking about.
http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/

A recent trip to a big box store had me checking the toy vehicle aisle and I saw a product called Road Tape next to the Hot Wheels cars. The Road Tape was available in 2'' and 4'' widths and a roll is about 15' in length. I purchased a 4'' role which looked good for HO scale vehicles.

Here's an opened role of Play Tape. Made by Inroad Toys reportedly manufactured in the USA.www.inroadtoys.com 

When I got home I gave it a try and a project was born. Let's take a look;

Before: A Bedford overpass

After using the Road Tape

 Hohman Ave a much photographed area in a before shot.

The after shot looks pretty good. A sharp razor, a straight edge and some patience and Hohman is done.

 The road to Ralph's Grocery Warehouse.

 The newly repaved road.

I carried the roadway over to the other side of the layout. Not too bad!

Blah! The road between the REA and NYC Freight House leading towards the City View apartments

 Not so blah! I ran out of Road Tape at this point. But I did get some more and taped the roadway all the way to the parking garage

A new roll and the blahs are gone!

The newly taped / paved upper level

The west side is paved.

 The road in front of Neal's Lumber and Hardware.

Main Street received a road makeover. 

And the paving of Market and Water Streets completed the project.

In summary working with the rolls of Road Tape was pretty simple. It was very easy to position and re-position as necessary. A good razor blade and straight edge were essential to getting clean cuts.

Thanks for reading!

Another Penn Central GP38-2 Project

Greetings All,

After the posting of the Penn Central GP38 #7675 project in P.C.C.M. 28G on March 1, 2017
http://newyorkcentrallayout.blogspot.com/2017/03/pccm-28g-dispatch-of-train-ls-1.html   fellow modeler ATJOE1972 offered some noteworthy comments on the Penn Central GP38 fleet. With that info and a little more research I found this spread sheet online
http://trainweb.org/jfuhrtrain/PC/PC_GP38_Data.html

This is part of the information from the above link;

The 7675-7737 series matches the old Atlas/Con-Cor GP38.

The three series in bold below are the group of those locomotives that the new Atlas factory painted PC GP38 matches.

The 7940-8162 series GP38-2 units can be modeled using the Athearn blue box kits.

PENN CENTRAL GP38 Roster^[1]

Road Numbers	Built	Controls	Cab Type	Air Filter	Dynamics?	Fuel Tank
2000-2004 [2]	1967	dual	extended front	oil-bath	no dynamic	2600 gal
2005-2009 [2]	1969	dual	extended front	paper	no dynamic	2600 gal
2010-2014 [3]	1970	dual	extended front	paper	no dynamic	3200 gal
7675-7737	1969-71	single	standard	oil-bath	equipped	2600 gal
7738-7814	1969-71	single	standard	paper	equipped	2600 gal
7815-7824	1969-71	dual	extended front	paper	equipped	2600 gal
7825-7903	1969-71	single	standard	paper	equipped	2600 gal
7904-7907	1969-71	dual	extended front	paper	no dynamic	3200 gal
7908-7939	1969-71	single	standard	paper	equipped	2600 gal
7940-8162 [4]	1972-73	single	standard	paper	equipped

With this information in mind I turned my attention to a forgotten engine in my fleet, an Athearn BB GP38-2 that I painted for the New York Central assigning it number 2933 in 2010. Once one of my favorites after awhile as I learned more and more about the NYC and PC this 'fantasy' schemed engine went into the box and pretty much remained there for the last five years.

As I began to further explore both the PC and NYC I considered repainting the NYC 2933 into a more prototypical PC GP38-2. Now this was blasphemous as never before had a NYC engine that I painted been stripped and repainted for the PC. So I did what I did best when confronted with a modeling project that I was not fully committed to. I procrastinated. But ultimately I put the engine into a four unit consist and, well...the rest is history.  

The subject of this blog entry, New York Central GP38-2 #2933 is in the #2 position of this four unit consist. This lash up ran extremely well and was a big factor in the repainting of NYC #2933. Sharp eyed modelers will note that the paper air filter box on the 2933 is in the wrong position. Something else to fix. All of the below units were painted over the past 7 years. 

The four unit lash up looks pretty cool on the Empire City viaduct. The PC units are all pretty accurate but as you know the NYC unit is not. The 7675 was the first GP38 purchased by the PC and it features oil bath air filters. You can see it does not have the paper air filter box behind the cab. This info was pointed out by ATJOE1972 and the above chart shows that standard cab GP38s 7675 - 7737 were so equipped.

Seven years ago NYC GP38-2 #2933 was OK. The should I paint it or leave it alone question has been mulled over for several years. Below we can pretty much hear 1/87th scale PC Ralph saying 'John, it's a no brainer'

So NYC GP38-2 #2933 became the first ever custom painted NYC unit to be stripped and painted for the Penn Central. How prototypical is that! It is now Penn Central #8038

Some of the trainmen and tower men of the PC / N.Y.C.T.L. have gathered at Terminal Yard for the unveiling. Note that I corrected the paper air filter box location by removing and turning the dynamic brake blister.

