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Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07) Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: Cape Girardeau, MO
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Posted by JimRCGMO on Saturday, July 14, 2007 8:30 AM

Good Saturday Morning, all! Janie, those steak 'n' eggs that Jeff is having look good - make me a plate of that, please. Thanks, Garry! Oh yeah, I will have my glass of Ed's OJ, and a TH coffee with that, please. Smile [:)]

Garry, sorry to hear about Wes' passing. Will be praying for him and his family. As Fergie said, guys like that usually influence others whose lives they've touched, so it may be that one/some of those persons will decide to continue in Wes' path.

I saw the Zeke thread, too. Not sure if we'll ever know what actually happened.

Haven't heard from OzJim for a bit of a while - maybe he's out driving around in that car he got? Cool [8D]

Talked with my friend Linda in Memphis last night. She's been having car troubles (one daughter had an accident, and Linda's car had the battery die - maybe more, she's going by the dealer that her mother used (and bought the car from) today). So the daughter, Linda and her mother are juggling one (sort of) working car. Oh yeah, in a few weeks, her other daughter returns from a semester in Japan, and will need to start working so she will have enough funds for her fall semester at Memphis U. I told Linda "Sounds like your daughters have a problem to solve, huh?" Ah, kids...

Going to be getting hotter here today - already 73 F (23 C) this early, and supposed to reach 90 F (32 C) by this afternoon. Humidity is 81 percent, so I'm hoping that goes down. Could make it more bearable if it does. Ah well, good day to stay inside and work on MRR'ing stuff, right? Wink [;)]

Everyone keep yourselves cool today and avoid the outside if it's hot in your neck o'the woods. Or come in the Diner and have a nice cold... beverage of your choice. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

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  • From: East central Illinois
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Posted by Cox 47 on Saturday, July 14, 2007 11:46 AM
Morning All...Sunny and warmer here today just popped in to bump the dinner back to page 1...I'll have a Diet Coke to go please...Thank you...Gary,,Sorry for the loss our prayers to Wes's family....Fergie..yes that Zeke thing is 5 pages and growing as I posted on there I am going to keep on praying for "Zeke" and for myself that it doesn't cause me to not help someone who realy is in need......You all have a great Saturday....Jerry
ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
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  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Saturday, July 14, 2007 1:39 PM

TO GO...Please & thank you! Need a quick pick-me-up.

***Gary, sorry for the loss.

Walked the site with wife today and the new train room can be 20' x 14-16' (will need to talk with our foundation fella, as it is nearing a ravine and some of it is fill dirt). My wife must have mentioned "train room" a half dozen times today...I think she really wants to make sure I am OK with her folks moving in soon. Hay, works for me and it will be a much more practical area than the 9'x42' cave under the porch. Will have questions on widnows and such later.

Off now to get hay for the horses & moos. Have a great day all! Cowboy [C):-)] -Rob

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 14, 2007 1:46 PM
Excellent weather here, if you're a duck. But I'm not a duck and I would like some good dry weather. Could somebody please send me some?

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
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  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Saturday, July 14, 2007 1:54 PM

 How about I send you some ducks instead? Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] Better yet, I'll gladly accept any extra rain you wish to send my way. (NW Georgia)

Coffe is made, gotta run. Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, July 14, 2007 3:01 PM

Hello,

Thanks for the kind remarks from several of you to me regarding the death of a friend at church last night. I was still in a bit of a shock last night when I was posting. I recall Wes was at the door as I arrived and his normal handshake and smile.  Less than an hour, he passed away.

Rob, NW GA I see. Not far from Chattanooga, TN by chance? Nice area.

I'm nearing the completeion of my kitbashed observation car. I think I'll be pleased with the results.

I'd swap dry air for rain with Jeff if I could. He'll just have to be "ducky", I suppose.

Bye

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Saturday, July 14, 2007 4:17 PM

[Rob, NW GA I see. Not far from Chattanooga, TN by chance? Nice area.]

Chattanooga is just a little over an hours drive from our farm. The Fall here is beautiful and when I finally get to build a layout, I am leaning towards Fall as the time of year to model. Then again, I am an old desert rat at heart from growing up in AZ and track running through expansive desert terrain is very appealing. Then there is WA state that offers gorgeous snow capped mountain scenery with lots of creeks to model (lived there a dozen years). Have even considered a transition layout to cover all terrains, but not so sure how that would look?

Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: North Central Texas
  • 2,370 posts
Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Saturday, July 14, 2007 11:25 PM

Evening Gnag:

Garry: My condolances to Wes's family and all his friends. Sometimes it happens suddenly and take some getting used to. He sounds like a great guy.

Well I guess I'm in trouble now big time. Since I was born and raised in Milwaukee Wis. I've always been a great fan of the Milwaukee Road and the Chicago North Western. Now I see that Walthers is bringing out the Hiawatha and the Milw Rd depot in Milwaukee. I am so sunk. How am I going to get the Milwaukee depot and it's environs worked into my layout in Upper Michigan? How am I going to explain to Mary Ann that I have to get all this stuff? I'd better get a job to gather some funds. Girls can I wash or clean up for a few bucks?

Mary Ann started to haul hay in from the fields while I cut the grass in the hay lot. When I got finished the hay lot I started cleaning out the creek crossing again. That's the third time this year. I only had to clean it out twice in the last two years. Well we needed the rain.

Jeff I'll send you some rain. What's your address. How about Fed EX collect of course.

Well it's past my bed time.

Good Night All 

Paul The Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern " The Superior Route " WETSU
  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, July 15, 2007 4:58 AM

Good morning.

Gary: Sorry to hear about the death of your friend. My condolences to his family and friends.

The rain started coming down again about 11:00 last night and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon.

Today's Weather for:  
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      7/15/2007
 
 
Heat Index:  78°F
Humidity:  92%
Dew Point:  71°F
 
So Far Today
High:  75°F
Low:  72°F
Rain:  0.13"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  20mph NNE
 
Now through 06:00 AM CDT July 15, 2007
Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms will occur in the area along and southeast of a line from Livingston to Woodville and Newton Texas to fort Polk and Alexandria Louisiana. Over the coastal waters...scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will occur from the lower Atchafalaya River to High Island out 60 nautical miles. The storms will move east to northeast 15 mph.

Today  High: 85    Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid 80s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 70 percent
 
Tonight  Low: 72    Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 15, 2007 6:35 AM

Good morning

Happy MRRing

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  • From: IN/USA
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Posted by wetidlerjr on Sunday, July 15, 2007 6:43 AM

Good morning ! from Indiana. Big Smile [:D]

07-15-07

Clown [:o)]

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 15, 2007 6:55 AM

Hello.

I want to share some good news for a change. Yesterday we celebrated the XX anniversary of Gloria's 29th birthday. We went to daughter Chrissy's house for a bit of a party.

This is Chrissy

And Kathy, our other daughter

and our son Steven

Of course our great grand daughter was there too, as you can see.

Here's they are

Gloria had a wonderful day with the family. It was so nice to see her smile and laugh, I wish this could happened every day.

Thank you all for your caring, it is greatly appreciated from the 2 of us.

Happy MRRing

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Sunday, July 15, 2007 9:10 AM

Good morning.  Coffee please.

We finially figured out phone transfer of photos.  Here is a video to wake you up.  Don't laugh too hard.  Some of the megapixel quality was lost when I transfered it to photobucket.

[IMG]http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m232/gearjammers/th_3b83f1d5.jpg[IMG]

This is an experiment on the right photo name.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
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  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
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Posted by bogp40 on Sunday, July 15, 2007 10:51 AM

GARRY,

I am so sorry to hear about Wes. I really took to heart your posting of his ideas and philosophy. I was at a place where my grief was almost consuming me. I was comforted by all the help from all. He must have been quite a remarkable person, and he will be missed. All at your church must still be in a state of shock, now. I will pray for all those who have suffered this loss.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 12:49 PM

...in a Union Pacific or Santa Fe mug please.

***Sue, you would love our roads here, except there are way too many deer around to do so safely. Have you ever been through a "blink and miss it" town a little south of Olympia named Rochester? I lived there about 10 years ago. Also, does that train ride through Chehalis/Centralia still run? How about the one up around Elbe with the Climax loco? Nice scenic ride in the open car....unless it starts raining hard.LOL

***Luc, nice looking family. Affraid mine might break some computer screens.Alien [alien] Dead [xx(] Clown [:o)]

Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Lewiston, Maine USA
  • 914 posts
Posted by ModelTrainLover on Sunday, July 15, 2007 12:52 PM

Hey Guys

I'll have a Root Beer + Hawiian Pizza. Please and Thanks Zoe.

I really need to rebuilt my layout. I have yet to do so sence my reture to the USA.

