~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
IVRWYou can do it AND still stick to the prototype by saying, the turning facilities down the line were broken.
Well, that was the entire point of a push-pull operation in the first place, but I agree. It's YOUR layout, do what YOU want and don't let anybody stop you!
ns3010TrainManTyWJNA and NAWJ also share power, but instead of handing over their train to NECR at White River Junction, they continue north to Montreal over NECR and CN tracks and return the next day (session).So, would, say, NAWJ run every other day, or every day, and those trains have two sets of power?
TrainManTyWJNA and NAWJ also share power, but instead of handing over their train to NECR at White River Junction, they continue north to Montreal over NECR and CN tracks and return the next day (session).
NAWJ runs every other day, and then that day in between it runs the other way as WJNA. Someday I might get enough equipment for another intermodal train and then I can run both on the same day.
I don't have a track plan, although I do need to get one soon. The town arrangement from east to west is Concord/Nashua/Points South staging, West Canaan, Enfield, Mascoma Lake Grade (in Enfield around Lake Mascoma, but on the layout it's as big as a town), Mascoma, Lebanon (Lebanon Yard is located there and is the base for local turns LE-1 and LE-2), and then the mainline continues to White River Junction/Montreal staging. I'll be sure to post my track plan here when it's done.
Hate to double post, but here's the track plan as a link. I didn't add industry labels or scenery details because it would be really complicated, hard to read and for the scenery details, even I don't know what all the areas will look like yet. The layout measures about 22' long and 12' wide, not including the staging yard.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/TrainManTy/WRS_Trackplan_1-6-10.jpg
Tyler, track plan looks good.
Thanks guys. eh, we will see. to take John's point, I could say that some locos had to be pushed into service backwards. oh well, we will see; commuter service is a LONG way off for the citizens along the ANRR ROW.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Sawyer, as they said, do what YOU want. We CAN give you advice, but we CANT make you do something. It's all up to you
Tyler, that's what I figured (about NAWJ/WJNA). And the WRS always seemed like it would be big, but the track plan makes it look way smaller than 12x22...
So, my replacement centerbeam came yesterday, but I haven't gotten to even take it out of the box yet. MAYBE tonight. But I won't be here tomorrow night. So who knows when I'll actually get to it.Which reminds me, I still have to send the broken one back... Didn't have time before we went away, then it was New Years, and then it was the weekend, and then it slipped my mind. Maybe I can get my mom to ship it tomorrow?
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Is WRS getting surplus QNE TOFC cars? They have about 20-30 too many... With luck my S4's decoder is not fried, (It pretended to be a real ALCo and put out a little too much smoke today...) and you'll have CCRR power running interchange service in a couple weeks. Will probably bring the RS3 over too if I can get a new coat of paint on it in that time.
Alex
To sum our email conversation up for everyone, the WRS is still using a single intermodal train. Alex is painting both Impack sets into WRS red and black but NAWJ/WJNA is keeping the same schedule. Since the operating session on the 23rd will have 4 operators including me, I need to work an intermodal hotshot into the schedule, provided there's enough locos to operate it.
Also, this new video will be in next weekend's WPF, but you guys can get a sneak preview!
Chasing WRS local LE-2 (1/11/2010)
Ok, so I finally got to run my centerbeam. Fine. Run it for a while, whatever. Begun the patching process (the car's already green, so I only need to patch out the numbers [BTW, the car is really close to the BN green I'm using, so it looks almost like a full paint job...]). AFTER I put the paint on I notice it's broken AGAIN, in the SAME PLACES. Yup, end ladders and floor. Too late to send it back, although I don't think I would want to wait for yet another car. So I'm gonna call Walthers (probably tomorrow) and ask what's up with this whole thing. Maybe if I'm lucky, they'll send me a free car...
ns3010Maybe if I'm lucky, they'll send me a free car...
Hmm, I was right
Now, I'll actually need two hands to count my rolling stock roster...
I found this on ebay, and I want it! It's a good price, so maybe, if my mom says yes... Mostly for display purposes (like the 500 is), but I can still run it once in a while... Maybe the URHS restored their's to operating condition and uses it for special runs? (even though their's is 4172...)?
