Ron Hoess’ Eastbound Chestnut Hill & Stifftown Branch PRR

This HO scale layout (13′ x 18′) is a point-to-point switching layout that depicts the Stifftown Branch and the first portion of the Chestnut Hill Branch of the PRR. The setting is North Philadelphia circa 1958. Since this is a prototype layout, all of the structures are scratchbuilt to better match the prototype. Key signature buildings give the viewer visual clues to time and location. The layout was started in 2014, and uses Digitrax control. When all of the background structures are complete, catenary will be installed for the Chestnut Hill Branch and for the portion of the mainline running from Margie St. yard to North Philadelphia Station. The Chestnut Hill Branch extends as far as Midvale Yard, passing the Budd Co. and eventually Midvale Steel. The layout hosts a fleet of Baldwin switchers and when the catenary is installed, MP54 commuter cars. Video by Bill Fagan.