Week 538

Sun, Nov 17, 2024 thru Sat, Nov 23, 2024

Sun, Nov 17, 2024

Putting Mixed Freight Train 5C away into Proviso Yard CNW eastbound yard.

This is the yard prior to tonight's move.

This is the yard after tonight's move.

Mon, Nov 18, 2024

Train Day!

visit to Tom Stover's RR

Working the Castle Rock CO meat packing plant.

The main yard at Denver CO.

Final train matchup at Castle Rock before we
call it a night.

Tue, Nov 19, 2024

No train activity today.

Wed, Nov 20, 2024

Yes, train activity today. Early morning and mid-afternoon...

Running Commuter Train 1B Northwest Line WB
to Harvard IL

Running through Proviso Yard

Making our way towards Harvard

OOPS! Unit Coal Train needs to switch to the 
Powder River Basin East Yard before Commuter Train 1B
can continue WB to Harvard

Unit Coal Train 2A switched to PRBEY and
already filled with coal. Wow! So efficient!

Commuter Train 1B has arrived and already departed
from Harvard on the way back EB to Chicago Terminal

Locomotive F40PH #151 already back at the
Chicago Terminal Engine Maintenance Shop.

Commuter Train 1A is on the right (Track 7)
Commuter Train 1B is on the left (Track 6)
These two tracks are reserved for Northwest Line trains.

Same two trains from the other end - after locomotives
are removed and sent to Chicago Terminal Engine shop
for daily maintenance checks.

That took 51 minutes.

Thu, Nov 21, 2024

I worked on trying to get these two locomotives
consisted for 29 minutes.

Here's the middle of the 1960s Train 3A.

You can see the caboose waiting on the side to be
latched up to this consist.

Fri, Nov 22, 2024

Still trying to latch these up. Another failure today.

Another failed 14 minutes. UGH!

BUT! Good news!
Look what was delivered today!

From Model Train Stuff

I can finally add the Amtrak train to the Train Order
Board Priority Trains.

Sat, Nov 23, 2024

Trainfest, Milwaukee WI

Baird Center

Main Entrance to the Baird Center
We were on the third floor Exhibit Hall E

Greeting board.

Waiting for Carlos to return and just before entering
Exhibit Hall E

Some pretty spectacular layouts.

All module sections put together last night.

I was impressed with the engine facility.

Another view.

Also impressed with the Sheboygan Club layout.

This is the staging yard.

And some very neatly done sections.

We specifically noticed how this bridge support jetted
out from the layout and appears to defy engineering feats.

An interesting talking point.
The train comes around from the back and is part
of the diorama and then returns back behind the waterfall.

This 80 year old modeling talked about the model
railroad disease. When I countered and called it, 
"a bug" he liked that even better.

His son modeled this scene and won an award.
The judges said they specifically noticed the weeds
and that's the detail they noticed that earned the award.

He also exquisitely modeled these fire escapes
on both buildings. Excellent work.

More amazing modules. This club had won several
awards through the years.

David Popp, from Model Railroader Magazine
and Trains.com talks with a patron.

Cody Grivno is on the left and David Popp is on
the right.

More detail models at the Model Railroad exhibit.

There's Cody Grivno, on the left, working at a new
video production.

Another great model of a passenger station.

Carlos takes a closer look.

Here's what I purchased at Trainfest.

The Accurail box car is made in Elburn IL

This is the cost of each item I purchased for a total
of $90.

I was very happy with what I found and was able
to bring home. I can't wait to get them on the layout.

Click here

to view Weekly Layout Update

Duration: 06:41 minutes

includes action from Trainfest 2024

Baird Center

downtown

Milwaukee WI