Description

Welcome to my HO Scale transition era tribute to the Reading Railroad. Unlike its other two divisions (the Philadelphia Division and the Reading Division), the upstate Shamokin Division was the bane of the operating department, with its steep grades and several helper districts. The railroad ran through the heart of Pennsylvania’s anthracite region on its way to Newberry Junction (near Williamsport, PA) and connections with the PRR and NYC. Although several symbol freights and a few passenger trains ran over the division, it was the mining of hard coal that the railroad was noted for.

Twenty coal mines, loaders, and truck dumps populate the layout with numerous mine runs called during a session. Several symbol freights, passenger trains, and interchanges with the LNE, CNJ, and PRR, as well as extra movements, make for a busy railroad. The highlights on the railroad are the helper grades with the Locust Summit grade being the main attraction. The layout has five yards, three of which are manned by a yardmaster.

It is configured as point to point with staging on each end. Many aspects of the railroad have been featured in the modeling press over the past 25 years.

Gallery