Blog
This blog is limited to articles; random photos or quick updates are posted to the FaceBook page.
Blog entries from August 2017 and earlier have been migrated from a former site and many of the images are incorrectly linked. These may be repaired over time.
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- Category: Public Relations Blog
Several months ago I started listening to several podcasts related to model railroading. They are actually quite enjoyable. One that I listen to regularly is Lionel Strang's A Modeler's Life. They interview model railroaders and bring out their background in the hobby. Reflecting on my own past, I decided to share where I got my start.
Born in 1962, I got my first train set at a very young age... no later than seven, but I really don't remember. The HO scale set included a Mantua GP in Reading yellow and green livery. Many years later it would take a nose dive off the layout due to a sibling which resulted in breaking the short hood off.
The first layout was on a sheet of plywood laying on top of a pool table. From an Atlas plan book, it was a basic figure eight with the Atlas pier set. Never got to scenery and, quite frankly, I don't remember running in much.
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- Category: Mechanical Department Blog
Like many modelers, I have a huge collection of unbuilt freight car kits -- about 200. They get backburnered to building the layout, scenery, and preparing for operations.
So when I recently scheduled surgery to repair my left anterior talofibular ligament and my doctor told me I would have to keep my foot elevated for several weeks, it didn't take long to come up with busy work. I pulled out a stock of plastic kits and all of the tools required for assembly.
Seventeen days after surgery I can call the project complete, with 35 cars having been added to the roster.
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- Category: Engineering Blog
The Milroy switching area on the PRR Middle Division in HO Scale required a custom crossing connected to a pair of opposing #6 turnouts. An acute angle was required and the desired trackwork included a slight curvature.
The NMRA Achievement Program for Civil Engineering requires that the modeler build three different types of scratchbuilt track. This crossing would meet the requirement for one of them. So, this was a perfect time to delve into the world of handlaying track.
I turned to Dave Trone, a modeler from nearby Hanover, Pa., who has built over 300 turnouts and crossings for his own South Penn Railroad, and numerous turnouts for others.
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- Category: Mechanical Department Blog
Welcome to "Follow The Build", a new series here on PENNSYRR.COM that will follow the construction of a particular series of cars, structures, etc., over multiple blog entries.
Our first series will feature the PRR X26 series box cars, which the PRR Pro Yahoo Group is building together as a project commencing July 1, 2016. Have any unbuilt kits? Now is the time to join the group and share in the effort!
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- Category: Engineering Blog
The summer is drawing to a close and I find myself facing More Yard Work!
Actually, with the recent announcement that Walthers Shinohara code 83 track production was drawing to a close, I expedited purchase of the last turnouts needed to complete the Lewistown Junction yard. Over the past few weeks I have completed all of the "through track" installation. Only trackage in the MoW yard and roundhouse remain, and all of their turnouts have been in place.
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- Category: Public Relations Blog
Your superintendent has faced The Kelly Questions on A Modeler's Life. As announced by Lionel Strang...
Kelly Questions - Jerry Britton
Still trying to decide between crunchy and smooth peanut butter, your router keeps giving you different directions to your bedroom, Alexa refuses to play any of your favorite Kiss Cover band songs.
We can’t help with any of that but we can help you become comatose as you listen to Jerry Britton try his hand at answering the Kelly questions.
Enjoy.
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- Category: Engineering Blog
Did something unusual this afternoon... actually worked on the model railroad! Believe it or not, this was the first time I had been engaged in "things trains" -- shows, op sessions, work sessions, etc. -- in over two months!
Let me recap how the year has gone...
Early in the year I did finish the rebuild of the Kishacoquillas Helix. About the same time a new podiatrist diagnosed that I had complete torn off my anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). That's why I have been limping for years. Recently it was causing severe pain. Nobody diagnosed it before. Likely shielded by a previous back injury (repaired in 2009), the rupture likely occurred 15-20 years ago! So I was comtemplating surgery to fix the foot, finally,
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- Category: Engineering Blog
Following on the rebuild of the Kishacoquillas Helix. I set out to complete the Kishacoquillas Valley Railroad connection, used for staging.
The helix redesign allowed for a redesign of this areas as well, and it will have more functionality in the end.
Departing the Milroy Secondary just west of Reedsville, the KV leads to Belleville in the Great Valley. However, as part of my Pennsylvania Midland Railroad concept, the track arrives in Everett as the PRR Bedford Branch. More on that elsewhere.
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- Category: Public Relations Blog
Your superintendent has been featured on A Modeler's Life. As announced by Lionel Strang...
It's another great story intertwining model railroading with everyday life. A native of Pennsylvania, this is the heart warming story of local boy makes good. Maintaining a very active blog, hosting an extremely well laid out website with millions and millions of visits, while building a fantastic layout.
Jerry’s truly a nonstop whirling dervish, always something on the go, the kind of model railroader I always hoped to be. Never wasting a minute of valuable time as he works toward finishing his fantastic HO scale Pennsylvania Railroad layout set in the 1950s. This interview has lots of interesting information and plenty of model railroading stories to keep you entertained as you travel the highways and byways of life. Enjoy!!