BTW: were did Alex go? I know he has a summer job, but I don't think we works weekends. Alex if you are reading this. PLease post if your here you might as well do it just to make sure your still with us.

Rob your paying

Maine Central rules! Lewiston High School Swimteam nickname: Loco Colby
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  • From: Olympia, WA
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Posted by gear-jammer on Sunday, July 15, 2007 1:09 PM

Rob,

I grew up in Centralia.  If we lived 1/2 mile south, our address would probably be Rochester.

The steam train has a restored depot south of Chehalis now.  Occasionally, it used to run to Offut Lake, but mainly runs out toward PeEll now.  I think that it mainly runs Memorial Day Though Labor Day.

Try this web site:  www.steamtrainride.com

Elbe had some damage due to last winters heavy rains so it has reduced travel.

Try: www.mrsr.com

Have fun studying.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 1:12 PM

[Rob your paying]

***I just realized that. I don't see Flo or anyone else taking orders, so just help yourself. Perhaps she is on a smoking break out back or something? Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

  • Member since
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  • From: East central Illinois
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Posted by Cox 47 on Sunday, July 15, 2007 2:42 PM
Afternoon All....Its sunny and warm here today maybe some rain working in latter....I'll have a Chicago polish sasage,onion rings and a Butterscotch shake heavy on the ice cream...Please ...Thank you....Not much going on here today my brother didn't make it his deep freezer went bad and he and his wife have a big clean up....says he is just glad it didn't go out while they were wintering in Florida...I have been checking IC group out guy is going to make a IC caboose kit makes me wish I was back in HO....Luc...You have a great looking family thanks for the photos....Jeff...You got any projects going right now? do you start back to workshop monday? building more desks?...JohnDER....any new progress on your layout? Fergie..What are you working on now?....Sallie is taking a nap we stayed up till after 1 last night watching TV but I am just not sleepy...Cards game with the Pillys is on Espn at 5 but the way they have been playing on this road trip I may watch the Simpsons and King of the Hill a couple of my favorite shows....You all have a restfull sunday afternoon....Jerry
ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
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Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 3:34 PM

Been moving more "stuff" from the cabin into our new house and found some photos to share. Here is an old loco I photographed with a manual focus camera while driving by on a highway, so pardon the lack of quality. Taken sometime between 1982 & 1990 I think. So, what type of engine is it?

 

More to come as I get around to scanning them. Hope they are worth posting, or should this be a separate forum post?  

Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Sunday, July 15, 2007 4:20 PM

IT LIVES!!!!!!!

Finally, after 10 months of construction, the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Co. is back in business!

It's not much, but one lone loco was seen passing through the staging yard and out to the interchange and back all under it's own power just this afternoon.  Little else happened today, but that was a monumentous occasion.  A local photographer caught this low quality video of the event.

Plans are now underway to test all track and to fine tune it before the next stage of construction begins; more track and electrical work!

Philip
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 4:35 PM
Congrats! It is times like this (watching your video clip) that I want to start building a layout. My word, how long will it take you to "complete" that much layout and are you building this alone or with others helping? Cowboy [C):-)] -Rob
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Sunday, July 15, 2007 4:47 PM

Thanks!

It's pretty much all me by my lonesome. 

In the end there will be two more levels to this thing, plus a 22"r doubletrack helix to connect it all.  I figure I can have the middle deck done be Christmas or so if I keep plugging away at it.

BTW, if I remember right, you will be building in the near future.  Wasn't that your house you showed the other day, complete with plans for a future layout room?

Philip
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Kentucky
  • 356 posts
Posted by myred02 on Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:02 PM

Evening, everybody! Zoe, I'll have the ribeye platter and a side of steak fries. What to drink? Oh, I guess I'll have some coke in a CSX beer glass.

PC: Very nice layout! I also have the blue-foam desert thing going on. Recently, I got my track taken up so I can add a few more layers of foam. Then, I un-bolted my layout's three 6' x 8' sections so I can move them closer to the middle of the basement so a crew from Nashville can come at the end of the month and waterproof it. It should make for a very interesting experience to say the least! Nice video, by the way.

Man, this time away from the trains is getting to me!

-Brandon

Modeling (and railfanning) the CSX mainlines since... ah fudge I forgot! http://myred02.rrpicturearchives.net/ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=myred02
  • Member since
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  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:06 PM

Wow, are you ever industrious! Can't wait to see what the end result is like. What a massive undertaking for one person, at least it seems so to me.

