TrainBoard.com - Blogs http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php TrainBoard.com: Discussion forums and message boards for everything railroading. Featuring forums for specific railroads, all scales of model railroading, and anything related to trains and railroads. en Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:12:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/images/misc/rss.jpg TrainBoard.com - Blogs http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php PNW trip 2010--Day 6, The Homeward Leg http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2220 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:22:59 GMT Now just because this is our final day of the trip and we are on the return leg home, it doesn't mean we let up on our fanning.

Early morning light found us back in the yard at Eugene to catch a Cascade "bat train" with a cabbage on the rear. As we got our shots it was making to leave out for its days service. Also in the yard was UP Olympic unit #2001, an unexpected bonus.

Springfield turned out to be only a minor bust as it turned up some new info for our next trip. We were hunting down the single switcher operated by a lumber mill there. After some looking around, we finally spotted it inside at the International Paper mill. Upon requesting permission, and being denied, we were told that this was their backup power and the regular was out and about. We couldn't find it but now we know they have two switchers. File that for future needs.

A little further south in Cottage Grove we exited the freeway for some breakfast. Upon doing so we spotted the local disc golf course and decided to take a break and throw a round. Just upon finishing up hole 18, we heard a train horn. Well I turned to Jeff and reminded him we were in CORP territory and we sprinted to the car for our cameras. Turned out to be a lone GP38 returning north to Eugene, #3810.

Coming into Roseburg, we got a look at the new yard just north of town. Work was in progress. We hit the tie down spot in town for four more CORP GPs. Thank you very much, we'll take it. :)

White City was next up. Hopefully we could make it before they take the trains off the layout. Nope, just missed em and the guys didn't want to even open the shop door for a photo. This is Jeff's "white elephant" as he puts it. One day! One day we will get em! However, we did find the Medco #8 baldwin in a fresh bright red and yellow paint job. That kinda made up for it.

Nothing to be found in Medford except one lone blue CEFX GP20D. Well that makes two of the five or so they've gotten. All the six axle stuff was gone.

Just a couple months prior, Yreka was a stop on another trip. Today finds nothing different there so we quickly moved on.

Only a single GP graced the yard at Weed, CORP #3809.

Dunsmuir and McCloud got bypassed so we could push on home but we made one final stop at Turntable Bay Bridge on Lake Shasta. We had only been there once before on the same trip that found us in Yreka last. It was a goal to catch a train coming across it. Well we didn't have to wait but maybe 15 minutes before a horn was heard. Quickly a southbound came screaming towards us through the bridge and I now have a beautiful new wallpaper! Check that goal off the list! :D

Upon arrival in Sacramento, a quick check of the internet notified us of a green GP9 in Roseville yard. Even though our trip was officially over, we had to go look. No pics were available but at least we got to see it. Supposedly the new NWP power. We'll see.

For now the adventures are over, but as I write this the phone has rang with a new trip in the offing. What can ya do? :D ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2220 Layout 5 dismantled http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2219 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:24:13 GMT So I finally got around to tearing out Layout Five. I knew it was only a short-term loop layout from the git-go, and it made it about 2 years. ... So I finally got around to tearing out Layout Five. I knew it was only a short-term loop layout from the git-go, and it made it about 2 years. That's OK, because I think I'm ready for a MUCH better layout, more to come on that. :thumbs_up:

Anyway, I tore out a large bank of cabinets in the train room that were pretty much sub-par. Upon loosing 14 very large drawers, I was forced to go thru my N-scale empire, and weed out the unnecessary. I tossed all the useless packaging, as well as some stuff I'll never get around to using. I was brutal.

Here's what's left:


Going clockwise from top left: Paint/Glue/Decals/Chalks; Electrical bus, DCC, DC, and Blue Points; Purple bin: Model buildings, detail parts, trees, bridges, unbuilt kits, and Woodland Scenics; Rolling Stock at bottom; Toolkit; Trucks and Autos; 4-axle locos; 6-axle locos; Track Gang Box; Rolling stock in jewel cases; Ballast Gang Box; and behind that rolling detail parts and loads.

