Large Scale Central

OPs Weekend May, 2009

Last night Jane and Andy Clarke came over for a little pre-OPs setup and a review of the RailOPs software. The big excitement, worth pictures, was Andy showing off the new Revolution R/C by Aristo. He is one of the Beta testers and so far the equipment is doing as advertised. Here is his Boston & Maine GP-40 climbing out of “Shadow Box” where it was placed on the track.

We backed the engine into the “Southern Engine Service Facility” and checked it out on the turntable.

The GP-40 was assigned to haul the tourist cars out of storage below “Owl’s Bend”. Here they can be seen climbing on the loop behind the work bench.

and going through the tightest curve on the railroad (6.5 diameter) around the service facility. The coupler on the GP-40 proved to tight to keep rolling stock from derailing. Like most modern equipment, it won’t be used for service in the “Owl’s Bend Mine” area.

Pulling power is no problem for such a small load coming out of the mine. The train is approaching the switch back turnout and will soon begin sliding down hill on the steepest grade (8%) toward “Switchback Mine”.

The GP-40 is now shoving its train up to the high line at “Northen Owl’s Bend” to stage the cars for distribution at “Old State Light” during daylight tomorrow.

The fun really begins around Noon today. The forecast doesn’t look to bad with some chance of thundershowers. Typical weather for this time of year. Stay tuned, more to follow.

Cool pics.
Looking at the radar…looks like the bulk of the rain may stay south of you.
Have fun.
Ralph

I’m out the door and on my way.
Cam cord and loco both charged up and ready.

Ah yes, Ric’s menagerie in the basement. What a great place to get lost…:wink:

Hope the weather holds out for you guys.

Cool pics ! I probably mentioned this before, but I’m getting senile: What a great idea to paint the floor joists above white. Makes the “unfinished” ceiling much brighter and more pleasant to work under.

And I’m wondering about that blender on the workbench. Can’t be for Rumski’s, they are shaken, not stirred :smiley:

Old “Rumski Maker” (that might be something to call a geared engine) has been replaced by a newer model (insert Tim Allen argk argk argk here) and that is now this one is resigned to scenery material blending. Frozen Rumski are abused, amused, and then used. Your results may vary. I took a lot of pictures, yesterday. Please be prepared to be bored or move to another part of Bob’s site. I’ll keep them to about 6 at a time. Mike, you were the one that asked for this. I’ll try to fill in holes with today’s session. Pre-Ops setup. There are three pre op runs that put cars in the right locations, outside. This also makes sure the line is clear of debris. The “Lumber Setup” had been prestaged a couple of days ago on the “Southern Branch Interchange”. It is readied to move.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20001.jpg)

It heads for the “Window” in the right of the picture.

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Because of “Shadow” (the resident cat) the “Window” is only left open during times equipment is going in or out.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20003.jpg)

Here is the same view from the other side at “Southern Junction”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20004.jpg)

The window well bubble is kept on to try to stop rain and insect infiltration. The window well has a sump pump in it and wire mesh over the well to hold the smaller ballast. The sump pump is in a container and the rest of the well is filled with 3 inch rock to help support the load. 10 years of service, minimal trouble.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20005.jpg)

Once the “Lumber Setup” is through “Southern Junction”, it heads through the north side of the garden shed.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20008.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20009.jpg)

They sure cut some big trees on the KV Rwy. Shame on you for cutting the “old growth” forests :lol:
Keep the pictures coming. Mike won’t be the only one enjoying them.
Ralph

Coming out the south end of the garden shed, our Lumber Setup is at “KV Shops” at “Beagle Junction”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20010.jpg)

The crew stops at the station in “Beagle Junction” for any last minute instructions.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20011.jpg)

Underway out of “Beagle Junction” next stop is “Sweetwater”.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20015.jpg)

To get there a stream is crossed.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20017.jpg)

and pulls in to the station at “Sweetwater”.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20019.jpg)

From “Sweetwater” the “Lumber Setup” is headed west to “Seaweed”.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20022.jpg)

at “Seaweed” orders are passed for track rights to “Pin Oak”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20024.jpg)

Coming in to “Pin Oak”, the crew checks for water needs and decides to top up before the climb to “KV Cabins”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20026.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20027.jpg)

