Re-staging of the layout is complete. I'm not sure when the next op session will be though. The summer has been kind of crazy for scheduling. Before I operate I would like to install the slide switches on all the newly installed turnouts.
I continued a project I started in the spring regarding speed matching locomotives. I matched up my Intermountain FP7 so it can run with two sets of locos. The ROCK was known for running some wild lash-ups. I figure the crew would enjoy running a FP7 on the point.
I attempted to replace the wheels on the E8, but found that the wheels I purchased are not the right size. Sadness! I will have to figure out which ones I need.
Cleaned up the layout room for some visitors this week. In the process the area for Peoria was cleaned out. I started laying out some track and roadbed. I have a general vision for what I want in Peoria, but will return to it after doing some field research in the real Peoria.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Solo Op Session Notes 07.13.11
Finished up the second solo op session since changing to the new waybill system. I'm very pleased with the results.
a) the randomness of car deliveries is unpredictable.
b) distribution of cars among all the trains seems much better.
i. traffic on the N&W and CNW branches have increased greatly!
c) I was concerned that locals wouldn't have enough to do if not absolutely laded down with deliveries.
i. I have found that it still takes time to run the train prototypically and make the appropriate moves to deliver the cars.
Overall, I think the changes will provide a fun, less stressful, but still challenging experience for operators.
During my op session this evening, I needed to move an extra cut of cars up to Chicago for the next op session. As Trainmaster, I authorized an over tonnage train from Davenport to Chicago. The train consisted of four Bachmann GP7s, 17 cars plus one caboose. The four GP7s ran flawlessly pulling the train up the steep grade. I was concerned about the movement as that is a lot of stress going up the ovalix, but all worked out well. It was an impressive meet at Joliet (longest siding) with the westbound freight. The train barely fit between the switches on the main. It was really neat to run a long train this evening.
a) the randomness of car deliveries is unpredictable.
b) distribution of cars among all the trains seems much better.
i. traffic on the N&W and CNW branches have increased greatly!
c) I was concerned that locals wouldn't have enough to do if not absolutely laded down with deliveries.
i. I have found that it still takes time to run the train prototypically and make the appropriate moves to deliver the cars.
Overall, I think the changes will provide a fun, less stressful, but still challenging experience for operators.
During my op session this evening, I needed to move an extra cut of cars up to Chicago for the next op session. As Trainmaster, I authorized an over tonnage train from Davenport to Chicago. The train consisted of four Bachmann GP7s, 17 cars plus one caboose. The four GP7s ran flawlessly pulling the train up the steep grade. I was concerned about the movement as that is a lot of stress going up the ovalix, but all worked out well. It was an impressive meet at Joliet (longest siding) with the westbound freight. The train barely fit between the switches on the main. It was really neat to run a long train this evening.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
New Addiction Found
Spent today running trains back in the 1960s on the Lehigh & Hudson River. I worked most of the day as Yardmaster at Warwick yard and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For a while now I have wanted to weather my freight cars. I have a few factory weathered cars and absolutely love the look. I had purchased supplies (Doc O'Brien's Weathering Powders) a while back, but never got around to trying it. Well, tonight I tried it for the first time. I was quite pleased with the results. My goal was to create just a light weathering on the cars which I feel turned out nice. See pics below of two cars I worked on tonight. I really enjoyed it and now see myself with a new addiction of dirtying up the fleet.
For a while now I have wanted to weather my freight cars. I have a few factory weathered cars and absolutely love the look. I had purchased supplies (Doc O'Brien's Weathering Powders) a while back, but never got around to trying it. Well, tonight I tried it for the first time. I was quite pleased with the results. My goal was to create just a light weathering on the cars which I feel turned out nice. See pics below of two cars I worked on tonight. I really enjoyed it and now see myself with a new addiction of dirtying up the fleet.
Factory new model
First attempt at weathering with weathering powders
Comparison of the two
Another comparison
Notice the trucks weathered vs. factory black
I wasn't quite sure how to weather this one, so I just rolled with a little bit of this powder and a little of that powder.
A close-up
Top view
Also, here are pics of the past week's progress / changes:
The spur at D&D News now is on the side of the building.
Vandelay Industries was added next door making the industrial area more dense as typical with Chicago.
Vegetable Oil track removed from ADM Milling in Stockdale
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Progress Report 07.07.11
CRI&P Management signed the lease with Vandelay Industries in Blue Island today which will provide latex gloves and other medical supplies to distributors on the east and west coast.
The former Interstate Chemical and Midland-Davis Corporation spur tracks were joined as one double-ended spur track for the new Keller Mills that is under construction.
The former Interstate Chemical and Midland-Davis Corporation spur tracks were joined as one double-ended spur track for the new Keller Mills that is under construction.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Progress Report 07.06.11
Removed the switch for the second track at ADM Milling. The vegetable oil business has dried up. Installed a turnout for the new industry in Blue Island. As of yet, I haven't decided what this small business will be. Any ideas? Anyone? Anyone?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Progress Report 07.05.11
Worked on the layout tonight. First, some changes in industries. The poor economy has been too much for the Interstate Fuel Company and Midland-Davis Corp. A much stronger competitor in the business world, Keller Mills Inc has signed lease agreements with the ROCK. Keller Mills Inc will bring in loads of grain via rail and barge and will ship out bulk flour to various cereal manufacturing plants from California to Michigan.
I removed the HO cork roadbed installed under the spur track at D&D News. I relaid the track with N scale cork avoiding the slope downgrade into Blue Island. I also modified the building where the cars are unloaded on the side of the building vs. inside the building. The building itself is the same size, just turned sideways now.
Also, planned is an additional small industry adjacent to D&D News. This will be switched by the Blue Island local. It will add some more operating interest as this industry spur is out in the single track west of town.
A turnout was added for Oberholtzer & Sons. Previously, to switch D&D News, it required pulling the cars from Oberholtzer all the way out to Burr Oak Yard to shove cars into D&D. Now, crews can use various industrial tracks to make shorter switching moves to accomplish their tasks. Old Man Oberholtzer will surely be upset still over cars being placed on his spur track, but not nearly as mad as before when his cars were moved and came back some time later.
I removed the HO cork roadbed installed under the spur track at D&D News. I relaid the track with N scale cork avoiding the slope downgrade into Blue Island. I also modified the building where the cars are unloaded on the side of the building vs. inside the building. The building itself is the same size, just turned sideways now.
Also, planned is an additional small industry adjacent to D&D News. This will be switched by the Blue Island local. It will add some more operating interest as this industry spur is out in the single track west of town.
A turnout was added for Oberholtzer & Sons. Previously, to switch D&D News, it required pulling the cars from Oberholtzer all the way out to Burr Oak Yard to shove cars into D&D. Now, crews can use various industrial tracks to make shorter switching moves to accomplish their tasks. Old Man Oberholtzer will surely be upset still over cars being placed on his spur track, but not nearly as mad as before when his cars were moved and came back some time later.
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