The new layout will be an around-the-room double main, plus more to keep it interesting. Stay tuned! ]]> campp http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2219 <![CDATA[SLI&S Cast House Reconstruction]]> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2218 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:52:17 GMT I have bought a 4X4 section of "Particle board" and painted it black. This is where all 8 blast furnace (in two rows of 4) plus the "High Line" which brings in Iron Ore, Coke & Limestone for the furnaces from the stock house. I have cut holes in the cast house roofs to fully enclose the furnaces as in the prototype. I have added "casting porches" for the hot metal cars to go under to get filled with 3300F molten pig iron. I added yellow safety railings made from fiberglass wall patch material and cut openings in the side of the cast house for the slag cars to line up inside. In addition I bought a near HO SCALE Peterbilt truck tractor for 25 cents at a yard sale and combined this with two old tyco piggy back trailers to make a "Double Bottom" steel hauling "18 Wheeler". In the 4 Youtube links I provide, you'll see the progress including how to make a structure out of a "Kleenex Box". Go to Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGlqFtRIa68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv0Ks3kGQz0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wWWHASpTTo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-brBYjQL-Xs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wWWHASpTTo
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]]> trumpetplayer http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2218 <![CDATA[Halland Control Panel - I'm almost finished]]> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2217 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:56:52 GMT It's taken a while; with several rewires, a few bad SPDT switches and a lot of head scratching, but I'm almost done.


Halland Control Panel

I tested the Jump Throttle just a minute ago and it works! I've also tested all of the switch ports. And they all work! Last step is wiring these Tortoise motors to the switch ports and It'll be operational.


Halland Control Wiring revision 2 of 4.

Eventually I replaced the solid wire poitive and negative buses with eurostyle terminals.

Overall, the control panel controls 14 turnouts via 12 SPDT switches, with Bi-Color LEDs wired in series for indication. I used the Double DC method described in the Tortoise manual. The Jump throttle is simply a 12V DC connected to potentiomer (for speed control) connectd to a DPDT switch (for direction) connected to the Zephyr jump ports. ]]> gpa http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2217 PNW trip 2010--Day 5, Sad Sound of Death http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2215 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:41:36 GMT Day 5 started out easily enough with a quick stop in Vernonia for some shots of the shay in the park. During prep for this trip it was learned... Day 5 started out easily enough with a quick stop in Vernonia for some shots of the shay in the park.

During prep for this trip it was learned that one of the Port Of Tillamook Bay engines was still on the east side of the washouts, somewhere. This became our next hunt.

We hit Banks first where a lumber company was loading centerbeams for the Portland & Western to pick up. They suggested Roy might have our prize. Nope, but we did find a neat passenger car in a siding there. Well, Timber was the next place to look. Bingo! There she was right at the grade crossing. Though we were investigated by four or five of the neighbors loud dogs, to which I was just a little apprehensive since my last encounter, we got our shots and moved on without issue. Excellent, the first POTB unit we've caught.

Geez, how many different shortlines have we gotten this trip. Too many, yet not enough! :D

POTB is actually our planned major stop this day so off to the coast we go. As a nice little bonus we ran across a roadside attraction along Hwy 26. Camp 18. Well this was totally unexpected. They had three cabeese there along with a ton of other cool stuff. One caboose just happened to be a working restroom. Well, I just couldn't resist! :D :D

As we worked our way south along the coast we caught another bonus caboose at Rockaway Beach before finding the Oregon Coast Scenic at Garibaldi. We shot up the steamer and cabeese there but to our surprise was Doyle's beautiful Great Northern F7 outside the engine house! Couldn't get a better shot of her! I bet Doyle's mad though since he'll eventually have to truck her out of there.

Garibaldi was also my last chance to bag a locomotive I needed for my website too. So far the previous five had eluded me this trip. Hopefully my luck will improve, but I don't see a 44Tonner anywhere. Come on! Whats a guy gotta do?!?! Ok, cross your fingers that it is in Tillamook.

I was hoping to catch as many POTB locos as possible before they got scrapped. As we pulled up, they were everywhere. BN green, SP gray, POTB black and white, and a cow!! Sweet!!! After getting permission, we unloaded with our cameras for the next 40 minutes or so making sure to document everything. Unfortunately during this whole time, you could hear the sad sad sound of a death taking place. In the background was the clanking, clunking and pinging of metal falling to the ground as the torches ate up what was left of #6114. How disgusting. It was almost stomach turning everytime another piece hit the ground. Such is the circle of life though.

On a brighter note though, there is a line of other rolling stock a little further off. Much to my delight it includes a centercab switcher and a heisler as well as a couple more cabeese.

Finally, finally, ex Almanor 44Ton #106 is mine!!! Finally one for the site. Bag it and tag it and lets get outa here.

