Scratching my head over intermittant running on my layout of engines. I am running a DCS 51 [Digitrax Zephyr Xtra] (one engine at a time) and experiencing stop-n-go performance after a short, smooth start. Pauses are for several seconds and then restores and continues for a longer length; pauses for a second or two and then continues smoothly the rest of the way around the layout.

Well summertime has taken toll on model railroading. If you have followed my blog you know that I have at least two projects in the works but I don't seem to get to finishing them due to outside interests.

The other day I got bored but didn't want to get into the projects so I decided to do a little design work. A future project is a Vehicle Repair and lay down area for the Chippewa. Of course I am waiting on Walther's to release the kit. The laydown area will have equipment enclosures, signals, grade crossing equipment, etc. 

I'll admit it - it's been FAR too long since I've posted here on MRH. Chalk it up to a new position at my job and the usual life stuff . . . But I'm starting to be able to get back into things a bit - starting with getting a ProtoThrottle from the Missus for my anniversary present!

Where equipment goes and how materials move through the shop is important for sanity as well as safety. Best laid plans of mice…

Started by measuring all the existing workbenches, countertop and shelves. A basic inventory of what I have, so I can arrange them on some mock ups.

In a terrible tragedy, Lynn Junction was hit today with a missive 8.9 magnitude earthquake.  This tremblor was significant enough to change the course of Nurses Creek; it now runs north out of town, not east.  Luckily neither buildings nor trackage was damaged since neither had been placed yet.

Last Saturday a good friend made the 2 hour drive north to visit, explore, and see my layout in person. It's always a little frightening to have someone else film your layout, as things tend to go wrong. I'm happy to say that things ran almost flawlessly, but I didn't completely mess up while talking on camera! The video is below.

https://youtu.be/rfVczmX9-UA

Hi folks,

   I’m ready to start laying down drywall mud for roads and grout for a scenery base, on pink foam board. Do I need to coat the foam with anything to make sure the mud and grout sticks??

Best, Scott 

Train Wrecks, WARNING people lost their lives at Bingham Canyon mine. Thanks to Larry Sax we have some great train wreck photos, everyone loves a train wreck.

I have been working for the last couple of years on my fictional East Texas Branch of the Texas & Pacific Railroad.  The era is early 1940s.  All steam.  Located in East Texas it branches off west from the T&P mainline somewhere between Atlanta, Tx and Jefferson, Texas.   All trains run from Texarkana, Tx yard and Terminate at the end of the branch at Casey.  There are two towns, Casey and Mckenzi Junction, both named after my daughters.  There is a 3 track yard and multiple industries in Casey.  Casey is the west end of the branch.