Oakville is active - an Amtrak detour has run around an earthworm and returns to the WB main at Caliente... 3 months left...
In three months - after the convention (if it happens) tours - the Sub's coming down. Strong possibility we will have to sell because of an abundance of stairs, and ya can't sell a house with a railroad in the basement. Not happy about it, no choice in the matter.
Take LOTS of good pictures and videos to remember it by. Sometimes we have to do what we need to do whether we like it or not. It's unfortunate. But see this as an opportunity to start thinking about the next one!
It's all rather monolithic, so no. But structures and details, yes. Possible modules, lots to think about. The above shot is one of nearly a thousand I took in December, January, and February. Each train is documented at each location. It was a lot of fun. Also plan on doing some "hidden Oakville" shots showing staging, and a series of videos for YouTube.
I would definitely love to see some videos on YouTube of the layout, I think it'd give a better idea of it to those of us who can only imagine it!
There are half a dozen or so up now, but all done some time back...the above is a wind turbine train - since sold - at Bealville - since changed
I've always enjoyed seeing pictures of your layout. I find modern railroading fascinating, with 2 mile long stack trains running 70mph across the desert southwest. Personally, I find that when my layout nears completion, I tear it down to the plywood and start over. Maybe my true hobby is building layouts, not model railroading.
I’m sorry to hear you’re going to have to tear your layout down. I remember watching you build it and I’ve always admired your craftsmanship. I reckon that a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, though.
Hidden Oakville Here are a couple of "Easter eggs" on the layout that visitors normally wouldn't spot. The first is one the hill above the Caliente parking lot - the gravel road going from said lot to the cell tower far above. Cattle country, so ya gotta have a gate. And that gravel is actually under the trees all the way to the tower. Gotta be real. Here's the back side of the Dairy Queen near the Oakville water tower. Note the drive thru menu (yes, there is a mic/speaker post). The menu was shot at the local DQ. You can't see this from any normal viewing position, but I felt it needed to be modeled. Photo was shot using a front surface mirror.
Hidden Oakville II: The staging yard looking north: And looking south: I've always envied those who can have perfectly neat wiring - I ain't one of 'em!
Hidden Oakville: Heavily processed shots showing first arrival to the right and departure to the left A better shot of the departure yard: And finally the departure area from the outside. The plywood on the left is the base for the Caliente Post office and building to the west. You are seeing the first train out on each track; there are two trains per track (excepting the one on the left which is the 112 car earthworm).