Future home of the Northern Pacific and Black Hills Ry.

badlandnp Mar 17, 2013

  1. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    For those of you who heard, or didn't, yes we had a "macro-burst"last Mon evening at 6:45 pm. That's just a fancy word for small tornadoes that bounce around touching down here n there! Thankfully, the Trainshed suffered no damage, tho it may have shifted a bit as the door is a bit tweaked and catches at the top. The rest of the trailer park only suffered downed trees everywhere and broken windows.

    Needless to say, I didn't do much RRing this week. Spent many, many hours moving tree branches and cutting down broken limbs. Staying on the phone with power company for hours, we had power lines down over the top of five trailers and two gas leaks. Went without power and water for three days. Being the manager and such kept me right busy! So this picture is where my work van was parked! Thankfully it was between the shop doors and and the limb to the left! The Trainshed is out of the picture to the left, just beyond the end of the branches! PIC_0419.JPG
     
  2. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Oh wow!! That cottonwood provided awesome shade! Is the tree savable?

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
     
  3. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe. We will see if it survives.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Heard brief mention of this on local TV news yesterday. Seeing the above photo, I am surprised it did not get more coverage. :(
     
  5. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    It also destroyed several buildings nearby and some farm buildings just down the road. The other trailer park I manage lost one trailer and had damage to others. Nobody got hurt anywhere here though, thankfully!

    So, yesterday I finally had time to look at my bday gifts that had showed upon Mon. just before the storm. Got some steam dvd's and a big book of O.Winston Link N&W photos. Nice!
     
  6. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Hey all. many of you probably don't know that Badland is my brother. We have been geeking on trains all our lives. So lately I discovered SCARM and came up with an idea for him. Now to torture he that refuses to use Microsoft. So this was my idea. At the beginning of this thread is the story of the Northern Pacific & Black Hills RR. He wanted to incorporate NP, Milw, NPBH and CNW. In SE Montana.
    Yeah.. I know... So since CNW only got as close as Belle Forche SD, which is where I started with CNW and NPBH working together there to ship oil east. Working my way He wants Ekalaka to be a large yard of sorts, but this is just a start. To Plevna where Milw would actually cross NPBH. Then up to Cabin Creek where their will be some oil rigs and storage. Maybe some cattle. Then ending in Cedar Creek, which is a bridge a few miles SW of Glendive. This is where all the activity will be. He wants feedback on this idea of mine. I wouldn't mind it either. He wants a second level, but I am still new to SCARM. that's my next challenge to learn about.

    Badland NP 1.jpg
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    All those folks who have never lived in the Pacific NW are probably wondering about coming up with a funny place name such as Ekalaka. Surely this is probably the first time anyone has ever included it in a model railroad!
     
  8. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    That's because it has never seen a railroad. It's in the middle of a sparsely populated area. Pretty desolate there..

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  9. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I counted 7 reversing loops !! wowsa !! :cool:

    Do have one question...
    The double reverse loops at the bottom left...is that not going to have access to the mainline ?? :confused:
     
  10. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    The orange colored line is part of Milwaukees pacific route. Mapwise, the Milw and NPBH would cross each other. So i designed them to run beside each other. I am figuring that badland wants three continuous uninterrupted runs. And he has that. Red is NPBH, blue is NP, Yellow is CNW, and the orange is MILW. Now he just has to learn how to install those detectors in his track. Ha ha ha...

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  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know. That's why I mentioned it. :)
     
  12. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    The NPBH successfully recruited a new Master Mechanic! John J. Skorsky, from the Pennsy! Use of a K4s with some rolling stock was acquired to transport his family to eastern MT where they are now touring the line.
    The trip to Billings to see the wifes denture doc and go to the LHS and pick this up was tense. Did not know the roads would become snow and ice packed from Forsyth to Billings. Adventuresome!!!
     
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  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ugh. Stress!
     
  14. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    So here's a vid of the final train run around the NPBHv.1

    Next step is to split this layout, as it was designed to be. Then replace track and integrate it into the new, expanded NPBH.
    Lessons learned:
    1. #6 or greater switches, either by Fast-tracks or reworked older Shino's and newer Micro-Engineering.
    2. Grades at 2% or less.
    3. Solid roadbed with absolutely flush joints and transitions.
    4. Always at least 3 inches of straight and level track before the points of a switch.
    5. I like to work locals around a train, or trains, running 'laps' around the layout at scale speeds. Primarily a solo op.
    6. Sidings will have to be longer than what is currently on this layout. 48-60 inches is my goal range.
    7. Single track main.
    8. Lots of power drops to the main bus work.
     
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Amazing how much is learned from layout to layout....
     
  16. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    And I forgot to add that the new will be with code 55 track. Got the thing split and partially rearranged tonight. Found a burst of extra energy to do so! Then placed the 'yard' section near it's new location and the 'back' side on the opposite wall to be relocated later to it's new spot...
    PIC_0523.JPG PIC_0524.JPG PIC_0525 (1).JPG
    The red toggle switch is to isolate the layout from the programming track and to put it into DC or DCC mode. That's a feature I will probably try to keep for a while too.
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  17. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like fun, but I will be more interested in how you will tie the two together when they face opposite of each other.

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  18. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    So, the plan is still gestating to completion, but the basics are all laid out. So I got some of the modules assembled and mounted on the walls this weekend. The main staging will be at the narrow end and the mainline will be going up and over it, a 4 inch climb in about 25 feet. The climb to the upper level will go up against the wall and go all around the room to the opposite side. So I got the halves in their new approximate locations, amidst tax time pwork and other fun for the weekend.
    PIC_0611.JPG PIC_0612.JPG
    And yes, that is a pile of ME code 55 flex laying on the framework staged for use!
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  19. BStikkers

    BStikkers TrainBoard Member

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    You have done a lot so far, but you should put the cover on the electrical panel ASAP.

    Bruce Stikkers
    St. Joseph, IL
     
  20. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    I have one more project in there, then it gets covered up.....one more string of outlets to hookup.
     

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