Over the mountains and through the woods we go to Salem. Salem sucks! Everytime I've been there it just sucks. We did bag a couple UP and a bonus CEFX Bluebird AC though so maybe it doesn't suck that bad.

Of course you can't just blow past Albany. You know, if I ever move to Oregon, Albany might just be my new town. Always a great stop! Portland and Westerns yard there always serves up something interesting and didn't fail us this time either. Every unit we shot was one we had never gotten before. Very nice.

The Albany & Eastern parks nearby but this time we found nothing. No problem, Liberal is a few short miles to the east. Once there we caught them bringing a train west and quickly added another shortline to the score.

The wind was really picking up now and once back in Albany and heading south, we finally got into some rain. Perfect. I was hoping for some weather. Its part of what I love about Oregon and so far, we had been in a heat wave. Thank you oh mighty heavens.

We arrived at Eugene with just enough light to pick off a couple more CORP units in the yard there before getting our usual room. Now the Motel 66 might not be the classiest or cleanest but the main runs right behind our room there. Everything shakes each time a train passes. What more can you ask. Oh, and a lighning show to boot. Couldn't get much better after the run we've had so far. After dinner at one of my favorite chinese restaraunts, it is time to crash... Sweet dreams, at least between the trains.

Though there will be a few stops tomorrow, essentually it's time to wind things down. ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2215 Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM) - 700,000 Hits! http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2213 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:17:26 GMT Not in my wildest dreams did I think the _*DHVM*_ (http://www.trainweb.org/dhvm/) would be so successful and I only regret is not getting more... Not in my wildest dreams did I think the DHVM would be so successful and I only regret is not getting more updates done...

:tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin:
]]> Stourbridge Lion http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2213 RailImages - 7,000 Comments http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2212 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:28:45 GMT _*Statistics*_ Users ........................... 19,546 Photos ......................... 109,252 Comments ........................... Statistics
Users ........................... 19,546
Photos ......................... 109,252
Comments ........................ 19,244
Views ....................... 14,424,653
Disk Space .................. 14,627.0mb

Just noticed that tonight I left my 7,000th comment on RailImages. It's just my way to say THANK YOU for posting such wonderful RR images from around the world and for those wonderful Modeling images. So, if you noticed a comment from me you know I was one of those that viewed and appreciated what you posted...

:tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin:
]]> Stourbridge Lion http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2212 2010 - Railfanning West of Town http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2210 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:04:48 GMT Lisa and I once again escaped the heat of the city and traveled west into the hills to gather more RR photographic inventory for RRAdventures as well... Lisa and I once again escaped the heat of the city and traveled west into the hills to gather more RR photographic inventory for RRAdventures as well as to just enjoy cooler weather that the mountains give us this time of year.

We started off heading over Berthoud Pass (11,307ft) and did a little hiking along the Centennial Divide. We next headed for Winter Park to attempt to locate the the Denver and Salt Lake (D&RGW) Depot that is said to still exist. We are told it had been moved / altered and is now a private home. We were unable to locate it...

We next headed for Fraser to attempt to locate the D&RGW Depot there which too is listed as moved / altered and now a private home. Once again, no luck... We did how ever stop and officially photograph the Amtrak station.



As we headed for Fraser, we did catch some UP action along the way near County Road 83.



Next we headed for Granby to photograph both the Amtrak and the D&RGW Depots that sit side by side...





Our next stop was Hot Sulphur Springs to visit the Pioneer Village Museum to take photos of the RR equipment they have there plus record information the have that was RR related too...





Lastly we traveled to Frisco where we had heard a rumor that an Engine was also going to be hidden inside a store like D&RGW#120 is. Well, we found no engine but we did find that D&RGW#120 has been moved to the rear of the store to the point it's partially now outside. The way it was moved it does make me wonder if the engine will be heading for the same store and placed ahead of the car; but, only time will tell...

]]> Stourbridge Lion http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2210 <![CDATA[PNW trip 2010--Day 4, Shock & Awe!]]> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2208 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:35:06 GMT The way Jeff and I were tearing through Oregon & Washington was like our own mini version of Shock & Awe during the Iraqi war. Hit em fast and hard! However a stop later this day would leave my jaw on the ground!

