Chessie System: Pittsburgh
to Cumberland (Early 80s)
Page updated on Saturday, December 6, 2025











Latest work completed:
Command
station and power booster wiring
Next work to do:
Running wires and soldering feeder wires to each block and interlocking.
Overview of the Layout

Golden
spike is in place (11/23/2025). This spike was the golden spike from my
last layout
in Maryland.

Wiring
for the command station and power boosters. I use the computer
power supply for any circuits and
LED lighting (5 VDC) and 12 VDC for incadescent bulbs around the layout.

Track power from the power boosters. The terminals below will be
routed to each of the
blocks and interlockings around the layout.
At each of the blocks, the wiring goes through current sensors to
detect when I train is present.
The track feeders are on the right which connect to the tracks above.
"SINNS"
Interlocking and the bridge over the Youghiogheny River to
Versailles
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).
Three Chessie locomotives pass by the post office in Markleton PA.
I
am a member of the following railroad historical societies.