To start with I should explain I started this thread a few days ago just before the 'Database' crash and it just disappeared. Anyway After 15 years on the European exhibition circuit it is time for Cuyahoga to be recycled. My, Z Scale, Nickel Plate Railroad layout based on the Cuyahoga Flats are of Cleveland has seen a lot of action and won many awards but hasn't been out for a while now. The layout shed is full and with the pressing need to get Tapton Junction started ( Booked for shows already, sight unseen) something has to go. Shasta maked it farewell retirement tour this year as well but will be kept just because it is so much fun to set up and run the long double stacks and Intermodals on when I'm in the mood So.. Cuyahoga made it debut at Zedex 2008 at Northampton in a very primitive form Crap pictures from an early, and useless digital camera The harbour was in, as was the Roundhouse and boiler house based on the NKP's facility at Calumet Where the carraige shed and coaling station was to go was filled with a most un-prototypic Container port The grain silo and W&LE Icehouse were complete Colin helped run it and was astounded at how well the AZL GP7s ran Move forward a few years and the depot was looking a lot better. The high level track and buildings made a good background I was steadily collecting the right era U.S automobiles from people like Tom Phalen, Randy Brown and Csikape and steadily assembling a fleet of NKP Steam, Geeps and freight cars So with a two track main line and the dock line there was always something moving although the reliability of some of the Peter Wright turnouts was a bit questionable Long before an RTR one was available the Hallmark PA1s with their modded MTL GP35 chassis were always a treat to run I'll post this now and see it it loads up O.K More soon Kev
Z track magazine and Continental modeller magazine both did big spreads on it and it features a lot on my youtube channel. I used it a lot when doing reviews on new Z scale products, so many people worldwide will have seen it just not in the flesh. It reached its apogee at Accrington MREX when we finally displayed it connected to Republic Steel. Stunning to see but what a lot of hard work was involved. In effect we had the three main lines running on Cuyahoga, The two mainlines on Republic and. we were switching iron ore jennies and coke hoppers from the high line at the back of the ironworks onto the elevated track on Cuyahoga Too much work really The two control panels and the Marklin powerpack at the rear of the two layouts. The panel for Cuyahoga had to be quite big to fit the switchgear for the Roundhouse NKP Geeps to the fore A scene never to be repeated Trains on both layouts passing More soon Kev
Way back in 2008 And running with Republic Steel at Accrington It has had a reprieve for now. Laid up with an ankle broken in two places I can only get out to the workshop for a short preriod of time and I am filling my time remastering my Thai Railways videos from the early 2000s and finishing some half built Thai Railways metre gauge rolling stock in 1nM ( Gauge 1 running on 0 scale track) in the upstairs office. basically scratchbuilt polystyrene bodies on ABS underframes Can't get much further away from Z than these big beasts. To give you an idea, the Japanese steam locos in the background are 0 scale Kev
Wow Kev, it's been a good long run, and it's kinda sad to see retire, but I understand. I gave away my old show modules in favor of building new smaller ones, so I understand that all things must pass. And now we get to look forward to your new Tapton Junction layout. Please share your progress with us.
Kev I always liked that layout. I think what always got me was how well you captured the look. I grew up close to nickel plate line so it was something I was familiar with. But I am looking forward to your new project.
I’m with you, Kev. You opened a lot of eyes of little future rail modelers and at your home. At the end of this month, I will be retiring several of my modules that are just too bulky heavy and needs a rental truck now. Rob knows them well They will be recycled and various parts of the home layout to build yet and some of them will still go to shows as they are smaller, lighter modules, plus a couple new additional ones to keep Z scale spirits up at the train shows while finally joy at home
Thanks Jeff I let young Brooklyn have one last run with it, He has never seen it run in his young Life, He grew up with Shasta really. So,Guess what?, Completely unprompted, he went into the drawers and pulled out all the NKP geeps although he did run them with some modern AZL Gondolas and tank cars I reckon if I get the buildings off intact I should be able to sell the structures. I think the Roundhouse and turntable would appeal to a lot of modellers The boats can be re-used on Port Shaughty. In fact some have already been fitted with working cabin and Navigation lights. But I understand ,all too well, your comment about weight. My recent layouts have all been single board modules supported on folding steel trestles. Set up in 60 minutes, Knock down in 40 Taking Shasta out for its retirement tour this year has already 'begged the question' will it fit into the X-trail? Time will tell kev
