All, After a 40+year absence as a RMC Subscriber I finally plunged back in to RMC by resubscribing to RMC . If one has to know my first actual subscribed issue was the JULY 1975 issue! Tom
My first issue was in '69 and the cost was a whole $0.50 which was big money for a kid. It was the first model rail magazine I bought and I still have it.
Anyone recall the tracks plans by the layout doctor? One that was particularly impressive to me was for the PRR's Zoo junction interlocking in Philadelphia. While the prototype was rather complex, the model track plan shown gave new meaning to the term "bowl of spaghetti" layout.
I missed that track plan; I can barely fathom how anyone could have designed such a pike. I can see it now, with perspiration forming on the owner's brow, trains arriving from all corners of the layout, power packs growing hot and taped animal noises emanating from the Philadelphia Zoo.
Yes, that's it within the wye. The junction also contains several duckunder tunnels which are hard to discern in the view. I have only one photo of ZOO, taken from Amtrak's Crescent in July '85. It appears here. Built in 1935, the PRR equipped it with a 227 lever US&S machine, with each lever often controlling a pair of turnouts. It still stands I think, but I'm uncertain if it remains manned.
What impressed me the most about Zoo Jct. was watching E-44s and GG-1s hauling heavy freight on the high line from my office on the 6th floor at 3198 Chestnut. I grew up with the NYC and B&M, but the Pennsy was one heckuva rr to watch, especially at the complex around Zoo and 30th St Station.
The following drawing suggests that the ZOO interlocking machine frame could accommodate up to 227 levers, but only 135 were operational and there were 45 spares and 47 spaces: http://broadway.pennsyrr.com/Rail/Prr/Maps/Itlk/zoo.gif This photo gives some sense of the size of the machine: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6eORH3qs...5_10208695252088916_5206251625004742525_n.jpg
I can't begin to imagine the activity at Zoo's peak. Speaking of huge interlockings, State Line tower in Hammond, IN had a 224 Lever mechanical machine, but with the usual provision of spares as with Zoo. I think State Line was razed perhaps 15 years ago.
ZOO is electro-pneumatic. I forget where I was when I first stood adjacent to a PRR/PC pneumatic switch machine, but it scared the daylights out of me when the points moved. Ssssssp, BANG!
I received the OCTOBER issue of RMC last Thursday September 28, 2017. I’ve been itching to open the plastic sleeve that it came in. Tom
Resist that urge lest you let loose the "factory air" from the printing plant and ruin the collectibility of your copy.
