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Teen Model Railroad Place January 2010

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 5:04 PM

Packers#1
Hated Algebra 1 (my mind doesn't think like equations!)

 

Just wait till Algebra 2 and later Trig and Calculus! Shock I'm working with equations with no constants right now...all variables!

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Posted by Packers#1 on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 4:16 PM

 My exams were the week before Christmas break. Report cards come out tomorrow, we'll see how I wound up doing.

I'm willing to bet I'll hate both Algebra and Chemistry next year. Hated Algebra 1 (my mind doesn't think like equations!) and from the little bit of chemistry work we've done in physical science, I'm bored outta my mind!

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:54 PM

My exams are done. My chem and physics were pretty hard. Probably failed chem again. Math was OK. I got results from Math already, got 77%, not bad considering class average was 71%.

Alex

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Posted by ns3010 on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:04 PM

John, if you're looking for a hobby shop in Vegas, here's a few: http://www.hobbyretailer.com/SearchResults.aspx?type=qs&keywords=las+vegas

Well, this is the layout before destruction. This is an older shot, from about a year ago, but until last night, not much had changed since then:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ns3010/3155579035/

And what it looks like now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ns3010/4288701292/

And the foam that is already gone, which is about 80% of it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ns3010/4288701396/

I'm home early all week (exams...), so I might be able to begin moving everything, even though I don't yet have the wood in my posession to begin construction.

And speaking of exams, Dang, that Algebra exam was so friggen hard! I got most of the entire thing (I think I only skipped one question) and half of the first word problem done. There were three word problems, 12 points each, so I lost 30 points right there! So if I get everything else right, then I probably wouldn't get more than about an 80 (just say I got 180/225, so that's an even 80 right there...) oh well...
Spanish, on the other hand, was way easy. ¡Muy facil!
¡El examen fue muy facil, no fue dificil!

Tomorrow's Theology and Chem, both of which should be pretty easy. After 10.5 years of Catholic school, I should have no problem with Theo Big Smile

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Posted by IVRW on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 9:49 AM
Broadcasting Live from Las Vegas! ns3010 and Alex! Excellent job! You're both off to a great start! While I'm in Las Vegas, I might as well ask, does anyone know of any Rail or Model Rail attractions I could go to while I'm here? A good hobby shop, a tourist RR, anything. Any ideas?

~G4

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Posted by ns3010 on Monday, January 18, 2010 9:36 PM

Tyler, I have a Trainline GP9m, but it has nickel silver. Actually runs really well.
     How old is yours (cause maybe that'd explain the brass wheels)? I got mine back in May.
     And I'll be sure to get photos!  Maybe tomorrow, I'll have before and afters of the destruction... Mischief

Alex, if you do get yours done this weekend, you'll be ahead of me. I'm not anticipating getting anything built until at least next week. If I can get stuff moved this week, and my dad brings the materials home, then I'll be able to begin next week/weekend.

Well, I have exams tomorrow, so I'll catch ya guys later

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Monday, January 18, 2010 8:45 PM

I guess that goes for both me and Joe! Layout building competition! Although I hope mine gets off the ground! I didn't tell my parents the plans yet. They're still trying to figure out why I completely rearranged my room and removed frames and photos from those two walls. They are gone this weekend, maybe I should work like mad to get the benchwork all up by the end of the weekend, then after all my hard work, my parents will feel too bad to say NO! You can't have a layout there!

I'm gonna try and use as much of the wood I already have, don't know what the dimentions are on them but they are perfect for the benchwork. I will try and make it as modular as possible. Basically wooden skeleton with 2-4inch foam in the middle.

Alex

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Monday, January 18, 2010 8:36 PM

No idea about the GP15s, but um, I might be doing a few paint jobs for an actual railroad company in the coming weeks!

Alex

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 18, 2010 8:05 PM

Yeah, they are the Trainline versions. I have a GP9m (#1701, which is retired) from them and except for the brass wheels, it runs pretty well. Not as slow as my P2K units, but not shabby for a Trainline unit. The (I believe) newer GP15s should run better still. Do they have brass wheels or nickel silver, Alex?

Make sure you get us some photos of the layout when construction has started!

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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, January 18, 2010 8:02 PM

ns3010

Alex---> Tyler basically summed it all up on that C424. Although, I would also add, sweet, nasty, sicknasty, awesome, amazing, the list goes on and on... I LOVE the roof!

 

I'll perhaps fourth tyler's comment, lol!

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Posted by ns3010 on Monday, January 18, 2010 7:52 PM

Tyler---> Check your PM's.
     Also, I believe GG told me they were older Trainline GP15s, not the P1Ks, correct?

John---> I think your layout is coming along EXCELLENT!

