Peter's Model Railroading

This is a hobby web site owned by Peter Vanvliet. Its primary focus is to document the construction of my model railroad, which is accurately based on the Pennsylvania Railroad's "Chartiers" branch as it existed in the summer of 1924. The models are in S-scale (1:64). Most photos contained within this web site can be clicked to view a larger version. All photos on this web site are copyright © Peter Vanvliet, unless otherwise indicated; All Rights Reserved.

What's My Objective?

The current extent of my 'layout'.

My layout is modular/sectional in nature, currently consisting of one module with many more planned. Click "The Layout" button on the left to read the full story, with lots of photos. The module is part of a set of modules that are centered around the Hazel coal mine in Canonsburg, PA. Its tipple is shown in the photo and the module is essentially finished. What you see in the photo took me just shy of three years to build (mostly due to lack of available hobby time). Everything was built from scratch, to scale, and with no compression. The entire structure, as shown, is made out of 1,800 individual pieces. And, yes, I documented and counted each one of 'em!

Projects

I took this photo experimenting with my camera's zoom lens to see if I could get a better depth-of-field focus. I'm happy with it. It features the recently-completed Pre-Size SP box car.

While I enjoy documenting my progress in the hobby of model railroading via this web site, I seem to be getting busier and busier (or maybe the days are getting shorter and shorter). There seems to be little time for the hobby for me (I'm self-employed). So, updates to this web site are now going to be more project-focused, rather than what-I-did-this-week kinds of reports. My near-term goals are as follows:

Active: upgrading photos to their larger versions.
Active: re-arranging things in the room that holds my layout, to prepare for the new "benchwork".
Planned: building benchwork for three modules.
Planned: building two more modules.
Planned: installing track on both new modules.
Planned: buy my first S-scale steam engine.
Planned: convert said engine to battery power.
Planned: bring back older content to this site.
Long-term: complete module #2.
Long-term: complete module #3.

Shameless Plug

If you are looking for software to help you manage your locomotive and rolling stock inventory and you are using a Windows-based computer, consider trying out my FRSTrainTracker application. I released a new version in January 2025. This web site is being maintained using several of my company's other software applications.

Site Last Updated on January 17, 2025