Well, I got three big new purchases since Christmas! First, I finally got one of the elusive EJ&E Harriman Award GP38-2/caboose sets. These were only given out to J employees so these are rare! Second, my hobby store had EJ&E 654 in HO scale so that was pretty much a must-have! Third, I now own one of the MTH HO Scale SD70ACes, UP 1988, the Katy Heritage unit. This is a amazing unit, with sound and detailing beyond amazing! I have a CNW Heritage unit on order as well. The one bad thing is that the MTH units do not run well with other units. It ripped the coupler of EJ&E 663 right out so now 663 is b/oed until it can get a new coupler. 665 is also b/oed with two bad couplers. The Kato SD38-2s seem to have pretty cheap couplers. Hopefully some couplers from other kinds of units can be put on instead of more of these seemingly bad ones.
Hmm, Robby, I never knew you came around these parts...
Those are some nice things! The MTH SDs look really nice, but I don't have the money (or the need) for one.
Well, I've decided that I'm definately not gonna get the U34. Now it's above the price I would pay for something that I really don't need...
I made a discovery tonight, and now I'm really happy. For the most part, the plywood that my layout sits on now is in nearly perfect condition, and can easily be used for the new layout, when the time comes. Only the part where the lake is is n/g, but that's only a little bit. This will be enough for almost the entire layout, so I'll only need to buy one other sheet, instead of two, and completetly wasting the one I have now!Maybe, in the spring, I can actually start on the layout... I think the only thing I still need to pay for is the Genset, once that comes in (when I preordered it, I put down a $50 deposit, because they didn't know the final price yet. it'll be below MSRP, just not positive on exactly how much...). Other than that, once I get enough money, I should be able to buy benchwork and track. My goal is to have all the benchwork, and at least the main and a few industries, all done by the end of the year (end of 2010, not end of school). I think that's reasonable. And if I can get all the track purchased and laid (that depends completely on funding, not on time), then that's a bonus. Then that leaves a little less two years to finish the track and scenery before I move out to college...
I'm thinking of doing a video soon. I haven't had any in a while. Even though it will be a short train running through the White Desert, it's better than nothing...
I started work on the section between Mascoma and Lebanon today. I moved the mainline and Lebanon yard lead closer together (they had been split to go around the now-removed engine house), added a crossover between them just before the first switch in the yard ladder, and rebuilt the spur to Formanek Granite. The quarry will be my next big scenery project, and the rest of the run between Mascoma and Lebanon will be part of the Mascoma River Valley and have at least one, maybe two, bridges crossing the Mascoma River.
The new crossover actually created another siding, which should really help traffic flow. The siding will be controlled by the Lebanon yard crew (LE-1) but can be used for mainline trains as well as a runaround track for LE-1 while switching Formanek Granite and Lebanon Cold Storage. The siding is long enough for a good 15 car train (not including locomotives): Ogden Siding and the staging yard can hold 10 car trains, and the A/D tracks in Lebanon Yard can hold almost 20.
The new crossover has a wye switch (which I believe is the equivalent of a #8 turnout) and a #4, so it won't be used a whole lot by mainline trains - just as a runaround track and for meets where the train using the siding would be going slowly because it would be backing into the yard anyway. That way a WB freight that would be bypassing the yard could hold in the siding rather than at the top of the Mascoma Lake Grade.
Sweet Tyler, sounds good man.
I bought two bags of green moss and some hairspray from Dollar Tree today, as well as some solder from Radioshack. I'm going to try making homemade trees using wire.
The plan today is replace a switch, glue down track, ballast it, then ground throws on the town side, and maybe get to making a prototype tree.
Over the past two days, there's been some really good news about benchwork, in addition to what I said in my last post (which is item #1 below...): 1) The plywood from the current layout is in perfect condition. Just about everything except the lake can be reused. Now I will only have to buy one sheet of plywood. 2) My dad has a bunch of lumber at work. He bought it last week, and won't be using it, so it'll be going to me. 3) My dad is pushing me to get the layout done. He wants the basement "fixed up," at that will start with the layout relocation/rebuild. This means he may be helping with costs. This way (and between the stuff mentioned above), I should be able to buy roadbed and track soon.And today, I saw on IMW's website that they'll be releasing a full powered frame for the PL42s soon. That'll make things easier, once the time comes to start buying that stuff...
