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Nine Month update.....Or where does the time go... Journals/Blogs
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Prolific poster 1,082 posts dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

Howdy, ya'll!  Been a while...not much new to talk about, home projects took up most of the summer so not much train activity. 

Some things I have accomplished are moving toward train fun....

New laminate flooring in my spare room/train room removed ugly wall-to-wall carpeting and now have a smooth easy to clean floor, also fresh wall paint....

Most of what I have done this summer was research, been trying to decide a Kansas prototype to interpret...

Kansas and oklahoma was suggested by a response to my last blog, it fits most of my parameters, so the original is in the running...

Midland Valley is a fascinating railroad that ran from Wichita to Fort Smith, coal and oil hauler,  great history, but oddly enough the name throws me off, sounds like a Model Railroader December around the tree railroad

ATSF Howard branch, a light density branch from Emporia to Howard, abandoned in 1958, light traffic passenger service and  even gas motor doodlebugs perfect for my small area....

Rock Island which seems to go everywhere and nowhere at all

No final choice as yet, but thinking reading and researching will pick something soon

My givens is TOC, steam era,  branch line, some light passenger service, mostly freight

 

Chose this era as this was when Railroads still had strength and clout, the railroad brought mail, goods, industry and was the life line of small towns, as opposed to today when railroads relegated to also-ran status...

Steam Era also allows shorter cars and locomotives, more at home on sharper curves...

 

I don't want to model the rolling scrap yard of todays rail scene....I hate grafitti,the decrepitude of most of the equipment, and generally the sameness of the locomotives....plus, I could never run DPU  and a 10000 foot train even selectively compressed

Last but not least, I would like to say Thank You to Micro engineering for their years of service and quality service, I hope to use you track on my new layout, but if not I thank you for showing what track can look and perform like! 

This is all for now, hope 2022 is more Covid free, and train show and swap friendly....

Peace and prosperity to all

Bill
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dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

Pics of the train room...

Some pics...ainroom1.jpg 

still haven't unpacked everything, work in progress, my new assistant Luna Cat

ainroom2.jpg 

My first Ivar shelves, need more but the slow boat from China seems to never bring everything at once....

Tried for old train station green, not quite but I like it....

That's all for now...

Peace Bill
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Russ Bellinis Prolific poster 3,335 posts
Russ Bellinis

How big is the room?

Just curious.  Looks like a typical bedroom.
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dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

@Russ....

It's actually the smallest of our three at 10x9, just a place to noodle and play till I decide whether I can build something in the larger garage space 11x28, not sure if I'm up to large scale(for me) build yet, at the pace UI work lately, I'll luck to get everything out boxes by next year.  

Peace Bill
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Steves VR Regular poster 245 posts
Steves VR

Modules ?

How do you plan to build the build the layout ?

Modules would allow easy relocation to the  garage if you out grow the room.

Cheers,

Steve
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dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

I'm thinking shadow box type modules....

I want something that would be movable, so wet work can be done in the garage, but also strong enough to support two cats, also enclosed so the cats can't wreak havoc on the track surfaces.....probably around 3" x 18",

I want some small vignette type scenes to get practice and sharpen my dulled skills....

Peace Bill
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Faire to Midland Active Member 73 posts
Faire to Midland

Interesting book you might

Interesting book you might like, especially if you have any interest in the railroads in and around Fort Scott:

https://www.amazon.com/Rails-rivalry-romance-nostalgia-including/dp/0960156836

Lots of great TOC and early 20th century photos and maps and old newspaper articles and other stuff in it.  I swear the book weighs 10 pounds.  That's a lot of info for one county in Kansas!
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anteaum2666 MRH Author 2,824 posts
anteaum2666

I like your assistant!

I miss my cats.  I've had several, but none right now.  My wife isn't a fan, and I like her, so . . . 

Michael - Superintendent and Chief Engineer
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Pennsy_Nut Prolific poster 3,633 posts
Pennsy_Nut

A good start.

Comments: Cats. I too, have one, but my shelf is 58" off the floor so he can't jump that high. Yes. Be careful with cats. They are a blessing and a curse.Can't you get those shelves from IKEA. Made in Sweden so they don't come from China. And yes, modules are the way to go. The only time I suggest any kind of permanent layout is when you know for sure you won't ever - ever - have to move. And that's never a certainty in this days world. Keep us posted.

Morgan Bilbo, DCS50, UR93, UT4D, SPROG IIv4, JMRI. PRR 1952.
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dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

Thanks all...

@ Faire, the book is on my list when hobby money frees up, Fort Scott has some interesting history, railroad or otherwise, and home to Gordon Parks, great photographer and film director.....

@ Michael I'm lucky my wife is a cat lady in training, so when this one came to the back door she was hooked...our 12 year old Tom doesn't quite know what to do with her, but they get along well....

@ Morgan  Ivar shelves these days are from the far East, from some sort of sustainable wood plantation, still Swedish design, still good quality, and still cheaper than any alternatives....my old cat isn't interested in jumping so much, I have to hold a mirror under his nose to see if he's still breathing....the youngster knows no boundaries...so I'm thinking plexiglass in channels for easy removal, but without fear of Catzilla in downtown Independence

Peace, Bill
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Ron Ventura Notace Frequent poster 689 posts
Ron Ventura Notace

I’m a little surprised Joe

I’m a little surprised Joe hasn’t jumped in to suggest a TOMA build. But this does look like a candidate for that.

Ron Ventura

Melbourne, Australia
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anteaum2666 MRH Author 2,824 posts
anteaum2666

Agree on TOMA

I already had my benchwork done and first level in when I read my first article on TOMA.  I didn't want to redo my work, but if I had read that 6 or 7 months earlier I would have gone that route.  Twice now we have considered moving, and the thing holding us back is moving my layout.  Although that's on the table, it is definitely a hindrance.

Michael - Superintendent and Chief Engineer
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dwilliam1963 Prolific poster 1,082 posts
dwilliam1963

TOMA is a possibility....

I'm starting small, and taking it slow...I want this to be relaxing not the pressure I always felt to build more or perish....I may never fill the garage, but I hope to do good solid work and get better as I go....

Peace Bill

PS  I may be the only one who remembers but "Toma" was a short lived police show in the 70's starring Tony Musante....master of disguise and undercover genius....fair show lasted one season....I can't find my car keys but this I remember....uggghhh...
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