I’ve mentioned on occasion that the original purpose of this blog was to follow the construction of the Louisiana Central, a 1:87 model railroad that runs between Monterey, Louisiana and Bude, Mississippi. The modeled portion of this line is that from Monterey to Willis, Mississippi. The continuation of the line from Willis to Bude is represented by hidden staging track. (Note that all layout town names are fictitious except for Bude, a real city in Mississippi.)
The majority of trackage between these points is installed and operational. But there are two breaks in the mainline. The first is the connection between Whitcomb and Oneida, both are towns along the line. The other break is between the mainline west, and well out of Oneida, to the terminus at Monterey. Some of this trackage is to be on a four foot lift-up section spanning the entry into the layout room.
The Great Flood of 2016 put a halt to layout construction (you can read about that here, and a follow-up here). For many reasons, I did essentially nothing on the layout itself until earlier this year. This year finally sees the first trackwork being laid in over eight years! And the trackage now in place connects the towns of Whitcomb and Oneida . . . a major goal accomplished.
To celebrate this goal, I took a few minutes to photograph the first train to traverse this new trackage. At exactly 5:09 pm (Central Daylight Savings Time) I recorded this movement midway in its journey.
This trackage is located in an alcove of the room. At right one can see the very western edge of the town of Whitcomb, while on the left the town of Oneida lies just a half dozen feet beyond the view. That switch visible on the left is to the line of the Spencer Lumber Company. Spencer suffered the washout loss of a trestle spanning a river a few years ago. Soon after that the SLC managed to gain trackage rights over a short section of the LC that spans that river. You can see their line diverging, going downgrade through the curve, and then passing beneath the LC at right, where it continues its journey into the woods.
Click on this link if you’re interested in seeing the layout plan.
Jack,
It is so good to see progress on the railroad. The track plan is impressive as well. How did you do the plan? What software did you use?
Matt
Matt, I used AutoCAD to draw the plan. Using this software for work, it was the logical choice for me.
-Jack
WOW Jack,
Great to see all the work done and learning your future plans.
but, I got to say, You got your work cut out for you.
Glad you are using cork road bed. I have never used any thing on my layout or those I helped built.
Since my railroad is a very small switching layout with only (3) man. switches.
I was able to paint RUST on the sides of the brass rails seen to give it the Old look.
Are you going to paint any of your rails “spray” ?
In Houma, We had “2” bridges close to downtown.
One on Main & one on Park. Different kinds.
Both SLOW to open & close.
They have up graded the one on Main st.
Am glad you DO have help on your layout.
The layout of friend Joe took over 6 yrs. for 3 of us to build.
Others came over, but mostly to “Rivet Count’ & drink beer. ; > )
All track was N/S sectional with cork roadbed.
I like you, Have NOT done much on my Railroad, But have built a hole lot of rolling stock.
Do you have any or will be building any early (GAS) filling stations?
I have 2, GULF & ESSO.
I have a pack of early quarter size adhesive round disc signs. If you need any, let me know.
My time period is 1950 – 1975, So Steamers & Diesels run.
Later,
Boudreaux, in most of the work on the layout I’m alone. At times when I must have another set of hands, I have a couple buddies available to drop by and lend a hand. Yes, eventually when I get to the scenery work, I’ll be painting my trackwork. I’ll likely do an over-spray of a dark grayish black, then go back and hand-paint the rail sides with dark rust, and some of the ties with shades of gray and brown. Most of the mainline roadbed is cork, some of it and the passing sidings are using Homabed.
My time period will be 1964, with mostly 1st-gen diesels operating, but possibly a few old steamers. The Spencer Lumber Co. will have a Shay and a Heisler in its operation.
No gas stations (no room), but I’ll have a couple local fuel dealers, one in Monterey, the other in Willis.
-Jack
very nice