Just a couple blocks from our motel room at Fife, we first hit up the new ALCo C415 display at the local park. Ex Chehalis Western was just recently placed there. I gotta tell you though, the location they picked really really sucks. :(

A revisit to the Tacoma Rail facilities bagged us a couple more units with a bonus SW1200 found just down the street in the port area. Sweet!

Next up was Point Defiance Park. Seems we just missed the train ride according to the schedule and the shay was safely tucked inside its building. The third truck is outside however so photos did ensue. Along with this was an unexpected critter and an old logging caboose. Great park too.

The yard at Auburn was impressively long but fairly empty. With nothing to shoot but a BN caboose, we moved on quickly to our next stop.

Snoqualmie. For those of you in the know, need I say more?! Upon arrival we spotted a rotary plow and some rolling stock. We turned right just past these and I think my eyes went goofy. I just stared with a speechles ear to ear grin. I've dreamt of places like this existing you know.

The entire street was lined with derelict steam locos! Some other rolling stock too. Unreal. I didn't know what to do with myself. Stop this car!!!!! Forget it, we can go home now. Game over. :D :D

Well once we got over the intitial shock, we headed down to the museum and fully unloaded on all the steam, critters and diesels they had there and bought a couple items in the gift shop. Then we returned back to heaven up the street. Good thing I pack two batteries for the camera! Can one get radiation sickness from exposing so many digital electrons?!

I was worn out after this but we still had many stops to make before we could close out this day.

Longview has two shortlines and one seems to be locked away most of the time. Yup, the Columbia & Cowlitz. We stopped at the office to see about shooting them and were given the phone numbers of who to contact. I left messages but no returns. Bummer. However as we were cruising by, movement caught my eye. They were switching within the plant. I managed to pull off a couple real pathetic shots but you can only do what you can do. They do count however!

All the yellow Woods Line units were inside the plant as well. Good thing we bagged a bunch on the last trip. A big bonus was found to the west at an abandoned mill site though. Seems The Dalles Portage Railroad centercab was sitting out in a field up on blocks. Zoom lenses helped us bag this neat unit. Unfortunately back towards the east, the Longview Fibre SW1500 was nowhere to be seen.

We arrived across the river just in time to catch the Portland & Western local doing some switching and added it to our collection. Just down the street we stopped for a rest and hung out with Cliff West (Mr. SP) for a bit and watched some train videos he's been filming. Neat stuff.

With darkness falling once again, we headed for our room in St Helens,OR and arrived just in time once again to see another PNWR unit bringing up some cars for interchange with the local.

What a day and we still have two more to go. We havn't even reached one of our major goals yet either... ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2208 Railroad Days http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2206 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:52:43 GMT We just got back from Railroad Days in Snoqualmie WA. Lorenzo, Patrick and I road the Northwest Railway Museum (http://www.trainmuseum.org/) train.... We just got back from Railroad Days in Snoqualmie WA. Lorenzo, Patrick and I road the Northwest Railway Museum train. En-route to North Bend, the conductor offered to stop and let anybody off at there new restoration center. We were the only ones to get off, and luckily we did, because there was an N-Trak layout and a kids layout set up for display there.

At the snoqualmie depot we were able to run a couple of HO trains, including Gordon.

Fun Day. Thanks kids. ]]> gpa http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2206 PNW trip 2010--Day 3, A Chase! http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2205 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:31:08 GMT The Oregon Pacific was the first target this morning. I wanted to reshoot everything there in digital and was keeping my fingers crossed that their... The Oregon Pacific was the first target this morning. I wanted to reshoot everything there in digital and was keeping my fingers crossed that their new power will have shown up. Turns out the GMD-1 left for the OP on the same day we left on our trip so we beat it there. Ah well, still got some good pics.

Shortly we hit the Forestry Center near the zoo for the shay. Nice little display!

Next up was the Peninsula Terminal. Turns out this time that it was impossible to shoot any of their units. Musta gotten lucky last trip. We did get a bonus BNSF train up on the high fill nearby though.

Washington here we come! Seems the Columbia Business Center has repainted their ex Amtrak SW and the little GE 25tonner in a nice orange scheme similar to the City of Prineville RR. Centercab 102 was also present but no sign of the other white centercab.

A quick stop was made at the Amtrak station/BNSF yard and many shots ensued including two switchers down in the port. That was pretty cool to see those though one was now orange too. Is orange the official color of the Pacific Northwest?! :D

On our last trip up this way we musta hit Battleground at least six times in hopes of catching the lone SW of the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad with no luck. Once again we struck out this trip. We even tried down at the junction in Vancouver to no avail. ARRRGGHH!! I want this unit!!!

