Module Owner:

Charles Brinker

Primary Modeler:

Charles Brinker

Other Modelers:

Jim Wilkinson, Stan McClennen, Fred Monsimer

Construction Date:

July, 2004

First Show:

November, 2004
Open Door
Royersford, PA

Module Dimensions:

24 inches X 60 inches

Pottstown Yard - East End

Module Description:

Switches allow train cars to move from one track to another.
If you like switches, you will love the freight yard.

Multiple tracks require multiple switches to be accessible. While a yard can be "single-ended," having switches at both ends of the tracks allows additional flexibility in operations.

The diagonal track running from the front to the back of this module is called "the ladder." From this track, train crews can get to all the other tracks in the yard, using the track switches. There is another ladder at the other end of the yard, near the engine house.

Near the front of this module, there are a couple of "slip switches," which allow cars to roll straight through (left-right) or straight through (diagonally) or to be diverted from either direction onto the ladder track. Slip switches are special switches used where space is tight. Although this describes most model railroads, they also exist in the real world. On real railroads, they are not common, because there is usually adequate space to spread out the track work, and the slip switch is more complicated to operate and maintain.