Jamie - Looks as though you're putting together quite a track plan. The sequence of towns seems to be just about right-on. It's been so many years since I was in that neck of the woods and I remember the trains a lot better than the trackwork, or even the sequence of towns. A question is on your Hamlet yard LDE, is that going to be a hump-yard? That would have to be a first for N-scale. Regardless, 'til 1954 it was a flat yard and it's main function either way was handling traffic from 5 divergent directions. And another thought occurred to me is that if you model Bowater's traffic from SAL days, you're going to need a lot of those grey painted SAL box cars that were fitted with vents for handling pulp. While almost every through train on the EC line had at least one or two such cars, the "mother-lode" for such was that Bowaters plant. My understanding is that SAL bought the cars primarily for Bowaters 'tho I'm certain they saw other uses.
I think that Ed Kapuscinski built a module of a hump yard I belive, and his retarders were a fan. Pretty smart actually.
It's official: the CSX Dixie Line layout is no more! I have switched locales and eras, now concentrating on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad through the Carolinas during 1966 on my new Seaboard 1966 layout. Of course, the old layout hasn't really gone anywhere. In fact, aside from rebuilding a short section of track that I had already laid, everything else remains unchanged. I will even still be running modern CSX equipment as well, even though the new layout name suggests otherwise. This will be a dual era layout: SAL of 1966 and CSX of today. The only reason the older era gets the publicity in the layout name is because I figure it will be a lot easier running modern trains on a layout designed for an earlier era rather than the other way around. Sure some compromises will need to be made (as always), but I am all geared up to basically have two layouts--separated only by time--in the same space where I previously had one. Now the question I have is this: do I keep this thread going or do I start a new one? Should I just change the original title? Jamie
In doing my research for my layout, I know exactly how you feel! It's easy to have another interest pop up thats gets the fire burning. I have been thinking of doing something similar to what you describe, that is one layout, that can be used for different eras. Autos can be switched on the layout easily, and I have even been throwing the idea around of different buildings that can be removed/replaced, or doing two buildings of the same thing at different times in it's history. The possibilities go on and on.........
I'd ask an admin to change the title rather than start a new thread. Like you said, you're keeping practically everything except the title anyways, and this thread has a lot of stuff invested in it already.
Wow Jamie, what a surprise! Cool! I also understand the multiple era thing, it's always nagging at me. So are you going to keep your old blog going or is that done with? And what about all that concrete tie track you have! Time for a sale? Mike
Jamie - Congratulations and welcome to the real dark "dark" side of model railroading. Well, not so much the CSX, but - Seaboard 1966 in N scale! Joining the ACL/SAL Historical Society was a very smart move and will open up a lot of resources for the railroad and era. You'll not only be able to model the "Silver Comet" but also #3 and #4, the mail and express from Washington to Atlanta, my second favorite SAL passenger train. Sorry, just can't shake that "Boll Weevil" thing. And you say that you like auto rack traffic. I know that Ford had a big plant in Atlanta that, as far as I know, shipped cars and trucks all over the south east, but I'm not certain when it was first built. And possibly before that it seems that Ford also had an assembley plant in the Norfolk/Portsmouth area which accounted for the cuts of south-bound auto racks in TT-23. And while I have t/t's from the Virginia and Carolina divisions, can't say the same for the Georgia. However, using the "Q & A" section on the ACL/SAL HS will probably open that vista up for you. And, while the ACL/SAL HS has done a tremendous job of lobbying the manufacturers to produce models of our favorite road(s), I do, on occasion, petition them myself whenever I see a possibility. After all, who woulda thunk three months ago about Seaboard "Centipedes" in two numbers no less.
Jamie it sounds like you have things well under hand and I'm sure you will be more satisfied going this direction. I, too, know the feeling. I have taken up an interest in the L & N again and am going to model the Henderson Sub in the late 60's to early 70's. Fortunately all of the benchwork I had started wasn't much and just need to modify my benchwork plans a little. Still working on the plan though before I start. Keep up the good work and posting of the progress.
Greetings! I have truly enjoyed watching the progress of this layout. Has a new thread been started to continue telling telling this story and, if so, could someone post a link here so i can continue following it? Thank you! Father William
I admire your skill-set, envy, if you must know. I have read your thread from top to the last entry. Today is 10/08/2009. I am not sure when you started this thread but I have really enjoyed watching your progress and look forward to seeing and reading more. Your dedication to the hobby is to be applauded.
Howdy gang, thanks for the kind words as always! The Seaboard 1966/CSX layout is still going strong, but I am on a major programming project at work trying to get a new release of our software product completed by the first of the year. The only hobby time I have had in the last few months has been throwing a round of disc golf here and there (gotta get some fresh air!). I have lots of ideas bouncing around in my head and hope to get some time soon when I can get the complete track plan on paper. I actually went down to the train room after a month yesterday and threw the master switch and ran a bunch of trains without problem--nice to know that whatever I did for track and wiring seems to be tolerant to climate changes. Jamie
Hi there, Been reading this through the last few days and I was wondering which planning software did you use to draw your layout as its very impressive how its all worked out.
Looking forward to seeing how the layout will progress now that you have settled into the change in area modeled. Still going to miss seeing the W&A come together though.
Wow...I just had the strangest dream: My layout changed from Georgia to the Carolinas, my railraod changed from CSX to Seaboard, and the era changed from modern to 1966! That was a wierd one--I must have inhaled too many diesel fumes while out shooting train videos. Anyway, progress has continued on the CSX Dixie Line layout with the wiring of the remaining track and the final Tortoise in the town of Emerson, GA. Now I can move on to the fascia and (gasp!) scenery in Emerson. Progress pictures to follow in the next few days. Jamie
Update time...finally! I installed the fascia on the lower level in the town of Emerson, GA: As always, detailed info can be found on my blog. Jamie
It's amazing how that fascia changes the whole "feeling" of the layout! Coming nicely, Jamie. Just imagine if you didn't have to work for a living!
Fascia primed and ready for paint as part of the 2nd Annual International Winter Layout Party. I will be painting the fascia the same color as the room walls since I feel this will enhance the "museum effect" I want the layout to convey. I will also paint any exposed benchwork (such as the dropdown gate across the room entrance) using this same color to give a visual cue that these ares are "off stage" and not part of the finished layout scenes. Jamie
