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1/87 Scale
Originally, the layout was illuminated with 75 watt incandescent bulbs. Over time, more energy-efficient bulbs were tried, but the lighting remained uneven and tough on the eyes. Finally, a solution was presented, using 3w LED bulbs housed in used cat food cans. The illumination is now consistent and yet does not strain eyesight when viewed for long periods.
1/8 Scale
I've always have liked Steam Engines and wanted to own on in 7.5 gauge. A new on was way out of my price range so I needed to build one. I located one that needed allot of work. I decided to take on the challenge to rebuild it. This is how it's going and where it has been.
In Howard yard I have a narrow area to put in some side tracks to run some cars into to make the area more interesting to work. So I designed a building that would take three cars on one side and two cars on the other. This turned into a Z building that when using plastic kits ended up being 2 inches wide. Each of the sides ended up 8 inches long.
One of the main curves of the layout had a switch at either end of the single track which no one could keep straight, resulting in head-on collisions and derailments. The fix was to hand-lay and install a Gauntlet at that spot. This is how it went.
I needed to go from one height to another in a small area. The way to do this is to run the track back and forth on the wall or fold it over its self. The track is at a 2.3 % grade with the height between the decks at 4 inches in height. It took some planning to get the front tracks to clear the rear tracks going down the grade. Each on of the sections had to be leveled and set to 2.3 % grade.
I needed to go from one height to another in a small area. The way to do this is to run the track back and forth on the wall or fold it over its self. The track is at a 2.3 % grade with the height between the decks at 4 inches in height. It took some planning to get the front tracks to clear the rear tracks going down the grade. Each on of the sections had to be leveled and set to 2.3 % grade.
Glad we were able to make a trip to Florida for the Florida Live Steamers Winter Fest.
What do I do now? I was asked if I could build some more riding cars. One that was half gondola and flat car. Well I started to work on a blue print of the car. Went and picked up some steel and started welding. Cut up the metal and put the rivets on the […]
I have built flat cars in the past. Second car I built on the left. A problem came up that it is hard to ride on a bench seat for any length of time. I have worked on building a car that can carry more than one person. Here I go… The […]
OK so it’s the end of summer and the temp is slowly going down. That means it’s time to start building again. I like my fish belly car so what about building more? Started with Two and it grew to Five cars. Three = 6 footers and two = 4 footers. Went and welded stake […]
After twelve years of having many operation sessions on the KK&L Railroad, the knobs on the Digitrax controllers have ether broken off, or the train will not stop when the knob is turned off. The Potentiometers are plastic that are in the controllers. I’m going to replace them. Click on any photo to enlarge it. […]
Now that the fall is setting in. I have new projects to work on. I have picked up a new tool and built a cart to hold it. I will be building a new set of riding cars with different options. First I have to build a table. I have already started on two cars […]
The Concord Area Model Railroad Club has started up with some meetings. The Club has been asked to go to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in May. So Keep in touch with the group.
Just a update to the ones that check in. The railroad is back up and running. The track is in the cleaning and repairs to get it back to running status. In 2020 the time’s have been cancelled / postponed as a result of the COVID-19 virus and resulting quarantines. There will be several Operation […]
Went to Florida to run trains. Was told that the seats were too high. Picked up some lower mounts. Stayed at home for my health. Worked on a tank car to pass the time. Worked on a boxcar to lube the trucks. Started going out riding on the train. Did some ballasting on the main. […]
Looking for something to do I took on a project to build while staying at home in April / May of 2020. I started by repairing a frame and building straps to hold the tank to the frame. Put the ends on the to check out the fit. Added some detail to the dome. […]
After the Winter comes Winter Fest in Florida Started from the house. Added Wayne’s to the trailer. Moved every thing over the axles and covered it all. The weather was calling for SNOW in North Carolina. Started at Ridge live steamers with a temp of 76 degrees. Great bridges to cross over. Orange trees to […]
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