I want to model the Burlington Northern branch line between Hillyard and Kettle Falls in the early 70s. My goal is for the model to eventually both look and operate like the prototype.

Others might model this branch line differently. I like yard operations so Kettle Falls yard was a requirement. I also like: the feeling the train is going someplace, heavy industry and branch line switching. My choices reflect my preferences.

This is my yard throat, and the lead to the service area. The turnouts are all Fast Tracks, and I'm using their Bullfrog system to control them.

I finished the operating tipple.  here is a video of it in operation along with some photos taken outside.

here are some photos taken outside

At the end of my last video, it was my understanding that I had two options. I could send my throttle back to Digitrax, or I could get a Digitrax PR4 and update the firmware myself.

Fort Smith Biscuit Company ready for the layout!  

The kit is not an exact replica, (Plan on scratch building at some point), but pretty close to the first building that once stood in Fort Smith, Arkansas. (A second building was later constructed across the street with the two connected by a skyway)

Finding modern images of the buildings has proven difficult but was able to find early 20th century postcards images as a modeling guide.

My HO scale Finger Lakes Railway layout. Approximately 16 mile leg from the Himrod NY yard to Watkins Glen NY. We run to Watkins Glen to service the salt companies, and return to the yard a couple times a week. Waiting for my custom-detailed FGLK locos to arrive. In the mean time we are running leased NS power.

I have decided to down size my layout, I have been reading about downsizing here on MRH for awhile. The existing layout takes up most of my one car garage and I need more storage space. The layout is double deck point to point J shaped with the helix at on end of the J. Each level has a 4 track yard and two staging tracks the lower level also has an additional one track staging inside the helix. I have fourteen industries and two engine servicing facilities. You can see the existing track plan on my web site, https://jerseynorthern.webs.com under (the layout).

As I was finishing the placement of my abandoned concrete plant the other day, one of my T12 fluorescent tubes started going out.  I ran to my local Menards with the intent of just buying more fluorescents, but one of the nearby displays caught my eye:  Feit Electric 4' LEDs..."Replaces T12 fluorescents"..."Plug & Play"..."No rewiring - works with existing ballast".  At $12.99 for a 2-pack, and with Menards running one of their frequent 11% rebate deals, I was sold.  They were available in 3000k, 4100k, and 5000k, but since I'd p

This Episode is Part Two of my video series Scenery Experiments. In this video series, I am going to attempt to weather my structures, add grass, foliage and trees, and include figures and other small details.