Allegheny Western Lines
HO Modular Group
Member Val Pistilli
Malverna - 2 modules

Started in spring of 2001. My main objective is switching. I wanted as much concentrated switching as possible in the small space afforded by 2' x 4' modules.
I also wanted to try my hand at scenery since I had never tried it before.

Here is a progression of my two Malverna modules.
This is what Malverna looked like at Greenberg show in Feb. 2003. Our first show.
March 2005 East Coast Hobby Show Ft. Washington, PA
Closeup of the left end of Malverna. One structure completed, one under construction. I have tried my hand at scenery and I like the results, although, you can't see
much of it here. But, the concentrated switching has been accomplished!! The road next to the switcher is Instant Roadbed. You can see one of the Walthers track
bumpers. Just assembled and stuck on to try and stop trains from running off the end of the track. In the end crossmember, I drilled a hole and put a track nail into
the table top to anchor the bumper in place, but it is easily removed to transport the modules.
Here is a view of the second module of Malverna. The space between the tracks is for the passenger station and freight stattion. Walthers oil facility in the rear left,
and Walthers REA building straight ahead.
View from the end of the second module looking toward the first. Did I mention that I liked switching?

You can see more of the scenery from this view. Once I got started, I was amazed at the ease it took to get a very nice looking scene. It didn't take all that
much time, except for painting the rails.

Painting the rails is a tedious job, but the results are well worth it. Improves the appearance immensely.

I used Floquil Rail Brown.  Shake well and use a small brush. Keep the brush wet and perpendicular to the rails to paint over and around the spikes.
Don't forget to paint the guardrails and the tips of the wing rails on switches.
Malverna left 9-25-2005
Malverna right 9-25-2005 The passenger station has now arrived. thanks to Charlie Woodward for building it for me. Micro-Scale kit.
Shot at REA sidings with the rails painted. Nice effect. Don't forget to drop some grass and weeds next to the rails. Next, I have to put some trash and junk around
to complete the scene. People would be nice too!
The next three photos were taken during the Independence Junction NMRA convention in 2006.
Dec. 2006
May 2009
Val's Modules as of 2009
May 2009
May 2009
Dec. 2009

Do you have bumpers at the ends of sidings? Don't forget to paint the tops of the rails next to the bumper.  Trains never run there so the rails never get clean!

I use Walthers bumpers. A package of them costs around ten bucks and you get  a load of bumpers. I painted mine black, like the prototype. They don't want
these things to rust. You can see where I drilled a hole and installed a track nail to hold the bumper in place. When cars run into the bumpers, they don't move!
Click here for time lapse movie.  After complete download, play again for full effect.
Designed and Maintained by
V. E. Pistilli
Allegheny Western Lines

Mailto: vpistilli@verizon.net
Allegheny Western Lines
P.O. Box 73
Ft. Washington, PA 19034
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