So, tomorrow AM I'm off to Owosso, Mi. for Trainfest 09. I'm looking forward to the smell of hot lubricating oil and coal smoke (well, oil smoke anyway). Although I'm not a big fan of steam, I'm looking forward to a ride on the "Daylight". My daughter and son-in-law bought tickets for she and I for my b'day, so its off we go. Its about an hour and a half from my house to Owosso, so we're leaving early and hope to have eight hours or so at the site. Apparently, there was a problem getting the "Daylight" loco through Chicago. The planned route turned out to have a bridge that was too narrow, so the cars were pulled with a diesel and the steamer rerouted South around Chicago and reunited around Michigan City, In. Last Sunday, it was at Dowagaic, Mi. being serviced and waiting for a CN freight and an Amtrak passenger train to pass, then a quick run to Owosso. CN is being pretty generous with their right of way and letting the loco use the diamond and turning wye in Durand (usually a no-no). So hats off to the CN. I'll try to get some pics and post them this weekend.

     I've also made some progress on the layout. It was suggested that a three way TO would allow more length in the yard (which it would have), but in order to have a long enough spur for the Amtrak station, I had to forego that idea. The "Bluewater" uses a stub end spur and doesn't turn the loco, so I needed enough length to accomodate the loco and four cars. So, I've finished the yard, engine service spurs and some of the mainline. I connected  temporary DC power using alligator clips, and voila, everything actually works. Now I just need to tweak some of the joints and smooth the transition areas between HO and N cork roadbed, and then press on with the main. I also strung the main buss wire for the control system (if I ever make up my mind between NCE and CVP), and next week will start connecting feeder wires.                                         Gerry S.