A Little House

This is a craftsman laser cut wood model I just completed as part of a project for the Gateway Division of NMRA. It's the first wood craftsman kit I have ever done, the first time I have ever used chalk for color, and the first time I've ever weathered any structure!

Particulars for those interested in such things: it is an American Model Builders, Inc. (of St. Louis) laser kit; the house and trim are all done with chalks (house is green, with dirty yellow highlights), the trim is very light dirty yellow over brown, the roof is painted steel gray, the chimney is painted Tuscan red, it's ALL weathered with grimy black chalk powder, and it's all sprayed with Dullcote; I also added a little rust colored chalk to the roof (probably a little heavier than necessary); the chimney is dusted with white chalk after the Dullcote to highlight the mortar. The model is glued together with white plane-modelers glue, and the trim pieces are "pick & sticks" reinforced with CA.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to doing more such projects, including a model of MO Tower that once stood at Cresson, PA -- but first, back to installing Tortoise switch motors and getting trains running.

Gary Hoover's Incredible Railroad

I had an opportunity to visit Gary Hoover's incredible model railroad this evening. Gary, featured in Model Railroader on a number of occasions for his outstanding modeling, was a most gracious host. He is a prototype modeler with his large Cajon Pass and Chicago railroad replicating the western reaches of the Santa Fe in the transition period from steam to early generation diesel power in August, 1951. Gary loves to build prototype model railroads, and this layout will be torn out in the next few weeks to make way for his latest effort, which is already started. As I understand, this newest effort will bring us the Norfolk Southern and its heavy duty coal-hauling mountain railroading.

Tomorrow, it's back in the basement and back to the installation of Tortoise switch machines. We got the accessory buss wires put in today.

New look to blog

I have updated the look of the blog to something I think looks a little more contemporary. I hope you like it ... but feel free to comment either way. The nice thing is that it can be changed with the click ... okay, a couple of clicks ... of a button.

For those looking for the installation of the Tortoise machines, that starts tomorrow and I'll have photos posted by the weekend.

Mainline Leads In; Next Come Tortoise Switches

The leads on the upper level mainline of the Paducah & Lake Erie are in, thanks to some help by Bob Gouirand. Next come the Tortoise slow-motion switch motors, which I am using for all switches on the main line, and hard-to-reach turnouts. Industrial tracks will be hand thrown switches. Anyway, I have to install 14 of the Tortoise guys on the upper level as it stands right now, and there will be more. The good news is that I have found them in the moving boxes (we could have done a better job labeling boxes when we packed up the railroad in Ohio).You will recall that I'm trying to get all the "under the bench work" wiring on the upper level done while I have easy access before installing the lower level.

Trains Running; Dropping Leads

Trains are running again after the visit by Digitrax expert Brian Post. It was, as I suspected, a matter of some recent wiring by yours truly being done incorrectly, and it took Brian about 10 minutes to see the errors of my ways. As most modelers will attest, when trains are running - even just a short distance - it's much easier to get motivated to work on the layout. That's especially true this week in St. Louis when the thermometer has hit 100-plus degrees every day (heat index in the 112 range)! Now it's to the task of dropping leads every six feet to assure even distribution of power. Rather than soldering to the buss wire, I am using 3M "suitcase connectors" (photo above). They can be a pain to work with, but are quicker than soldering every connection. Anyway, we move forward.

Changes are coming, help on the way

I continue to have power problems, but have contacted a DCC expert, Brian Post, here in St. Louis who is going to help. It will be great to get trains running, and a great morale boost to get busy.

I have once again decided to make this a two-level railroad, since I have gotten quite interested in operations, and simplky need a larger railroad to do that effectively. Impetus for this move has been visiting Bob Buschart's two-level railroad and seeing how I can combine my present helix with some long 1.67% grade elevation changes to give me a lower level of about 30 inches off the floor. His lower level works quite well and I am committed to doing it.

Once I get trains running (hopefully this weekend) and start building again, I'll get more photo evidence posted. Thank you for your patience.

Back from trip, hospital stay

I'm back to working on the railroad after returning from the private railroad car trip to Washington D.C. and back. But first, an update. Photos above, from top to bottom and all from the vestibule of the Cimarron River, are departing the nation's capitol, just after having passed through the Sand Patch PA tunnel, and leaving Chicago's Union Station with the former Sears Tower rising in the background. It was a great trip, but four days later, I landed in the hospital for three days. But, I'm home now, walking increasing distances very day, dieting religiously, and losing weight. It's back to the Paducah & Lake Erie Railroad in the basement.