Updated track plan

Here's the improved track plan freed from infamous curved turnouts. Minimum radius is about 15 inches which should be more than enough for 40ft cars, boxcab and Alco S2 switchers.

I'm ready to build the layout and I ordered 1/4" lauan plywood to build the modules from my local home improvement store. I gonna follow the "waffle module" technic as described on S&SS website. My train room is located on the second storey of my old mid-19th century home and I don't want to struggle with large and heavy modules as I did in the past. Modules will be covered with 1" thick styrofoam to build the wharf.

I started to kitbash a Lindberg Coast Guard Tugboat into something similar to Erie's prototype. The kit box says the model is 1/72, but so far, everything scream 1/87 to me. The hull dimensions are a perfect fit for Erie's "Chicago" tugboat. I also ordered a Walthers tugboat which is far more closer to prototype than Lindberg kit. When I'll get the Walthers kit, I'll be able to better eyeball what proportion give to Lindberg's new kitbashed superstructure. If given choice, Lindberg kit could be a good stand in for "Rochester".

Walthers' carfloat is to long for the module. I'm actually thinking about heavily kitbashing it into a 2 track carfloat with the central covered catwalk as seen on old pictures. These were shorter and hold about 8 cars.

I also started to seriously investigated radio-controlled/battery power locomotives. I'll describe my idea later but I think a boxcab locomotive would be the best candidate for this serious kitbashing.

A Fresh Start

The last few days have been busy redrawing my original track plan from scratch. When I first started this project, I only worked with very little factual evidence. We all know Harlem Station available plans only gives a glimpse of the real thing.

A few years ago, a gentleman was kind enough to contact me and provide me with better source material. Revisiting this information last weekend was like finding a gold mine.

With the help of New York 1954 aerial photographs and many other pictures (which I can't unfortunately share), I was able to redraw a more realistic track plan.

Also, I decided to take some serious decisions about the physical plant:

-Layout will be modular and lightweight (waffle lauan)

-Only reliable turnouts will be used (no more PECO Setrack curved turnouts)

-Minimum radius is 15" (like the prototype)

-Track plan will be faithful to prototype as much as commercial turnouts permit. In fact, I can know announces it is almost a perfect fit.

-When time and money is available, locomotives will be radio-controlled/battery powered and sound equipped.

With going with battery power? Because Harlem Station is a maze of turnout and use very short locomotives (Alco S1 is the largest thing that will be used). From experience, I know this can lead to very frustrating operations at slow speed. Battery is the only viable option to operate this kind of layout without a glitch. Also,wiring this can of module can quickly become a living hell.

The layout will be built in two modules for easy transportation. All structures will be removable, including car float apron.

I didn't set the era in stone, but I feel circa 1957 (before the freight station was substantially enlarged) is a safe bet. I'm still wondering if I'll build the long shed.

Well, that's about the main choices about this project. I'll probably use this layout as an excuse to push my skills to their limit.

It's been a while, but we're back in style!

Hi everybody,

I know a lot of people were happily following this project back in the days. Harlem Station have always been a prototype I'd love to build and during the last years, Jérôme - a member of Hedley-Junction - always pestered me to rebuild it.

In fact, we have everything: tracks, structures, rolling stock, carfloat and even the tugboat.

In the recent months, I was thinking about building a small switching layout. But each time, I end up thinking Harlem Station is indeed the most impressive way to pack action in a small place prototypically.

This time, Jérôme will be helping me and we will keep thing simple. I mean by that, one loco, PECO code 100 track and some historical transgressions such as using Walthers carfloat without too much alteration.

The big challenge is building a lightweight yet sturdy benchwork. I'm planning to build the layout as two parts for easy transportation.