KCS Holiday Express

Posted on Friday, December 5, 2014 by Jack Shall

Last Friday I went over to Baton Rouge with my daughter and her family to visit the Kansas City Southern Railroad’s Holiday Express train.

This is really a fun train to see for both kids and adults. My three grand kids enjoyed the spectacle despite the extremely long wait in line to go inside the train. But it was worth the wait. There are two cabooses and a boxcar (the reindeer stable) that are heavily decorated inside with just about anything you can think of with a Christmas theme: colorful lights and ornaments, Santa Clauses, winter scenes, holiday villages, two O scale and one HO scale train layouts (lots of fun to watch), Christmas trees, and just way too many other things to list here.

Outside the train sits Santa Claus. And while waiting in line to see Santa, one can enjoy the large scale model train running around the flat car that displays the huge lit-up Santa sleigh and the reindeer.

My oldest grand daughter is nearly twelve now and is in that grey area of belief vs. disbelief in Santa. Well, ‘ole St. Nick would not hear of it. He sensed her hesitation and whispered something in her ear. Later we asked what he told her.

“When you quit believing, you start getting socks and underwear for Christmas.”

-Jack

Sunset Over the C&O

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by Jack Shall

Yesterday many friends and I attended what was to be the final operating session on the late Lou Schultz’s Chesapeake and Ohio, Alleghany Subdivision layout. We had a nice attendance, and the session went pretty well I think, with just about all the trains on the schedule having been run. I felt comfortable being there running my favorite train, #147 on the Greenbrier Subdivision branch, but at the same time I felt an emptiness, with Lou and our other friends Bill Williams and Shawn Levy, not being present at the session. A special “funeral” train was run near the end, essentially a World War II troop and military equipment train, with a nice open-end observation car on the rear.

This was the third and final session that we’ve had on Lou’s layout since he passed away. Lou’s wife, Dee, has been so gracious to allow us these last few opportunities to get together and celebrate the friendship and camaraderie that we shared in Lou’s attic.

Repeating (and paraphrasing) the ending of our first session: …back home, Wayne Robichaux and I analyzed the session and stopped to partake of a meal at the Lagniappe Restaurant in Denham Springs. What a way to spend and end the day . . . a fine day indeed!

-Jack

National Model Railroad Month

Posted on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 by Jack Shall

It’s that time of the year. November just kind of snuck up on me this year. Art Houston sent out an email announcement the other day with a list of all the model railroad events scheduled for the Southeast Louisiana area during this month. I was surprised at how much activity is planned. Just a couple weeks ago we had a nice event with the open house of the club up in Jackson, Louisiana. There are one or two events scheduled each weekend for the rest of this month. A couple of the clubs have open houses scheduled, and several private layouts will be open to guests. The only thing missing is a regional show with both portable layouts and droves of vendors peddling their wares (sorely missing in this neck of the woods). While I won’t be able to make everything, I plan to attend at least a few events.

Layout progress has slowed a bit over the last two or three weekends as I’ve had a number of diversions. Aside from the distraction provided by the new Heisler, I attended the open house in Jackson (mentioned above), and last weekend I went down to New Orleans for the fly-in and exposition at the Lakefront Airport. It was hosted by the WWII Museum in New Orleans, with aircraft provided by the Commemorative Air Force. Among the aircraft displayed were a B-29 Superfortress (Fifi), a LB30 Liberator (freighter version of a B-24), a B-17 Flying Fortress, and a B-25 Mitchell. Several P-51 Mustang fighters were in attendance, along with an SB2C Helldiver, a C-45 Expeditor transport, and some trainers: an SNJ and a PT-17 Stearman. Most of the aircraft were making occasional forays into the sky with passengers (for a tidy sum). What does this have to do with model railroading? Perhaps nothing, but if I didn’t have my trains, I’d probably be an airport bum, especially when it comes to chasing old war birds. I just like ’em.

There has been some progress on the layout though. I’ve gotten a bit more track down, done some more wiring beneath the layout, and assistant Wayne and I cut out a whole bunch of Masonite hardboard fascia panels. I’m close to needing fascia installed so that I can start building and installing panels and controls. And I even hosted a small operating session (with only me in attendance) this past Sunday. There is just enough track laid at Monterey that I was able to do some switching.

I love this time of year!

-Jack

Those Optical Detectors

Posted on Monday, June 9, 2014 by Jack Shall

There are six hidden staging tracks serving the Louisiana Central. Since the tracks are concealed from normal viewing, I decided to use optical detectors at each track to determine occupancy and the locations of trains. Typically each track has two or three detectors near its end, and one at the entrance marking the fouling point.