Alex---> Tyler basically summed it all up on that C424. Although, I would also add, sweet, nasty, sicknasty, awesome, amazing, the list goes on and on... I LOVE the roof!


Well, the destruction of the layout is about 90% complete. The track is gone, as well as about 80% of the foam. Hopefully, I can get that done tomorrow. Once the room is rearranged, the bad part of the plywood is cut off, and the lumber is brought in, construction of the benchwork can begin. And as soon as I can get roadbed and some track (I'm already working on that), I'll be able to run trains again!

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Posted by RailfanS on Monday, January 18, 2010 7:21 PM

TrainManTy
That is a SICK C424, by the way! Loads of detail plus awesome weathering...wow!

 

I'll say it againBow. Amazing job Alex.

In CVS news, I did get the road system on my layout poured this weekend like I said I would on WPF. However the grade crossing still hasn't hardend/ cured yet...

Also I bought the parts I need to repair my Kato SD40-2 off that acution site today. The story on that unit is I think the previous owner tampered with it and did something to the curcuit board. It has some "funny" looking solders on it, and about 3 months ago it stoped running all together. While I was working on it the board let out a cloud of smokeBanged Head. Needless to say, it now needs an electronics rebuild before it reenters service. And to make things more difficult it's not the new run SD40-2 so Kato no longer makes the board it needs...  

But thanks to that Loved/Hated auction site my SD40-2 has a new board and frame (it was cheap and my dad sugested getting it too) in the mail.

Have a good week everone,

Jamie 

Cape Vincent Southern Railroad

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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, January 18, 2010 7:05 PM

ns3010

Sawyer, I guess the ANRR track gang is no exception to procrastination... jklol

 

lol, heck no. There's no pressing needs yet.

Alex, great spot for a layout.

Today I finished up the prototype tree and made 3 more. I quit wrapping the trunks after the second one b/c they're interior trees; I'll wrap the trunks of the ones on the perimeter of the forest. They look like deciduous trees though, but that kind of forest will work too.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 18, 2010 6:51 PM

Are you using that modular benchwork I designed for you? I think the screenshots of the 3D models I did are still hanging around on my Photobucket page somewhere... That is a SICK C424, by the way! Loads of detail plus awesome weathering...wow!

And not to boast, but I'm good at modeling sloppy trackwork! My whole layout is sloppy trackwork that doesn't derail! I mean, it doesn't derail ANYMORE... Whistling

And yes, the WRS is going with Walthers GP15s. For road trains that make one stop en route, they're more than adequate. If they don't perform well at low speeds I can always put them on the non-stop (unless somebody screws up and fouls the main as it's approaching!) intermodal hotshot NAWJ / WJNA. And about the additions to the roster, that's one GP18, #902, that I've had for a while and is just getting painted now, and a pair of GP7s in the form of a new unit, #102, and a repossessed unit that I sold but the buyer never paid me for...#5817 never saw much revenue service but it will be getting a special scheme to advertise the new intermodal service.

It'll say have something about Nashua-Montreal Intermodal Service, but I need a name. I'm going to name it after the B&M's premier passenger service on the line, either the daytime Alouette or the nighttime Red Wing. I'll post a photo of the locomotive once I get it back next Saturday (the 30th) at the Springfield show and have you guys compete to design the scheme.

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Monday, January 18, 2010 5:43 PM
WCfan

Have you put much thought into your idea for the other GP9? Where you chop the long hood off to reveal the engine room.

Well I've been thinking about it a little. Seems like a monster project, not quite sure my skills are up to par with all the pipping that would need to be added! I was actually leaning towards getting a few Kaslo CP GP9u shells and dropping them on the Trainline drives. The drives aren't bad, they just need a little weight to make 'em pull and some gear filing to make them as quiet as a Kato!

As promised, here's a little bit of what I have to share.

Here is the C424 as of now, weathering touched up quite a bit. I "unweathered" it in some spots that I thought had too little with powders.

And now behold my awesome photobucket editor skills! The black is where the layout is going in.

Layout is lower than I would have liked, but I have to keep it under the window. There will be a single industry at the far left of the layout, with a steep grade leading up to it starting at the extreme left of the window. In front of the window, there is a switch connecting to the "rest of the world", leading down to the desk where I'll stage small trains, and will also double as my program track. To the right of the switch, I'm thinking of having a rural highway cross the tracks diagonally. To the right of the road, there will be a siding that goes to all the way to the right end of the layout. In the back of that, there will be a fairly large paper mill. That will take up part of the window, and head all the way to the right of the layout. Why paper mill? Because they ship and receive many different cars.

I haven't decided what small industry to add above my desk. Whatever it will be, it won't be big. That'll be the scenic portion of the layout, along with a nice steep grade to tackle, to get high enough above my desk so that I can still use it!

