N Scale Union Railroad

[csxengineer]

I repainted the backdrop with a nicer blue, the added a grey horizon. I spray painted a cinnamom color, and will add more fall colors & details when holidays are over. The size is 11' x 10', DC, with 2 mainlines (single track over port perry bridge). Although the southbound mainline was ripped up in 1991, I am modeling the present with both mains, and original URR paint. 70% of the buildings are scratchbuilt from styrene.


This is looking at the Edgar Thomson works. The steel mill & rolling mill is walthers, but the large building and small office are all styrene, and modeled from photographs.

 

[csxengineer]

building & office

All scratchbuilt

 

[Ralph]

That's a good sky blue. So you're going with Fall colors? I've always liked layouts set in the Fall and have seen some nice effects. I see you like to tack photos of the prototype for inspiration near your model site..i do that to!
Ralph

 

[csxengineer]

Southbound train

Caught a 4 unit southbound train heading onto the single track. The building in back is the former Union Railroad offices. The viaduct was filled in to handle the heavier tonnage. The road in view heads towards mckeesport & wal mart.

 

[csxengineer]

ariel view

Looking down onto the tri boro, we see traffic is light, and the bank parking lot is nearly empty (saturday).

 

[Ralph]

Looks like I jumped the gun before you were finished but now I see some Fall foliage. Looks great!
Ralph

 

[csxengineer]

Larimer ave

Not the best neighborhood anymore. Larimer Ave in turtle creek, pa. The big imposing trestle stands quiet. Streetlight is scratchbuilt, as is the trestle.

 

[csxengineer]

RT 22 bridge in Monroeville

Heading north to Hall, Pa we duck under the rt 22. bridge between monroeville mall and circuit city. The enginehouse is barely visible in the back.

 

[csxengineer]

Sky view of monroeville

The bridge, and enginehouse are easily spotted from the sky. A lone MP 15 waits outside the shops. (shops 1/2 sized and halfway done).

 

[csxengineer]

Engine shops

halfway done. but you get the point. Building will be lit, as the doors are removable, and some interior will be visible. 100% scratchbuilt.

 

[csxengineer]

Universal pa

The main grade (2% north, 4% south in tunnel) takes us into Universal Pa, home of the long abandoned cement plant. The North Bessemer tunnel is still under construction, in a sea of pink foam and sculptamold.

 

[csxengineer]

North Bessemer yard

Well, hard to call it a yard with only 4 tracks, but it'll due for now. 2 north bound, 2 southbound tracks above the town of North Bessemer (missing houses, I need lots of houses). I'm keeping this area in summer colors, too much work to change it to the fall.

 

[csxengineer]

Small size for depth

The town of Duquense (down street from Kennywood). Pizza hut is a small kit, and I scratchbuilt the Union's transportation office, and painted a z scale house. Rt 837 is made from wood and styrene

 

[csxengineer]

4 MP 15s

4 MP 15s pull a southbound hopper train over fairview road underpass. #13 is still in factory applied green as it looked in 1987. I love Atlases MP 15s (have 5, need more!!!)

 

[csxengineer]

Help make it better

Some things are obvious, but can you please give me advice on how to make this look GREAT?? I use tons of pics, and scratchbuilt things I can't finds similar kits. I'll probably keep this layout for many years, and want it to look it's best. any suggestions?

 

[Herc Driver]

That really looks nice. That bridge kit is great.

 

[Triplex]

Nothing says "Union Railroad" like blue MP15s with a green one thrown in. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=78666

 

[csxengineer]

Great pic

But to get down on that side of the river, you must have either worked for Union Railroad, the coal docks, or my personal favorite..tresspassed! Ha.

Me? Tresspass? nooo...

great shot!

 

[Triplex]

That's not my photo, if you thought it was.

 

[Dirtyd79]

Just wanted to say great pictures. Union Railroad is one of my favorites.