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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
 Posted - 10/19/2006 : 10:19:34 AM
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Many of you have seen me post comments about operating on a friends layout, the Clairmont, Lewiston & Western Railroad, owned by John Rahenkamp here in NJ. Since Mike H. got the ball rolling here by posting pics of some of their Friday night ops sessions, I figured I'd join in the fun and post some pics of John's layout as well.
We had another one of our monthly ops session at John's last night and as usual, we had a blast. We normally get around 15 guys on any given night and last night was no exception. John's layout is large for a home layout so while 15 guys sounds like a lot, believe me, when things start rolling, everyone disappears into their jobs and it's hard to believe there are that many guys there.
We run approximately 44 trains during the scheduled op session and things can get pretty hectic. We've been operating at John's for about 10 years now and his layout, which is currently about 25' x 40', is now expanding into another area of the basement, which will increase it's size to 25' x 60'!
As with any good op session, the fun starts around the snack table. John is a gracious host and his 'snack table' is more like a buffet! We usually have to push guys out of this area to get trains rolling!
However, some of the guys got right down to business. Here is our friend Rich Wojcik and Steam Nut (Bruce) working Bayview getting the coal empties ready for their return trip to the mine fields.
We have guys of all ages attending John's session. Here is our youngest crew member, Chris, running his PRR T-1 through Palmerton. Chris is 15 and his dad brings him up for each session.
At the other end of the railroad, we find Joe working the town of Clairmont. This is no easy task as there are a lot of industries to switch and several interchanges that come into Clairmont. Joe is getting the morning local run to Jersey City ready for departure.
Meanwhile, Jim Dahlberg is busy up in the coal fields! Jim is working Tamaqua here, getting coal down to Lehighton where the first of two outbound coal drags will depart. The first one will make it's way over to the ports at Bayview.
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 10:36:31 AM
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Back at the east end of the railroad, we have our friend and forum member Diamond Bill working the passenger terminal at Jersey City. Poor Bill; ever since John expanded Jersey City Terminal, Bill is the only one that has mastered operating this area. Bill hasn't seen the rest of the railroad since!
At Coxton Yard, one of 4 yards on the CL&W, Mike McNammara drills an inbound. Mike is the regular yard master here and just goes about his business and never panicks, no matter how busy it gets. (And it DOES get busy!)
And even I'm allowed to run a train now and then. I normally dispatch as I did last night, but we switch off halfway during the session, which gives me the opportunity to get out on the road. This is me taking train CRAL-380 through Elizabethport towards Allentown, Pa.
And of course, here is our fearless leader on the CL&W. Owner and general superintendent, John Rahenkamp. Here, John has taken on the task of operating the CNJ local CREA-522, one of the toughest jobs on the railroad. Note all the car cards laid out on the layout.
Well, as with any session, especially on a layout this large with this many operators, things are going to happen. Usually it is our inexperienced operators that bring about some problems, but not last night! Last night it was John's turn. John was definitely having some issues controlling his train! Note the derailment at the bottom of the picture.
And no sooner had the wreck crew finished it's work and headed back home, John went back to work as well. Then, all of the sudden there were cries of 'WHOA' and 'STOP YOUR TRAIN'! Yup, John just wasn't having a good night at all! Note that John drove a hopper into a passenger station!!!
As you can see, while we do run a lot of trains, we don't take anything too seriously at John's and always have a good time!
By the way, John signed up for that local at 9:37, and by the time everyone was leaving at around 11:30, he still hadn't left that town of Easton!!! So John, it's not as easy as you thought, now is it?  |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 10:53:40 AM
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Here are a few more pics of John's layout. As I mentioned earlier, John's layout is huge and these pictures really don't do it any justice!
This is the town of Palmerton on the way to Lehighton. The huge building to the left is the processing plant for New Jersey Zinc, which like most of the buildings on John's layout, is totally scratchbuilt!
John has several mine complexes on the layout as well. There are two mine runs out of Lehighton that are interesting runs. Again, these buildings are all scratchbuilt. This is the mine at Catasaqua.
Down in Lehighton is a small yard and engine facility. This is actually a really busy spot during sessions as it sees the two mine runs, two freights, and two passenger runs. With the limited space, the operators have to be on their toes to keep the traffic flowing through this area.
This is another view of the town of Clairmont. The large complex in the middle of the picture is Sunshine Bakery, which receives a lot of traffic. In the backround is a really nice farm scene that was a subject of an article John did a few years back in RMC about 'removable scenery'. Many of John's scenes are built off the layout and remain removable, but you wouldn't know it to look at it.
