While I was out... and Cody too!

Hello again. The summer flew by, as always. So here’s a summary posting of the ferroequinological goodness I’ve been up to these past three months…

In June, we traveled to Illinois to visit family and trains. We visited the Illinois Railway Museum during their celebration of the Railroad Post Office (RPO). My son Wesley got to experience a real, running steam locomotive for the first time, as we were happy to see that SLSF decapod #1630 was operational that day. We also got to visit the J Neils Lumber Company shay #5 in steam shop, which was “close” to running as a refit continued (the shay should be fully operational for the 2019 season). Plus, we got to see dozens of other locomotives, rolling stock, and “railroad accessories” at the country’s largest train museum! Wesley also got his first ride on a streetcar (CTA “Red Rocket” #3142), and we got to enjoy the day with my Uncle Bill (another long-time ferroequinologist). When I was young, I was blessed to be able to go to IRM frequently, but it’s a bit harder when one lives 1200 miles away…

Speaking of Uncle Bill, we were able to stay with him and Aunt Dee in the Chicago area. And Wesley got the opportunity to see his great O Gauge layout. While visiting my wife’s relatives north of Chicago, we took a trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens and viewed their substantial outdoor G Scale layout. I had never been there before and was delighted by the dozen trains they were running simultaneously through a landscape of American landmarks. We all had a great time experiencing the mesh of gardening and model railroading!

Back home, and after cleaning up the “wreck of the wreckers”, I switched the layout to an all-Lionel-Post-War-steam roster. The planned roster never actually ran, but here it is anyway:

Track 1: #2034 2-4-2 steam with LL searchlight, NYC gondola, LV hopper and a LL SP-style caboose

Track 2: #2037 2-6-4 steam with 6 6464-series boxcars and a LL bay window caboose

Track 3: #2035 2-6-4 steam with a set of silver O27 streamlined passenger cars

Track 4 #671 6-8-6 steam with remaining O27 Post-War freight cars and a work caboose

Right off the bat, there were a few setbacks. #2037, while a reliable runner, doesn’t have the strength to pull itself and 7 freight cars. Also, #2035 wouldn’t advance more than a couple wheel revolutions. It would reverse for a few inches, but after a bit of cleaning and troubleshooting I couldn’t get it running, so I took it out of service. Then, some tests of the turbine (#671) proved that it was in a rather cantankerous mood. First, the whistle mechanism got stuck in the “on” position. Then, it started giving me intermittent electrical problems, causing trains on other tracks to malfunction, due to their connection through the transformer. And finally, the thing looks and sounds like a fireworks display when operating, with its thunderous grinding sounds and constant under-chassis sparking. So 671 was put out of service too.

The eventual roster that actually went into service, keeping to the “spirit” of all-steam Post-War running, was:

Track 1: #2034 2-4-2 steam with LL searchlight, NYC gondola, LV hopper and a LL SP-style caboose

Track 2: #2037 2-6-4 steam with 3 6464-series boxcars and a LL bay window caboose

Track 3: modern Lionel Illinois Central 2-6-4 steam with a variety of O27 Post-War rolling stock and a work caboose

Track 4 Union Pacific #2023 FA diesel and the other 3 6464-series boxcars and a LL SP-style caboose

This roster ran well for a few months, and then I encountered more steam trouble. Both #2034 and the IC steamer went offline. Diesel 2023 moved to Track 1 and the MTH NP 0-6-0 steamer took over Track 4 (note that the NP still does not output any sounds).

Back in the real world, I got a picture of a freight train at sunset in Big Timber, MT, with the Crazy Mountains in the background.

And, since it’s been so long since the last update, I’ve changed the roster a second time! The current roster, through the end of October 2018, is “Passenger trains”:

Track 1: Trolley

Track 2: CSS Interurbans

Track 3: RI E7A and partial Rocky Mountain Rocket

Track 4 CBQ E8AA and the Bozeman Zephyr

This setup is far less problematic than the previous one. The major issue is that running 18” cars (and really long locomotives) on Track 3 is always a poor idea, as they end up bumping into trains on both Track 2 and Track 4. So, the short Rocky Mountain Rocket only got to run when Track 2 and Track 4 trains were parked in safe places.

