Still working on the narrow gauge H&C.  In two months it'll be one year since construction began.

I'm looking for feedback on a numbering theme for my narrow gauge railroad. Right now, This is the numbering theme I'm going with, but I could use some feedback on whether this will work:

01-15: 2-axle (0-B-0) electric freight motors (01-10 are box motors, 11-15 are newer centercabs). Current units already modeled: #12 (0-B-0 centercab motor)

16-30: 4-axle (0-B-B-0) electric freight motors (mix of box motors and centercab units, numbered by age). Current units already modeled: #18 (0-B-B-0 centercab motor)

Just learning all the ins and outs of my GoPro camera and editing software. One thing is clear, if I want to shoot more video at 1080p I'll need a new computer or a honking big external drive...

When I started my build on Misti Mountain I installed an old video camera opposite the corner of the build and used the remote to snap pictures as the build progressed.  I've made a video of the progress that is two minutes and forty seconds long that you can view below.

Those of you read the article on John Miller's Kanawha & Lake Erie Railroad in the January 2015 issue of MRH (http://mrhpub.com/2015-01-jan/port2/) may recall that he was planning a move and a new version of the layout. Well, fast forward to April of 2016 and John has made amazing progress. In addition to completing a 60' x 35' pole barn to house the new railroad, he has made incredible progress on the benchwork. Here are few photos of the K&LE 4.0.

This is probably my favorite place on Earth...

I decided to pursue modeling the Illinois Terminal Railroad, an electric railroad that ran throughout central Illinois.  You can find more information at the Illinois Traction Society.  Therefore, my first purchase toward this end is a Suydam brass IT class C locomotive.  

The electrical switches you see most often on model railroads are toggles. It's no wonder, they do the job, they are easy to understand and connect, and they give a visual indication of layout status. However, some functions can be performed better with push button switches, particularly if you wish to control a function from two locations. The downside of pushbuttons is they can seldom do the job alone. They usually require an indicator light, and remote operation implies some sort of circuit that is being operated.

 I bought a Kato sd40-2 with Tsunami sound. The price for both was less than the cost of the loco so the decoder was basically free. I think the previous owner let it go so cheap as it had some problems. When placed on the track, the prime mover would start up but no other sounds and it would not move. Further investigation revealed the truck wires were loose in the spring clips and the band from the bottom motor lead was very loose. I did a reset but still problems. After playing with it, it would start up and then shut down and do nothing. oops! I broke something?