US $5.95 • Can $7.95 - O scale trains

1: Jey Junction marks the west end of Sue City Yard.At a busy moment in an operating session, threetrains are caught in action at the junction. From topto bottom, an eastbound passenger train arrivesfrom the Pennsylvania Railroad interchange tracks,a B&O freight departs to that railroad’s connectingtracks and a piggyback arrives on the Buckeyemainline, ready to continue on the freight main intothe classification yard.mainline then merges immediately with thetwo-track PRR mainline at a double crossoverat J Tower. The Buckeye then sharestrackage with the Pennsy to the east end ofthe yard. Here, at SC tower, Pennsy’s SueCity branch line ends and there is a shortinterchange connection to the Erie Railroad.The Pennsy operates the steam enginefacility and caboose track at the west endof the yard, and the Buckeye operates theDiesel shop at the east end. The elevatedBuckeye passenger station handles Buckeye,B&O and New York Central passengertrains. In its inimitable fashion, the Pennsyoperates a separate passenger station for itstrains on the valley floor just west of theirroundhouse. The yard will handle some 36trains during a typical operating session.Scenically, Sue City sits on a narrow2: At Sue City, the Pennsylvania Railroad operates aseparate passenger station. An eastbound Pennsylocal is discharging mail and passengers behindthe station on the passenger mainline. Meanwhile aBuckeye 44-tonner awaits duty on the freight mainand a caboose temporarily occupies the west tailtrack.3: A Buckeye Railroad Consolidation occupiesthe turntable at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s SueCity steam engine facility. Note “K” tower and theadjoining sign that indicates a record 13 accidentfreehours for the roundhouse crew.flood plain in the fictitious Buckeye RiverValley. Pine covered bluffs rise above theyard and a tunnel connects the elevatedBuckeye passenger station and adjoiningbuildings with the imaginary downtown onthe other side of the bluff. The tracks crossthe Sue River at the east end of the yardwhere it joins the Buckeye River. At thewest end, the tracks cross a small drainageditch. These watercourses and the resultingbridges add scenic interest to a layout that isliterally covered with yard tracks. The passengertracks are placed at the back of thebenchwork because most of the switchingoperations at the yard involve freight cars.The passenger tracks are slightly elevatedto further break up the visual impact of allthose tracks. Various ballast colors, tie spacing,and rail sizes are used to identify thefour railroads and to distinguish mainlineand yard tracks.Sue City is a way station for the stream-Sept/Oct ’04 - O Scale Trains • 15