Chicago Division - Pemberville Subdivision Layout

[rthornton]

Well, after 10 years and alot of thinking, pondering, rethinking, moving, budgeting & ploting, the Pemberville Sub is finally taking shape.

Our layout started out being just a freelanced, no frills layout and has since become a mostly prototypical layout designed around the C&O's Chicago Division - Pemberville Subdivision which runs out of Walbridge yard in Walbridge, Ohio south to Fostoria, Ohio. We are just modeling the Walbridge yard to Pemberville, Ohio section. The era of our layout will be mid 60's to mid 70's.

We started working on the benchwork a few weeks ago and have advanced slowly. (The wife was running the drill last night and what a sight that was) The benchwork is almost ready with just some horizontal support for the legs needing to be installed. Haven't figured out when I want to install those since we want to keep the underside open as much as possible for future installation of staging, wiring, shelving or storage. One other item is the installation of the dogbone on the south end of the layout which would have been easier with a "L" girder design but we will make it work somehow. Don't laugh at the original height adjusters. (Who says books are only good for reading) I made up some totally awesome adjusters at work and these were installed today and appear to work great. The only real problem we ran into during the installation of the benchwork was that absolutely NOTHING is square. Not sure what I was thinking when I thought it might be Oh well, ballast and grass cover alot right?

We haven't decided on which DCC manufacturer we are going to go with but that will probably be decided in the next few weeks.

Future expansion of the layout will take place on the outside wall. This will include the actual Walbridge yard and hopefully a steel mill.

Well, hopefully I didn't bore ya to death and I look forward to some feedback. (Please make it positive. I can't handle bad stuff) Just joking. Below is a link to the first pictures taken of the benchwork.

http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/ ... lle%20Sub/

[Todd Cline]

Looks like a good start. I did see one issue though. In pic.#3, I'd put some support in the corner rather than leaving that edge "hanging" like that. Looks like it is in a basement, and basements are prone to humidity swings. You don't want that corner starting to sag after all your trackwork and scenery is in place. Looking at the photos again though, it could be that you have anchored the benchwork to the wall...In that case, no worries... Hope this helps, keep us posted!
Todd

[rthornton]

Todd,

Your exactly right, the benchwork is anchored to the wall with Tapcon's. I was actually on top of the layout screwing the last section of plywood down and if it can hold me up, it ain't goin' no where. LOL

Thanks for the response. Gotta keep this newbie in line.

Rob

[Y@]

Sounds like an awesome layout in the works, and I can't wait to see it develop! I'm a big fan of the C&O!

[rthornton]

Found some old track in the box and decided what a better way to figure out where things should go. Started laying out track to get a better idea of what I want and where I want it. The green papers are printable turnouts to try to figure out location.

This is the southern end of the Pemberville Sub. This is where the dogbone will be installed (hopefully) to give a more gradual turning radius. The village of Pemberville will be located here. Not much industry. Just a grain elevator, car dealership, sme shops, fire station and some house will be located here. Haven't figured out the turnout going into the elevator yet.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/ ... 0_5163.jpg

This is where Luckey, ohio will be located. Luckey will have a grain elevator, houses, a couple of businesses and a scout camp. Our family is very involved in scouting so that's a must. The corner will be getting some additional surface area so the track is not so close to the edge. (All in time.)


http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/ ... 0_5165.jpg

Sorry about the sun. this is the Lemoyne, Ohio section. The only thing in Lemoyne is a grain elevator, couple of houses, a post office and a mobile home park. Should be able to get that all to fit. I am also planning ahead for the future addition of Walbridge yard by putting a turnout in ahead of time that will run to the yard.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/ ... 0_5166.jpg

More updates to come.

[sd70accsxt700]

Are you going to put in any of the crossovers at Lemoyne, or the Center siding at Pemberville?

[Old Hogger]

It's looking great and this is going to be fun to follow your progress. Please keep the updates coming, we are looking forward to them.

[rthornton]

In response to SD70, I had wanted to put a crossover at Lemoyne but kinda ran out of room right now. Might go back into "reconfiguration mode" and put one in there and at Pemberville.

Larry, thanks for the kudo. I saw your pics and I hope our layout can look half as good as yours. Can I hire ya for a few saturday build sessions LOL

[rthornton]

On a side note. Has anyone ever attended the train show in Saline, Michigan before? I see it is this weekend and was wondering if it is a good one? We were planning on attending and picking up a few items for the Pemberville Sub. Thanks, Rob