Week 45

We're still laying cork on the branch lines and yards.

Here's the progress this week.

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Bought paint for Intermodal Crane Kit at HobbyTown

Friday, May 22, 2015
Went to B&G TrainWorld in Elgin and bought the following:
Atlas 33" Freight wheel set (12)
Micro-Mark Truck Tuner
Tomar Industries Bumping Post

Wednesday's Train Crew session

We started off running trains. 

Then we started our projects.

Here are the pictures of Men Working...

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

 Carlos Baez laying the cork trackbed for Proviso Yard West.

 Ed Nelson laying the first track in Proviso West Bound trackage.

Here's an action shot of Jordan Osborn installing under-the-table switch machines for the crossover switches. 

 Another action shot of Carlos.

And one more of Ed.

Sunday, May 17, 2015
We had unexpected guests drop in tonight.

I met Jorge several years ago when he worked for Buck Services
and did the cleaning at Lord of Life Church.

He was a fabulous worker and we've become good friends.
Here's his family...

 Kevin (youngest son), Jorge, Brayan (oldest son)

 This is Isaac, Brayan's son.

Here is Anna (Jorge's esposa), Brayan's wife, and my wife, Jan.

We ran trains and had a great time!

Week 44

Basement Train Layout Progress Report

for Week 44

Most recent on top

Latest on the bottom

Saturday, May 16, 2015

 Jordan Osborn helped me install the grain elevator spur track.

 Here's Jordan before we put down the foam board.

 Jordan Osborn after placing down the foam board.

Check out the Grain Elevator.
We had a delivery of two grain cars by a CNW GP9
(out of view, although you can see it in the picture just above this one).

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

 We started off the afternoon session troublshooting the intermodal car derailment.

 Carlos Baez got on it and solved the problem.

Not sure how, but we got it back on track.

 Dean Hatzis and Ed Nelson continued work on the Intermodal Crane.

It's a beast. Won't buy another one of these.

 Jordan Osborn and Carlos Baez worked on laying corktrackbed for Proviso Yard.

 Finishing touches on the Eastbound section of Proviso Yard.

Hello, Dean, Let's see that great smile.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Jordan Osborn and Curt Berg secured additional mainline track which was purchased at the May  train show in Wheaton. 

We added some trackage to the eastbound track section.

Sorry, no pictures for today.

Monday, May 11, 2015

I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase the 3/32" Cork for the Yard Trackbed

Week 43

Banner WEEK!

We finished laying mainline track for all westbound freight/commuter traffic. 

Most recent on top

Latest on the bottom...

Saturday, May 9, 2015
So, last night I ran the train around the wb loop twice.
Each time one car derailed by the crossover near Global 1.
Dave Worley stopped by today and helped me trouble shoot the problem.

 Here's Dave Worley assessing the situation.

Here he is getting a close look.
Yes, he did figure out the problem.
One of the trucks needed to be loosened up.
No more derailments!
Thanks Dave!


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

 Jordan Osborn and Curt Berg will finish the westbound mainline loop tonight!

Ed Nelson continues his concentration and perseverance with Global 1 Crane kit.

 Carlos Baez and Dean Hatzis team up to finish laying the yard lead cork trackbed.

 Carlos has the adhesive down, now it's time to lay the cork.

 The final stake to complete the westbound mainline loop.

Love this picture of Carlos in the "well".

Here's a video of the intermodal train making the first westbound trip around the layout.


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

 I'm at the southeast corner of the layout looking north.
Making progress laying westbound mainline loop.

 This is how far we laid the mainline track tonight.

Here's a shot looking west at the elevated track (on the right) and Proviso yard eastbound and westbound.

Monday, May 4, 2015

 Jordan Osborn getting ready to lay more westbound mainline track.

 Checking to be sure the Intermodal train in background will have power when it moves into the North Power District.

Check this out. You can see both ends of the westbound mainline track.
It won't be long before the loop will be complete.

Sunday, May 3, 2015
Went to the train show today and bought Atlas Mainline Track. One #4L switch and one crossing.
Spent $102.25. Mostly on Track.