Ok, the railroad club just "inherited," through an unsolicited donation, a bunch of Atlas slide/momentary buttons used for their brand of switches. Has anyone used or know if these little slide buttons can be used on a Tortoise or NJ switch machine to active the switch? I'd hate to trash them or go buy SPDT's if they can be used. I'm going to lay track and switches on the new railroad within the month and would use these if they can work.

I finally had time to add the model of the ore dock on my Splitrock Mining Company layout. Here is how I installed a built up kit I received from a friend. I am looking forward to all the fun details that will be added to this scene, as well as the operation it will bring. The blog starts in the next comment.

Thomas Gasior

Hi everyone,

Im new to the MRH. Have been reading for a long time but never posted. I thought its time i contribute to the community. My layout is in a different state at the time being. Can't with until its transported here in 5 weeks. In the mean time ive been keeping busy at my workbench.

Anyway i hope people find my modeling interesting as im considering writing an article or two fro MRH in the future.

I finished this truck up yesterday. Its from wheelworks parts.

Behold, for it is vacation time again, which means I finally have time to really work on my railroad! First project up for work was reworking my rolling workshop. I obtained a (cheapish, wooden) microwave cart with two lower shelves and a single drawer, and sorted and piled my project supplies on it. If anyone asks, I can take pictures of this later.

Hey everyone, I have recently purchased a NCE USB to run with JMRI. 

The Eagle Pass & Moose Lake Railroad (hereafter EP&ML) is my third and probably my last layout. I am 72 years old and have been in model railroading for 60 years pretty much continuously.  I began with the proverbial Christmas train. It was a Lionel O27 Pennsylvania Turbine number 2020.  My brother had, I believe, a Hudson of the same make and gauge.

More progress on the new layout. I have finished the installation of the uprights; added power with several outlets; put in a panel for building lights and accessories to be powered by a separate power pack; put in a panel for track power with most of the elements.

This long weekend I finished setting down the sub roadbed and making sure everything was glued down securely. Next step, drywall compound laid in the cracks between the pieces and all of the screw heads. Get that sanded so everything is perfectly smooth and flat as a piece of glass. Then dark brown paint on the entire length. Once that dries, its time to start drawing the track plan and laying track.

I did give some thought to actually hand-laying the track, but that thought lasted about 3 seconds! :-) 

Got the lot paved, and finally get to set out a few of the vehicles and containers I've been accumulating (mostly by being at a show, and forgetting I've already got a box full of the same sort of thing at home):

SO as mentioned on a past post I have/will receive a free Dynatrol System. Will it be a good Idea to just wire the receiver directly to the track as to just have use of the tethered control. I have heard a short could destroy the receiver so would a bulb or something similar between it and the track work? I look forward to what yyou can say and until next time of good idea bad idea, Keegan is out.