March 22, 2015 (L-R) Mike Collins, John Faso, Tom Rottenberg, Don Glasser, Bob Brown at the Collins residence enjoying Mike's "HO" Scale Layout. This will all be converted to a "New" 1/87th
Display. The new display will feature NYC (New York City) harbor car-float operation. Stay turned to see this Layout develop.
MIKE COLLINS
NEW "HO" HOME LAYOUT
September 18, 2015
September 18, 2015 (L-R) Mike Collins, Ken Sargeant, Joe Pisciotti, Nick Mekich, Tom Rottenberg, Kieve Uhrlich in the Mike Collins Train Room observing his "New HO Layout".
(present but not in the picture) David Mikelson, Al Uber,
Gary Hendrickson
See (LAYOUTS) then (MIKE COLLINS NEW LAYOUT)
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September 18, 2015 (L-R) Mike Collins, Tom Rottenberg in Mike's train room observing the "New HO Layout". Notice in Mike's hand he has a floor of the factory which is in the center of the layout.
He actually took three different floors from the interior of the building.
See (LAYOUTS) then (MIKE COLLINS NEW LAYOUT)
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September 18, 2015 Tom Rottenberg in the Mike Collins Train Room observing the dock area of Mike's "New HO Layout". Notice the Tugboat has moored the carfloat to the suspension type transfer
bridge, for loading and unloading of the train cars.
See (LAYOUTS) then (MIKE COLLINS NEW LAYOUT)
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September 18, 2015 (L-R) Al Uber, Mike Collins in front of Mike's "New HO Layout". Notice the pistol in his right hand and the remote control in the other hand. You must ask Mike about the notches
on pistol.
See (LAYOUTS) then (MIKE COLLINS NEW LAYOUT)
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for what the layout looks like in 2018
there are 7 videos on youtube.com (search) michael collins railroad
Report # 1
Greetings.....
Here is my first progress report of a new project.
Background: Ever since a fan trip (1983) to the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal
(Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC)
I have been fascinated with the NY harbor car-float operation
(I received my National Model Railroad Association Prototype Modeler Certificate with a BEDT display module in 1989)
so.....
Picture 1 (346) benchwork
Picture 2 (347) benchwork
Picture 3 (348) benchwork
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Report # 2
Here is my full scale drawing of the LV 149th Street Bronx Terminal
track Plan in HO (1/87) scale
By the way, NYC is mile post "0"
Since it is the 80's (background ... in the late 50's the LV Bronx business was in decline and the water front property became valuable for building high rise
condos), half the river front property was sold, therefore the remainder has been reduced
Picture 1 (349) is the left side
Picture 2 (350) the right half
Back to 'work'
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Report #3
Greetings ...
Phase 2 ... the Bench work is done.
(Phase 1 was the research, plotting and planning)
Picture 1 (351) since no basement, attic or space in the garage,
the top of the spa becomes a work table in south Florida ...
nice view and fresh air. You'll see when you move down here ...
just kidding. My full size track plan came in handy.
I'm using quarter inch underlay (made in China ... five years ago
it was called 'luan', must not have liked the name).
Picture 2 (355) the cut out top before securing. Need to finish the
subway first. The back board is fiberboard with base coat of 'sky'
(use to be called Masonite, now call Eucaboard probably made in Ecuador).
On the side is a cutout to view the subway, also for inspection
and ventilation.
Picture 3 (360) the back side shows the location of the future
subway station. The Central Penn Valley RDC did the honors
of the test run. The subway cars are enroute, thanks to ebay.
The hinges allow lowering the back board for viewing
the layout from the rear, taking pictures, adding lights to the
structures (flats) and maintenance.
The carriage bolts and wing nuts secure it upright.
Next is to finish the subway tunnels, station and
the third rail needs to be weathered. Then secure the top.
Also finish the background and add the back board sides.
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Report #4
Greetings ...
Here is a preview of the background.