Yep, that's our new house. But now we will be adding a room on the opposite side (for wifes parents to live in) and below that room will be our train room. MUCH better (I think) than what was going to be the train room (as marked in that photo). New space will be somewhere around 20' x 16'or18', depending on what the foundation man suggests. It is getting kinda close to a ravine going that direction. I just finished building that porch not long ago and because I am on the slow die (and her folks will need to move in soon), we will hire out for the addition.  Soooo, perhaps by Christmas I can start the layout. Right now I need to work on the room design (windows?, etc...). I have been reading old posts for ideas. Cowboy [C):-)] Rob 

  • Member since
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  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:27 PM

[and because I am on the slow die]

Sign - With Stupid [#wstupid]LMBO...what was I thinking writing that...I MEANT to say, "on the slow side".  Better drink some more coffee...or is my problem drinking too much! Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:37 PM
Pc: That's very good. Now all you have to do is build the other levels and cover up the blue foam desert. I have to get back to work on my own layout soon. I had some paint mixed to the same shade as green blended turf so I can save some money on turf on the back areas.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Sunday, July 15, 2007 6:42 PM

Philip,

I am impressed. That room looks a lot bigger than I remember when you moved in.  I know N scale helps.  I sure love those long sweeping turns. Bow Down Bow Down Bow Down

Sue 





Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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  • From: Seattle WA
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Posted by Hoople on Sunday, July 15, 2007 7:08 PM

Afternoon!

Nothing much goin on here... enjoying a nice quiet summer.

PC: Nice looking layout. I wish I had my own layout room... Mine is shared with my little brother and older sister... Allthough all they need is the couch, TV, and Nintendo Wii to have fun in there. I take up most of the space with my drumkit and layout, and on occasions, rokenbok.

Cederstrand: Planning a new layout eh? Sounds like a fun job. I need to finish my first still to see what I'm good at. I know it's not cutting homasote to fit into the gaps in turnouts! My advice is have a two or more track station, that can hold at least a four car train. I made one in TRS2006, and spent 30 minutes switching cars from train 1 to train two. I changed the session a bit, having three trains come in, one train splitting into two, one train terminating and giving cars, and one running through the takes one car from a train. Took me 1 1/2 hours to do!

Well, I'll be seing you guys.

Mark

 

Mark.
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Posted by pcarrell on Sunday, July 15, 2007 7:16 PM

Sue, it really made the room seem bigger when I folded the plan in on itself.  It's a bit tighter because of it, but I gained a lot of trackage.  The thing that was killing me for so long was all of the wiring.  Electrical is my weak point, and in N scale, electrial is what can make or break a layout.  This layout has feeders every 3', so I should never have a dead (or even weak) spot.

BTW, I told you I'd get a video up showing trains running by the end of the weekend, didn't I? Wink [;)]

All,

Thanks for all the kind words everyone.

I probably should have let you all in on the "Grand Master Plan".  It's been a long time since I posted it.  This plan was almost a year in the making and it's slowly beginning to take shape now.

The RR is in N scale and it's based in 1920-30's coastal and intercoastal Maine. It's a fictional road called the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Company. It's based on the real life Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR (for more info see here: http://alstom.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=gsd&action=display&thread=1175564169&page=1 ).

It's a double decked plan with staging under the bottom deck. The staging and the lower sceniced level share the same benchwork. The upper deck has it's own benchwork. Towns are staggered so one town is not on top of another. This makes it so that people can switch any town with tripping over somebody else.

Train control is a Digitrax Super Chief radio equipped setup with a DT400R and a UT4R for throttles. I'll probably get more as funds allow.

The door to the room is in the upper right. The upper left contains a 20 and 22 inch radius double track helix. The helix rises to a bit higher then the top level so that the run down to the port on the far end of the upper level is a downhill run. The lower level contains an interchange with a class 1 RR that serves as the connection to the outside world. The outside world is represented by the staging tracks that contain all of the class 1 trains. The only time an ARR&Nav Co. train is out of sight is when it's in the helix.

But enough of me talking. Here's the staging area. I may add some holding tracks to it.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-1R1Keeper-1.jpg

This part of the plan shows the lower sceniced level along with the interchange.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-2Keeper-1.jpg

This is the upper deck. It has the port scene with a car ferry and scales, and the largest town on the layout, the small seaport of Autumns Ridge.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-3Keeper.jpg

That's the tour of the future Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Company.  If you see any areas for improvement, I'd love to hear it as much of the layout is not done yet and changes can still be made.

Philip

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