PRR Panhandle: Year in Review

I think we can all agree that 2020 has been one H*** of a year. And while social activities have been curtailed, one of the few good things to happen has been the ability to focus on our layouts. I started the year with the idea of having part of my layout, the PRR Panhandle Division, ready for touring during the NMRA Mid-Central Regional Convention at the end of May. Like many events this year, it was cancelled. But the layout was ready and I went on to do much more than I thought possible. I even exceeded my own ridiculous expectations.

So here is the list of activities. Many are 100% complete, others underway.

1. Scenery has been constructed on both sides of the river. Much good advice on this and many, many other items on this list has been contributed by my friend Price Bradshaw.
2. As part of the above, the C&P River Route (where it passes under the bridge) has been completed.
3. Bridge Pier 1 (wrong dimensions) was researched, photographed, the plans re-drawn with Microsoft Visio, commissioned, and ultimately replaced.
4. DJ's Trains was contacted and DJ was convinced to make a drone video of the ex-PRR Panhandle bridge across the Ohio River between Steubenville and Weirton. That video is available on YouTube.
5. The model of the stone arch bridge at the eastern end of the river was refinished, replacing the unsatisfactory Chooch (failed) self-adhesive vinyl stone facing with printed stone.
6. A hobo camp and scene (lit campfire with smoke) was constructed inside the arch.
7. All five bridge piers were installed, including the navigation lights on those in the river.
8. The 8’ wide Ohio River was poured to a depth of 3/8” using 41 boxes of Woodland Scenics Deep Pour Murky Water (no small logistical feat).
9. Tracks west of the bridge (Steubenville PRR station area) were designed, finalized, and laid. The station siding can accommodate The Spirit of St. Louis. An engine pocket was installed to hold the E-7 AA pair that will pull it. Thanks to Neal Schorr for urging me to pursue this locomotive. We look forward to its arrival in Q1 2021.
10. The design of the Steubenville PRR station was largely completed; materials are being obtained for its construction. Dimensions and footprint for the Steubenville PRR station have been finalized. This effort would no chance of success without the vital assistance of HO Panhandle modeler Curt LaRue.
11. Determining the window dimensions for the station is in progress; there are 8 separate window styles. These are being drawn using Microsoft Visio, which produces AutoCAD files. Ray Mansfield is graciously cleaning up the drawings and attempting to 3D print windows from them.
12. The design of the hillside above the Steubenville station was roughed out; HO houses for the area are being acquired.
13. Circuitry to drive a PRR signal head (MTH) from 3 inputs (2 switch machines (Z-Stuff DZ-2500C's) and an occupancy circuit) was designed by Bob Bartizek. I tested and installed it west of the bridge.  Works great!
    
14. I researched "H" fixture line poles. We have acquired research materials and drawings, courtesy of leads provided by Norm Charbonneau.
15. I have constructed 5 line poles with 6 double cross-arms.
16. The tracks east of the bridge were very gradually curved (thanks to a tip on this forum to use a water heater tank!) and then one straight was laid all the way back to the Weirton Steel backdrop divider (about 12 feet).
17. Track power bus pairs for all 8 power districts were created. Five of those have been pulled and are in the process of being installed.
18. 4 Legacy PowerMasters were acquired to replace malfunctioning TPC 300s & 400s. They were tested and installed.
19. The polarity of all transformers was tested; a power cord was fabricated to put 4 transformers in phase with the rest.
20. Arrangement of the Power Distribution Panel was completed. It was installed and tested.
21. The western power district buses (1, 2, 3, 4) were partially run. Parts of buses 3 & 4 (the bridge) are connected. Part of bus 8 (Staging Area) is run.
22. Additional track (Ross, GarGraves) and switches (Ross) were acquired.
23. A second 3rd Rail PRR I1s Decapod was acquired. This particular locomotive has the long tender. It was converted to TMCC using ERR boards.
24. Circuitry to interlock a PRR MTH signal head and a Z-Stuff signal head from 2 inputs (1 switch machines and an occupancy circuit) was designed by Bob Bartizek. I am in the process of acquiring electronic components to test this and complete the installation.
    
25. Two holes in the Weirton Steel divider were cut for entrances into the Staging Area. The Staging Area track and switches have been laid down. They await connection to track feeders and switch bus wiring.
    
26. A 6-part series of articles describing the pouring of the Ohio River will begin in the Jan/Feb issue of O Scale Trains magazine.