No, that was at Pat McCarthy's Big Creek & Southern. Here is a video of the same engine, me at the throttle, pulling 16 cars up a 3% grade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGeLAQxXPMA - James
Guy's', I'm Hooked! Been doing some "grunt" work along with getting to run the trains. Lots of maintenance to keep up with along with new construction. I managed to put the lead BN unit on the ground while by myself. It took me three hours and numerous trips back to the shop for shoring, blocks, pry bars, and such before I was fortunate enough to re-rail it. I found out pretty quick that 800 lbs of locomotive you don't just pick it up and place it back on the track like HO. Then BOB comes home from work - laughs .. and says, "I guess I should have shown you the frame, winches, and straps that are carried in the two boxcars right behind you. I built it just for that very purpose." A two part PDF file shows the track plan. It is NOT to Scale, but, the track layout is pretty accurate. Lots of turnouts are scattered around for "future" sidings and such. Bridges are shown with hash marks and the elevations are strictly my guess. Terrain is pretty hilly and there are some monster cuts involved as well. This past weekend "we" did surveying and layout on the turntable area #5. The turntable will be constructed on a swivel from a "pony" trailer. The turntable will be almost 30 feet in length to accommodate the two FM units and driver car. I think he is planning for 5-6 stalls on the roundhouse. Anyway -- I am having a BLAST!!
Glad you are enjoying yourself, Sherrell! That will be a biiiig turntable when complete... be sure to post some pictures of it and the roundhouse when they are done. Any Frisco rolling stock under construction yet? - James
Hi James! Well, admire that as I do, and I LOVE the stack talk of those I've heard on Youtube... that was going to be WAAAY past my scope and financial abilities. I was looking to build a nice 2-6-0 or something along that line.
Hi Andre! Take a look at this - it is a 4" scale, 12" gauge 2-6-0 built by some friends of mine in Illinois... one of these would be a dandy in 2.5" scale! http://nfrailroad.com/forumpics/BumbleBee6-23-07.jpg There are videos of it on youtube, but I don't have a link at the moment - search for WF&P and #7, you can find it. - James
Worked on assembling more track sections today. Took my work train around the track and dumped some gravel/dirt that I have been raking up from some areas that have drainage problems (the planing engineer didn't leave quite deep enough bar ditches in a few places) where the "wash" has backfilled up to the rail level, and in some places spilled over the rail. While I was on my way to the top of the hill to dump the cars, I managed to stop and take some pic of the turntable area. The Roundhouse will be built in the area where the cement mixer and material is stored. The turntable is 30 feet long - still have to build the race track around the lower edge of the pit. That Pony Trailer swivel (same as on the overhead crane) is so neat - that table can be turned with one finger with ease.
It's been awhile - I think I need to update this Post. The section Gang has been busy (that's me). These sections do not include a 1100 ft reversing loop, a 800 ft switchback to the Cement plant and lime quarry, mainline passing track, and sidings to the Power Plant and Chemical Plant (both under construction)
What busy beavers you guys have been! That is becoming quite a railroad. Are operating sessions in the future plan? (hint, hint)
Over the winter, Bob had a couple meetings with several other large gauge fellows in the area around here. He is planning on several others bringing loco's and cars to run - but first he has to build a transfer track off the turntable for them to load/unload on. So much to do - So little time. I sure wish some of you KS, OK, MO, TX fellows were closer around! Anytime anyone has a chance to visit the West Coast - I have room for you!
A synthetic compound in a pill form to instantly dissolve kidney stones. We hear that there is a market for it!
Wow Sherrel - that is some fantastic progress! Just makes me think about what a slacker I've been this winter. Thanks for the update!
