Large Scale Central

The Lone Wolf Railroad

Well, here’s the story line of the Lone Wolf Railroad. Somewhere in the California Desert is Wilson Valley. It consits of Wilson Township and Camp Wilson, a WW2, Korean War and Vietnam War Army Desert Training Base. It was turned over to the National Guard after Nam, used by the Guard and fell into disrepair under Guard ownership like many Guard bases did. Come the present war it was used as a training center for Guard units being mobilized for duty in the war zones. It has since gone into BRAC with the Army and Guard leaving the valley because of a conflict that I had with my wife about her apple tree that was in the way of the Army/Guard activities. Apple Tree has since been chopped down to make way for more important stuff. At the present the army land has been turned over to the local indian tribes per past treaties that give them the land when the army leaves. They were building a casino but it failed due to the economy being what it is. Now the indians found a clause in an old treaty giving them rights to salvage old abandoned equipment in the valley and outlying areas past the gully under the bridge. This is a money maker for the local economy as they are retrieving, restoring and selling old antique vehicles and abandoned military equipment. Another money maker for the valley is the vice industry. A porn movie company has set up shop and also hookers seem to be all over the place. Due to the distance from civilization vice runs rampant here. Thats the story line in a short version as I seem to be constantly changing and adding to the dioramas. I’m attaching a random bunch of pictures here. Also a lot of the pictures I’ve taken since 2005 can be seen at Photobucket in two different railroads, My backyard railroad and my sideyard railroad. http://s373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/

Seems I screwed up the picture sizes. Let me try this again.

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2114.jpg)

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2117.jpg)

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2120.jpg)

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2115.jpg)

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2123.jpg)

(http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo176/RudyJager/My%20Backyard%20Railroad/lw2119.jpg)

Rudy,
Looks like you have a lot of fun with your two railroads.
I like the “story”. Gives you lots of freedom.
Ralph

Yup, I’ll second that :smiley: But the story I really want to hear is the one about the flaming loco in your Avitar :smiley:

Jon Radder said:
Yup, I'll second that :D But the story I really want to hear is the one about the flaming loco in your Avitar :D
The flaming loco. When I got going in this outdoor railroading I bought a bunch of stuff on ebay. I used to like the K-Line G gauge engines. They no longer make them but to me as a newbie I thought they were great. Problem with them was that too many of them had problems like not wanting to stay on the tracks and wobbling The one in the avator I finally gave up on and figured I'd use it for a photo op. I cut out part of the top and sealed that well with sealant. Next I poured paint thinner in the well and lit a match to it and ran the engine around the track in flames. Good plan so far as I had my old fire extinguisher by my side to cover all emergencies. Thats when the plan fell apart. The wind picked up and that flame got really out of hand and the smoke turned black and ugly and big. It's a wonder the fire department did not knock on my door Well, I grabbed my old trusty fire extinguisher and found out that it no longer worked. Had to run with buckets of water to put it out. I still have a section of track where some of the ties are charred. I wasn't even drinking that day. So I can only blame it on me :( I've got a couple of other engines that I'm also thinking about using for photo ops :)
Rudolf Jager said:
The flaming loco. When I got going in this outdoor railroading I bought a bunch of stuff on ebay. I used to like the K-Line G gauge engines. They no longer make them but to me as a newbie I thought they were great. Problem with them was that too many of them had problems like not wanting to stay on the tracks and wobbling The one in the avator I finally gave up on and figured I'd use it for a photo op. I cut out part of the top and sealed that well with sealant. Next I poured paint thinner in the well and lit a match to it and ran the engine around the track in flames. Good plan so far as I had my old fire extinguisher by my side to cover all emergencies. Thats when the plan fell apart. The wind picked up and that flame got really out of hand and the smoke turned black and ugly and big. It's a wonder the fire department did not knock on my door Well, I grabbed my old trusty fire extinguisher and found out that it no longer worked. Had to run with buckets of water to put it out. I still have a section of track where some of the ties are charred. I wasn't even drinking that day. So I can only blame it on me :( I've got a couple of other engines that I'm also thinking about using for photo ops :)
I would hazard a guess and say the neighbors thinking you are crazy pre-dates the outdoor railroad :lol: Ralph

(http://www.outsidetrains.com/smile/rofl.gif)

That’s a hoot. I’m still smiling :smiley: :smiley: Thanks for sharing that.

I thought the dog was just standing in the picture. Then I read your story and now realize he is looking over his shoulder wondering what the hell is going to happen next. :wink:

By the way RJ, you qualify to be here.

Thats the funniest story I’ve heard in awhile.

RJ, you indeed fit in here. Welcome aboard!

Bart has the coffee on down in the Goat Locker. Pick a bunk, stow your gear, then sit a spell and swap lies… er, sea stories… er… well, anyway, sit down and tell us about yourself.

Steve Featherkile said:
RJ, you indeed fit in here. Welcome aboard!

Bart has the coffee on down in the Goat Locker. Pick a bunk, stow your gear, then sit a spell and swap lies… er, sea stories… er… well, anyway, sit down and tell us about yourself.


Besides being crazy----65 and a half years old. Joined the navy out of high school. Did one hitch. Worked mostly for the federal government in the trades most of my life. Took an early out civil service retirement in 1998 due to more downsizing. Worked as a government contractor for a few dirt bag companies after that until I fully retired in April. Fully retired meaning I gave them one days notice and quit. Looking to go on social security in October. Also served in the Army Reserve and National Guard from 1976 to 1986. Should have stayed in as that would have been a pretty good pension also. Been married to the same woman since 1971. Thats it in a nutshell. I’ll probably find me another line of work or something soon as not working everyday is driving me more crazy. I had a custom made ball cap that I wear made. It says “finally RETIRED and it SUCKS.”