Deer Creek gets mentioned in Narrow Gauge Publication

Finally received my copy of Tony Koester's new book "Guide to Narrow Gauge Modeling", which  has  a couple of photo's and an old track plan for the Deer Creek and Laurel. There are also some photo's of friends work such as Mark Chase, Jeff Kracker, and Tom Sullivan. Mark did a nice review of the book, which you can find here: http://eastblueridge.com/page2/page2.html
The track plan is a little out of date, as when Tony asked for one, I couldn't locate the most recent. Lost due to an accidental deletion of files while transferring between computers. Luckily, I did find some older backup files with a fairly complete plan. Opps! Kind of neat to see the layout in print, also kind of embarrassing to see things that need to be touched up! That's a hobby for ya. Back to work......

Mixed Train Video

Here's a video of the mixed train. Man, do I need to put in some trees and greenery!! Oh, yeah, the water in the creek too........

Train Time!

I took this afternoon, a holiday for most, off of work to.............play trains! Took the time to get together with my narrow minded buddies to talk trains and catch up. A good time was had by all. After talking trains, looking at pictures, meeting some new folks and getting my head full of ideas, I returned home and took a look at my layout. Hmmm. I haven't really operated in a long time, so here are some shots from the derailment free run from Laurel Junction to Collins and back.

I managed to link the switchlist on my computer to my Ipad. You can check off the moves done and tell the program when the train is completed. Kinda neat. I use the Mac App, Switchlist.

Getting closer.

Had just a little time this week to work on the hobby. Work has been very busy. Did get the Silver City shay running on DC. A BIG step in the right direction. Maybe will get her done by the end of the year....

Many years waiting.....

This week I managed to pull out my CHB models log carriage and assembled it. Back in the mid 80's I saved up a little money mowing lawns, etc. to get the edger and log carriage kit. Couldn't afford much and I knew that I would want a band mill rather than the circle mill. Well, I finally got the kit out and assembled it. Magnificent castings. Charles Brommer was an EXCELLENT pattern maker and caster. The knees on the carriage move back and forth as do the dog settings. Sometime in the future, I will partially cut a log and put it on the carriage and the carriage in the sawmill. Another time.......

Also managed to paint a slew of Chivers Finelines Gilpin style On30 trucks for the new Arroyo Tram. Wasn't too fun air brushing the sets but needed to get done. Also started painting two completed Grandt Line Gilpin Tram cars, one Chiver's side dump gon and a On3 Foothills Models gon that I assembled a while back. Oh, yeah, finally touched up the lettering on that Flying Zoo Climax. Just need to add windows and an engineer!

Back to the Future?

Finally had some time this last weekend to pull out some models and get some work done. Recently, I developed an interest in getting some engines that I procured long ago, started. Getting tired of so many half completed projects maybe? Don't know. Worked on my Leetown Models Climax till I realized I was missing some parts. That happens when you keep models in pieces for more than 14 years!

 I also realized that I had no business starting a new project when I had another one still uncompleted! My frustration with the shay project is considerable. All due to some poorly cast and prepared parts. Oh well, live and learn. Managed to get some backhead detail on my PSC Silver City shay. Some really, really crappy instructions had me going back to add parts that were on the engine but not discussed in the instructions. Geeze. What were they thinking at PSC back in the 80's? Maybe I shouldn't ask....

Progress was made. I couldn't believe that I would need to use a torch for this level of detail or maybe I should say, these TINY parts. However, the backhead and boiler are MAJOR heatsinks and I just couldn't get the solder to flow using the resistance soldering tools. When it comes to this stuff, trial by fire, sometimes literally. While I struggled with this and wasn't really sure that I was having that good a time, when I got this far, there was definitely a feeling on wonderful satisfaction! All in a good weekend. I guess the rain wasn't too bad after all. Hey, I even managed to get some real work, i.e. work, work, done! Someday this shay will get completed.....someday........

Remembering the 1st Op's Session on the Deer Creek and Laurel

Blast from the Past!

Remembering the 1st Op's Session on the Deer Creek and Laurel.
Clint, Mark and Wayland for attended the first Operations Session/Open house on November 15, 2009.  It was great to finally meet Mark a Railroad-line, On30 forum contributor.

I think for the inaugural operations session things went well. Of course, I have a few minor changes to make for the next session. Here are some photos:

Here's clint bringing in the daily coal train to Collins
 

Here's Clint and Wayland working out the Southbound passernger/milk run and the northbound mixed out of Laurel.

Here's Mark working the morning log train.