Week 600

 Sun, Jan 25, 2026 thru Sat, Jan 31, 2026

Sun, Jan 25, 2026

Worked on Video Production Weekly Layout Update

See Blog 599 Saturday's entry for link.

Also, prepared Sequence Train #12 Mixed Freight Train 5B EB

I've identified all the cars and ready for departure.

Here's the beginning of Sequence Train #12...

...and the end of Mixed Freight Train 5B EB.

Mon, Jan 26, 2026

Train Day!

No one could make it tonight, so I went solo

Putting UP SD60M #6254 back together again.
I gave up on the lights and will use this unit as the
all time trailing unit.

I switched out the coupler from a Kato
to a Bachmann coupler

I don't think I will have any further problems.

Nice height check

Okay with the first car too.

I'm changing this car's coupler too from Kata
to a long neck coupler found in my supply box.

Here's the Kato coupler I replaced.

Getting Sequence Train #11 ready to run 5 laps
this week. Signal #3 will be my lap check point.

Here's the rear of the train. The caboose is at the
Oak Park Marion St. station.

And the front of the train is at Signal #3.

Lots of workbench activity tonight.
Mainly switching out couplers.

Also completing maintenance logs for each job.

Tue, Jan 27, 2026

No train activity today.

Wed, Jan 28, 2026

Jan & I met my brother Bill at Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora IL for dinner tonight

Here are some pictures of this restored historic relic - the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy

Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora IL 60506

Two Brothers now own the Roundhouse.
Here are some pictures hung around the restaurant.

I took this picture for Rob since he's such a fan
of the Pennsylvania RR

An ariel view of the Roundhouse. Note: there are
two of them in this photo.

The infamous Burlington SW1500 workhorse

Outside of the Zephyr Room was a wall
used as a tribute to Walter Payton 

"Sweetness"

Thu, Jan 29, 2026

I had a pick up for Mixed Freight 5B EB.
I had to used the WeGo switcher to retrieve the
coil car that was at RIP Track3

It happened to be allocated to the rear of the train
so that worked out perfectly.

Then I pulled the train past the road crossings to
prepare for the 5 lap journey for the next assignment.

Here's a closer look at the front of the train holding
at Wheaton Station.

Fri, Jan 30, 2026

No train activity today.

Sat, Jan 31, 2026

I have wanted to purchase three more clipboards so they'd fit better under the Train Order Board.

Guess what I did today?

Yep, I stopped by Dollar Tree and bought 3 for $1.25
each which was less per item than the $1.50 candy
bar I also purchased on impulse. UGH! Sucker!
I usually don't fall for those impulse purchases,
but today I did. At least I'm aware of the dangers.

Here's where I hang the three new clip boards.
It makes it must nicer since the Train Order Board 
lies flat once it covers these clip boards.

I drop the Train Order Board
down so they cover these clip
boards. Much better now.

Today, I also was able to fix the lights that refused to turn on.

Turns out the transformer blew, but I wasn't aware it was dead.

I replaced and got it working again, although I now have a different problem.

You'll have to view the weekly update to see what problem surfaced.

Another UGH!

My work area under the layout. The blue "Varney"
transformer is the "new" transformer I'll use to replace
the burned out transformer.

Got it working again.

Oak Park Marion Street Station

Marion Street

Nice lighting, even with the overhead lights on.

Now it's night. Everything back in order.

Both Engine Facilities at night.

The East Power District
Wheaton College Edmund Chapel, Melrose Park, etc.

Click here

to view Weekly YouTube Layout Update video

Duration: 08:03 mins/sec

Description

What's ON Track this Week?

*Sequence Train #11 Mixed Freight 5B EB

*Replacing couplers before departure

*Fixing lights in North Power District, "Oh NO!"

*Thanks for watching!