Oh yes, we had another baby too. He decided to come a little early. At home. With just my wife and I in attendance. So guess who got to deliver Cody? The ferroequinologist, that’s who. Everybody is healthy and the 4 of us are adjusting to each other, and Cody enjoys watching the trains run J Special addition!

We've kept our tradition of giving our boys middle names that are also steam locomotive classes. Wesley Hudson, and now Cody Selkirk. Selkirk is a Canadian 2-10-4. Why Canadian? Well, my bride and I were married in Canada, and Cody happened to arrive on our anniversary! Plus, "Cody" means "helper", and thus his name can be translated "helper locomotive".

Take care and keep those rails shiny til next time!

Wesley and the 1630

Happy day at IRM

Wesley and Uncle Bill detrain the Red Rocket

Two Hudsons: CBQ 3007 and Wesley

Wesley and Shay #5, both asleep

Wesley and I marvel at Uncle Bill's train layout

At the botanical gardens, a Santa Fe loco meanders between Old Faithful and Old Faithful Inn

The botanical garden layout is impressive; I could easily spend a few hours there!

Back in MT, we have the Post-War consists

Big Timber sunset on Sept 7th, 2018

Night time passenger trains

Myself and my boy, Cody Selkirk

Wesley, Cody and I watching trains downstairs

Cody and his boxcar

So blessed to have these two unique cars in my collection

The Wreck of the Wreckers

Now, I can say that ole’ Mark ran a safe railroad, and he’d actually be the first to say it, modest as he is, but he would have been right until that first week of June. Sure, a derailment here and there when testing rolling stock, or when dealing with that pesky crossover at Granite Junction, but all-in-all his trains stayed on the track. But that all changed last Tuesday night.

We all knew it was a month for them maintenance trains. (I think ole’ Mark was showcasing them, for what reason, who could guess?). But all them cranes and searchlights and whatnot were taking precedence over our revenue makers, and I for one was tired of taking the siding so often. The week before, ole’ Mark was showing off that fancy CNW boom, but he noted that the cab would swivel a bit too eagerly, and told the hogger on that Geep to keep it slow on the curves. Well, telling Macky Fergurson not to go fast is like telling a fish not to swim.

So that brings us to Tuesday. Macky was taking the CNW MOW around the yard on Track 3, the construction crew train was stopped on Track 2 awaiting orders, and Sven and Rudy were incessantly piloting that handcar on Track 4. Ole’ Mark was in the tower, but busy working on some 100-year old documents. The stage was set.

Macky broke into the southeast curve and that boom shifted outward. First it knocked over the fuel tank at the substation, causing it to be dragged and then land right on Track 4. Then the back of the crane cab hit the rear of the construction train, ramming the caboose and plowing that tie car off the track. The impact forced the crane off the track and into a downward angle. Then along came those ninnies in their handcar, and managed to get stuck on the crane’s hook.

So we called in a wrecker crew to right the wreckers. The Geep and construction trains were righted and chuffed out to the engine house on their own power. Sadly, Sven and Rudy’s beloved handcar may have had its last pump. The 671, anxious for its own turn to shine on Track 4 next month, was called in to push the handcar back to the engine house, and that may have been Handcar #1’s last trip on the silver streets. But ole’ Mark isn’t one to give up easily – having a place for us to pilot these steamers, tin cans and dingers is proof of that.

Keep those rails shiny for good ole’ Sven and Rudy

The 6-6 disaster from the south

The two-crane wreck, seen from Granite Junction

The comparatively gigantic, 70-year old steam turbine preps to push the handcar (perhaps) on its last voyage

Addendum: The above-described wreck was NOT intentional, it was a real accident, and one that warranted its own posting, because the results were spectacular, and I could not have "engineered" such a set up myself. I never ever condone crashing model trains intentionally. (Or full-size trains, for that matter.) The two MOW trains survived unblemished, but the handcar has major electrical and/or mechanical problems to resolve.