It's about 75% complete.
The distance I'm working is 1.5 inches wide so I am using
silhouettes and background buildings, aka 'flats'.
Therefore I'll have more train space, plus the structures
will be partially hidden with an elevated expressway.
Picture 1 (361) shows the start of using two silhouettes
made by Model Tech Studios. By flipping and modifying
them I'll make 7 feet of background buildings. I used
pictures of the Bronx from the internet for sizes and color.
Picture 2 (362) I outline the shapes, then paint with various
colors. Note the subway is up and running. In the next
Report I'll show you the 149th St. / Grand Concourse
Station.
Picture 3 (363) I need to finish 7 structures and touch up
the sky when time permits. Note to the left is the residential
area, on the right is industrial. The archways will access the
road under the expressway which I'll construct next, along
with track placement.
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Report #5
Greetings ...
I have been working on a lot of different parts in
all areas. As the building sequence continues,
I'm constructing many pieces that are starting to come
together. Here is the subway and terminal tracks.
Picture 1 (372) Before I put the 'lid' on the subway ...
I installed a platform and a LED strip light (6 lamps)
that is made for book shelves. It fits perfectly above
the viewing window.
This is the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) ...
Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) ... Red Line, Train # 2...
from the top of the Bronx to Times Sq. then onto
Flatbush in Brooklyn.
The platform is removable underneath from the back.
Someday I'll get a third coach, also add some graffiti
to one car and more people, etc.
Picture 2 (373)
This is the 149th St. / Grand Concourse Station #2
train platform (on 'other' levels are trains #4 & 5).
This was the first subway station in the Bronx, built
in 1905. So it is a classic. Upgrades are underway ...
Two vendors have been selected and their booths
are under construction ... coming soon ...
Wayne's World News Stand and Chuck's Wagon Snack Bar.
Picture 3 (371) This gives you an idea of the terminal yard,
the transfer bridge and car float (under construction).
Under the Expressway there will be a trolley.
A street car on 149th St. heading to the bridge to
Manhattan. The industries will be Railway Express Agency,
Watt's Transformers, Creekside Coal & Oil, a multi-
purpose team track with an overhead crane, and a LV
warehouse.
Since the background is hinged, I can work on that anytime.
The track is soldered, but needs to be finished, missing
ties added, and weathered.
Over the next two reports, things will start to take shape.
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Report #6
Greetings ...
Started work on the left side.
Picture 1 (381) shows printed background buildings
and a background structure. The sidewalk is made
by Rix Smalltown USA, then dull coated and weathered.
For the road I use foam-core, trimmed to butt against the
street car rail, old poster board for the center (3 layers)
and one piece butted against the rail. All is painted
with Top Coat asphalt. I'll use a white 2 mm calligraphy
pen for painting the lane lines.
Also I'm re-using Mill Creek from the old layout.
Note... you can see the subway tracks below.
Picture 2 (382) Here is one foot that is 80% completed.
In back, the expressway is made of black foam-core with
Micro Engineering structural supports. The highway
is removable; and the the back can be lowered on
hinges.
The street under the expressway has a PCC trolley.
In the corner is a green subway entrance.
Note ... over the expressway tunnel portal is
affordable housing (apartments seen in NYC).
In the next picture you can look out the windows.
Picture 3 (384) a view from the backside.
I hope you like the wallpaper ! The view from the
windows and tunnels are neat. And two subway
views, the station in back, and a viewport on the right.
The layout is mounted on 4 book cases which are on
rollers. And the handsets are in holding pockets.
Note ... the wing nuts and hinges allow the back to
be lowered. The sides are fixed in position.
Six more feet to go ...
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Report #7
Greetings ...
On the right side I wanted to include a large
warehouse. Here is the situation ...
Picture 1 (385) a little history ... from 1929 til
1957
they had a 12 story, 346,733 sq.' warehouse in the
Bronx ... Wow !
