the Ironton Railroad

I doubt there are few of us who really want to see more snow at this point, but here are a last set of shots before I jump on Amtrak's train #97 tomorrow and take a well deserved vacation in Disney World. :cool:


This is the old Coplay Cement Mill B, a notable landmark in the history of cement production (those rotary kiln buildings are partially restored and still stand...see: http://www.lehighcounty.org/departments/parksandrecreation/saylorpark/tabid/460/default.aspx


Looking over the town of Coplay showing the joint Lehigh Valley/Ironton RR passenger station. Between the tracks and the town was the Lehigh Valley's first yard here. All the tracks are gone today, and trees have regrown in many areas, but that boxcar *still* sits there.
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Overview looking the other way, as the Ironton splits away from the LVRR and begins its climb up from the river to "the Summit". This area, including Coplay Cement Mill C, are under construction right now.


Top-down view, showing trackwork. Tracks on the East side of the river are Central of New Jersey, with the little Northampton & Bath splitting off to the right.


Moving south, this is the overview of tracks at Hockendauqua. CNJ tracks across the river are not modeled (at this time).
 
Rooneth3808 said:
I doubt there are few of us who really want to see more snow at this point, but here are a last set of shots before I jump on Amtrak's train #97 tomorrow and take a well deserved vacation in Disney World. :cool:
Click to expand...
Disney World, heck yeah maybe the J&BTM will gain momentum after another ride on Big Thunder Mountain!:cool:
 
These two routes will be the reason I buy 12 if they only work with it. I am so so patiently awaiting the release of this and the J&BTM!:cool:
 
Jolly good work there Ron! I love the looks of this stuff! I'd say I might find a way to put some older power on it just to run!
 
I've had enough of winter, with the snow and ice this year:hehe: But your route is looking great, Steam always looks good in white.:D
 
jacksonbarno said:
He's back! Nice job!
Just wondering, did you get my email?
Click to expand...

Do you mean the custom caboose?? :) I think it was a while ago. I got it. Had the caboose at the end of the consist below, but the pictures it ended up in didn't make the cut.


The IRR had one 0-8-0 similar to this one. The train is backing across a cement bridge with the words "IRONTON RR" stamped into it.



And yes...i'm so tired of Winter too, but at least our last snow is virtually gone, so i can tolerate to go back into the route again ;).
 
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...It's back!...

Just days away from completion i'm finally coming out of isolation to show some of the latest work on my super-proto 1940 Ironton RR route.




Looking down at Mill "D" in Ormrod. The narrow guage limestone train is crossing the IRR main and mill spur tracks. The quarry is to the upper left.


Snowy scene at Ormrod. Spurs go off to Lobach's and other nearby quarries.


Passenger shelter at Ruch's on the Siegersville Branch. The barn to the left belongs to the Saxton family, childhood friends of mine (and the ROW now makes up part of their driveway to the newer house).


A hunter and his dog out along the Siegersville Branch. The village of Siegersville (and end of active track) is about one mile down the line from here.


Fogle & Straub Coal and Lumber, furthest out customer on the old mainline outside of Ironton. The building still stands.
 
Can't be I only just now found this thread. Gret job! I really love how you used the ground textures to represent snow that's been around a few days or weeks. Looks rather refreshing versus a fresh snowfall. I'm curious if they many of the textures you used even had the word snow in them.
 
Thanks guys. :)

dricketts said:
Can't be I only just now found this thread. Gret job! I really love how you used the ground textures to represent snow that's been around a few days or weeks. Looks rather refreshing versus a fresh snowfall. I'm curious if they many of the textures you used even had the word snow in them.
Click to expand...

I think one did. Most of the others aren't even in English i believe. I will have to check the list sometime.

Now a couple more pics before i head off to visit family for Christmas for a few days.


Giant Cement's Reliance Mill. The house in the upper left is the Troxell-Steckel house, built in 1756 when the area was still largely a frontier.


Looking the other way. The Reliance Mill operated from 1905 to 1970.


Looking East from Egypt Yard.


The abandoned Thomas Iron Works and IRR HQ and offices at Hockendauqua, PA. The stone and brick buildings on the right were originally built for the iron company. Originally, Thomas Iron was a large enterprise, with its own small railroad. The Ironton railroad was the little upstart that depended on the mill for its survival. With the passage of time, the iron works fizzled out while the railroad, rather than going the same way as its main customer, boomed with the explosion of area cement production. By this time Thomas Iron ceased to exist and the Ironton had taken over use of both buildings.


Down the tracks looking the other way. The open area on the left where kids are playing in the snow was used by Thomas Iron for special events and outtings.


At the southern end of the route, these three tracks are the east end of the Reading Railroad's C&F Branch. Many long coal trains were brought in here to be interchanged to the Ironton to feed the cement mills.
 
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