Two of those staging tracks are in Monterey, one each for the IC and the T&P. This weekend I completed the wiring for the photo-transistors and infrared (IR) LEDs, and their connections to the circuit board serving this area. The fascia panel with the indicators isn’t built yet, so I soldered a couple leads to a red LED indicator and temporarily jumped it across the various output terminals for testing. I’m happy to report that all the detectors worked perfectly without a single adjustment necessary. This is somewhat a milestone in the electrical/electronics portion of the layout construction. There are two more circuit boards over at the Willis side to handle the rest of the staging tracks. I’ve got most of the photo-transistors already wired, but I need to get all the IR LEDs installed. Benchwork for the Spencer logging operation can’t proceed until that work is done as most of the staging track is below that, and I want the system complete and operational before starting this new benchwork.

I had a busy weekend working on the layout. In addition to the above, Wayne and I got the remainder of the sub-roadbed installed in East Monterey (not an official designation). This area is around the corner from Monterey itself and will support the mainline entering town as well as a couple businesses.

I also got some roadbed laid near the end of the Monterey yard and I took care of a half dozen little tasks that I’d been putting off. Overall, a good weekend.

Finally, my scheduled visit by a guest from Florida was cancelled due to some family health issues, but I got a semi-surprise visit instead from a co-worker, Van Thomas. Van has been hearing about my construction for the past couple years and he decided to come over to see what this was all about first hand. I think he enjoyed the visit, despite the hot and heavy construction going on during his stay.

-Jack

Monterey Yard Sub-roadbed Complete (and other things)

Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 by Jack Shall

Things have been pretty busy around the Louisiana Central these past weeks. Since completing the lift-up access section a few weeks ago, I’ve gotten the remainder of the sub-roadbed down for the yard at Monterey. This completes the benchwork along the east wall of the building and represents about three-fifths of the total area of layout. The west wall and the second of the two peninsulas will not have so much “table top” sub-roadbed, but will be heavy in the single track variety as this is where much of the mainline is located.

This past weekend, Wayne and I mocked up the Spencer Lumber Company’s line up into the woods. This is the trackage that will be over (and will conceal) the three track staging yard along the west wall of the layout. I’ve had concerns over the accessibility of these tracks since the day I started construction. The track will be reachable from below the benchwork, but not easily visible. I’m hoping that the crude mock-up we’ve erected will enable me to study the concept satisfactorily, and to make the decision to go with it or not.

Next weekend I’m expecting a visit from a fellow hobbyist from Florida. I had planned to clean and straighten up around the layout in anticipation of his visit, however, lack of time will likely kill that plan…hope he understands. I also need to take some time to visit the library that is currently hosting an exhibition of photographs taken by local photographer Forrest Becht. Forrest takes images of many things, but railroads are his specialty and I always enjoy viewing his work.

There’s a fellow up in Canada, Trevor Marshall, that is building an S scale pike based on a Canadian National branchline set back in the 1950s. I believe I’ve mentioned him before in this blog. Anyway, Trevor maintains a blog chronicling the construction and operation of his mini-empire, along with other little tidbits about what’s going on in his world. I really admire Trevor’s approach to the hobby and many of the things he does to model the CN branch and to enhance his operations. I also enjoy his writing style and the variety of topics he rambles about. If you’d like to give his blog a look-see, you’ll find it here: Port Rowan in S Scale. To quote Trevor, “Enjoy if you visit“.

-Jack

A Visit to the Narrow Gauge

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2014 by Jack Shall

This past weekend Wayne Robichaux and I paid a visit to a friend, Bob McNeese, to pick up some Homasote left-overs that he had from his nearly finished layout. While there, Bob gave us a tour of his pike and I must say, it is something to behold.

It’s in Sn3 scale and is generally based on the former Rio Grande’s narrow gauge operation in the New Mexico/Colorado area. The layout has a couple small yards, and silver mines abound. The structures are superb, the layout’s level of detail is quite high and the scenery is spectacular. There was simply no way to take it all in with just one visit and I’ve already told Bob that I need to visit again to continue my observation.

The proponents of S scale often tout the fact that it is the “ideal” scale, and I have to agree. I love the size with respect to actually being able to see the finest details, yet still small enough to get a decent sized layout in a modest space. If I didn’t have 50 years worth of HO collected and was just getting started, I’d have to give S scale some serious consideration.

On the Louisiana Central, a modest amount of work has been accomplished since my last post. The framing around the lift-up access hatch is done and the drawer slides are installed. I need a couple more hours to complete the framing required on the hatch section itself to connect it to the drawer slides.

I’ve completed the short run of sub-roadbed needed to tie the Texas and Pacific trackage from staging, into the main sub-roadbed at Monterey. I’ve extended the T&P track from staging onto the visible portion of the layout, just shy of the yard.

And I’ve advanced the track into Maynard a bit. I’ve been preparing the two switches that will be required there, and should have those installed shortly. Further progression of the mainline will be a bit down the road. I want to start work on the Spencer Lumber Company’s trackage into the woods and the reload point before putting in the LC trackage. This is because the LC track will be in the foreground and I prefer working from the wall out toward the aisle. Hence, the logging line needs to be first up.