Ok, Tyler, I think I get what you're saying. I didn't get it at first, but it makes sense as I look at the track plan. An extra runaround there should make switching WAY easier...
Wow, Sawyer, seems like your track gang has a busy day!And OT: My friends got kicked out of Dollar Tree for sword fighting last week... It was pretty funny
ns3010Wow, Sawyer, seems like your track gang has a busy day!And OT: My friends got kicked out of Dollar Tree for sword fighting last week... It was pretty funny
lol, they don't have too bad of a day, haha. and there isn't any rush to get it done.
As to being kicked out for sword fighting, lmao, you got some crazy friends man!
Sounds like your layout rebuild is coming along pretty good. got a new plan?
Actually I DO have a new plan. I think I mentioned that I would be relocating to a different part of the room. Because of where the fireplace is, my dad suggested swapping the layout and the couch. This also gives me more room...
I'm still working on the track plan, but it will be WAY different than what I was thinking back in the summer. This hopefully should be enough to have two operators, if need be.I'll post the plan when it's done, which should hopefully be soon...
About my friends, yes they are insane. That same night, they also bought coffee through a McDonalds drive thru-- in a shopping cart!And one of them was taking christmas trees from the side of the road and throwing them at us as we walked...They are sick people...
lol, sounds like the usual crazy stuff people get up to Joe. tis quite fun.
looking forward to seeing that plan Joe!
Well, the ANRR track crew has yet to get started working. however, work is expected to begin soon and the goals have been lowered to just installing the new switch in place of the old one and perhaps starting track painting.
BigBlueConrailNew video, you can see my whole layout in it Video
Neat Layout!
Tyler, you need to get some pictures on here. With all the changes I probably won't even recognize the WRS!
Today I went to the Stevens Point Model Railroad Show. I picked up a nice Inter-Mountain SOO covered hopper there, and a couple "The SOO" back issues.
I also took a couple pictures from the show too.
Old, young, and everyone in between gather to watch an impressive 90-100+ car coal drag go by.
It was neat to see this guy with an OMI SDL39!
I tried some pan shots, what do you guys think of them?
An Overland Western SD40 races across the dairy lands of Wisconsin.
On the same layout as the SDL39, WC 7638 was leading an empty ore train.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
GG, isn't it illegal at an ATM. I think it is, but it's only frowned upon at McDs. (and BTW, they wanted to do it at Dunkin Donuts, too, but didn't)Although once, they pretended to be doing, uh, things, on one of the beds in Macy's... And they also went in a cheerleading store and tried everything on.Like I said, these are sick people...
Sawyer, I finished the plan, but don't have it down here at the moment (it's up in my room at the moment, and I'm lazy), but I'll post it tomorrow, if I remember...
BigBlue, nice layout!
Jordan, I like that first pan shot (with the SD40)!
Hey Jordan, those pan shots are awesome! Locos are completely in focus, looks like they are going fast. How fast were they going?
Is the Overland Western SD40 actually an Overland? Never heard of anyone naming their freelance after a company before.
So I've been busy busy with exams but modeling is starting to pick up a bit. I'm in the planning stages of two layouts, one at home and two modules for my club.
The home layout will be a small switching layout (approx 13ft long by 2ft wide) in my room. I completely rearranged my room earlier this week, and made the space available for the layout. I'll take some photos soon to show you the space, and I'll finish up a quick track plan.
I'm building the club modules with a friend to help keep costs down. There are two 2ftx4ft modules. We are on the 4th different trackplan now, and we've bought a lot of materials already. Will scan the trackplan soon as well.
As for locomotives and cars, I've been assembling a bunch of Walthers kits I bought, mostly grain and tank cars. I've started my CP GP7u project, I've stripped the shell, rechopped the nose, added a few detail parts etc... Now I need to spend some quality time with my dremel, attacking metal the fuel tank and the skirting.
I've also touched up the weathering on my C424, so I should post photos of that too.
Joe, looking forward to that plan!
Alex, sounds like a good space for a switching layout; looking forward to seeing the plan.
In ANRR news, yesterday the track crew accomplished none of its goals and today is doubtful as to if any work will be completed. oh well, it's a marathon, not a sprint, haha
Joe, that was one of my favorite shots!
