The StJ has been asleep on deferred maintenance for a couple of years. Prior to retirement I was just too tired, too swamped and too overwhelmed to do anything on the railroad. Finally, I’ve retired…and survived the first 90 days…and believe me it was survival!! Now that I’ve got my energy back, dug out 2 years worth of crap that piled up on the layout, it’s now up and running… I’ve decided to change some things from what was originally planned. Part because I decided I didn’t like what I was doing and part because I discovered some problems that needed to be corrected for good operation. Originally the plan called for a center platform with a catwalk across the 2 main tracks to the station which would be a flat against the back wall. The track just to the left of the platform is a stub end, and the far left track is the return main.
The original platform. The layout is a large “J” shaped switching layout with return loops at either end for continuous running. I’ve since decided I would rather have the station between the main and the stub end where the platform was originally. But this would require moving the stub end as it is too close and the stations did not fit. This also was needed to do because my RDC’s that I use for passenger service in my 50’s scheme could not enter the stub end which is where I want passenger service to originate. I also noted that if I moved the stub end track I could add another siding between it and the main…more switching opportunities.
Eek! The stations don’t fit. Notice that I’ve gotten the butt ugly base off the freight station…the passenger station still needs my brute force attention.
A piece of subroadbed added between stub end and return main.
The track has been moved but the old platform remains…now too narrow
A new platform is purchased (Shelving from Home Depot) Everything fits, and the RDC’s do not have problems with the new stub end siding.
The new siding will fit just like planned. Note: the turnout that’s in backwards is holding the spot until I can buy the correct one and drop it into place and connect the new siding.
The RDC’s now have a new home…
A people’s eye view of the Martha’s Mills station. In the spring it will get painted, a basic interior, some shades and a few people. Warren