John Pryke

Overview of the New York, New Haven & Hartford

John Pryke
Duration:   2  mins

Description

In this video, Allen Keller will give an overview of the New York, New Haven & Hartford model railroad layout of John Pryke. The New Haven model railroad follows the line from New York to Boston in 1948. This HO scale railroad features three yards with short running distances between them. Passenger trains play a major role in the operation of the layout. Research is part of the fun for John as he works to create the feel of a class 1 operation with heavy running and lots of motive power. The line boasts many brass steam engines that John has scratch built. One of them is almost 40 years old and is still running. Everything is nicely weathered to reflect the post-war railroad.

Allen Keller asks John why he decided to create the New Haven model railroad. The New Haven was the first class 1 steam diesel railroad that John remembers. Being born in New York City, everything was electrified, but electric could never compete with the roaring of a steam engine. The New Haven model railroad is built on L girder benchwork with a minimum radius of 36 inches. All track is hand laid with super elevating curves. This island-style HO layout takes up 20 by 30 feet in John’s basement. The railroad gains running distance with a track plan that doubles back on itself, so, scenes that are visibly close may represent scenes that are actually many miles apart. The trip begins in South Boston. To watch more Allen Keller Videos or info on how to start planning your layout, visit the Model Railroad Academy archives.

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John Pryke's New York, New Haven and Hartford follows a line from New York to Boston in 1948. This HO scale railroad features three yards with short running distances between them. Yet, passenger trains play a major role in the operation of the layout. Research is part of the fun for John as he works to create the feel of a Class 1 operation with heavy running and lots of motive power. The line boasts many brass steam engines that John scratch-built. One of them is almost 40 years old and and still running. Everything is nicely weathered to reflect heavy post-war railroading. Welcome, I'm Allen Keller, and this is John Pryke, the man who built the New York, New Haven and Hartford. John, why did you decide to model the New Haven? Well, Allen, the New Haven was the first Class 1 steam and diesel railroad that I ever remember. I was born in New York City and everything down there was electrified from the Lexington Avenue subway to the Third Avenue L, and it just didn't compete with a roaring steam engine with its thrashing side rods. The New Haven is built on L-girder bench work with a minimum radius of 36 inches. All track is hand-laid with super elevated curves. This island-style HO layout takes up 20x30 feet in John's basement. The railroad gains running distance with a track plan that doubles back on itself. So scenes that are physically close may represent scenes that are are schematically miles and miles apart. We'll start this trip at South Boston.
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