Working on the Railroad

Finally I managed to do a little more trackwork on my home layout.
The Napa Jct yard is expanded and added three yard tracks, as well as the main tracks beeing extended by about 3 ft. On the other side of the layout, I've cleaned up, and started on the track that will lead into the staging. I'm also going to add an additional track to the yard (the track in the middle).
After this track work is done, the back drop will be fixed in place here, and the warehouses (shallow relief) will be test fitted, and scenery work can begin here.

Napa Jct

Another acquisition

I may have mentioned it in the past, but due to my job I spend many weekdays away from home. I now have a 'semi permanent' base closer to my place of work to which I commute on a weekly basis. I decided it's the perfect opportunity to spend a little more time on railroad projects than I've been able to. Nothing big, but enough to keep me satisfied and work on items that I will use in time on my own home layout. So I've started to build a set of NMRA-BR modules, that I can detail and operate in time while I'm away from home. For that you need some motive power and some cars. The motive power is now on it's way in the form of a Southern Pacific GP35 phase 1a.  It's an Athearn RTR model. It will need some super detailing in time, but for now I'll leave it untouched. It's even remaining DC for the time being, until I can afford buying a Simple DCC controller for these modules.  For that matter, the modules aren't even build yet, I've got the wooden frames of the first one ready, but still need to start on the next one. Here's a (factory) picture of the loco for now.  

The Magnolia Route

A modeling friend of mine pointed out a video on youtube, showing off a beautiful piece of modeling of Cliff Powers, modeling Alabama and Mississippi in HO. His layout is quite large, but none the less he's been able to detail various scenes in great detail. It resides in it's own purpose build building that measures 14 x32 feet, and the layout is devided over 3 levels connected by a double track helix. There are over a 100 locomotives in service on this layout, most with sound (and smoke where applicable), and DCC controlled. The trackplan is found on this web site
I've selected another video of this layout, that captures a bit of the atmosphere found on this layout. For more, I urge you to check out other videos and of course the website of the layout www.magnoliaroute.com  .

Build your own Turnouts Points Switches....

Whatever you call them, you'll probably aware that turnouts can be a money absorbing part of your railroad hobby.
One of the solutions is to build your own. You can use commercial available kits, including jigs etc, but unless you need to build quite a few, the money saved is fairly limited. If you have no need for may turnouts, but like to try to make your own, with a few simple tools.  This video shows one of the ways to do so. The video was made by MRH publishing for Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine, a free e-zine that offers quality articles about our hobby, funded by advertising. (The articles are usually NOT sponsored though, which is a good thing).

Exeter modelrailroad show 2012

Here's one video of several now posted of last weekends RR show in Exeter , UK.  This one gives an overview of the 150' of branch line modules , that were attached to the RS Tower oval shaped layout, all together making more than 180' of North American model railroading in the UK, at one venue. Video by Mike Ruby.

Exeter model railroad show a success

Last weekend saw this years installment of the Exeter modelrailway show. Among the many layout and traders was the RS tower layout, complemented with NMRA-BR standard modules from among others, members of the Western Union group in Plymouth, making a total scenic length of 180'  of US model railroading. The layout was a huge success and with lessons learned from previous years, operated a lot smoother and fun was had by all. The picture shows diesel power awaiting their next assignment at Gillisburgh yard. Photo by Brian Moore.

California Northern GP15-1

Finally, I've waited a few years, but Athearn finally announced the release of GP15-1 locomotives in the CFNR paint scheme.  I hope they will capture the paint scheme accurately. Here's the announcement.  I will be pre-ordering I'm afraid... :-)