Roller Coaster Speed Study

 Skyliner Roller Coaster Lakemont Park Altoona, PA

In an effort to develop a realistic operating model of a coaster I filmed this small wooden coaster at Lakemont Saturday.  Watching the video I have found that the speeds down hill vs. the speeds up hill are not significantly different.  At the maximum I would guess the speed down is about double the speed up hills and on curves at level or near level.  I think a model with fixed voltages to several different portions of the tracks and the use of flywheels on the motors in the cars could produce a realistic model.  If you do a search for model roller coasters on you tube you will all of them run entirely too fast.  For example:  https://youtu.be/XHJx3mqYotg

Penn Station. Work continues on my O Scale 80% model of the station.

The Rear of the Station is on the Track side.  The front won't be modeled.  Still to be added is the windows on the 2nd and 3rd floors.  They are built and painted but waiting for "glass" and some need window air conditioners.  Currently I am working on additional details on the top of the 3rd floor and the roof.

A close up of the middle/main section of the station.  The three arched opening lead to the main waiting room inside the building from the concourse.  I have cast the windows for the concourse but have not build the actual structure.  The platforms and train shed have to be built before the concourse can be added.

The end of the building.  Both ends are almost alike. 

Penn Station Baltimore - Basement and First Floor

Track side of Basement and First Floor of Station

This is the beginning of my 80% O Scale model of the station.  More photos to come later.

Fair Summit on Jays O Scale Layout

Penn Station

My model of Penn Station Baltimore is under way.  Have cast 30 columns for the station and 6 double size columns for the four corners.    Presently casting 21 window units for the two ends and the back side of the building.  Then I need 36 window units for the concourse that is along the back of the station and also across the tracks.  I build my masters out of styrene, then make a RTV rubber mold, and then cast using two part resins.  The rest of the building will be built from styrene and wood.  Really big project as it will be an 80% model and almost six feet long.  Hope to get some pictures on the blog soon showing the various castings.  Also need to cast some brick sidewalk to build the station platforms which were brick in the 50s based on some photos I have seen.

Back side of Penn Station Baltimore, MD

Two recent photos of the layout.

Fair Summit Station, Tunnel, and Coal Dealer

I M Warmer Coal Yard.

Scenery by Warren, Structures and Trestle scratch built by Jay.

Photos of the layout

These photos are from the WMRY Modelers site and were taken and posted by my scenery guy, Warren Hart.  They show his excellent scenery work and one of my structures a station, my "Twin" bridges, and my trestle.