Maintenance of May

After over a year I was able, a little at a time, to switch out the roster, with my 17mo toddler's help/"help". He is still enamored with all things trains.

Here are some notes on the Maintenance of Way (MOW) roster: This is the first time I've put together a MOW theme.

The Postwar MOW train on Track 1 is extremely reliable, except for occasional derailment of the last two cars at the 45-degree crossover. I haven't recognized anything specific that needs to change to prevent this situation. The UP locomotive continues to be one of the best runners in the fleet, at 68 years young. The searchlight car, with repairs made previously, functions correctly and dramatically (especially in the dark). The locomotive and cars were all manufactured by Lionel in the 1940’s – 1950’s. Union Pacific FA A unit #2023, Lionel Lines searchlight car #3620, New York Central gondola #6462, Leigh Valley hopper #6456, and Southern Pacific caboose #6357.

The SFTA MOW train, which had to be moved from Track 3 to Track 2 to accommodate the scale CNW crane's boom length (see below), is right at home on this O-31 track. Being an entry-level K-Line set, the NW2 locomotive has a couple challenges - 1) While scale in proportions, it's decks are oversized and will impact trains on Track 3 while traversing curves, and 2) it doesn't have a "slow" speed - it goes from still to fast with nothing in between, and it will go even faster still. I can work with this, but it does mean I shouldn't run trains on Track 3 while this one is running on Track 2, and I shouldn't run it if I'm trying to calm myself or anybody down! “SFTA” is an abbreviation for Silver Falls Transit Authority, which in this case is leasing equipment from the Trackside Construction Company. NW2 #104, unnumbered rail transport car, unnumbered I-beam transport car, gondola carrying railroad ties #5630, and unnumbered crane car/caboose.

The CNW MOW train looks very sharp, and is truly O scale in proportions. However, this means that the crane boom, which extends 7.5 inches beyond the car's deck, sticks out quite a ways on corners. With the large hooks and equipment that hang from the boom, this would cause considerable damage to any trains operating on the next track. Originally, this train was scheduled to run on Track 2, but it would have obliterated the SFTA train which was planned to run on Track 3, so I swapped the two trains. My choice of equipment for Track 4 also made this an easy decision. Anyway, the CNW train runs at a slower pace, and I've turned the locomotive around to run backwards, which is prototypical. The cab (and thus, the engineer) is closer to the crane operation, and that provides better line-of-sight to maintenance work. I've observed various MRL work trains operating in a similar fashion, with REAL GP7s and GP9s, albeit with trimmed front hoods :) Lionel CNW GP7 #1518, MTH CNW crane #6359, and matching MTH crane tender #X250948.

And the trusty handcar makes its long way around Track 4. This handcar was built by Industrial Rail and is unnumbered.

As part of the changing of rosters, I entered or completed inventory records for all participating equipment. At this point, 72% of the fleet has been inventoried. Enjoy National Train Day this Saturday, and keep those rails shiny!

Postwar MOW train

SFTA MOW train

Long CNW crane boom

CNW MOW train

Handcar

Getting ready for some MOWing

Hey there, looks like it is about time to start MOWing... no, not grass mowing... stay tuned!

Sort of Spring

In the past week, we had our first visitor in a long while to the train room. My friend and follow model railroader, Darren, from Butte paid a visit. The current roster has been up for about a year, so a roster switch is coming soon!

Meanwhile, Spring will finally come to Montana... maybe?

Horizon of Spring

Hello railroaders ~
No development or purchases for the model railroad since I last checked in, but happy to say that my son (15 months old) and I are equally transfixed by steam locomotives. We will spend hours watching a collection of locomotive footage on DVD, with the narration silenced, so the only sounds projected are the sounds of live steam! I'm hoping to show him a running steamer up close later this year - we'll see if we can make it happen!