Yacolt bagged us the blue ALCo #1 of the BYCX. Seems we arrived the weekend inbetween runs. This helped us decide to skip Chelatchie this run.

Yet another elusive stop was the steamers in Woodland. Apparently one has been sold off but there might still be one. We headed north on the main drag to find the shop where they were listed as being but took a left when we shoulda gone right. Turns out our luck was with us since we found one of them in pieces in a lot behind a shop just a block or two up from the split in the road. Hard to tell what is is/was except there was a saddle tank there but this unit was finally nailed down.

We stopped at the CC & C in Chehalis for shots of the two new steamers there and to reshoot the centercab. The idea of riding had been bantered about but we got there too late for the first run and didn't have time to wait for the second.

Centralia yard came under our scrutiny next and served up a pair of BNSF GPs just to keep our appetite goin. I was hoping to catch one or more of the PSAP ex CFNR GP15s there but to no avail.

That was ok cause the wye at Elma was next up on the list. An ex CORP GP38 accompanied a PSAP GP38 and to our surprise there was an ex TPW GP20 #2017 there as well. Can you say BONUS!

As we got out of the car to shoot these units, we heard a horn. The work on Sunday?! Are they coming or going??? We got the shots and asked a local about the train we heard. Yep, going. The chase is on!!

Using all of our chase skills, we spotted the train only by its exhaust as we passed over a bridge on the highway a few miles to the west. Unfamiliar with the territory we were relying on our GPS heavily to show us a spot where we could get set up for a shot. Turned out to be a beautiful little spot down a gravel road in Central Point. We weren't disappointed. Here came an ex CORP GP38 #3816, followed by ex SP GP38 now also wearing #3816 but for HLCX and a high nose PSAP GP in RailAmerica colors.

Finally after the last hopper of probably a hundred went by, we gave chase further west to Aberdeen, keeping our fingers crossed to see more units there. No dice. That was fun but we gotta get goin the other way.

A small steamer display was bagged at McCleary but with the PSAP units I wanted being elusive, we headed to Shelton. Got the shay on display there but no PSAP. Sheesh, whats a guy gotta do? We've covered their entire line! Even two places that weren't on the itinerary!

Ok, ok, the afternoon is winding down and we are heading for Tacoma for the night. We did arrive with some daylight left so we went by the Tacoma Rail yard and got some great shots of their units in what some call that magic hour. Also saw a few Sounder units but didnt bag any.

Ah well, what an excellent day. Time to turn in... ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2205 PNW trip 2010--Day 2, The Long Day http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2204 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:52:25 GMT This was planned to be our longest stretch of the trip with the fewest trains. After a quick breakfast we headed back over to the SP steamer for... This was planned to be our longest stretch of the trip with the fewest trains.

After a quick breakfast we headed back over to the SP steamer for some day time shots. A little more running around K-Falls saw us hit the Amtrak station, the BNSF yard, the OC&E caboose display and the Weyerhaeuser Baldwin display before heading north. Course we missed a southbound UP freight while gassing up but you can't get everything.

At Chiloquin we shot up one of the SP cabeese from Train Mountain and hit the logging museum for the steamer and critter there.

Next stop, Klamath Northern. After circling the entire mill twice and finding nothing, we figured they had a train out towards the junction. We didn't want to backtrack not knowing where their unit was so we added it to the list for the next trip and bailed north.

Prineville turned out to be a great stop. Shot up their entire diesel roster but missed the Mt Emily shay. A couple bonus cabeese also fell to our cameras.

At Maupin, we turned into the canyon to follow the old ORWN right of way while keeping an eye out for BNSF across the river. Being in the middle of a heat wave for the PNW, the river was stuffed full of rafters and swimmers. Looked like fantastic fun! Just as we turned out of the canyon, a railgrinder was found.

My research suggested their would be a small Plymouth critter on display at The Dalles. Upon arrival we found nothing and asked around. Seems it has been moved to Coos Bay. Ah well, bigger game awaits across the Columbia in Washington.

Winding down into Wishram reminded me of the Anasazi cliff dwellings in the southwest. What a strange place for a huge 4-8-2 to be on display. This thing had a great shelter but was practically impossible to shoot decently. At the yard there we found a few BN/BNSF locos to rain down electrons upon and another bonus caboose.