PC 8038 and friends take the curve over Water Street with a priority freight train.

A close up of the newest GP38-2 in the PC fleet.

A four unit lash up of PC GP38-2s and a GP-38 run light on the lower level of Empire City.

Penn Central four pack on a priority freight thru Empire City. How cool is that!!!! All units painted by the N.Y.C.T.L. Paint Shop.  

While this has been a very rewarding project it was not without it's difficulties. Stripping the paint from the units turned out to be a major pain in the neck and it looked doubtful for awhile that I could accomplish it. First I soaked the shell in 91% alcohol. No results. 

Next I soaked it in brake fluid. The lettering and numbers came off along with some of the paint. A week later it was still soaking with no real progress made. 

With nothing left to lose at this point I used a spray can of Super Tech non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner and an old toothbrush to get the stubborn paint off the model. The can says it is safe on most automobile plastics so I gave it a shot. After many more shots outside and much scrubbing the model was finally cleaned of the old paint. 

After a thorough washing with soapy water and rinsing with cold water the model was allowed to air dry and was finally ready for paint. 

Thanks for reading!!!!

New Haven Daze Part 1

Greetings All, 

A recent purchase and a gift put the upper management of the New York Central Train Layout in a New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad state of mind in late March. 

First was the purchase of a New Haven H16-44 shell from Bachmann. The new shell, numbered 1603, will replace 1604 which has some factory paint defects.  

Second a gift from 1:1 PC Ralph featuring some fine New Haven RR photography and stories put the icing on the cake and spurred the New Haven state of mind into further action.

Let's take a look at what I'm talking about Willis;

I'm imagining this train to be New Haven Train#1 "The New Yorker" that left Boston's South Station at 7:00 AM. for Grand Central Terminal or in this case Empire City Station.

The New Yorker rumbles under Bedford Station. We can imagine this is a two level station with platforms on the lower level.

An observation car brings up the markers

The New Yorker makes the turn over Water Street and heads towards Empire City Station while a New Haven freight train rolls under the bridge. The front unit is the newly purchased H16-44 shell #1603 

Heading downgrade with the Dynamic Brakes whining! The 0776 is one of 27 PAs on the New Haven roster. Second to only the Santa Fe who had 28 PAs and 16 PBs on their roster.

On the bridge over Water Street and the New York Central Water Street Freight House

Coming out of the west side tunnel and approaching Empire City Station

A close up of the weathered 0776 complete with a painted engineer and fireman

The New Yorker has stopped on track #4

After the passengers have disembarked the train heads thru the tunnel and stops at the Empire City Post Office to offload and reload U.S. Mail.

Coming out of the tunnel the train is turned and heads back to Empire Station via the East Side

The train crosses over the Empire City ship and sanitary canal as it enters Empire City Station. The train will be made ready on track 3 for it's departure at 12:30 PM as train#6 the Yankee Clipper which will call at Boston's South Station at 4:45 PM

This three unit lash up is leading a freight train thru Empire City Station on track#1.

And rolls thru to the West Side with it's long freight train

The train enters the tunnel to reverse direction and heads back to Empire City Station

The Yankee Clipper idles away on track #3 while the freight train rolls out of the station on track#4

The three unit consist is in run 8 as it pulls the long freight train up the grade.

The train rolls behind the Ace Cafe the home of the Market Street Mob

Climbing out from under Bedford Station. On track #2 we see some coal hoppers from Hudson Coal. At the time of this photo Hudson Coal was ramping up production and unit trains were being assembled at Bedford. See P.C.C.M.s 30 and 31 for more info on the coal trains.

The New Haven freight is held at the red signal waiting for clearance to enter Terminal Yard. This three unit lash up is quite eye catching so look for it to be featured more often down the road.

Thanks for reading!

  

P.C.C.M. 33E / Dispatch of Train NV-3

Greetings All,

Today we'll finish up P.C.C.M. 33 on the N.Y.C.T.L. and send it over to Ralph's Kings Port Division for it's conclusion. http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/ I'll be sending train NV-3 a NYC NY to Selkirk train designation with a dozen cars for West Mill on the K.P.D. 

To:         West Mill
               Rock Ridge (Informational)
Subject: Dispatch of train NV-3
               Engines: 4348, 7675
               Caboose: 26403
               Total cars: 12

Terminal Yard switch engines for this week are these New York Central GP9s. They are awaiting the Coal Job which is the next train due into Terminal Yard.

The Coal Job is currently on the West Side of Empire City. 

Making it's way over the Empire City viaduct.

A short time later the Coal Job arrives at Terminal Yard with a loaded coal train that includes two cars for the K.P.D.

The switch crew has grabbed these two PC coal hoppers for the K.P.D. They are consigned to Corning Glass on the K.P.&W. and will be interchanged at West Mill.

