Well, I'm supposed to take it easy. That's harder to do than you think. I came home yesterday and took down the large floor to ceiling cabinet in the corner.
Today, I made a Lowe's lumber run. This afternoon I constructed two 1x4 boxes. Not a whole lot of work, but at least something. Tomorrow, I will have some help. It would be awesome if we managed to get the basic open grid benchwork in place.
By the way, the arm feels better wearing this brace.
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Saturday, June 23, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Progress Screeches to a Halt
I had been experiencing a lot of pain in my left arm specifically in the elbow region. I finally went to the doctor yesterday to learn I have a double shot of tennis and golfer's elbow! How ironic, considering I don't play either sport.
For now, I have an arm brace, some OTC drugs and have been informed to rest the arm. So, I plan on doing that. Progress will be minimal over the next two weeks or so while I give the arm time to heal. We'll then ramp it back up for a summer blitz!
Investors are already screaming that they are losing money due to project delays! We must push forward and re-link the mainline to get trains moving again!
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For now, I have an arm brace, some OTC drugs and have been informed to rest the arm. So, I plan on doing that. Progress will be minimal over the next two weeks or so while I give the arm time to heal. We'll then ramp it back up for a summer blitz!
Investors are already screaming that they are losing money due to project delays! We must push forward and re-link the mainline to get trains moving again!
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Thursday, June 21, 2012
Committed or Committed?
After tonight's progress I need to either be committed (to a mental institution) or I have no choice but to be committed to rebuilding the layout now! It's bad enough severing the mainline. I had issues (at first) cutting the mainline a Blue Island back at Christmas. That was nothing compared to this. I didn't just take out a few pieces of track. I took out 39 feet of mainline alone!
The destruction crews continued their work tonight. I removed the 1x2 strips that supported the shelves. I pulled up all the track in the ovalix and Bureau wye. Removed all the cardboard safety strips in the ovalix. Completely dismantled the ovalix down to the 1x4 box frame originally built. I need to pull up a few more tracks on the upper level from the former Ottawa branchline and then should be complete with most of the layout destruction. I still have the big beast of a cabinet in the corner that needs to come out though. That will be a big job!
Here are photos of the carnage.
The destruction crews continued their work tonight. I removed the 1x2 strips that supported the shelves. I pulled up all the track in the ovalix and Bureau wye. Removed all the cardboard safety strips in the ovalix. Completely dismantled the ovalix down to the 1x4 box frame originally built. I need to pull up a few more tracks on the upper level from the former Ottawa branchline and then should be complete with most of the layout destruction. I still have the big beast of a cabinet in the corner that needs to come out though. That will be a big job!
Here are photos of the carnage.
The Ovalix before destruction
The ovalix after unscrewing the support brackets for each level.
The ovalix is nolix.
The base frame for the ovalix. The mainline in the back is the Bureau siding.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Progress Report 06.19.12
Progress on the ROCK...
I added the colored dots to the newly printed waybills. The left dot represents the freight train and the right dot represents the local. It's merely a means for quickly identifying the car's destination.
Below are some pics from last night's progress. As you can see Peoria has been completely bulldozed with only remnants of the town remaining.
I added the colored dots to the newly printed waybills. The left dot represents the freight train and the right dot represents the local. It's merely a means for quickly identifying the car's destination.
Below are some pics from last night's progress. As you can see Peoria has been completely bulldozed with only remnants of the town remaining.
This evening, I removed the TV and satellite receiver, all the items in the storage cabinet above and took down the three shelves and desktop.
Destruction is not near as satisfying as construction. Right now, I feel like I'm just making a huge mess! I'll be glad when it is all cleared out and the new benchwork starts going in. Then, I will feel like I'm actually accomplishing something!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Progress Report 06.18.12
Progress Report? What's that? It has been a while. Over the weekend, I worked on updating waybills for the upcoming industry and town changes.
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Davenport Yard has been officially renamed to Kelly Yard in Silvis, IL. West and East Davenport have been changed to Moline and East Moline, IL.
Project Nolix began this evening. I cleared off the shelves and desk. I also removed 80% of the track in Peoria.
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Davenport Yard has been officially renamed to Kelly Yard in Silvis, IL. West and East Davenport have been changed to Moline and East Moline, IL.
Project Nolix began this evening. I cleared off the shelves and desk. I also removed 80% of the track in Peoria.
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Friday, June 15, 2012
Keeping it Real
I read an interesting post off the Yahoo OP Sig group this past week. To summarize, when operating under Timetable & Train Orders (TT&TO) before the days of radio, local crews would stop at the local depot upon arriving in town. They would be able to get an update from the station agent on the status of scheduled trains as well as any extras out on the line. The station agent would also be able to inform them of any work required at the local industries. In the past, I had simply pulled into town and started working. It won't be a requirement for my crews, but I like this idea and plan to implement it personally when operating. I will mention it in future sessions. It's not a race. Let's go out there and work safe!