Note the highlighted customer, Pittsburgh Plate
Glass Company.
Picture 2 (386) here is the space I have to work with.
A puzzle to solve.
Picture 3 (387) I decided to combine parts of two
background buildings (aka 'flats').
Hertiage Furniture can be cut at an angle, which
I did. In order to butt against that building and fit
the space, I cutout a section and bent the wall of
the River City Textiles building.
Rather than 12 floors, the railroad sold the building
to the NYC Housing Authority. The LV moved into
the vacant PPG four story complex.
Picture 4 (419) the end result ... the main part for
rail service and the annex for truck service.
Added a cover for the dock and roof details.
Also painted a backdrop on fiberboard.
Someday I'll add floors, freight, signs, etc.
Onward ...
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Report #8
Greetings ...
In the last report I did some kit-bashing.
Now, let's look at the rail-marine car-floating operation.
In the Port of NY harbor during the 50's there were 10
railroads and 4 terminal rr's. They had 120 rr tug boats
moving 240 carfloats handling 1600 freight cars a day
(that's down from 5300 cars in 1937). Wow !
How's that for water traffic ?
Today I believe there are 2 contractors, no railroads.
Picture 1 (424) There are 3 major parts ... a transfer bridge,
a tug boat and a carfloat. Transfer bridges, pontoon float
or suspension, adjust for water height and 'loads' coming
off or on the carfloat. There are two types of carfloats,
a station float with 2 tracks with a center covered platform
and an interchange float with 3 tracks, depending on size can
carry up to 21 freight cars. I cut mine down to 23" (170 HO
scale feet) to hold 8 cars.
Picture 2 (425) Here's a preview ...
A Lehigh Valley tug (1 of 6) arriving at the 149th.
St. Bronx Terminal with a 'shorty' cf. This tug has a shorter
pilot house and smoke stack to clear low bridges on the
Harlem River. So the towing is always done alongside.
Picture 3 (426) The transfer bridge has aligned to the
cf.
It is pinned (4 large steel rods) and secured (rope/chains).
The tug can now remove the tow lines and depart.
The heavy locomotive does not go on the cf (unless it's
traveling on the cf), so it uses a 'reach' car (a flat or gondola).
The unloading procedure begins.
Back to 'work'.
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Report #9
Greetings ...
Looks like I'm over 50% completed.
My goal: to be 95% finished by Labor Day - 2015.
Picture 1 (430) No, this is not an ad for Walthers ...
they just make a great selection of quality kits.
I'm using 6 of their structures for this report.
Also I recommend using Xuron 410 micro shears for
cutting plastic pieces off spruces to save time and effort.
Picture 2 (431) to the right is the Municipal Terminal.
I only used the front ... anyone need the remaining
three-fourths ? I did 3 mods ... (1) cut the main door
to simulate a track entering. (2) used a Dremel
rotary tool with an engraving bit to cut 'Bronx', 1937 and
'New York', then used a Sharpie marker (bronze). (3)
added 4 flags: US, NYS, NYC and the Bronx (thanks to
Google).
The Pillsbury plant was a Centennial Mills background
building. I cut the awning to clear the elevated highway.
Note the installation of a cobblestone street (hey, it's NYC).
Picture 3 (432) to the right is the 'team' track for non-rail
customers. The overhead crane is two kits, a traveling
structure reduced 50% in length with a heavy duty crane
which I cut down to 7 inches. The dock came from the old
layout. This track continues to the Municipal Terminal.
To the left is Freddy's Creekside Fuels ... anthracite coal
and Mobil products. Used two kits, National Fuel Supply
and McGraw Oil for the 6 tanks, office, truck scale, coal
trestle (also cut out a pit), truck filling station and a storage
shed. Decals, details and ground cover to be added later.
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Report #10
Greetings ...
I needed a highway bridge coming off the elevated Interstate,
the Major Deegan. So I bought the Central Valley Model Works
new 200' Parker Double Track Truss Bridge Kit which I'll convert
to a dual lane highway bridge.
