Introduction - Part One

The JJJ&E is an around the room layout that is "U" shaped. The finished train room is 21x12'. The turntable side of the JJJ&E is 17 feet long. The middle part of the layout is 12 feet long and the San Marino side of the layout is 15 feet long. The bench work is 30 inches wide except in the two turnaround areas which are 50x50". The radii used on the JJJ&E are 28 1/4 to 30 inch radii except in the two turnaround areas. In the two turnaround areas the radii average 23-24 inches. The track used on the layout is Unitrack that has been completely weathered and ballasted. I also used Peco code 80/55 flex track in the turntable area and on some sidings. The "new" JJJ&E was started in March 2009 and is still a work in progress.

The "New" JJJ&E was named after my four grand daughters; Julie, Jenna, Jillian and Emily. This layout replaces The "Original" JJJ&E which was in operation for over nine years. The "Original" JJJ&E had a completely graded mainline. When I designed the "New" JJJ&E, I decided to limit the grade to San Marino side of the layout. This grade is 1 1/2% and most of the locomotives on the roster can negotiate the grade. If certain steam locomotives can't negotiate the grade, there is a choice of routes that don't incorporate the grade.

The "New" JJJ&E runs on DCC. I am using a NCE Power Pro Radio Controlled system with two power districts. One power district controls the Turntable area with 10 service tracks and a 24 stall Roundhouse. The second power district controls the rest of the layout.

Signaling is an important aspect of the "New" JJJ&E. There are 32 New Jersey International dwarf signals in the Switching Yard and turntable area. The layout is controlled by New Jersey International block signals  powered by Logic Rail Technologies signal boards and photo cells embedded in the track roadbed.  I also have four BLMA double track cantilever signals, four BLMA single track cantilever signals and several New Jersey International double track cantilever signals. This makes an interesting signal system as all signals are fully operational.

The "new" JJJ&E is a steam transition era layout. I decided on this era because as a youngster in the early 1950's my family took extensive trips out west and this layout is a compilation of the many railroads that we saw in the western United States in that time period. My dad was an avid model railroader and I was first introduced to the hobby in 1947 at the tender age of six with my first train set, which was a Lionel GG-1 passenger set with heavyweight passenger cars (Madison, Irvington, etc.). I was always fascinated by the 20 wheel GG-1. There are a few GG-1's on this layout even though the predominance of locomotives and rolling stock have western road names. Most of the locomotives are ATSF, SP and Southern.