Week 612

Sun, Apr 19, 2026 thru Sat, Apr 25, 2026

Sun, Apr 19, 2026

Running Sequence Train #3

WB Unit Coal Train 2A with CNW C40-8 #8501 & 8526

Running WB on EB Track 2

Taking the corner by Berkeley station

West Street Wheaton IL

I switched the lead engine from #8526 to #8501
after two laps. Much better this way.

To see more action from tonight's train running check out

the Weekly Layout Update in Saturday's entry below:

Mon, Apr 20, 2026

Train Day!

w/Jordan Osborn 6:15-7:15pm 1 hr.

Train room opened from 5:45 - 7:45pm 2 hrs.

Ran three trains tonight

1. WB Commuter Train 1A Chicago Terminal to Harvard on the NW line

2. Return EB Commuter Train 1A Harvard to Chicago Terminal on the NW line

3. Unit Coal Train WB from Employee Crew Change station stop to PRB

Commuter Train 1A WB Chicago to Harvard
Sequence Train #4

Unit Coal Train Idle waiting for crew change at the
Employee crew change platform

WB Commuter Train 1A arrives at Harvard station
on the NW line

EB Commuter Train 1A heading back to Chicago
left hand run on EB Track 2

EB Commuter Train under 12th Street bridge

Meanwhile, the Unit Coal Train arrives at the Powder
River Basin. Main Power drop off at isolated track.
Your work is done for the day.

Here's the unit coal train ready for switching task
for another day.

The rest of the unit coal train waiting to be switched
into the East Yard where it will be filled with coal.

Tue, Apr 21, 2026

I stopped by B&G Train World today in Elgin IL

I bought two sets of RR workers.

The top set I'll use as my Crew Change workers ($26.95) a Preiser product.

The bottom set I'll use whenever I have track work to do on the RR ($14.40) a Walther's SceneMaster Product. Plus tax $3.51 = total $44.66

I will have ongoing "Make a Scene" opportunities to show these figures.

Wed, Apr 22, 2026

No train activity today.

Thu, Apr 23, 2026

Switching the Unit Coal Train 2a to Powder River Basin East Yard

Using Switcher CNW SD40-2 #6935

East Yard Track 2 FULL!

Making progress..

...with Track 1 now FULL.

Moving 3 final cars...

...DONE!

Parking the switcher.

That took 33 minutes.

Now it's time to load the coal.

NEXT STEP?

Move the loaded coal cars from the East Yard to the West Yard.

This is a two person operation, so I'll wait until Monday to do this job with Rob Fair.

Fri, Apr 24, 2026

Today, I'm going to install a
"Crew Change Access Road"

First Step:
Pour out the "sand" for the access road

Second Step:
Flatten the sand to the shape I approve

Third Step:
Use spray bottle to wet the road bed

Fourth Step:
Use pipette to saturate the roadbed with glue

Finally, I'll set the scene with a vehicle and a crew.

Next UP?
Prep for Sequence Train #6.1 EB Mixed Freight 5A
lead by CNW GP38-2 #5053 4634

Prepare the manifest and complete the prep section.

On the mainline ready for EB departure.

Caboose has cleared the yard throat and Crossover #4.

Ready for departure and dispatcher's "All Clear" signal.

Sat, Apr 25, 2026

Let's make some scenes!

Finished detailing the access road for the Crew
Change Drop off.

Now to figure out where these guys should go
to make a scene or two.

This guy is checking out what's inside this barrel.

These safety crew members are making sure the
guys on the ladder are following proper safety protocal

Back at the Crew Change.
Our guys get ready to leave the drop off and go to 
the pick up platform where the crew change will occur.

One of the passengers fell over in a previous visit.
He's back on his feet and part of the crowd.
He is the third one in line.

These two passengers are bringing up the rear.

At the Crew Change Platform a Crew Change facilitator
makes a call to coordinate the crew and the train meet.

The crew has been dropped off by the UP pick up
truck. The driver says good-bye and the other two
will head up to the employee only stop.

Here's another look at the crew change access road.

The police officers have been out of commission
for months. But they're back on duty today.
This officer checks out a mystery car in the police
parking lot.

These two officers have been assigned the task to
let the drivers of unqualified cars in the police parking
lot to vacate the lot.

The police chief gives some final instructions to his
crew. They will leave the station to hit the streets.

Click here

to view the YouTube video of the Weekly Layout Update

Duration: 11:05 min/sec

Description

What's ON Track this Week?

*Unit Coal Train 2A heading WB on EB Track 2. 

*Different views along the route to the Powder River Basin

*Sequence Train #4 WB NW line Commuter Train 1A Pulling cars.

*End of the line - Harvard IL

*Commuter Train 1A return trip to Chicago Pushing cars.

*Train meets along the way

*Unit Coal Train 2A arrives Powder River Basin

*Sequence Train #6.1 EB Mixed Freight Train 5C with CNW GP38-2 #5053 & 4634

*Make Some Scenes - Police Officers & Crew Change Personnel

*Thanks for watching!