Picture 1 (440) Before ... the cutting, trimming and gluing 370 parts
into sub assemblies following 20 pages of instructions. Then
painting ... what a project ...
Picture 2 (443) After ... 30 hours of construction with modifications ...
a cardboard road with window screen (to simulate metal grating),
railings and concrete edging, here's the Madison Ave. Bridge
from the Bronx to Manhattan.
I call it 'cinn-a-bun' bridge due to it's color.
It is closer to 149th St. than in reality.
Also it is one way (my 149th St. Bridge will be one way
out of Manhattan over the Harlem River) from 145th Street.
I love the expression "Modeler's License".
Needs some weathering, signs and vehicle drivers.
Picture 3 (444) more structures ...in the foreground I reused the
4 M Family Hardware Store and Meg Watts Transformer Plant
that was published in Walthers 2015 HO Ref. Book on p. 594.
In back, from the left is an old factory converted to Riverside condos.
Next is a vacant warehouse (use to be a 'sweat shop'). Both
structures are made of plaster (Art Deco). Then Planters
packaging & distribution center (made of card stock). A Miller
animated sign is mounted on the bldg. They get their peanuts
from Georgia in a covered hopper parked on the 'team' track
(ref. Report # 9). They serve the local area, also the New England
states and eastern Canada with box cars on the team track.
FYI, Planters started in my original hometown of Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Still need to finish the highway supports, railings, roads, ground
cover, etc.
And I'm 60% finished. Moo'ven on.
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Report #11
Part 1
Greetings ...
Here's the scenario ... it's the 1980s', the Lehigh Valley RR
Bronx Terminal @ East 149th St. is reduced to 3 acres
(sold off 7) rather than closing in 1968 (my fiction). Then in
1976 when Conrail was formed from many fallen flags (RR's)
... this yard, a few locomotives, 1 tug (the Bethlehem), 1 car
float (#56) and some rolling stock was purchased under a
mortgage agreement called NY Harbor Railroad - LV. It is
owned by the Black Diamond Wyoming Valley (WV) group.
So the Bronx 'Valley' has to be self-contained ... sales, maint.
and service.
Picture 1 (454) this is their engine house ... a Peco inspection
pit has been cutout and an Evergreen sidewalk foundation
installed. I custom-built this corrugated building from a Pikestuff
Kit-basher Series small Engine House. I spray painted it with a
can of Krylon 'fusion' for plastic. My 'spray booth' was the garage
with the door opened.
Picture 2 (465) here is the finished backdrop buildings. Note the
Blue Moon Diner sign (where we meet & eat breakfast) made
from one of their gift cards. Added fire escapes to two buildings.
The Pressed Steel Plant 2 (Plant 1 was in Wilkes-Barre, PA run
by my father-in-law). They make steel parts.
The area in front (Mott Haven) is the last section to finish.
Picture 3 (481) Since Pressed Steel is off-line, they get some of their
raw material from the 'team' track across the street. The gantry
crane is lifting the cover off a coil car (Atlas) with steel rolls
(Athearn) and other pieces I made.
continues ...
Report #11
Part 2
Picture 4 (479) this is Memorial Patriot Plaza at the
Grand Concourse. The 3 art deco column portals
were primed then I used Krylon Natural Stone granite
textured finish via garage 'spray booth'.
The statues on top are not "men-in-black", but two
historians ... to the left is 'Jonas Bronck, a Swedish
emigrant that settled the area in 1639, that now houses
1.25 million people. The figure on the right is William
Deegan, an architect, a major in WW 1, civic leader
and one of the founders of the American Legion (1919)
overlooking his part of the Interstate (I -87) named for
him. Someday the city council may approve bronze
statues. Note the Subway entrance. And the 'G' on the
streetcar identifies the Grand Course route. This is
149th St., one way. There is a little street running for
the railroad.
