A railroad in hibernation

The GRT is pretty inactive right now. I have been working on a few projects to improve the layout, which makes it unlikely that we will operate until the projects are wrapped up. Here is what's going on:

1. Electrical rearrangements, including moving Easy DCC command station to under Hughart Yard and rewiring the phone system. Command station moved, but phones still down.

2. More DCC engines: PRR now has a Baldwin DS-4-4-1000 and the NYC has a new GP7. Still working on a couple sound engines and a C&O GP30.

3. Sound. I have a couple sound engines now, but I don't think the layout will be going all sound anytime soon. The sound systems draw more current than plain DCC engines, and require very clean track. Plus they make noise, which some people find irritating. Oh, the cost of progress.

4. Car Cars. I read an article in the Ops Sig journal about "Raybills", which treat intergate a model railroad's operations. I am copying some of the ideas from the article, since it helped me grasp that the waybill system is an information system, and therefore it has to be easy to read and present user relevant information. Tha t means I had to rework everyting from the Old Line Graphics systen formerly used, although it really doesn't look too different. This tast is mostly complete, but there are a few new cars to add to the system due to expansion.

5. Backdrop. This is the big project right now, as I am trying to complete the backdrop between the Grand River Bridge and Pleasant St. This is about 18 feet, more or less. I have some 060 styrene sheet to use as material, and am putting up the framework for it. This is an irregular part of the railroad in terms of having windows and other obstacles, so it's slow going.

6. Other projects. Assembled a little oval of Atlas True Track as a portable layout and a test track. Even the simplest stuff takes me a while. Not to mention the wonderful kids, spouse and the rest of my life.

7. The future. After watching kids chase trains in circles at Staver Locomotive, I think the layout would benefit from being a big oval. (Change of Philosophy!) Have plenty of left over plywood from the meetinghouse remodel. But first I have a few little projects to complete.

Chasing the Train 5/12/07

UP 844 came to town this weekend, and Martin and I were waiting. And waiting. I think we waited for over two hours on that bridge in Troutdale. But finally, a signal turned green, we waited, there was a puff of smoke on the other side of the Sandy River Bridge, and here came the 844, looking just like it does in all the photos. And what a beautiful train trailing it, 18 Union Pacific Armour Yellow streamlined beauties, including four domws and two (yes, two) observation cars. Don't see a train like that very often.

We took off after it and chased it up into NE Portland, near 11th and Killingsworth, where they greased the engine while it sat and sat on a siding. Then here it came again chuffing through the crossing and making the earth shake.

We headed up to Vancouver to the Amtrak station. Made a pit stop along the way and called home, as the train was 2 or 3 hours late. Lots of people at the Vancouver Amtrak. Coast Starlight pulled through for a station stop. Then pretty soon we heard from people that it was coming, double heading with the SP 4449. This is how the train looked coming across the bridge. It was a cloudy day, so I have brightened this picture a bit.

The train stopped at the platform while a few people got on and off. Martin wanted me to take a picture of the 844's elephant ears. The picture he requested is below. A couple of toots from the 844, then the 4449, and off they went. What a sound! This is why I am a railfan.

Progress report, May 07

Here is a picture Martin took of the layout:

This is a view of a C&O passenger train blocking the Bridge Street crossing. I'm still working on the road, but this is probably the most complete scenery on the layout. It's interesting that Martin took this picture.

Ops session 4/29/07
We had an operating session on Sunday afternoon, April 29th. Ken and Alan were the crews. We ran: West Side turn, C&O passenger, C&O outbound freight, Fisher turn, and GR6 (right at the end). Have installed Blue Points at the throat of the North Yard. Ken brought over some brackets for low clearance mounting of the Blue Points too, still have to figure out where/how to use them.

I haven't been making much progress on the layout since the opeon houses in March. Am perhaps a little burned out. Also trying to sell a few things on ebay, to raise money for decoders and other things I can't afford. Am selling surplus cars, since I can see now that I have way too many. Not that this will make me rich, or empty out the basement.

GR Terminal update 3/20

GRT Ops session Sunday March 4, was fun, but setting up was exhausting. That’s because I added a 3 track yard to the C&O West Side. Things weren’t ready to go at 2, but furtunately the opertors were willing to help set up. Thanks.
In attendance: Ken, Alan, Jay and Peter.
Trains run:
PRR West Side Turn
C&O GR Turn
NYC GR Turn (inbound only)
PRR Fisher Turn

Evening of 3/4, I ran a PRR interchange train to C&O West Side Yard.

Next ops session: Sunday April 29, 2 to 4 pm.

The GR Terminal will be hosting a 2nd Division PNR open house on Saturday 3/24, from 1:30 to 4 pm. I am trying to pave Bridge street for the event, and put down a section of Durham's water putty this morning. Still imperfect!

I will also host some model rails from Lewis County Saturday 3/31 in the afternoon. These are some of Ken's friends coming down to see a few Portland area layouts.