Archives: Tooltips

Dodge Coal Storage Systems

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Dodge–Coal–Storage–Systems used large outdoor unload, storage, and reload facilities which were used by many of the anthracite carrier railroads. They provided inventory surge storage of anthracite in free flowing piles with individual design capacities from 20,000 to 50,000 tons. Specific installations varied in overall capacity from 30,000 to 480,000 tons.

The presentation will consist of Mr. Futej discussing the design considerations and the mechanics of the typical storage system. It includes archival photos to illustrate the details of the prototype facilities. Mr. Thomas will discuss how he constructed an HO-scale model of a typical facility. He will present photos of the actual construction which used 3D-printed machinery components and laser-cut structural support members. His completed model will be available for review by the attendees.

A Successful 2nd Layout: The 7-Year Journey

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I define success as having a layout that is complete and fully operational with minimal derailments. A second layout provides many opportunities to make track work/layout improvements based on lessons-learned, and to hone your modeling skills. Please attend if you would like to run long (100+ car) mixed freight trains without derailments using distributed power to climb a 2.25% mainline grade. Curve easements are required. What will your railroad cost? See my detailed investment (cost) analysis broken down into six categories.

Building a Simple Intermediate Signal System

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Let’s take some of the mystery and confusion out of signaling systems. Starting with intermediate signals is an easier first step with good functionally that can be readily expanded. Watch the signals follow a train and automatically change the aspects. My PRR system uses bi-directional (two-way traffic) position light signals with purchased components and does not require programming, switch point position contacts, resistor wheelsets, or any type of block current detection. No need to cut rail gaps or modify the track feeders; the track power wiring and the signal wiring are independent, utilizing reliable infrared detection. The signal heads are highly detailed and built using available kits from a US-based vendor. Construction photographs detail the entire installation process.

Rich Newmiller, MMR

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Rich is a seasoned model railroader with 35+ years of experience in the hobby. He has developed over a dozen clinics with topics that reflect his interest in scratch building structures, cars, scenery, and open loads which have been presented to audiences at NMRA divisional, regional, and national meetings.

His modeling skills have earned him three “Best-in-Show” awards in judged contests. His medium-sized HO layout includes 491 feet of track, 30 rail-served industries and 104 car spots. The longest trains (100+ cars) are mixed freight with distributed power units (DPU).

Auditorium

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Railroads have existed in North America since the 1820s. That is 200-years. We will review how the railroads evolved and developed in 20-year segments from 1820 through to the 2020s.

DC Cebula

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Credentials
• Instigator and eventually co-founder of the American Civil War Rail Road Historical Society
• Group owner and lead moderator, of the ACWRRHS at [email protected] (previously on Yahoo groups)
• Photographer, presenter/clinician, and author on American Civil War railroad topics
• Produced and published calendars for the ACWRRHS
• Collector and preservationist of ACWRR artifacts
• Builder & owner of the HO-scale Delaware Central Rail Road and Navigation Company
• Co-builder and main troublemaker on Thom–Radice’s HO-scale “north branch” of the Western & Atlantic Railroad
• Publisher of a blog on the HO-scale DCRR & Navigation Company at delawarecentralrailroad.blogspot.com (Delaware Central Rail Road and Navigation Company: 2023)

Background
• Grandfather had worked for Pittsburgh & West Virginia RR out of Avella, PA
• As a boy, my grandfather took me to look down at trains switching the yards far below in Holiday’s Cove, Weirton, WV
• Scale trains around Christmas tree and in attic as boy. Modeled HO-scale model buildings
• Collected Civil War trading cards while others collected baseball trading cards in the 1960s
• Worked on a track gang for C&NW in early 1970s
• Returned to hobby in late 1970s to operate trains around Christmas tree…. Some might say things got out of hand.

Modeling Stations on the CNJ’s Lehigh and Susquehanna Division

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Stations on the CNJ’s Lehigh and Susquehanna Division ranged from small utilitarian sheds to grand signature buildings, sometimes with unique and difficult-to-model features. Glyn will discuss his models of the stations used on his layout, including details on the construction methods used and how he overcame problems encountered. Handouts will include his own diagrams of several stations.

Thom Radice

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Thom had the classic Lionel experience at 18 months old. His grandfather told stories about civil war veterans he met at 6 years old. A trip to Gettysburg at 12 sealed the deal. Fast forwarding, in 1999 he purchased a home with the space to build a medium size model railroad. Although this is the first attempt, Thom has assisted a couple of friends during his high school years on their layouts and in the late 1990’s became a member of the Garden State Central Club in Wall, NJ. His passion (or obsession) is railroading during the American Civil War.

Construction on his HO scale layout started in 2003 and is 95% completed. It depicts the Western and Atlantic RR, 1863, the route of the Great Locomotive Chase. Operating sessions occur periodically and using prototype link and pin couplers. NCE is the DCC system. Thom is also a co-founder of the American Civil War RR Historical Society and [email protected]. He currently hosts a monthly virtual meet with the civil war railroading group, runs operating sessions on his home layout, and continues to be obsessed with researching and modeling this era.

Glyn Thomas, MMR

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Glyn is a board member and AP Chair for the New Jersey Division. He earned MMR number 632 in 2018. He originated from England and has been modeling most of his life, starting with British and European prototypes. He switched to US modeling following his move here 25 years ago. US modeling projects have included a basement-size layout based on Central Railroad of New Jersey’s Lehigh and Susquehanna Division, which is currently being rebuilt following a move, and a small layout based on the Minnesota Commercial’s Hennepin Branch. He has had photos and articles published in Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, and NMRA Magazine. He lives in Titusville, NJ with his wife, and has two adult sons who live nearby.
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