Picture 5 (483) the plaza is also used for Ma's Farmers
Market. Note the PCC trolley under the elevated highway.
Picture 6 (485) the NYC Departments of Public Works & Health
finally approved two vendors for the subway station ...
Waynes World News Stand and Chucks Wagon Snack Bar
with artificial horses. Also new benches and there's more
patrons.
Looks like I'm 75% finished ! It's time for a break.
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Report #12
Greetings Railbirds ...
I'm back to "work".
Picture 1 (308) I built my last new structure, Mary's Barber Shop.
Named for my wife who cuts what's left of my hair.
It's Walthers 'Vic's Barbershop' that he sold to Mary before
retiring to Florida. Remember this is the South Bronx.
About half of the 40 structures are new, the others are
recycled from the old layout.
On one roof is a customized Liberty Bank sign that includes
a 2 Franc coin of Lady Liberty.
On the diner, top left corner, the coffee cup sign was a
stirrer that I highlighted with a silver Sharpie.
Notice this area has brick pavement (needs weathering).
The embossed brick paper is made by Noch.
Picture 2 (309) The elevated highway, the Major Deegan and
the approach to the Madison Bridge is finished except
for signs and lights. I cut out the highway tunnel and added
a shallow tunnel using black construction paper to give
it some depth. The highway is made in 3 sections so I can
remove it to work on or underneath.
Picture 3 (311) The neighborhood seen here is Mott Haven.
The backdrop includes apartments, condos and factories.
This 'skyboard' with the 'fronts' can be lowered if needed.
The area has all the essentials of life ... Railway Express,
Rusty's Radiator Shop, a diner, barber shop/apartment,
a factory, a fuel company, bank, drug store, RR office/
my apartment, gas station, hardware store/apartment,
a bar (St. Michael's) also used on Sundays for religious
services, and a container out back for the dancing girls
to practice/perform, a welding shop and Mr. Handyman's
supplies and gun shop. Did I miss anything ?
I'm close to 80% completion with all the basic essentials
and general arrangement are in place, now for the ground
cover, trees, bushes, signs, fences, lamp posts, people,
cars, the river, etc. Looks like 3 more reports should do it.
Onward ...
Report #13
Hello Railrunners ...
Picture 1 (658) Water ... the Harlem River.
I'm using a two part resin called Envirotex, a gallon of it.
The bottom was painted in mixed colors with a raw umber
color stirred into the resin to represent pollution.
The 'water' reflects the Madison Ave Bridge, also motion
from the ceiling fan.
Against the bulkhead is a mixture of rocks, tree bark,
various 'dirts', coffee grounds and sand from Atlantic City, NJ.
Note the orange channel marker (the light will be connected).
Picture 2 (659) LV's 'Bethlehem' moving the carfloat to
align
with the transfer bridge. The apron's height has been adjusted
and the crew is ready to 'pin and tie' the carfloat.
Picture 3 (660) The 149th. St. Bridge is under repair.
The Saw Mill Creek dumps into the river at this point.
There is a lot of dumping, including a body !
In this area, besides a hobo camp, (not visible) is a small
cemetery, a tree house, and a subway vent.
Two 'black' rocks are anthracite coal (my PA roots).
On the Grand Concourse Memorial ... Mr. Bronks and
Major Deegan are now bronze statues thanks to the city
council.
Scenery is now 85% completed.
Report #14
Greetings ...
Picture 1 (667) Constructing brick roads with embossed paper
over poster board. Also installing roadbed made by Scenic Express
called Black Track Tack ... a tar-like material.
Notice the interior of two structures, the superintendent office and
a maintenance shop.
Picture 2 (669) The brick roads are finished before weathering
(looking from the back). Installing N scale gd. throws (better size).
The ballast is a blend of fine and med. cinders, coffee grounds
and turf (soil & earth). Notice the interior of the engine house with
the shell removed.
