This uniquely special Porcupine Valley community even has it's very own radio station (WPV) & residents'! You can call us at 1-(231)-421-4069 too!!! This phone number really connects you to the Media Center that houses the on-air and print publications of the valley. It is worth checking it out . . .

While this building isn't rail served, its such a key element in the overall concept of what I am building that I had to include it. This is the building. It's an indoor storage facility and also a parking garage that the railroad runs right next to before it crosses W North Ave and the railroad bridge over the North Branch Canal onto Goose Island.

This is my version of this structure.

My name is Charlie and I'm a lurker!

I've been lurking in the background on this site for four plus years, absorbing all the knowledge that my humble brain could digest. Often times rereading posts over and over again. While I have been devouring the knowledge presented here , I have been designing my dream layout using Any Rail Software.

I have had experience with 3rd Plan It and found it to aggravating to deal with. Granted the version I was using was from the '90s, I found it to be difficult to use.

                   Amherst Railway Society's

             Monthly Newsletter

August

As the photo below shows, EZ track (and foam) is shifting out of the way of for flex track and #6 turnouts. The bottom level will have a test loop with wide(ish) 15" radius curves. There will also be a couple of holding tracks down there. The green lines are 1/2" spike tape to remind me of the setback. This track will mostly be hidden behind the facia (.060 styrene) and under removable scenery / structures, so no fear of meeting the floor. It's my hope to get it in and working this week. Once I have that, I'll turn my attention to the next level.

I've long been a vocal proponent of Tsunami decoders, and especially their ability to be configured with a working independent brake and coast/idle function.  I even went so far as to remove and sell the Loksound decoders from four Intermountain factory-equipped SD40-2s and use the proceeds to buy replacement Tsunamis.  I'd heard that ESU was working on adding support of similar braking and coast functions, but Tsunamis already had it, so I foolishly thought the best ESU would do was to "catch up".

Here are three images of a 3.5'x10' layout. Minimum radius is 18" as typical and it includes a yard on one side and siding on the other (that side is a WIP and any ideas would work out great.)

                Amherst Railway Society

Open House

come and celebrate with us!

Saturday, August 20, 2016
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
1130 South Main Street
Palmer, MA 01069

Sometimes too much research is a bad thing.  After acquiring a copy of Trackside Around the Pennsylvania Cement District, I now feel the need to redesign the cement mill portion of my layout for increased operation.  Oh well, at least nothing's actually built yet, so there's no loss.  But looking over things, I may need to increase my covered hopper fleet.

My original design only included outbound loads.  Further investigation revealed inbound loads of additives to react with the limestone, as well as, coal to fuel the kilns.