Shanty

While out in town today, stopped by one of the local shops and picked up a Vollmer kit, a track-side shanty. It has been a long time since I assembled any plastic model kits! Impressed with the quality of the kit, not bad for $11.00 and an hour or so to put it together.

Here are a couple of track-side photos, currently have the shanty sitting between the yard tracks.

Big Progress Update!

I was going to do an interim post while I was in the middle of construction, but I just kept going until this point!

Here is the final track layout as-built. Note that the industry siding on the top is actually parallel to the main track, RTS skewed it a bit.

All roadbed is down, all track is layed and tacked in place for testing. Some of the track is old stock and needs a good cleaning, but overall my GP38-2s run smooth with a brand new MRC Tech4 220. I haven't wired up the blocks control yet, nor do I have a second power supply, so power is currently applied to the whole layout.

I need one more 6" straight section to complete the left-most yard track. A bit of roadbed to trim as well, and some track bumpers, etc. My plan is to get started on the block wiring but also to just run the trains for a while and make sure I don't have any issues before considering ballasting, etc.

Layout Design - 99% Complete

I've spent several months now working on what to do with this 4x8 table I've built. It is very easy to add track for the sake of adding track. Having never worked on a real railroad or operated a model one, I'm learning about what operational work could be done. At the same time, having a nice, large loop to just let a train run is important to me as well.

So, here we have it. Atlas Code 100, Snap Switches (2 x remote, 2 x manual).

Theme(s) at this time:

• Industry siding (top)
• Switching yard with one spur as Industry
• Hill terrain (middle left)
• Room for "internal" expansion

This will be traditional DC block control. Three blocks defined:

1. Main Line
2. Industry Siding
3. Switch Yard

Overall, I feel this will be a good start. I won't be 100% sure until I lay out the track. I've done about 5 different configurations with the same amount of track, so I do have options. Expecting to order the required track components in the next few days.

Locomotives!

I still haven't finalized my track plan, and the summer weather hasn't helped me spend any more time working on it. However, while browsing ebay for GP38-2s, I came across a pair of Athearn RTRs that I couldn't pass up!

On the way are two Athearn RTR Canadian Pacific GP38-2s, Road Numbers 3029 and 3039. Based on Athearn's website, these were released in 2011 and they are plain old DC units which is exactly what I was looking for.

As far as track planning, I have further cut down the initial amount of track to purchase by getting only the main line loop and two industry spurs done first. Passing siding, switching yard, and possible shelf extension are designed for expansion later on.

Well, I had intended to post pictures of the completed benchwork, except I bought the wrong size bolts which halted all construction!

In the mean time, here is the near-final track layout.

Welcome to trains1982

Welcome to trains1982. As I approach my 30th birthday in 2012, I'm getting back into model trains as a hobby. My dad built my first train set when I was around 3 years of age. I (stupidly) dismantled and sold it in a garage sale in my early teen years...

My plan with this blog is to detail the build from start to wherever it goes. So far, I've decided on HO scale on a basic 4x8 table with a custom track layout I created. I've built the table top from 4x8 sheet of 1/2" plywood with a 1x4 pine frame.

I have a very small collection of rolling stock. I received the CP Rail gondola and support car from my wife as a Christmas present to get started. I picked up the Ontario Northland cars from a local shop, and the blue Sante Fe is the only remaining piece of my childhood train set.

Once the benchwork is complete, I'll be placing the order for all track and roadbed. I'll post the layout once I finalize it. Generally speaking, it will be a single loop, two industry sidings, and a small yard with a section that can act as a passing siding.