Conrail Joe

I had a crazy dream last night, that I still had my two Alaska Railroad modules, and I was building the loop........ I wonder if it’s a sign? I know where I went wrong the last time, would anybody be interested in following along in Alaska RailRoad build thread?

With the power back on I was able to get some work done in the past few days. I laid the track glued in place and I’m happy with the arrangement. Start building up a couple big hills, the tallest one will have a flat rocky surface to simulate the edge of the quarrY/gravel pit. I still haven’t decided if I’m doing a gravel pit, or if I’m going to do a cement plant. I fear structures so I’m not too sure if I wanna attempt that yet.

Another Bombo/genesis left us without power.....gonna be tough getting anything done in the dark

Here’s a crummy picture of the track plan with land contours. The runaround track will be used born a storage track for the quarry. I’m totally freelancing this industry, but that’s OK with me surprisingly!

Hey everyone! Been quite a hectic week! my car broke down on Tuesday, had to miss class and put in a new water pump and belt. I have a couple big test coming up soon that I’ve been studying for. But, I was still able to get down and do a little work! Don’t mind the mess! Train night tonight on my friends BNSF Montana division layout!

Spoke with my math professor this morning and I calculated in correctly. Each car spot has three scenarios, pull the car/ the car stays/drop a car......so that’s 3 to the 12th power....541441 operating scenarios on my layout, before the extension.

Looks like a winner to me! Solid plan. Now don’t double guess yourself. if you like it, Then build it, And don’t look back!!

^^THIS^^ Mal, you should also talk to this guy... http://themodelrailwayshow.com/LayoutDesign/

Ahhhh life is good!

Got it!!!

Thanks for all the support gentlemen!!! I have the “C”’s cut out for the skeleton frame, and the rest of the wood will be cut this evening at my brother in law’s wood shop! I’ll document every step of the way. Patiently waiting for the mailman to deliver my power cab!! The tools are ready for the install on the fascia!

OK that really made me laugh out loud! I’m doing an 8 foot extension, same width of 15”. Run around track, and a spur going into A freelanced gravel pit. The spur actually exist, but it was a fertilizer plant I believe.

Decision made...... Phase II is a go!!!!

I’ve been running small op sessions for myself a couple times a week. Having 7 car spots at Tate & Lyle, 4 spots at SSMW, and a team track, makes almost a countless number of operating scenarios. (4096 to be exact) No day is ever the same. Even a “short” session can last a half hour. Last night I ran a long session at 1 hour and 45 minutes using the train crew app. All on a 9 foot long layout, operating just like the prototype. Long story short, this is by far the most enjoyable layout I’ve ever built! Rethinking of adding in the runaround track extension with a gravel pit perhaps!

Here’s a track plan I drew up, switch for switch just like the real thing. it's 16' long by this track plan, but like I said, you could get rid of a siding or two to fit your space. I was just about to go by the wood to start making the bench work when I had a change of heart for something closer to home.

Do your self a favor, and check out this industrial park in Greensboro North Carolina! Could be scaled down to 9' to 10'. I was inches away from modeling it because Norfolk southern uses 6 axle power to switch it!! https://www.google.com/maps/place/301+Standard+Dr,+Greensboro,+NC+27409/@36.09695,-79.9834877,723m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88530473fb07ee01:0x780c1b0929e6d1d1!8m2!3d36.09695!4d-79.981299 here's 2 quick videos to wet your appetite!!

Thanks guys! I'm currently using a MRC prodigy express system my friend Don let me borrow until I could get the power cab. It is so awkward, and consisting engines is beyond a chore. All my friends in the layout groups use NCE. Don installs decoders for people directly for ESU, and is a wizard when it comes to anything DCC or electric. Is it saturday yet?!!!

I finally was able to order a NCE power cab! Should have it by Saturday.

Looks great Mal! You should submit to Model Railroader, for real!

Yes he did!! Very inspirational modeling

Speaking of wobbly track.... Guilford Watertown Branch. They had to traverse this trackage to serve a bakery in Watertown. Yes the engine is stuck!!

Looks great!!!!

Weekend update! I was able to get some scenery accomplished over the week. I remade the walls on the structure, and I’m happy with it for now. (Except for the rear corner) Also I also added a few items to enhance:extend operation. I added a lock for the SSMW switch lead, as well as a derail lock. I added a locked electrical box for the grade crossing. Locks for derails on the T&L tracks, as well as two little blue flags! The uncoupling skewers now have a home in holders on the fascia.