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Changes coming to the E&SG Journals/Blogs
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Frequent poster 890 posts Verne Niner Frequent poster 890 posts
Verne Niner
Well, friends, I wanted to share an update on the E&SG...I have been absent from the workbench, and change is in the wind...
 
First, I hit a speed bump with my health last week. This has given me time to reflect on what is of greatest value in my life - family, friends, faith, and the simple pleasures - including this wonderful hobby. Time in the hospital and on medical leave from work has given me an opportunity to reflect on these things, and I truly appreciate the friends I have made on this journey. These friendships mean more than I can say!
 
As for the Estrella & Sonora Grande, I have been rather bored with it lately, and was actually considering switching to something completely different...but that would be a mistake. I am going to do what my mother would tell me and 'finish what I started' Several other changes have caused me to rethink the layout and refocus on what I enjoy the most.
 
The first layout change was brought about by the house shifting a bit this summer, leaving the removable bridge section spanning a gap across the door of my railroad room unworkable. I could probably repair it, but it will probably shift again in time. The bridge section was put in place to allow for continuous running, something I haven't had for more than a year because I removed the track over what will be Burro Canyon to prepare for more thorough construction. Also, the sliding selector table will go away...its alignment with the bridge section is not reliable, so I will be using the closet behind the backdrop for hidden staging. Therefore, my point to point has been flipped, meaning the connection between San Lorenzo and the world will be over Burro Canyon via my unfinished section, instead of to the left via the removable bridge section.
 
Another change is a renewed interest in 'critters' and industrial trains...now that I have my Porters running reliably with sound using graphite on the rails, I can pretty much run smooth operating sessions with my smallest locos anytime I want. So, some larger locomotives, cars and kits will go on sale this fall. This will allow sharper curves and perhaps stub switches on the unfinished section...making the most of the limited space available.
 
The new section will be built on my existing benchwork, and will include a large ore bin and mine head frame, representing Sonora Grande. The incline at the top of my switchback will be renamed Estrella, so my trains will actually get to the places in the railroad's name after all! 
 
The operating scheme would be simple...trains leave hidden staging in the closet, pass through the mining scenes in Sonora Grande, cross a high bridge over Burro Canyon, then to San Lorenzo or Estrella via the switchback. The fun of working the switchback and turning trains for their return to Sonora Grande would be the operations focus.
 
More to come, I can't really pick up the tools right now, but there will be pencil on paper soon...stay tuned!

ne-alt-1.JPG 

See my website here: The  Maverick Canyon Branch of the Rio Grande Southern 
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Virginian and Lake Erie Super User 9,223 posts
Virginian and Lake Erie

Vern I hope you have a fast

Vern I hope you have a fast recovery, sorry to hear about health issues. With the comment of your house shifting it made me think of my house and the shifting it does due to the moisture in our heavy clay soil. I think of it as a slow moving earth quake. Things vary by the season. Doors all of a sudden begin working smoothly and later they stiffen up due to binding. East Texas Blackland Soils are an interesting item if you have never witnessed it for yourself. 

In the spring when wet it is a sticky slippery clay that is about ten feet deep no bottom. so if you sink something in there it will be there till things dry out. In the summer it gets as hard as concrete and shrinks opening up deep cracks that in some dry spells you can drop a hoe into and it will fall till the head catches it.

Hope you are feeling better soon and continue to post things about your models and your layout.

Rob in Texas

MRH Blog / Prep for an Operating Session / Delving Into the Past / The Club Blog / Youtube / etmrc.org
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David Calhoun Frequent poster 820 posts
David Calhoun

Health & Hobies

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and stabilization. My visits to the VA hospital have also shown me that taking in simple pleasures and the time to enjoy what I have is the best medicine. I'm adding small details to my layout now and can have up to 5 operators, but sometimes I just take a favorite switch engine and shuttle cars across the industries acting as engineer, conductor, brakeman and yardmaster. It's relaxing and takes my mind off what ails me.

Wishing you the best. I follow your posts regularly and look forward to seeing that train leave staging and make its run.

Chief Operating Officer

The Greater Nickel Plate
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dkaustin Prolific poster 1,515 posts
dkaustin

Health issues.

Verne,

I know your issues.  I too have been laid up over the last couple of years with health issues (multiple speed bumps) with stays in the hospital.  The doctor wanting to place a defibrillator in me.

That is why I am looking at something that would be simple to do.  I guess that is why I settled on the Morenci Southern.  Single track, no trees, not much of anything but desert and two yards at both ends.  Also, more shelf like with bump outs.  Sounds simple?  Or too much?  Yet, I am starting from scratch.

If I can't make it come together on paper then I have another idea peculating in the back of my mind with no prototype to follow and would be somewhat fanciful, but fun.  It too would be in desert mountain railroading yet, more compact and more of a moveable display layout.

Den

n1910(1).jpg 

     Dennis Austin located in NW Louisiana


 
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pschmidt700 Prolific poster 2,584 posts
pschmidt700

Thinking of you, Verne

May you build many more critters while enjoying the other best things in life you listed.
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Verne Niner Frequent poster 890 posts
Verne Niner

Thank you

Thank you all for your kind remarks and well wishes...I am ok, comfortable, and expecting to be around for a long time, God willing! Went to the hospital to get checked out after over-exerting myself in the 114-degree heat when the car quit in traffic last Monday. I have some lifestyle changes to adopt, but checked out ok.
 
Time for zzzz...again, thank you for your interest and support!

ne-alt-1.JPG 

See my website here: The  Maverick Canyon Branch of the Rio Grande Southern 
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dhatman Active Member 96 posts
dhatman

Thank you

Verne The car is trying to tell you something........ha ha!
Doug Hatman
Model Locomotive
Engineer/Conductor
Humble, Texas 77338
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