10-18-2022

This is the first post since January.  Procrastination is my middle name.  If universities awarded degrees in procrastination, I would have a double doctorate.

Construction of the lower level has started with about 50% of the benchwork completed.

The trackwork test fit for Gravesend Yard is complete.  Due to not correctly measuring the length of a double slip switch I had to change the size of the freight classification yard.  Originally, I planned four six-foot-long body tracks for classification and now only three will fit.

Since this yard will have a car servicing building, a reefer icing area and a REA transfer building there is still quite a bit of space for freight cars.

I used construction paper to make the footprints of the structures planned for this yard.  I have all of the structure kits sitting in my stash room.

I will need to scratch build platforms for the coach yard to simulate the loading areas for the maintenance personnel to clean and restock the cars.

I will need to purchase track and turnouts to complete the lower level.  Big $$$$.

Most of Gravesend Yard is along the 41-foot wall.

Two operators will be required for this yard when we start ops.

Here are the latest images:  I staged some rolling stock.

View from about the midpoint of the 41-foot wall.  Gravesend Passenger Station is middle right and the coach yard in is in the background.

View in other direction.  Tracks closest to the wall are the main and branch lines. Classification yard and car shop are tracks to the right of main and branch tracks. Tracks closest to edge are diesel servicing and further towards top is steam servicing.

The tracks curving to right and heading off the benchwork are heading to the turntable, roundhouse and loco parking.  The bump out section for this area is to be built.

On right is the location of the car shop.  The 3-way turnout on the left leads to the coal tipple and onto the diesel fueling.  Track on far left is for deliveries of coal, diesel fuel and sand.  Classification yard, passenger station and coach yard in the background.

Reefer icing location along the shorter 14-foot wall.  Lead, arrival and departure tracks closest to end of benchwork.

REA transfer building location

View from REA location back towards reefer icing location.

 01/16/22

Finally finished the town of Fort Greene.  Except for a few minor details to be added later.

Fort Greene is the neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY where I went to high school in the early 1960's therefore the street scene is my rendition, with artist liberties, of DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene during that time period.

I would walk along DeKalb Avenue from the subway station to Brooklyn Technical High School which is across from Fort Greene Park.  I could not find a structure that even closely resembled the high school so it is not part of the layout.

The park was the sight of Fort Putnam, established by General Nathaniel Greene during the Revolutionary War.  It is also one of the sights of the Battle of Long Island.

The monument in the park was 3-D printed by Carl and is an outstanding replica of the actual Prison Ship Martyrs Monument that has been in Fort Greene Park since 1908.

Some pics below