Next up was Hood River for the Mt Hood Railroad. All we needed to complete the roster was GP38 #02, but where the heck is it?? #89 was there but no #88 either. Hmmm?? Just as we were about to leave disappointed I heard some flange squeal. Perfect timing! #02 was just bringing back a passenger run. Chalk up another full roster!!

The steamer display at Cascade Locks is super pathetic. Being incased in glass protects it but makes photos a joke. Way too many reflections but we tried it out anyhow. At least we got something for the files to prove we and it were there.

An Oregon Pacific switcher was out on the main at Canby,OR and shortly a UP freight went north. I was searching for the last Modoc Northern loco we needed but it turns out that that is in Canby,CA. Poor communication. :)

Now that #2502 is back from the NWP in Cali, we were able to catch the entire Willamette Valley roster at Woodburn. Very nice; my shots from the last trip turned out very badly. This makes up for it for sure. Also reshot the SP steamer on display there.

It's now getting late and sunset is upon us. This was definately the longest run of the trip but well worth it as a couple rosters were completely obliterated! Time for dinner and a room.

See ya in the morning... ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2204 PNW trip 2010--Day 1, The Hunt Begins http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2203 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:30:17 GMT This years trip for Jeff Black and I was to the Pacific Northwest again. Did I mention I love Oregon & Washington?! Our goal was to finish up some loco roster photos and hit a couple lines we missed the last trip. Of course everything else is just a bonus and we got plenty of bonus material.

We picked up our rental Friday the thirteenth after work, an ominous date, and headed north from Sacramento. First nights stay was to be Klamath Falls, OR. Only one minor problem that could be attributed to the date. Halfway to our first stop, we noticed no power for our phone chargers or GPS unit. Turned out to be a couple burnt out fuses. No problem that could stop us! New fuses in place, off we went.

Along the way we stopped at Corning,CA to shoot whatever genset California Northern had parked there for the day. Turned out to be #501 so at least I got a better nose-on shot and a builder plate shot. Didn't see much the rest of the evening as we blasted straight through to K-Falls.

We did hit Dorris,CA though, just in time for Jeff to catch a streaking Coast Starlight in his viewfinder. Neat nite shot, a first try for either of us.

Arrival was late but what was there to great us, SP 2579 under her shelter and all lit up. Well several more attempts at night photography ensued with some acceptable results before we booked our room right next door. Sat was scheduled to be one of our longest drives and sleep was in need. I dozed off dreaming of the things to come.

to be continued... ]]> John Barnhill http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2203 <![CDATA[SLI&S Car Dumper, How to make Coke Transfer Tower]]> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2201 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:10:11 GMT I have added a car dumper building to SLI&S. I just completed the coke works by making a "transfer tower". I call these "Spindly Leg Towers" because they are steel frame work with a building on top. These are many feet tall to clear buildings ect and to make the conveyors go at an angle delivering coal at the level of either the "Blending Silos" or coal bunker on top of the coke ovens. These are on Youtube. Go to if you want to see how I made these with recycled materials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8C-Tc6IeGc gluing coke ovens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIaKhpgu7ro car dumper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC15infxCxA tower2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0KZkTgzXKc tower 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAjQl_qzSm8 tower 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx5kOzyqI8k tower 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZX0SA6Ec1Y

I will now relocate the blast furnace department. I will keep you posted.
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]]> trumpetplayer http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2201 Back From Vacation - Train Room Still a Mess http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2186 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:31:03 GMT I knew it wouldn't clean itself but I was hoping for a While-You-Were-Out type deal for model railroads.

Back to work: Lets build that control panel!



I left on vacation extremely dismayed because the double DC power distribution circuit I made to run my Tortoise motors wasn't working. It turns out that out of a half dozen DC wall worts, none of them worked.

So, I bought a pair of 12V DC power supplies on ebay (the last purchase I made before vacation.) I tested the circuit again today and Wallah! Tortoise Motor changes direction, bi-polar LED changes color.

The day before vacation I also ran to TAP Plastics to get some more plastic drill bits. I needed some different sizes, to enlarge some of the holes I drilled into my panel. I drilled them all out today, and also drilled some holes to mount nylon stand-off screws. I had tried surface mounting the nylon screws to clear acrylic, but the bond wasn't strong enough. I'm hoping adding a little extra surface area will make the glue work better.

:tb-biggrin: ]]> gpa http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blog.php?b=2186