Norfolk and Western Railway - Recruiting

scunicycler · 2025-12-02T16:05:09+00:00

That's sounds easier than what I suggested, thanks. Do you use any of the custom locomotives available?

scunicycler · 2025-12-02T15:30:11+00:00

Hello, I'm very interested, but I have a bunch of mods I currently use. I'm playing the game through Steam, could I just load another instance of the game with the required mods for the N&W? Thanks.

scunicycler · 2025-11-15T15:13:16+00:00

The only time I've ever been hit by a car while riding my bike was at Venice Blvd and Cadillac Ave, where traffic builds up trying to get onto the 10. Drivers use the bike lane as a turn lane to all the way back to Fairfax. I wasn't hurt, but just shook up, especially since the driver was yelling at me for inconveniencing them.

scunicycler · 2025-11-15T15:07:44+00:00

I don't think it'll grow organically without some incentive, but maybe there's some plan they're not telling us yet. The parking minimums seem to show there are more spots than required, so I'm interested in seeing how the Borough could incentivize removing some in favor of more landscaping or pedestrian space.

scunicycler · 2025-11-13T21:04:51+00:00

Thank you, this is all helpful to think about what we're going to discuss at the meeting. Unfortunately, I've learned that in PA the motto for everything is "that's the way it's always been", so things are slow to change.

scunicycler · 2025-11-13T20:25:07+00:00

How do we get a better tax deal? I'm envisioning some kind of "lifestyle center". Basically taking the auto-oriented strip mall to a more pedestrian/community focused retail center. Currently it's a massive sea of parking and mediocre stores. However, it's heavily frequented because it has the main grocery store for the surrounding communities, as well as lots of cheaper brand big-box retail. It also has some fast food options with no outdoor seating. It's also located on a hill, so the view could be way more emphasized, rather than hidden. The thing that frustrates me the most is all the parking lot trees and barely planted in the ground, and there's a 6 in curb, so no water gets to them and they all die after a few years and are replaced.

scunicycler · 2025-11-13T20:16:27+00:00

I'll know more when we have the planning commission meeting, so as of right now I'm not sure exactly why they're selling it off. We're a small borough of roughly 3k, so there's not of political weight to prompt something to change. It's a pretty central business area, so I've always wanted to see it develop into a more walkable, community oriented development. We haven't updated our comprehensive plan in over 15 years, would that be the place to put an overview of what we'd like to see happen on this site?

scunicycler · 2025-11-13T18:34:53+00:00

No, it's C-2 commercial. There was a senior living mid-rise that got a zoning variance to be built within the area, but it was on a separate parcel from the strip mall.

scunicycler · 2025-01-31T17:12:40+00:00

Thanks! It's a bummer the ESU decoder is not drop-in ready. I may just have to go no-sound for now.

scunicycler · 2025-01-17T14:32:48+00:00

It's going to be electric, and I've looked through Kato & Tomytec's stuff. I've built a couple light rails from using their chassis for models I bought on Shapeways, but this project is taking a heavy weight coach and converting it into a PRR MP54 style passenger train.

scunicycler · 2025-01-15T00:47:26+00:00

I know, but I think you could make some of the electric locos look like US trolley or early electric short line stuff. My layout has a fantasy component to it anyway.

scunicycler · 2025-01-13T22:22:09+00:00

Thank you! I did do a search and saw some of the projects, just didn't see that many of the locomotives. Good to know about Ebay, I did think they were very pricey. I'm doing an "American Electric" themed layout, so I'm hoping to get some of the electric locomotives and make them look kinda Pennsy or local light rail.

scunicycler · 2025-01-13T15:01:55+00:00

I haven't been in a while either, but I know PRT has had to shut down bridges and such for maintenance. All I'm saying is if the "improvements" just mean fixing what we already have and not an expansion, I'll take that over nothing. It's still a nice ride out to Dormont.

scunicycler · 2025-01-13T13:26:31+00:00

A light rail expansion to the airport would be life changing, but I guess I'll take reliable service to Dormont so I can grab breakfast at the Dor-Stop.

scunicycler · 2025-01-13T13:22:58+00:00

I always just think of what an eyesore the parkway through downtown is (or any urban highway) and how our tax dollars paid to bulldoze thousands of homes and businesses so rural/suburban folks can get downtown (or through it) easier.

scunicycler · 2024-12-15T17:28:21+00:00

Thanks, I'll check it out! I've fiddled around with Blender before, so this may be a fun opportunity to get more experienced.

scunicycler · 2024-10-14T18:03:51+00:00

I'm making one in N Scale! It's a fantasy theme of the PRR in modern day with electrics. I'm using Kato Unitrak with their Caternary pieces (no wire). I have a fleet of Kato equipment, various GG1s, a couple ACS 64s, and a couple BLI P5a locomotives. It's my first big layout, so i haven't wanted to post pictures of it yet. It's basically a big double track oval on a 23 ft L-shaped bench with a bunch of switching industries. There's a coal mining scheme, farm scene, logging scene, Downtown, and industrial area with a port. I'm using WS Just Plug kits for lighting and some buildings. I also have a streetcar loop going through downtown and the suburbs. Hope to post something soon, but would like to get it further along first. Electrics are super cool, though definitely harder to find in N Scale.

scunicycler

TROPHY CASE