Name: Reading Co. Shamokin Division
Layout owner: Jim Hertzog
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Size: 30′-6″ x 40′-0″
Prototype: Reading Co.
Locale: eastern Pennsylvania
Era: 1952 to 1957
Style: walk-in
Mainline run: 310 feet
Minimum radius: 30″
Minimum turnout: no. 6
Maximum grade: 2.6 percent
Benchwork: open grid
Height: 45″ to 60″
Roadbed: cork and Homasote on 1⁄2″ plywood
Track: code 83 flextrack
Scenery: plaster gauze over cardboard lattice
Backdrop: painted tempered hardboard with some photos
Control: Lenz Digital Command Control
This track plan originally appeared in the November 2018 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download a PDF of the plan.
Born in Shamokin 74 years ago, it was wonderful to see this layout. I only lived there till age 2 when Korea broke out and my Dad re-enlisted in the Army and stayed a professional officer. I followed his lead and have done much the same, therefore not living, or even visiting much, there. Hard coal died a long slow death, impoverishing many, and generating large migrations to greener pastures.