Alex, thanks! The trains weren't going that fast, they were slowly working their way around the layout. I don't think that SD40 was an Overland. It looks more like a Kato SD40, although the turbo exhaust makes it look more like an RPP shell. I can't wait to see pictures of your progress! Have you put much thought into your idea for the other GP9? Where you chop the long hood off to reveal the engine room.
WCfan Old, young, and everyone in between gather to watch an impressive 90-100+ car coal drag go by.
Impressive indeed,
were those 2 Ge's the only power on that drag, or were there distributed power units farther down the train?
Nice photo's,
Jamie
Cape Vincent Southern Railroad
HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’
My YouTube
Jamie, thanks! No DPUs on that train, just the two GEs up front. Every year they seem to run a monstrous coal train or ore train, and every year they seem to add more cars to it! I didn't bother to count, but I think the guy said they had around 105 cars...I wouldn't doubt it either, the train continued half way around the other side of the layout.
Wow, there's activity here!
Yeah, switching should be a lot easier now that LE-1 doesn't have to run all the way through Lebanon Yard to runaround cars. And scheduling the intermodal train should be a lot easier with the new siding as well.
Jordan, I don't know when you last had a definitive version of the WRS, but not a whole lot has changed since around the time I posted the track plan here and on my website. Just one crossover was added and one track was removed from Formanek Granite. Meanwhile scenery has been slowly progressing - Delery Pulpwood is finished except for the chipper and some sort of sign, the town of West Canaan is pretty much done and I've added working streetlights for night ops, and scenery is progressing on Formanek Granite. Someday I'll get around to updating the track plan on the website.
I've finished a video of night ops in West Canaan, but I'm having some problems with the audio. Some of the audio is missing but YouTube is still processing it...maybe when it's done the audio will come back. I'll post a link when it's working.
And sorry, but I don't have all that many good stories to share about my friends...although my cousin did drop her sister out a 2nd story window while holding her by the feet to get an icicle!
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EDIT: That did the trick..here's the video!
CDWJ through West Canaan in early morning rain
Next Thursday, I will be heading to a local event palace to set up my train club's show! Ive been giving out flyers to everyone I know. Ill get you guys some photos when its done. Until then, keep talking, or I might go into an education coma. Lol
Very nice Tyler. I'm going to be installing spotlights etc. in the yard for night ops, while the town will just have streetlights and building lights.
The ANRR track crew had a good day today. the switch was replaced with minimal problems (did have one though), and also ground throws were installed and the track glued down. track painting has also begun.
I'm also creating a prototype tree today using a technique I thought might work; we'll see how it turns out.
Alex, switching layouts are a lot of fun, although I do like operations as well. What I'm thinking of is one that combines both (run through trains, to keep it interesting, and the local has a lot of switching to do, and needs to stay out of the way of the run-thrus).
Jordan, I just realized that the SD40 spells "OWL"-- Overland Western Lines... I know, I would be the one to notice that...
Tyler, just wondering, is Formanek Granite the industry behind Lebanon Yard, or the one out in Mascoma?And that night operations video is neat! I don't think I would ever use night operations, unless you count late night/early morning NJT trains...
Sawyer, I guess the ANRR track gang is no exception to procrastination... jklol
I, too, have a video. This afternoon saw the last train to run on the current layout. I have already begun taking it apart, and preparing to make the move across the basement. Because I do not currently have track, once the benchwork is built (maybe I can start end of the week, depending on if we can get the room rearranged and the wood brought in from my dad's office?), the track from this layout will temporarilary be set up on the new table, even if it's nothing but a simple loop.Last Run on the Watchinson LineEnjoy! EDIT to add: Forgot to mention, I can only take video from my phone as of now, so I was unable to put it into WMM and edit it, so this is exactly how it came off of my phone. Although I don't know why the end of the train was cut off in the second clip...?
As I said, this is the end of the Watchinson Line. Within a few weeks, construction will begin on the Lackawanna Cutoff ROW, to get service up and running (in real life, the contracts were recently awarded, and construction really WILL begin within a few months, although my version will be completed sooner, and will extend beyond Andover. So I can be somewhat protypical, instead of making future events happen now!