ArkLaTex Sub update

I finally got the wiring and block selectors installed, and have been test-running trains on the main line. No spurs yet, but that is my next task.

The spurs will be relaid with ME code 40 track, while the siding in the staging area will be code 80, as is the rest of the track in staging.

For grins & giggles, I laid some ballast & ground foam down to get a general idea of what I want on my layout- weedy-looking track for both the Frisco and MP staging spur, really weedy-looking track in the sidings, and perhaps not-so-weedy in the spurs to the feed mill and paper mill. From initial trials, the track looks about like the secondary lines Frisco had in, say, western Missouri, SE Oklahoma, and western Oklahoma.

One of the things I found out in test-running the engines is that the Baldwin VO1000 doesn't pull too many cars, and may well be the paper mill switcher along with the LL SW8 I bought from Hemi. The MP GP38 pulls & runs very well, which leads me to believe the Frisco GP38s should run well too.

Once I get the battery charged on my digital, I'll take pics and perhaps a video or two of the layout.

 

OK. Sounds like a plan!

Boxcab E50

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAwNr1QuTsc"]YouTube - first run on rebuilt ArkLaTex Sub[/ame]

 

Here's a few pics:



B30-7 866 switching cars while MP GP38 855 waits for the track to clear so it can drop off interchange. (this pic is for Paul Cassar)



Another view of the same locomotives. The Frisco unit is sitting on Code 55 track, while the MP is on code 40. Notice the weediness of the track- since I'm modeling a secondary main, Frisco didn't have some of their secondary track kept in the same condition as their primary lines.



The Frisco line leaving town to the west, curving around behind to staging. I need to go back & paint the sides of the rails. All the sceners is not glued- one swipe of a Dust Devil, and it's gone. I did this to get a rough idea of how I wanted the track to look, down to the vegetaion growing in the ROW.

 

The vegetation plan must indicate this will be a summertime theme.

Boxcab E50

 

Anywhere from mid-April to October- it gets green early and stays green late down this way.

 

Very cool, Bob. Love the weedy tracks!

 

I'm still learning how to shoot close-up pics with this digital camera, so I'm on a learning curve right now. I DID stumble on the manual aperture setting, so once I can get a tripod, I'll try some more close-up modeling shots again.

As for more videos............once I get some more work done, I'll shoot video updates.