I finished the track work and wiring of my upper level yard rebuilding. I changed from Bullfrogs to Toggle switches for ease in reversing the turnout throws. I can now add the fascia and throw rods and start working on scenery.

Turnouts are all hand built code 83 using Fast Tracks products. The flex track portions are Peco Code 83. This was just the first trial run to see if Operations could start up. I still need to adjust a few spots and do a  few more sea trials.

I guess it is the season for taking down layouts. I am only planning to rebuild and improve my upper level yard. This yard receives the road trains or empty ore cars, and breaks them down into smaller batch mine runs. It also receives the loaded ore cars from the mines and combines them into road trains headed to the dock on th shore of Lake Superior.

Splitrock Mining Company had some excess gondolas after the construction of the line in 1955. A scrap company in Eckman, West Virginia needed some to lease. This is the story of how the  SRMX got one ready to ship east. Here is the 29 being pulled from storage at one of the mines.

The Twin Cities Division of the Thousand Lakes Region of the NMRA hosted their annual RPM meet. It is called the Railroad Modeler's Retreat. It is hosted by Ken Zieska and held for two days in Plymouth,MN. A western suburb of Minneapolis. This years event was March 3-4 at the Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth.

Great turnout of local modelers. There were many clinics, displays, hands on demonstrations and even a catered BBQ lunch. Here are some pictures I took of the models and modelers. I hope you enjoy and comment.

I recently scratch built four freight cars to complete my NMRA Achievement Program Certificate for Cars.

Here is the story of the build. I hope you enjoy and please ask any questions and post any comments.

I have tried to include photos of most of the steps. The photos  are bit smaller than I like because I originally made this for print media to hand the judges.

The Splitrock Mining Company employees collected so many toys they needed to be weighed on the company scale. Please remember those less fortunate than us this Christmas. Give a new, unwrapped toy to the Marines. 

Thank you to those that donate, and to my brothers and sisters who served in the Corps, Semper Fi. 

Merry Christmas everyone. 

After watching a couple of Facebook live feed's by MRH contributor emillerz about his wonderful SPSF  layout I wanted to try it myself. I cleaned up the layout, set up my Ipad on a tripod, aimed it at the yard and pushed the start button.   I then went about the normal task of switching and sorting loaded iron ore cars for movement to the dock to be unloaded. Plus bringing back the empties and getting them ready to head back to the mines. In a matter of minutes when I looked at the feed, I had quite a few viewers.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the Splitrock Mining Company. Enjoy your holiday weekend and safe travels. We are thankful for Mrs. Ole Torgussons turkey and stuffing, enough to feed all those hungry miners!

Happy Halloween from the Splitrock Mining Company. Have fun and be safe while out Trick or Treating, or attending parties. Now... who is the new guy in the front row? 

Come along for the tour of three layouts in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. The TCD is part of the Thousand Lakes Region and hosts self guided layout tours several times a year. Two HO layouts and one O Scale narrow gauge make up the tour this time.

Thanks for watching.