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The Pittsburgh & Huntington Railway:
A Portable 4X8 Layout You Can Build
In the Fall of 1995, RailDreams was asked to build a portable HO 4X8 layout for a party in Pennsylvania.The client specified that it must be easily transported in a van or pickup, and yet have some interesting scenery. It was also mentioned that the layout should capture the feel of big-time railroading in and around the Pittsburgh area. Out of these requirements grew the Pittsburgh & Huntington.
John Brock readies the P &H for loading. Note the compact control panel constructed with components from Radio Shack. You could make this layout even more compact with Digital Command Control from System One by Wangrow.
The Trackplan:
The P&H is designed to allow between 2 and 3 trains to operate with conventional power systems and block control.
It offers two mainline runs and an interesting center passing track. There is also a small stub yard, 5 industrial sidings, and an interchange with 2 diamonds guarded by a tower. In spite of the action trackside on this layout, there is plenty of room for buildings and scenic interest.
A slow freight passes the end of the yard near Briggs Hill, a local landmark near Huntington. The "Knights of the Iron Road" , alias hobos, have been known to frequent this area...
The town of Huntington on the P&H is served by Conrail and Amtrak, with an old P&LE branch crossing the busy double track main and heading south into the hinterlands. Huntington is constructed on a hill overlooking the interchange, and has space for several industries. Depending on what era you wish to model, you can also have a coaling facility or diesel support at the base of the Huntington yard.
An NYC time freight passes through Huntington in the mid-1960's just before the Penn Central era.
Construction:
The P&H is constructed of a 1/4" plywood base attached to a simple 4' X 4' framework made of 1 x 4.One inch construction grade foam is attached to the top of the base with Liquid Nails or another foam-compatible adhesive. The track is then glued to the foam, or in the case of the main lines, to cork roadbed.Tortoise swithch machines by Circuitron were used throughout.
In the case of the this particular layout, the natural scenery was completed and "pads" for various city buildings were provided to the client. When he finsihes them, various DPM and Smalltown USA structures will grace Huntington's main street (pictured above). You could use what ever layout of structures and natural features
you choose.
The Plan:
Please send us a SASE for a 8.5" X 11.0" copy of this plan.
Here is the P&H on its way to the real Pittsburgh in the back of a custom van.
The 2 X 2 legs with leg levelers (3/8" x 4" bolts with Tee nuts) are loaded below.
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