Here is the collection of videos we've been watching:
https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Trains-Through-Seasons-na/dp/B00GWZ5BD8

Until next time, keep those rails shiny!

CNW Days

A merry welcome to May ~

In the past month, I've put away the Through-lines roster and set up the CNW roster. I also partially resolved an issue with locomotive sound problems on Track 4. A minor brake wheel repair was also performed on the CNW piggyback flatcar.

So, here's the new CNW roster!

On Track 1, we see the reliable CNW 0-8-0 switcher pulling a couple ATSF cars. The orders were to transport a boxcar full of dynamite to the Midnight Gold Mine at Juniper Peak. However, the engineer didn't want to make the trip with just his tender between him and a few tons of explosives, so he got permission to cut in the hopper car as a spacer! The locomotive was made by MTH and the rolling stock are K-Line productions. Occasionally, the tender coupler was opening when entering the 45 degree crossover track from the northeast, which sometimes resulted in a crash and derailment. This issue has been temporarily resolved with some electrical tape to keep the coupler closed, and no damage has been reported.

On Track 2, the CNW Doodlebugs are making another appearance. For the next month or so, the 'bugs will be running folks and supplies between Red Stone and Juniper Peak. The little unit train runs very smoothly, and I think the directional lighting is nifty.

On Track 3, the mighty and massive CNW Fairbanks Morse Train Master locomotive is hauling a mostly-coal train. Coal prices are up, and so is production at the Peacock Coal Mine deep in the Roosevelt Mountains. They needed a strong motive unit to pull this load through the foothills and into Silver Falls for distribution. From a prototypical viewpoint, the Train Master is the most powerful single-unit diesel locomotive in the current fleet, being slightly stronger than a single E8 unit. (As of this entry, I believe the prototypically strongest locomotive I have is the GG1.) With two motors, the actual model is pretty powerful too. Built in 1980 by Lionel, this loco has a nice growling sound when running, making a sound system unnecessary! This locomotive does have one prototypical flaw, in that the real CNW never operated a Train Master, but the paint scheme is sharp and it’s a fun loco to operate! Behind the engine are three hoppers filled with coal: an MTH GN, and MTH CNW, and a K-Line NP. After that is a Williams CNW covered hopper and another MTH CNW hopper, both empty for this trip. Then there's the 4-truck Yule Marble Co #6 flatcar, carrying a big chunk of marble to be used in a monument in Silver Falls. And, the train is completed by an MTH CNW woodside caboose. This might be the first time the caboose is being run separately from its original freight set. It's been slightly troublesome, in that its coupler kept opening on the northeast corner of the loop, but some electrical tape fixed that right up. No damage reported.

On Track 4, the Minneapolis and Black Hills Express (M&BHX) is being pulled by the CNW class E-4 Hudson. The M&BHX has been led by various locomotives in the past, but this is its first pairing with #4008. There are many happy vacationers on board, heading from the Twin Cities to visit Mount Rushmore, Custer, and the surrounding attractions. The steam engine was made by MTH and the 5 passenger cars (REA baggage, "Chicago" coach, "Minneapolis" coach, "Milwaukee" coach, and "Kansas City" observation) were made by Frank's Roundhouse.

As with the PRR GG1 in the Through-lines roster, the Hudson had sound system issues when running on Track 4. After more troubleshooting, I figured out that the problem was with the wired remote control assigned to the track coming from the MRC transformer. I swapped the remote with the Track 2 remote, and the sound issues went away. The Doodlebugs on Track 2 are not experiencing any sound issues, but their sound system is much less complicated compared to the Hudson.

Now on to the pics and video! Keep those rails shiny ~

CNW switcher #65 hauls some coal and dynamite on Track 1

The CNW Doodlebugs squeeze between the freight trains

The Train Master and the Kansas City

Colorful hoppers

The CNW covered Hudson waits while passengers board the M&BHX

The M&BHX