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Ovalix to Nolix: Confirmed!
Sorry, it has been a while. I have been busy with other stuff, plus took a break from the model trains for about a month.
Even thought Management has been on vacation, our engineering department was still busy at work though. They had considered the idea of removing the ovalix to replace with a long grade (adding two towns) to access the second level.
The ROCK's board of directors met the other evening to discuss plans. The board approved to move forward with the removal of the ovalix and expansion of the mainline. Massive construction will be underway in the very near future as the built in cabinets and shelves will be removed (and re-purposed) under the new bench work.
Peru/LaSalle and Utica, IL are being added to the layout. This of course, will add two more stops for passenger trains along the route. Peru/LaSalle will add a passing siding to the layout.
Below are artist renderings of the proposed changes:
- Bureau wye will be revised to more accurately reflect the prototype. A storage track will be added for car block swaps.
- The existing Peoria Branch will be completely removed. It will now travel the opposite direction down the former roadbed of the Clinton IA branch and act as a smaller town with limited industries.
- A two track yard plus passing siding will be added to Peru/LaSalle.
- Peru/LaSalle main industry will be the large WestClox plant. If possible, the Peru Power &Water Plant will be on the west side of town. A two-story passenger station will be added.
- Utica will be kept at single track due to the limited space. Industries will include the Philadelphia Quartz and Belrose Silica plants.
- Ottawa will have a new three track yard and longer passing siding. Major industry will be the Libbey-Owens-Ford plant, Bader Ag and the Ottawa Silica mine.
Operational changes
- Former #217 Chicago to Ottawa local will now originate in Ottawa. The local will work Ottawa, Utica and to Peru/LaSalle and return.
- #130 Peoria local will still operate, but mainly before or after the session. It will not be a regular train.
- #110 Illinois Shorts local will operate from Chicago to Davenport (Silvis) and return. It will swap blocks of cars for Joliet, Ottawa and Bureau.
- Davenport Yard will be renamed Kelly Yard, Silvis, IL. The Mississippi River Crossing will be off the layout to the west. The existing bridge will be the crossing of the Rock River which is more prototypical to what I have in place now.
So, big changes ahead for the ROCK. This will allow for the layout to be a better representation of the Rock Island in the 70s. Far from perfect, but a reasonable attempt. I'm quite pleased with the changes and look forward to operating on the new ROCK!
Even thought Management has been on vacation, our engineering department was still busy at work though. They had considered the idea of removing the ovalix to replace with a long grade (adding two towns) to access the second level.
The ROCK's board of directors met the other evening to discuss plans. The board approved to move forward with the removal of the ovalix and expansion of the mainline. Massive construction will be underway in the very near future as the built in cabinets and shelves will be removed (and re-purposed) under the new bench work.
Peru/LaSalle and Utica, IL are being added to the layout. This of course, will add two more stops for passenger trains along the route. Peru/LaSalle will add a passing siding to the layout.
Below are artist renderings of the proposed changes:
- Bureau wye will be revised to more accurately reflect the prototype. A storage track will be added for car block swaps.
- The existing Peoria Branch will be completely removed. It will now travel the opposite direction down the former roadbed of the Clinton IA branch and act as a smaller town with limited industries.
- A two track yard plus passing siding will be added to Peru/LaSalle.
- Peru/LaSalle main industry will be the large WestClox plant. If possible, the Peru Power &Water Plant will be on the west side of town. A two-story passenger station will be added.
- Utica will be kept at single track due to the limited space. Industries will include the Philadelphia Quartz and Belrose Silica plants.
- Ottawa will have a new three track yard and longer passing siding. Major industry will be the Libbey-Owens-Ford plant, Bader Ag and the Ottawa Silica mine.
Operational changes
- Former #217 Chicago to Ottawa local will now originate in Ottawa. The local will work Ottawa, Utica and to Peru/LaSalle and return.
- #130 Peoria local will still operate, but mainly before or after the session. It will not be a regular train.
- #110 Illinois Shorts local will operate from Chicago to Davenport (Silvis) and return. It will swap blocks of cars for Joliet, Ottawa and Bureau.
- Davenport Yard will be renamed Kelly Yard, Silvis, IL. The Mississippi River Crossing will be off the layout to the west. The existing bridge will be the crossing of the Rock River which is more prototypical to what I have in place now.
So, big changes ahead for the ROCK. This will allow for the layout to be a better representation of the Rock Island in the 70s. Far from perfect, but a reasonable attempt. I'm quite pleased with the changes and look forward to operating on the new ROCK!
Welcome to the Summer of the ROCK!
A clip from my favorite TV show Seinfeld and the Summer of George:
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