Monday, October 24, 2016

Switches!

Fun weekend using FastTracks No 8. Turnout jigs. I hope to not have to make another turnout for a LONG time. Oh, well, its major progress as far as I can tell. All seven turnouts for the Albion module. 2 x 10 with seven turnouts! Yes, I know there are only six in the picture......



Also, a few pictures of an On30 Diesel that I have been trying to finish. Backwoods Miniatures Shell on an HO Athearn unit, WOW sound. It's for sale......

Sunday, October 16, 2016

How Long Does It Take

Sometimes I forget how long it takes to get things done. I was wondering, how long did it take to get from the conception of building a on2 module based on Albion, ME to getting to laying out track center lines on the module? Well, I'm not exactly sure when the idea started. I do know that the first "final" cad draft was done for the plan in late July, so let's say 3-4 weeks before that, so maybe July15th. I remember trying to decide what to build a module of? Coopers Mills was the original idea, much simpler and could have been done in eight feet. However, I wanted a little more switching and decided to see what could be done with Albion.
So, idea was borne in mid July, bench work started in August (have to check my receipts for HD), track center lines down by October 14th! Still no track to run on!



I have managed to kill time building two flat cars, one gondola, one box car and a creamery car. So maybe not all that bad? Note to self, keep this in mind the next time you hot to move on a project.....

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Legs


The Albion module has fallen behind a bit due to a lack of legs. I had wanted to start laying track weeks ago. I had intended to bolt the two module sections together, place some saw horses under them and start on some much anticipated track work. However, the bolted joint ended up performing more like a hinge, so I decided that I'd better just build the legs first and figure out how to stabilize the whole thing.  Legs are now on one module and should be done on the second soon. Can't wait to not be cutting and fitting bench work! Track down soon! (Famous last words)

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Monday, October 3, 2016

Chasing the WW&F

In September, I had the chance to attend the 2016 Narrow Gauge Contention in Maine. Spent an afternoon chasing down what is left of the WW&F.

Here's the station in Albion

The number 9 all done up at the WW&F museum.




Head Tide area, Church on the Hill and the "cut". Lots of trees, all absent in the historical photo's!

Old lumber mill still standing
 Nice rock abutment!
Turner Center Dairy Car - 65 in Wiscasset
 
 What's left of the pier in Wiscasset