Water topped up and our train heads in to “Maple Stump Siding”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20029.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20030.jpg)

As our" Lumber Setup" is running the trench on “Maple Stump Siding” and arriving at “Red Bud” other crew begins to arrive and help with the setup.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20034.jpg)

Tom Ruby (Torby) works on track alignment, sweeping switches and setting out cars for the session.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20054.jpg)

Orders handed up at “Red Bud” and the consists pulls passed the station.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20035.jpg)

The “Tool Car” passes Jan’s ECLSTS award winning barn, now just part of the scenery along the route.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20040.jpg)

The “Lumber Setup” pulls through “Red Bud” to align for the climb up the “Whiskey Barrel Branch” to “KV Cabins”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20041.jpg)

The “Consolidated Yardmaster” (Andy Clarke, alias AndyC) has now arrived and is showing off his new name tag.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20042.jpg)

A close up, so all can read

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20043.jpg)

I dunno if I wanna look at these or not. Reminds me of all I’m missin…:frowning:

“019” is on station for a little log loading above “KV Cabins” on the “Live Steam Loop Lead” ( the steam track is only put up for the Fall OPs)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20059.jpg)

Other cars are placed at the starting locations

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20060.jpg)

AndyC’s GP-40 with the Aristo Revolution R/C pushes cars to “Old State Light”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20061.jpg)

And we are underway. Dispatcher, Jane Clarke, starts dishing out orders and track warrants, as AndyC’s Mom, Dot, looks on.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20080.jpg)

And I start working on making up trains in “Southern” with one of the less experienced operators, Geoff George.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20062.jpg)

Other crews start taking on their assignments, Tom Ruby works with the Kelly’s to get started outside of “Fiddle”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20063.jpg)

And the Masters have a train underway at “Pin Oak”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20064.jpg)

Just great, Ric. It sure brings back some great memories. I sure hope we can make it for a fall session.

It went like this all day with no rain. We stopped about 5:30 to burn some meat and feed the crews.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20085.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20087.jpg)

Got to go now, we start again in a couple of hours. Need to run to the marina. And oh, did I mention the sewer problem in the kitchen? Just another day of trying to run a railroad. On Saturday, we moved 27 trains, swtiched 106 cars and handled 3348 tons of cargo, plus the Dispatcher took a call from the President of the IPP&WRR. I think she cut him off rather short. She was busy and frustrated.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20082.jpg)

Looks to be a great weekend so far. Lots of familiar faces. And smiles…:wink:

Thanks for the report and all of the pictures , looks like another great time was had .

Sunday ended as the rain moved in around 4:15 pm. It was time. For the weekend, we ran 49 Trains, switched 233 cars and moved 6876 tons of freight and passengers. Not bad for a Tourist Railroad trying to cover their bills by hauling a little freight and coal.

I’ve got a quick drive to Oklahoma tomorrow and may post more when I get back Tuesday night. My thanks to all that were involved, including those on the net that encourage us.

Thanks Ric and Jane for a great weekend. Had a blast. Got to run 4 trips on Saterday and three on sunday. Had to cut it short each day so I could get some other stuff done. I guess I did ok for a Newbie seeing no one tried to kill me or throw things at me.

I thouroughly enjoyed myself Saturday, as always! I arrived about 2:30 and after the 1st run from “Fiddle” to “Old State light” took close to an hour (traffic and debris). In total I was able to operate 5 trains by 5:00. Thanks to the “Consolidated” Yardmaster for switching directions at the “Cat Dump”, whoooo I think I would still be there trying to figure that one out. :slight_smile: I left just short of dark after 5 trains operations completed, with 2 cases of old train magazines, 1 burger, 2 hot dogs, chips, slaw, pasta salad, etc. another double cheese burger, dessert and a couple of Bud Lights! Yes, I had a great time. Thanks to the Goldings and all that attended, the hospitality cannot be matched!
To all of you who could not attend, I hope to see you in the fall!

“over…”

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/090503%20010.jpg)

Notice where theres a slight upwards irregularity in the top of the opening right above the caboose? Wonder who’s big honkin Shay caused that? Jane frustrated? NO! Had to screw up traffic all on her own without any help huh?