Thanks Dave. I'm still trying to decide if the yard/roundhouse is Sacto or Bay Area. I'm leaning towards the former, since it goes right to the foothills, and I can declare my river to be either the American or Yuba (of course, will look nothing like either). Plus, Old Town Sacramento will allow for old west buildings and not be out of place. Someone asked me the other day about the Santa Fe SD26 and the GP20, and what they were doing in my "era". So, officially, the JACALAR is an excursion railroad, bringing back the joy and romance of travel in California on the premiere named trains, in lovingly restored rolling stock with vintage locomotives. This way, if something modern happens to be on the track - well, so be it.:tb-biggrin:
My First Official Visitor! Mark Watson, Mystere to most of us, came and visited the JACALAR yesterday. We had a grand time, running the CZ and Morning Daylight around. Finally figured out why one of the articulated cars on the MD kept coming uncoupled - the coupler won't close. We started to brainstorm ideas on how to build scenic the underground station, and what to do to hide the tracks, while still allowing the necessary access (for those pesky derailments and uncouplings). A very pleasant visit from a very nice young man (well, at least he was on best behavior). We even fed him dinner.
Yes, I had a great time indeed and got to see all of Rick's progress up close. You are certainly doing an excellent job, Rick. We did experience a glitches or two, but nothing out of our ability to correct. Rick showed me some of his future plans, including the backdrop, mountains, tunnels, and the new course for his river along a winding leg of the track, all while the Morning Daylight sounded off in the background. (I always read great things about the Tsunami sound decoder, but text can't even begin to describe how incredible it sounds) We even got down under the layout to see the wiring setup which is very top notch as well. Overall, Rick looks to be about 90-95% complete with all the grunt work to get the layout completely operational. Moving on to the next step of laying down scenery is within reach (And I can tell Rick can't wait). Once again, THANK YOU for having me over Rick. The invite to dinner and meeting your family made the experience all the more enjoyable as well.
Another visitor! I'm beginning to feel like a celebrity! NorCalNScaler (i.e. Nick), came over last night. He brought his WP Zephyrette RDC, plus his Kato WP F3 801A/B/C. It was great pulling the Zephyr around with the California-correct locos. The F3s now have a new home! That Zephyrette was fun to watch. Two visitors, and the same mistake twice. For both Mark and Nick, after I carefully demonstrate how the lift-out bridge fits in, and connect the track, I forgot to connect the wire-plugs underneath. At least this time, I recognized what I did the moment the train came to a halt, 15 inches from the bridge (I have 12 to 15 inches of track wired through the bus on the bridge, to ensure nothing goes flying off the edge if I'm running without the bridge in place). One weirdness - the system shorted while switching (with no cars near) a #6 turnout. The PSX caught it and restarted nicely, and it didn't repeat, but still looking to see if I have a stray bit of cut wire laying on/near the track/switch. No other reason for that to have occurred.
Rick thank you for your hospitality last night. Had fun. Hope you enjoy the WP F3's. And it was good to see my Zephyrette out stretching her legs.
That was the whole idea, wasn't it? Yes - this is certainly a lot of fun, and I am having the time of my life! Or, maybe instead of a sports car, this is my mid-life crisis spending spree (where is that Ferrari brochure, again?) Whatever, it is a realized dream, at last.
Yes it is. Nothing but fun. You know, I enjoyed raising my family and seeing them off to raise their own families. Most of the jobs I had and the challenges that came with them. I experienced a certain amount of fulfillment and saw my ideas for change or improvement accepted, while others died a hard death. Today, my focus is on my layout, the choirs I sing in, the sound systems I co responsibility for and of course those times the grand kids show up. Priceless! I'm enjoying sitting back and sharing in all the fun we have here. Don't mind me if I add a chuckle or two here and there. I do wish, I had a nice room like yours to place my layout. It is what it is! biggrin:
I admit, that was the breakthrough. If I was forced into a setup/takedown mode (or waiting a few more years until I could take over one of the girls' rooms), I wouldn't be enjoying it quite so much. (The garage is out of the question - we face into the summer winds coming off the bay, with lots of dirt and dust even getting into the garage when the door is closed). Now, how did I get this external room? Well, lets just say that there was an umpity-thousand dollar addition to the house a few years ago, primarily to add on a sewing room, off our 2nd floor bedroom. (It would make a fantastic train room, btw: 10x20, power in the floor, recessed fluorescent lights, but it is not "mine".) So, a little gentle reminding, some pitiful staring with wide brown eyes; strategically placed sighs with mutters of "it sure would be nice to have a place to set these up, permanently".... LOL Will be a while before I get grandkids -- I plan to put the G-scale up, outside and around the train-shed in the yard, when they get on the scene.
Grand kids are wonderful Rick. My four grand daughters love the JJJ&E. And why not, the railroad is named after them (using first initials) . Julie, Jenna, Jillian & Emily. I could also call it the JJJJ&E so my dog Jazz can be included. Oh well, it'll stay the JJJ&E for the time being.
Bob, I know of no better name for a railroad then one named after the grand kids. Rick, Lets see some more pictures of those good looking passenger trains.cute:
I'll get some this weekend, just for you wink: Since I have no grandkids (eldest daughter just turned 22, still in college; younger is 17, senior in high school), the JACALAR is named for wife, them (and me, at the end). Jacquelyn Anne, Cheryl Anne, Laurel Anne & Rick
My shortline is named in the same manner. The TRAYDON shortline is named after my sons and me TRystan, GrAYson, ShelDON
I name places on my layout after people. Here is a thread I started a couple of years ago: How do you honor people in your layout? - TrainBoard.com
There's no better way to name a railroad then in honor of family and friends. Even some of the more provocative model railroad names will have family history built into the name. Not to mention locations, buildings, cities, funeral homes, hospitals and more. Not so far from being prototypical. I named my railroad to remember my family of rails, the Howland Pacific Railroad. Not to unrealistic as there was a shortline somewhere in the South called the Howland Railroad. A bridge line of sorts. Like Grey one I use names of family members to include in-laws. You can name a building, business, location Ie., A rail junction., William's Junction, in honor of all the Williams in the family and etc. It's not meant to be a memorial. I saw enough of that as a mortician and in hospital administration. Just for fun! Now back to our regularly scheduled program and Rick B's Layout. Yep, I can't wait till the weekend.
Machine Shop is ready After a VERY long work day, yesterday (starting with executive-created goat rodeo "urgent" project that necessitated a 5:30am starting teleconference), I decided to end the day with some quiet relaxation, so weathered and assembled the machine shop. Will be installing on the layout today. Photos make the weathering stand out a bit more than in real life. I assembled with the structure separate from the base, allowing me to detail the interior, and maybe add lighting, later. I left the doors off, so that I can pull a loco in. I may still add the rear door, and then just have a dead stub in the back.
Starting to Ballast around the Roundhouse After putting in the last service tracks around the turntable that I plan to install, including the track leading to the new machine shop, I decided to try ballasting. Here's the initial "in progress" pics, where some of the area was actually dried overnight I like this next view -will need to play more with this spot for pictures and different depths of field
Ballast on all roundhouse tracks Got the front of the roundhouse ballasted, then decided that was enough for the day (besides, RickH is waiting impatiently for the next series of photos, which required some actual train running) variations in color are due to glue/water mixture not being completely dry
The California Zephyr, D&RGW to WP Locos Here are some shots of the CZ switching from the D&RGW Alco PA/B/A (6001/6002/6003) consist to the WP F3 801A/B/C consist CZ pulling in, pulled by D&RGW. The WP locos waiting WP pulling up WP hooked up D&RGW pulling into yard
