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Glyn's Model >
#Glyn Thomas is a Brit living in New Jersey. A move to a new house in 2004 provided the space Glyn required to build a new American layout. He had previously planned to build a model based on Jim Thorpe, PA, and had started to collect CNJ rolling stock and build a few signature structures. At about the time of the move, he also made contact with the Merseyside Model Railway Society and has exchanged information with the group in the intervening years. Glyn finished part of his basement as a 16’ by 26’ dedicated railroad room with adjoining workshop. His planned layout runs round the sides of the railroad room, with the potential to build a peninsular extension in the future. Since the layout is planned to be permanent, it is designed for American-style operation with multiple stations and many opportunities for switching. Three stations are represented on the layout – Mauch Chunk; White Haven, the next major town north-west of Mauch Chunk in the Lehigh valley; and Treichlers, a small town in the lower valley to the east. The models of each town are based on prototype track layouts and structures, although each has been simplified to fit the space available.
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During construction, two major changes have been made compared to the original plan shown above:
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The length of wall opposite Mauch Chunk has been fitted as a 5-track storage yard |
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A second, hidden, 3-track storage yard
has been placed between Mauch Chunk and White Haven, accessed via
‘Nesquehoning Junction’. |
A Tour of the Layout
Leaving
the storage yard, representing Bethlehem and places east, the train first enters
the small town of Treichlers. Treichlers features a large grain and feed mill
that has been on the site from the 19th Century (the prototype is
still in operation in the 21st Century after multiple rebuilds). The
station currently features a kit-built CNJ suburban station, but in future may
feature the prototypical single-storey structure and adjoining enclosed
water-tower.
Leaving Treichlers, the train traverses a short section of the Lehigh valley and a bridge over the duck-under before entering Mauch Chunk. Unlike the Merseyside model, Susquehanna Street is very abbreviated, but the main buildings of the town center will be represented. A model of St John’s church was recently completed.
From Mauch Chunk, trains may either use the Nesquehoning branch (direct access to storage), or continue through the Lehigh valley to White Haven. A short section of the valley is represented, reminiscent of Ox Bow Curve.
White Haven is the most fully modeled station on the layout, which proved to be problematic since the original CNJ line has been removed and replaced by a shopping mall in modern White Haven. However, a number of old prototype buildings do remain to provide inspiration. The model includes White Haven locomotive depot although this was probably largely removed in the 1920’s (the adjacent Lehigh Valley loco depot has survived as an arts center).
Leaving White Haven, trains exit the
landscaped part of the layout via White Haven Tunnel, and re-enter the storage
yard, which now represents Scranton and places west.
Operation
The most common means of operating is to run a sequence of trains around the layout in each direction based on a 1948 CRP working timetable with coal trains (which were always ‘extras’) added. When operating to timetable, about 30% of trains use the Nesquehoning yard and don’t run through the White Haven section of the layout.
As an alternative to timetable operation, it is also possible to operate local freights that require switching at each station based on a simple car-card scheme. This may in future be combined with timetable operation if an operating crew is assembled.
Work is currently continuing to upgrade the scenery in all areas, and is likely to be largely complete in 2009. Construction of additional buildings for Mauch Chunk and White Haven continues as time permits, but will take much longer to complete. In addition, further work is required on electronics and turnout operation.
Plans for the peninsular were prepared, but will not be acted upon until the current layout is largely complete.
Glyn Thomas, Fall 2009
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