Stay tuned…

-Jack

Maybe the Sun Hasn’t Set

Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2014 by Jack Shall

Maybe the sun hasn’t set over Lou Schultz’s Chesapeake and Ohio layout just yet. Lou’s family has indicated a desire to see the layout live on and has extended an invitation for Lou’s operating group to conduct further operating sessions. Matt Hardey has taken the bull by the horns, along with several others and the “exploratory committee” sat down together this past Saturday at DiMartino’s Restaurant in Covington for a fine meal and to do some planning for the session. Present were Matt, Mike Walsdorf, Sam Urrate, Johnny Miranda, Wayne Robichaux and yours truly.

The late Bill Williams, known as the Gestapo among the crew, was the Chief Clerk for Lou. He spent considerable time before each session staging cars and setting up the waybills. Unfortunately, no one else has a full grasp for all that Bill did, so the main topic during the meal was how operations could be simplified and pre-staging eliminated (or at least substantially reduced). Several ideas were presented that were deemed worthy of a trial. The “shake-down” session has been tentatively scheduled for mid May. I, for one, will be tickled to be back up in the attic again. Even though Lou, Bill and Shawn won’t be there in person, I’m sure their spirit will be.

And speaking of that, several of the guys had been to Lou’s house earlier in the week to check things out on the layout. Lou’s wife, Dee, was out puttering around in the back yard. The fellows were down at the far end of the attic when they heard someone trudging up the stairs (wooden stairs lead up to the attic). One of the group shouted out that they were down at the end by Alderson, but no one came forth. Puzzled, one of the guys went to the stairs. No one was there. He went down and found Dee, who said she had been in the yard the entire time. Soooo….who was there (sound of squeaking door in background)?

Maybe I’ll be busy that Saturday……

-Jack

A Great Saturday

Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 by Jack Shall

Yesterday my friend Ron Findley and I attended the annual banquet of the Mississippi Great Southern Chapter of the NRHS. The banquet was in Hattiesburg, MS just a few blocks from the Amtrak depot (former Southern Railroad depot). Hattiesburg enjoys rail service from the Norfolk Southern, Canadian National and the Kansas City Southern railroads, and has a nice railroad heritage.

As usual, the event was excellent, with a really nice crowd of folks. There were a few exhibits and several model railroad vendors peddling their wares. Present was Tony Howe with a nice selection of his art prints (the piece at the top of this blog is by him), and as usual, I couldn’t resist picking up yet another print.

Also as usual, the lunch was tasty and plentiful; barbeque chicken, pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad and rolls, all chased down by sweet iced tea and dessert – a typical Southern dinner. I saw and visited with a number of friends, and also a few that I only see annually (special surprise, Mike Palmieri was there…I hadn’t seen him for ~~several years~~ edit: 7 years). It is splendid seeing friends at these get-togethers!

The real treat after lunch was the presentation by the special guest, Wick Moorman, the chairman and CEO of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He gave a brief bio of his career, then spoke about the Heritage Locomotive program, the new Steam program and a bit about the PTC system that NS and the other railroads are in the process of building. He then opened himself up to a nice question and answer session. It was all very interesting. Wick’s speaking was laid back and entertaining, and he has a nice sense of humor. He is somewhat of a railfan and in one of his side-line anecdotes, he spoke of the time when he got to handle the throttle of the ex-Nickel Plate 765 while traversing the Horseshoe Curve. His words, “How cool is that?“.

I’m already looking forward to next years banquet.

And this Saturday coming we’ll be attending the banquet of the Southeastern Louisiana Chapter of the NRHS. Man, just can’t get enough of this stuff!

-Jack

Train Day at the Library

Posted on Monday, January 13, 2014 by Jack Shall

This upcoming Saturday, January 18th, will see the second annual Train Day at the Library event over in Baton Rouge. The main features of the event are the numerous railroading slide presentations. There will be a number of other displays hosted by a couple local model railroad clubs, the Southeast Louisiana chapter of the NRHS, a few individuals and of course, the Operation Lifesaver display presented by a couple of the railroads in the area. The event will be at the Jones Creek branch of the library, located at 6222 Jones Creek Road in Baton Rouge. The show opens at 10:00 am and runs until about 4:00 pm. Hope to see a few of y’all there!

A bit more progress has ensued on the layout. I have the infrared LEDs installed and wired up at Monterey (these are the light sources for the optical detectors recently installed). The final track bus run for the second booster district has been installed and connected, leaving only the third (and final) booster district to wire. I even got a start on the trackwork at the east end of the Willis yard and hope to continue that next weekend.

As most of you folks reading this know, Lou Schultz is still struggling with his foot issue, along with low oxygen levels. I miss going over to his place for the operating sessions, and seeing him and the other guys in the group. Please keep Lou in your prayers for his recovery.

And finally, there is a fellow up in Canada that is building a nice layout which he calls the Port Rowan. It’s a model of a Canadian National branch line set in the 1050s. Trevor Marshall is his name and he regularly posts updates with photos, along with other trivia to his blog. I admire his modeling skills and find his blog entertaining, so I thought I’d pass along the link: Port Rowan in S Scale . Give it a look.

-Jack