Picture 3 (670) With the backdrop lowered and a section of the
elevated highway removed, work is about finished in Mott Haven.
Notice an early customer in the 'beer garden' waiting for the
dancing girls to finish their rehearsal. Hope he has some deep
pockets.
Report #14
Part 2
Some details and stories ...
Picture 4 (672) Photo-reduced DVA Art business card,
NY Post newspaper front page, computer made signs
for Meg Watts & Hardware Store with 1 to 1 scale screws.
Picture 5 (673) Near the bridge pier, underwater is a dead
body in blue clothes. Nearby his lady friend is paying
homage.
Picture 6 (674) Since this is the Harlem River, it's a crime
scene dilemma. Is it under NY State Police or NY City
Police jurisdiction ?
Report #15
Part 1
This will be the last report in 3 parts
First, FYI, pictures of my previous layout can be seen in
Walthers HO Reference Book
2015 edition on pages 594, 608, & 616; and in the
2016 catalog on pages 607, 616, and 631 (my 115th picture published).
Note, my first picture was in Walthers 1985 catalog on p. 399,
then 19 articles plus since then.
My new layout will be a NMRA Pike Registered Railroad with
a handout page of its history, storyline and operation, and Pass.
Picture 1 (664) shows a plaque I did showing the rail-marine
connection between Jersey City, NJ and the Bronx via the
'Lehigh Valley remains' now called the NY Harbor RR - LV.
We see the Betlehem tied up till morning for its 'empties out'
daily run. The tug will return ... 'loads in' later in the day.
Picture 2 (665) If you have a PASS, you can ride the transfer caboose,
maybe ride it on the carfloat to/from N.J.
Checkout the clothesline on the apartment roof.
Picture 3 (666) Here is an overview of the 'track plan' compared to
the paper drawing in Report #2.
continues
Report #15
Part 2
Picture 4 (667) Looked like garbage day.
And two mounted policemen have joined the crime scene
(ref. Report 14 Part 2)
Note: Marilyn recommends taking the subway.
Picture 5 (668) A helicopter view of Mr. Bronks & Major Deegan
Memorial, the 149th St / Grand Concourse subway entrance
and Patriots Plaza with Ma's outdoor market
On the 1-87, Major Deegan Expressway, a Bronx Fire Squad
is on the run. Note: the layout includes city traffic sounds.
Picture 6 (669) Looking east, the United Airlines 'friendly skies'
sign was a drink stirrer.
The brick road is River Street in the Mott Haven neighborhood
Some of the signs were made using a software program
(highway, Meg Watts factory) or photo reduced Google search
signs), (top of ambulance), ads (NY Post), cards (DVA art), etc
continues..
Report #15
Part 3
the end is near,
Picture 7 (671) a top down view of the interriors of the
engine house, the control tower, the superintendents'
office and the maintenance shop.
Also a good view of the Saw Mill Creek and its contents.
NOTE: the area included water / animal sounds.
Picture 8 (674) Meg Watts has 3 pull-out detailed floors and it
includes factory sounds.
To the left is Fred's Creekside Fuels. Next door is the
'team track' with a gantry crane and between the tracks
3 hatches for flour delivery to Pillsbury across the street
in back the RR warehbouse that rents commercial spaces.
On the Harlem River, the tug and carfloat is heading to N.J.
Picture 9 (661) I hope you enjoyed part of the Big Apple
in miniature three dimensional art.
It really looks better in person.
The layout has some unique features and a lot of
mini-scenes. This project is 95% completed. I worked
on it almost every day, over 9 months. Still have
some work to get to 99% (we're never 'finished')
lights, crossing gates, signals, track repairs, weathering
and more details. Someday maybe I'll do a post script.
Stay on-track
Mike
P.S. For what the layout looks like in 2018 there are 7 videos on YouTube.com (search) Michael Collins model railroad.
.
for what the layout looks like in 2018
there are 7 videos on youtube.com (search) michael collins railroad