Page updated on Saturday, August 8, 2026
On July 11th, the Union Pacific Big Boy headed west from Altoona.
I was able to see it roll by in Derry PA.
Latest work completed:
Not as much getting done in the warmer months with all the outdoor work to do.
Built the following bridges and the abutments:
Falls Cut
Coxes Creek
Dry Run
Next work to do:
Build the Laurel Hill Run bridge in Confluence
Keep working on the background of the steel mill area and work on the scenery towards the river.
Install switch throws to two mainline switches that are not accessible adjacent to the track.
Overview of the Layout
The Dry Run bridge is a Walther's kit that I got for half off at the train show.
The abutments are made of foam board, painted, and weathered.
This bridge is on the low grade line east of Confluence.
Coxes Creek bridge in Rockwood PA.
This bridge was scratch-built using Micro-Engineering girders and Plastruct I beams.
The bridge at Falls Cut, west of Fairhope PA.
This bridge is also scratch-built.
This is the JMRI software screen of the track diagram.
The yellow segments of the track shows the location of the occupied blocks and interlockings.
Layout Specifications:
Mainline Length:
Track 1: 177.5 ft (2.93 scale miles)
Track 2: 181.5 ft (2.99 scale miles)
Minimum Walkway Width: 35"
Minimum Subroadbed Height: 44.5"
Maximum Subroadbed Height: 48.75"
Minimum Radius: 30"
Curve Easements: 18" transition, 0.5" offset
Super Elevation: 0.030"
Atlas Code 100 Flex Track and Switches
Tangent Track Center to Center: 2"
Curved Track Center to Center 2.25"
Yard Track Center to Center: 2"
Mainline Maximum Grade: 1.5%
Mainline Crossovers: #8
Spurs off of the Mainline: #6
Yard/Industrial Switches: #4
DCC: NCE Powerhouse Pro System with 3 power districts
JMRI Software
Track charts showing the location of switches, tunnels, bridges, elevation, grade, and the interlockings and blocks.
Some of the track is not totally accurate due to space, but all the tunnels and bridges are properly located.
Train room dimensions along with the approximate dimensions of the layout.
The size changed a bit as I was laying out the track. The room is approximately 755 sqft.
A photo from my old layout in Maryland (2001 - 2019).
A trailer jet with 6 locomotives passes through Markleton PA along the Casselman River.
I am a member of the following railroad historical societies.
