Quick Update

I am still painting track.  The last week or so has been occupied by other priorities, so work on the railroad has been minimal.  I hope to continue and complete the track painting this week/weekend. 

Coming Attractions:  Start on base scenery work in and around Walnut, Illinois.

Thanks for checking in!  Stop back to see updates.

Happy Railroading!
Scott

Then and Now... a look back.

How many of you keep a diary or timeline of the construction of your model railroad?  I am not talking about an obsessive journal that records every minute worked and every dollar spent.  What I am referring to is a journal of milestones!  For me, examples of a milestone would be benchwork completed, first train run, all trackwork completed, or all electrical done. 

I have been recording dates and times for this type of thing for as long as I can remember.  It dates back more than 25 years to when my dad and I worked on model railroads when I was growing up.  I think he was the first one to do it, scribbling a few notes down on a piece of the benchwork late one night... This is the actual piece of wood that was salvaged.  I have kept it for over 20 years!

Entry reads, "Benchwork 2 months."

Another entry reads, "Inaugural run complete circle main 9-1-84 10:08 PM.  Soo Line 15 cars + way car."

That was 26 years, four railroads, and three house moves ago... but I still have that piece of wood!  It means an awful lot to me.  It reminds me of and represents the hours of time spent with my dad building a railroad.  But more importantly, it also reminds me of what he taught me... what it takes to be a man, a good husband, and a good father.  Those were priceless hours spent together in the basement.  

Fast forward to the Dragonfly Subdivision and today.  I have continued the tradition of recording milestones on the benchwork of the railroad.  Notice on the inside of the support leg under Walnut, Illinois, this is our diary for the construction of  the Dragonfly.

I have included the kids signatures in the diary as well as they have helped along the way.  Just as my dad did for me, I am attempting to do for them, teaching them how to build with their hands, think with their minds, and love with their hearts. 

Wow, this is the World's Greatest Hobby!

Happy Railroading! (and now when I say that, I think you know it means so much more!)
Scott

A Topic Revisited- Beyond Staging Storage

Back in September of 2009, I talked about the idea of storage for rail cars and locomotives once they reach the staging yard.  As I plan to operate the railroad, cars will be routed off the modelled portion of the railroad to points all over the country.  All over the country is represented by the staging yard.  But if you understand the concept as I have explained it, the thought that should come to your mind is, "Cars that go to the staging yard need to be off the railroad for a period of time... otherwise if they reappear during the next Ops session... well that just isn't realistic!"  Yes, you are correct and I agree completely.  For example, a tank car that is shipped out empty from Standard Oil in Walnut, Illinois going to a refinery in Houston, Texas will not reappear on the layout for several days/weeks... or it may not reappear for months!  It may go to a completely different location after being loaded.  This is why Beyond Staging Storage is a necessity!

I have thought about different ways to store a car that is off the railroad traveling the fruited plain.  I don't know if I have come up with the best solution, but it is the solution that I am using for now, a series of plastic drawer units.   

The drawer units are located conveniently adjacent to the staging yard.  In the picture below you can see them to the right sitting on top of the filing cabinet.  This location seems to work well, allowing me to easily change out cars between operating sessions. 

The drawers are the perfect height for the typical HO scale railroad car.  Each car card is also stored with the car.  The drawer units are reasonably priced and readily available at Walmart or a similar store.

The drawer units are lined with a non-skid liner that keeps the cars from rolling and adds some protection for the cars when opening and closing the drawers.

The liner can be purchased at Walmart or a similar store for a few dollars.  One roll has been enough for several drawers and as you can see there is plenty to spare.

I will continue to use this system and evaluate it as I go.  I will post future updates on how it is performing.

Happy Railroading,

Scott

Intermediate Photos...

I took several photos of the track painting progress, mainly because I was in the train room with the camera taking pictures of another project for a future post.  The photos are not too exciting other than to document some progress!  

The basic equipment I am using: a variety of brushes of varying sizes, flat black paint, and a working surface to keep things in order and to protect the layout.

After painting and a day of drying time, I go back over the painted track with a Bright Boy to clean the top of the rails being careful not to clean the guide rails in the turnouts.

This photos shows the mainline and passing siding at Walnut, Illinois.  In the foreground is the spur to Standard Oil and L.D. Spaulding Grain.

Check back for future updates and more pictures!

Happy Railroading,

Scott

Work Continues

I continue to work on painting the track.  My time in the train room has been more of an every other day routine rather than everyday, but I am making forward progress.  I am also happy to report that the painted track looks good.  The ties are now a dull flat black color- not the glossy plastic look of the new flex track out of the box.  So in that regard, I am very happy with my progress.  I would estimate my progress at 60% complete.  Pictures once I am 100% complete!

Happy Railroading!
Scott

Current Project

Recently, I have been working on painting the track.  I decided that this would be a great project that I can do as time allows.  I also decided not to airbrush the track, which was my original plan.  Instead, I am using flat black paint I had on hand and I am brushing it on.  My idea was to eliminate the glossy plastic look of the Atlas flextrack.  While it is true that most railroad tracks are a brown/gray color, I reason (and since it is my RR I can) that since only one train a day (maybe two) run the line, that these tracks are less than well maintained and therefore are black.  Engines leak oil/fuel on ties that have not been replaced in years!  Besides, once the ballast is down, the remaining scenery is in place, and the trains are rolling along, who looks at the track?  My ultimate goal for this railroad is to build a model that will help me simulate rail operations.  I am not interested in building a model where I can count the number of rivets on a boxcar.

I have the town of Walnut, Illinois done and I am working east.  I will post some pictures soon!
Happy Railroading,
Scott