The wheels were in motion now and all three sections of my seventh grade math classes were hard at work on their respective components of the benchwork. In addition to the attention that they gave to their own parts of the project they were of course very interested in what the other sections were doing. Since everything took place in the same room it was natural for them to examine each other’s works in progress and think about how the various parts would come together. A very stimulating balance of mild competition and collaborating towards a common goal emerged.

Here is a video of my Splitrock Mining Company road train operations. It goes from the dock switcher pulling empties to making up a train. Road power and caboose being added and the trip up to the Vermillion Range and back.

The layout is ready for some scenery, and I will be adding lots of pine and Birch trees, plus a few Minnesota lakes.

The power is all Alco, (Atlas) with Tsunami sound installed by MRH author Mike Rose.

I hope you enjoy.

Thomas Gasior

Yes, I have installed all of the track. I made a simple mistake in my use of Woodland Scenic Track Foam. I drew the track out on the board roughly and then installed the track foam using the actual track to set the position. The trouble is that I didn't get everything quite right so the actual track isn't centred on the foam centrally everywhere. I am sure that with some judicious cutting and filling I can sort this. It is going to be covered by ballast anyway so it won't matter in the long run.

I had a lot of discussions on the forums regarding my N Scale iteration of the S&NE. I got quite heavily into branding of my locos etc. However, due to a move, I lost that one. With limited space, I got into UK Narrow Gauge 009. I found that fun but as "everything" had to be scratch built, pretty much, and most of the kits were short run stuff that needed a lot of work to get together, I dropped it. Now the room has been freed up completely and I have 12' x 8' 6", I can get an HO railroad running again.

Hey look - a video.

I've been working on ground cover and ballast in this scene, and set the camera on an empty ballast container to shoot a test train as it went by.  I just used some power and cars available at Lakeview's yard, so they vary in quality and level of finish.  It's typical of a train you might see as a visiting operator.

With only two different components besides screws and a simple rectangular configuration the first panel frame was an ideal learning vehicle. I made a quick sketch under the document camera to help the students locate pilot hole locations and we went through many of the same steps the L-girder team encountered for attempting, then improving, measuring and marking techniques.

Well on to the next project for the layout. This time it's a coal loader for the steam engines and we're doing it the old fashioned way by bucket and shovel.

The Kit is a Durango Press number DP-41. Cover image below.

I designed this Track Plan of the Tri-County CO-OP & Grain Elevator, based on the actual layout of the track, elevator and buildings.  This facility is located close to where I live. I have always been fascinated with the operation of this small industry.