Two empty gondolas are shoved into the N.Y.C.T.L. shop. These cars arrived back in the system via the L.I.R.R. interchange.

NV-3 is being blocked on track#9.

The empty gondolas are now placed in train NV-3 after being loaded with scrap wheels. They are consigned to Sal's Salvage in West Mill NY

NV-3 will be powered by this EMD consist, FP7 4348 and GP38 7675 (The Sir Larry) NV-3 is almost ready to go.  

The car men have pulled their blue flags and NV-3 is cleared to depart. The KP&W and PC 60' cars both received replacement wheel sets and knuckle couplers. The virtual ops can be tough on rolling stock. Just like the prototype!

NV-3 has left Terminal Yard and is making it's way past Hudson Coal 

NV-3 threads the needle thru Bedford NY. The Coal Job has pulled another load from Hudson Coal and is heading towards Terminal Yard on track #3 while a manifest freight heads upgrade on track #1

NYC covered hopper #892010 on it's way to Blue Ribbon Flour in Kings Port NY

 NV-3 makes it's way thru Bedford as a Rock Island hopper looks on from track 3 and a Rock Island 50' boxcar watches from track 1

 NV-3 at Bedford Station.

NV-3 climbing the High Line

 and heading into Empire City

 Next stop Selkirk!!!

The Dispatch Sheet prepared by Ralph and used to keep track of our common cars. P.C.C.M 33 car movements highlighted in yellow.

Initials	Car #	Type	P.C.C.M. #	From	To	Lading
PC	77047	40'  Box	29	GERN	Neal’s Lumber	GERN Cement Flux
BAR	5226	40'  Box	29	Cavendish	Pilgrim State	Packaged meals
NYC  Early	90718	40’  Box	15	Terminal Yard
EL	73510	40'  Box	29	Booms Ready Mix	Neal’s Lumber	Bagged Cement
P&LE	35892	40'  Box	28	AM. Hardware	Peerless Appliance	Bulk Hardware
NYC Pace	174508	40'  Box	18	West Mill	Terminal Yard
PC	104478	40'  Box	27	Drywell Ink	Canton Box	Drums of ink
IC	30130	40'  Box	29	Blue Ribbon	Pilgrim State	Packaged cake mix
GM&O	21129	40’ Box	33	American Hardware	ACME Auto Parts	Bulk Hardware
TP&W	627	40’ Box	33	Walsh Steel Wool	Boom’s Ready Mix	Steel wool scrap
P&E	3638	40’ Box	29	Reynolds Bev.	Pilgrim State	Woodstock Hills soda
PC	229046	50' Box	33	Berk	Blue Ribbon Flour	Packaging Supplies
NYC	80755	50' Box	27	Empire Grain	RF Cunningham	Bagged grain
NYC  (1)	47063	50' Box	29	Peerless Appliance	All-City Storage	ONE car: appliances
PC	160502	50' Box	28	Universal Mill.	Battaglia Bros.	Cabinets
RI	35062	50' Box	26	Berk Enterprises	Cavendish	Printed meal containers
TPFX	5510	50' Box	28	Universal Mill.	BattagliaBros.	Cabinets
B&M	110	50 ‘ RBL	33	Superior Furniture	Corning Glass	Empty
B&M	109	50 ‘ RBL	28	Berk Enterprises	Cavendish Foods	Food containers
B&M	105	50 ‘ RBL	28	Berk Enterprises	Freihoefers Baker	Food containers
A.P.R.R.	60358	50 ‘ RBL	26	West Mill
NYC	173861	40' Hi Cu.	26	West Mill
NYC	53051	60' auto	33	Ford	ACME Auto Parts	Empty
KP&W	50335	60' auto	33	Ford	ACME Auto Parts	Empty
TOC/PC	350562	60' auto	33	Ford	ACME Auto Parts	Empty
PC	288673	Gon	28	Gervais Pipe	H.V.A.C.	Steel pipe
MCRR	350623	Gon	33	NYCTL  Shops	Sal’s Salvage	Scrap Wheels
KP&W	2140	Gon	33	NYCTL Shops	Sal’s Salvage	Scrap Wheels
NYC	892010	Cov. Hop.	33	Red Wing Flour	Blue Ribbon Flour	Soy Flour
TDLX	7241	Cov. Hop.	26	Cargill	Empire Grain	Grain
PC  (2)	473972	Hopper	33	Hudson Coal	Corning Glass	Coal
NYC		38’ Hop	28	NYS DOT 10	Hedberg Ag.	Aggregate
PRR		38  Hop	28	NYS DOT 10	Hedberg Ag.	Aggregate
2 TOFC		Flat s	26	Terminal Yard	Williams Yard	loaded
Coil Cars	(2)		28	Ford	KP Steel	Empty
NYC	67086	86' Box	28	Ford	ACME Auto Parts	Empty

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to follow up on the action on the Kings Port Division

http://kingsportdivision.blogspot.com/