I think I'll have a lot of fun with this layout. Most of it will be an experiment. I want to handlay track, and actually model jointed track. I also want to see if it's possible to actually get the cars to sway back and forth like prototype jointed track that isn't well maintained. Should be interesting, modeling sloppy trackwork that will actually work and not detail everywhere!

Alex

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Posted by IVRW on Monday, January 18, 2010 9:21 AM
ns3010

BigBlue-- I'm not happy with my current layout (it's too generic, not done the "right" way, very poorly designed for operations, etc.), so I want to start over anyway. My original plan was to build the new one larger in its current location, but the fireplace is too close. So with the move I will be making, I will be able to build it larger. And this layout will be done the RIGHT way (REAL benchwork, roadbed, flextrack, REAL DCC, backdrops [unless my parents were to say no, which wouldn't be the END of the world...], prototypical operating scenario, the list goes on and on)

Ive had the same kind of "bigger better layout" ideas that youre having right now, but my parents want me to finish what I have. In the case of everything except track, I have fixed what can be fixed, and done over what cant be. You have the way I would love it, but right now I have a devotion to what I already have.

~G4

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:48 PM
I paid 40$+13 shipping for a pair of Walthers units so we'll be using those for awhile. Eventually they may get replaced with genesis units but that's long down the road.

Alex

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:44 PM

Ty, Alex, Is the WRS going for Walthers or Athearn Genesis GP15-1's?

Alex

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Posted by ns3010 on Sunday, January 17, 2010 9:58 PM

Tyler-- check your PM's.

BigBlue-- I'm not happy with my current layout (it's too generic, not done the "right" way, very poorly designed for operations, etc.), so I want to start over anyway. My original plan was to build the new one larger in its current location, but the fireplace is too close. So with the move I will be making, I will be able to build it larger. And this layout will be done the RIGHT way (REAL benchwork, roadbed, flextrack, REAL DCC, backdrops [unless my parents were to say no, which wouldn't be the END of the world...], prototypical operating scenario, the list goes on and on)

Jordan-- I didn't notice the owl on the nose before... That does make sense...

 

Guilford Guy
Kinda like EPIC and WIN! Wink

Down the shore, there's this town called Brick. The town right next to it is called Wall. (figure it out... it's not that hard...)
And the funny part is is that I'm not even kidding... They might as well rename them to Epic and Fail...

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Sunday, January 17, 2010 8:23 PM

Kinda like EPIC and WIN! Wink

So Apparently the WRS fleet is expanding again- bringing the count up to 3 GP7s, 2 GP18s, and 2 GP15s.

Also picked up and weathered RBOX boxcar this week, started in on ballasting, and touched up the paint job on the WRS GP18 and GP15s. Still needs decalling but they may be done by the end of the week aside from nose striping.


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Posted by WCfan on Sunday, January 17, 2010 7:41 PM

ns3010

Jordan, I just realized that the SD40 spells "OWL"-- Overland Western Lines... I know, I would be the one to notice that...

I never even noticed that! Now that I think about it, the logo on the nose is an Owl...

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Posted by BigBlueConrail on Sunday, January 17, 2010 7:09 PM
ns3010

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! Thumbs Up
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 Line
Enjoy! 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! Big Smile

 

Why are you moving you layout?
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 17, 2010 6:17 PM

Formanek Granite is in Mascoma - although neither the prototype nor the model have any town to speak of! My quarry could never happen in the real location because it would be flooded by Mascoma Lake and intrude into NH 4, but that's okay by me! Unless I wanted to model a long-ago torn down ice house there's nothing there...

I'm glad to hear you obtained new space for your layout, Joe! I'm sending you a PM...

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Posted by ns3010 on Sunday, January 17, 2010 5:55 PM

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! Thumbs Up
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 Line
Enjoy! 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! Big Smile

 

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Posted by Packers#1 on Sunday, January 17, 2010 4:57 PM

 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.

Sawyer Berry

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Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by IVRW on Sunday, January 17, 2010 4:30 PM
Wow, Tyler, you are right! I haven't been doing that much. Working on the Railroad, nothing unusual, just the regular. BTW, WCfan, really nice photos. There is one thing coming up though. To find out, go to the top of the page and right next to the Trains.com home button there will be a drop down menu called resources. 1 menu item down is "Coming Events," click it. At the page, search for events by clicking the "search by state" button. Click Utah. I posted the event.

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

~G4

19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 17, 2010 3:47 PM

Wow, there's activity here! Cool

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! Whistling

-------------------------

EDIT: That did the trick..here's the video!

CDWJ through West Canaan in early morning rain

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Posted by WCfan on Sunday, January 17, 2010 1:33 PM

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.

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Posted by RailfanS on Sunday, January 17, 2010 12:59 PM

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

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Posted by WCfan on Sunday, January 17, 2010 12:08 PM

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.

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