And now for something completely similar.

Seen this before?

click on image for a big juicy version…

This is another image of “Part 5”, the quad diamond in the centre of the Bronx Terminal yard, but slightly different.

The couplers always give it away….

N scale code 40 version of the quad diamond.

I initially drew the terminal in HO scale and when I finally decided to build it I opted for N scale. Looking closer at the project I had a bit of a change of heart, and decided to go back to the original plan in HO scale as I felt it just would not be possible to build this type of trackwork in N scale.

After building all the HO scale trackwork I felt that maybe there are some techniques that would allow an N scale version to be produced, and in code 40 to boot.

This weekend I was able to produce the quad diamond in N scale and it turned out very well. Now I have to decide if I am going to make the complete yard in N scale as well as in HO scale. I had planned on making the layout portable so I could take it to shows occasionally and building one in N scale would allow me to do that, and fit it into a suitcase….

I will post details on the techniques used to go from HO scale to N scale later this week.

After reviewing the post I realized the images look like the trackwork might have been scaled down in Photoshop. So I created a short video to prove this was really built, and not a Photoshop creation.

-Tim

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 05-01-2007 | 09:05 PM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Comments (2)

Part 7

Sneak Peek.

This curved #3 crossover is one of the less complex pieces to build, but oddly it was quite difficult to design and get all the geometry right.

I initially drew the trackplan for the terminal using MicroStation and the geometry was not quite accurate in this area. I had not noticed it until I tried to re-draw it as a 3D model and getting it all to work with the trackwork that is already built was a bit of a challenge.

Fortunately I was able to get it all to work and I am ready to start construction of this piece. The weather for the weekend is questionable, so I may be able to get it done in the next couple of days. Pictures to follow.

-Tim

UPDATE

Yes, its been several months since I worked on the HO version and there are a few reasons for that. One is I started dabbling with an N scale version, which is working out well. The main reason though, like most modelers, summer showed up and filled up my available time with summery duties. The completion of the building for Fast Tracks also was quite a distraction. I expect that some time in September I should be able to get back to another section of trackwork.

UPDATE #2

Well, its been exactly a year to the day since I started the post on Part 7. After a few distractions (building a barn, painting complete interior of said barn, moving Fast Tracks in said barn, repairing landscaping on 2 acres after barn raising, collapsing in exaustion after completing barn, cleaning Fast Tracks out of layout room, building a modeling shop, building a modeling bench, building a basement work shop, building two Free-mo modules, building benchwork for the Bronx Terminal, taking the Terminal to two train shows, hosting an open house and finally, finishing Part 7 of the trackwork) I was finally able to return to track building.

On to Next Section

-T.

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 04-27-2007 | 09:04 PM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Track Construction | Comments (4)

Bronx map overlay

1942 vs. Today

click on image for larger version….

An interesting composition sent to me by Anton Torstensson of Sweden, combining the 1942 map with a satellite image of the same area.

I am surprised how well it lines up with all the major landmarks. Visible in the centre is the Bronx Terminal and to the upper center is the Harlem Transfer. A similar combination can be found here.

Thanks for the contribution Anton.

Tim

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 04-25-2007 | 08:04 PM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Prototype Information (the real stuff) | Comments Off on Bronx map overlay