November 12th Meet Layout Tour

One of the things that folks look forward to after most meets is the layout tour.  This time we are only scheduling one.  This is one went to the first time we met in Fredericksburg.  Ken Meade has made significant progress since our last meet.  One of the the things that impressed me about Ken is how smooth his operation was in such a large layout.  Ken made an unusual choice to cut in his sidings after laying his main line.  This is unusual from a model standpoint but as Ken recently reminded me it is common practice for the prototype.  In the real world a customer requests new rail service and the prototype puts in one according to its engineering standards.  Ken may have hit on something we might need to consider as an alternative option to our normal practice.  Come to Ken's house and see his massive layout.

New Challenges with Older Motive Power

As we are now about a month out from the next JRD meeting in Fredericksburg I am beginning to look forward to hearing Andrew Dodge on scratch building a steam locomotive.  Years ago building a steam locomotive from scratch was considered the pinnacle of craftsmanship and I still believe it represents the high end of the art form and craftsmanship.  You may be a modern modeler with a fleet of diesels but many roads at different times have had steam excursions.  Some like the 611 are available but others may not available to run that excursion train.  So if you want that train you will have to build it which is an intimidating prospect.  Andrew Dodge current stable of scratch built Proto 48 steam locomotives are his first scratch built locomotives.  This gives me hope that we can all do this type of construction with some commitment and determination.  It will be a challenge but who does not need a challenge to keep the hobby interesting?  Also, it may check off one of those Achievement Program requirements.  Come on November 12th and take on a new challenge.