Track Plan

Starting at the Reading yard, the line runs east to Pottstown, King of Prussia and then to Philadelphia (staging).  Just outside the yard limit there is an interchange heading west to Harrisburg (staging).  Leaving the north end of Reading yard, the line continues north to Pottsville and also northeast to Lehigh Valley (staging).

The track plan took several years to design until I found something I felt was workable with the available space.  The final design of the mainline provides a general concept of where the major towns and scenic elements will be located.  Adequate space is provided for these towns and numerous industries.  I have a few ideas in mind, but no details have been identified at this point. 

I actually want the industrial areas to take shape as the railroad progresses.  This helps to maintain my long term interest, since even I don’t know exactly what it will look like until it’s finished.  As I find industries of interest and adequate structures, I will incorporate them into the layout.  In reality, that’s how the prototype is developed as most industries are added when and where they are available.

Greg Hartman  - Freelanced Reading, N-Scale

Good luck...

Good Luck, Greg and post lots of pictures!  Do you have research material accumulated for the build?  I've lived in Phoenixville and been to KoP & Reading many times.  I will be exciting to watch your build.

-bill

Reading

I have been a reading modeler for the last couple decades and used to live in Norristown. That certainly is a challenging part of the Reading to model since it is so huge a facility being 2-4 main tracks all the way.

You might want to consider renaming King of Prussia to either Abrams (the yard area near KoP or Bridgeport the former engine facility).    KoP was actually on the Chester Valley branch.

Also you will remember that passenger service entered the main between Bridgeport and Abrams, using the Norristown Br to go to Phillie.

There were steel mills at Phoenixville, Conshohocken, and Birdsboro.  A coke plant at Conshohoken and box mills all along the route.

Also

I grew up in Ardsley rode the Reading to Philly when I attended PCA downtown. Branch line from Glenside Ardsley Roslyn Willow Grove to Hatboro.

Reading Railroad

Bill - I have been taking pictures of the build as it progressed and will be posting those shortly.  My research primarily consists of pictures taken during walks along portions of the line, Google maps and information from several web sites; readingmodeler.com and readingrailroad.org.

Dave - Thanks for the great information.  I took a closer look at Google Maps and I see what you are referring to as the Chester branch.  Since this is freelanced, I plan to keep the KoP name because it is more recognizable.  I do plan to incorporate one of the many stone quarries along the route and the Titus coal fired power plant. 

Greg Hartman  - Freelanced Reading, N-Scale

Construction Photos

Construction is L-girder.  I used Poplar lumber because it is easier to work with; fewer knots, less splitting when driving screws, and I am hoping that it will be a little more dimensionally stable then pine.  The sub-roadbed is mostly masonite spline.  Larger areas like yards and industrial areas are hardwood ply with 1/2" foam laminated on top. 

Greg Hartman  - Freelanced Reading, N-Scale

Trackwork

Mainline rails are code 55.  Everything else; yards, spurs, etc. are code 40.

Turnouts are Fasttracks; #8 & 9 on mainline and #6 & 7 for yards and spurs.

I glued strips of 1/2" foam along the sides of the subroadbed.  This is to help prevent rolling stock from hitting the floor if there is a derailment.  This can be shaped, or cut away later as the scenery is created.

Greg Hartman  - Freelanced Reading, N-Scale

Old school

Ick CSX units.

Sorry I grew up in that area. Green and yellow are the colors I remember.