Manual switch controls

Via another website, I was told about the below turnout controls. If you have a small layout, or just like to operate your switches/turnouts/points (which ever you choose to call them), there are several methods of doing so. Here's one of them. These are modeled after the real thing (to an extend) and look quite fun.
For more info go to: http://www.humpyard.com/, and here's a picture of what they're modeled after.

CFNR SD9E 203 progress

Here she is after decals being applied. Still loads to do.

CFNR 203 after decals

- cut out the little strip of decal now going over the cab window
- seal everything with a layer of dullcote.
- Apply more details (handrails, nose ladders etc)
- install number boards and lighting
- weathering
- Get the chassis finished (fuel tank still needs painting..)
- assembly and DCC programming.

I had one accident, in that a small drill bit broke off while trying to drill through the gyra light... I have tried to remove it, but no joy, this means that these will now be non functional, and will just install MV-lenses there. boohooh...

More GP38-2 details

Hi all, I've taken the plunge and pre-ordered two examples of the SP version, due for delivery end 2012, so it gives me 12 months to save money :-) The only two items that I'm hoping they will change before release is what seems a slightly to high inertial filter hatch , and replace the mentioned micro bulbs with LED's.They'll last a lot longer, will look better, and won't get hot. This is 2012 after all....

More details are known now, here's a run down of the details of the SP version, taken from the website of the shop I have ordered these: www.modeljunction.info.

Key Features

• All-new tooling
• DCC ready using Quick Plug technology
• EMD “notched” stepwells
• Round flush “shotgun” exhaust stacks
• SP light package
• Dual Gyralight operates in both directions using DCC
• SP “L” window
• SP four-hole jacking pads
• Late extended-range dynamic brakes with resistor grid details, and square PAF box
• SP-style tall snowplow
• SP-style walkway toolbox w/ additional tall handrail stanchion
• 88” nose w/ brakewheel
• New Single-Speed 48” “Q”-Fans
• Cab roof A/C unit
• Radio antenna with ground plane and conduit
• Late corrugated radiator intakes
• Front anticlimber, drop step on rear
• Dual “Prime” air filters w/ piping
• Late looped coupler lift bars
• Late ECAFB (welded)
• Brake wheel
• All-new Nathan P-3 horn on bracket w/ “staggered” chimes
• 3600 gallon fuel tank
• Single-end sanding lines
• Lift-off type under-cab access door
• Late battery box door with long louvers
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Etched radiator fan grills
• Window glazing
• Operating headlights utilizing microbulbs

It's a GP38-2!

What I secretly was hoping for and guessed, here's a video of the new Athearn Genesis release, a GP38-2, but the tooling they developed will enable them to manufacture many different geeps (GP40 etc) in the future. This is a great start however! Delivery expected late 2012, prices are not yet announced but going by their earlier GP9, I don't expect them to be cheap... (I'll be starting to put some funds aside starting now..)

eleven thousand one hundred and eleven

Thanks to all who visit this blog, let's see if we can double this! :-)

New Athearn announcement

This Saturday, Athearn will announce an all-new Genesis^® model at the Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA.  If you plan to attend the show, we invite you to join us at 10:00am EST in the Better Living Center – Section 127 for the unveiling.  If you can’t make the show,  check out the Athearn^®Facebook^® page (no need to join Facebook to view) Saturday morning for details including an in-depth video.  Additional information including detailed product pictures along with the regularly scheduled January announcements will be available this Sunday at Athearn.com.  We’ll also be sending a special AthearnNews.

I wonder what this could be, I've been trying to figure out what it is, and all I can make out from this picture is that it appears to be a 4 axle loco, could it be an all new GP38? I hope so :-)

Book review

About a week ago I received my recently ordered book by Lance Mindheim: 'How to operate a modern era switching layout'. Lance is a very talented model railroader and besides owning a layout building company, has written several articles in the model railroading press, and several books.

His layouts have inspired many to build a similar layout, often set in the same area and era, to a similar theme, as the one he currently owns himself.

His books and subjects are all about simplicity, and realism. None of his track plans in previous books have a zillion tracks and switches, nor are they huge in size, but they are well designed and should be fun to operate. But how do you operate something in a realistic manner?

This is precisely what his newest book aims to explain, and it does.

As in previous books, I find it well written, clear and concise, and in an enjoyable manner. If there's one lesson that stands out in this books (and by his own admission), it is to slooooww down, take time for every move, don't run at high speeds, and think about what would happen in the real world.  I would thoroughly recommend it. If there's only one criticism (if you can call it that, and it also goes for his previous books) is that I would prefer the pages on the inside to be of a different quality, perhaps glossy, as opposed to the laser printed look and feel they have now.  You get it at Amazon, among others, and for the UK there's even a bookstore that has imported several copies of it for ordering. The link to all the info is found here , on Lance's own site.