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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kay4pacific
Fireman
USA
4765 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 10:57:49 AM
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| Mark, Thanks for the photo tour. Most enjoyable.[:-thumbu][:-thumbu] |
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brakie
Moderator
USA
6979 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 11:00:19 AM
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| Wow! Very nice! Thanks for sharing! |
Larry
Engineman
Slate Creek Rail.
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Mike Hamer
Engineer
9409 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 11:51:33 AM
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Mark,
Fabulous photo tour of John's great layout. I'm impressed with the large number of scratchbuilt structures. John must have started the layout some time ago to be able to incorporate so many. I also like the fact that some of his structures come right up to the fascia board and act as "viewblocks" for scenery...a great modeller's trick that helps to expand a layout in the viewer's mind...as if John's layout needs any extra help with size!
Mark, I noticed a B&M car near the sight of the derailment in one of your photos. I was proud to note that it wasn't the B&M'er that caused the "service interruption"...our pet term up here for such an incident!
Thanks again, Mark, for posting. Tell John that his layout is a real showstopper! It was also nice to see a shot of you in action! [:-thumbu][:-thumbu] |
All the best, Mike Hamer
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://craftsmanstructures.blogspot.com
http://bostonandmaine.blogspot.com
http://fridaynightgroup.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Mike Hamer on 10/19/2006 11:52:57 AM |
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nhguy
Fireman
USA
3689 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 2:01:51 PM
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I agree. Very enjoyable. Great looking layout. Nice to see the 'accidents' aren't just on our ops sessions! LOL!! Our motto is "Fun is Job 1!" Looks like a lot of fun was going on there. It's good to see the younger folks there also. Our youngest operators are around 20 or so. And we have a few women (my wife for instance) that operate. Great photo tour. Thanks.
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Bill Shanaman
Superintendent, New Haven RR in the 1948 to 1952 era
PMRA President 2013-14, OpSIG Member
NCE User Since 1999
Sugar City, Colorado |
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Tabooma County Rwy
Fireman
USA
4203 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 2:16:48 PM
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| Mark, I really enjoyed the photo tour of John's layout - looks like you guys have a great time! |
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Tim Kerkhoff
Fireman
USA
5869 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 3:50:29 PM
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Mark,
Thanks for sharing the photos, operating a RR is great way to make friends and learn more about our wonderful hobby.
Kudoos for John and his fine operators. |
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MIKE0659
Engine Wiper
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 4:17:34 PM
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Thanks for the pictures Mark. It looks like John has a very nice layout and it seems as though it kept you guys pretty busy.
It's always nice when it's the owner who puts a train on the ground. But the flip side, as you know from hosting, is it's a little embarassing when that happens on your layout. I guess we can all feel John's pain.
Why aren't there pictures of the Dispatcher's panel? We want to see where the brains of the operation works.
No wonder Ralph speaks well of John and his layout, there are places and equipment from the LV on it.
And look at Steamnut, he looks so thrilled to be around actual steam locomotives!
I have to ask, how did John manage to derail cars on both ends of the locomotive in that one shot? They aren't even coupled and he got them unside down too! That took some serious effort to make that happen.
Nice pictures of a great looking layout mark. Thanks for the effort.
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wvrr
Fireman
5018 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 4:52:10 PM
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Mark,
John has a heckuva layout. I really love the coal mine and zinc plant. Wow, the size of them is terrific. Looks like it was a fun night, and it is good to see the involvement of younger people, too.
Chuck |
Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 5:28:51 PM
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Thanks everyone for all the nice comments. I will pass them on to John.
John is the first to admit he is 'technically' challenged, but next time I'm at his house, I'll walk him through getting to this thread so he can see your comments first hand. I know he'll enjoy reading them.
And yes Mike, we all felt his pain. But if you know John, you'll also know that when an accident happens, or someone is not operating as 'efficiently' as they should be, he's the first in line to break stones! So, last night Murphy visited the op session and taught John a lesson! And believe me, no one spared any mercy on the poor man. But John, being the good sport he is, took it all in stride.
And also I should point out that as many pictures as I took, these really don't do his layout justice. It is BIG!
Mike, I will post pics on the dispatcher's panel, although there isn't much to look at yet. We're in the planning stages of detection, signaling and a CTC panel. I just have to find a way to get Tim out here to help us put it all together! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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LVRALPH
Fireman
5431 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2006 : 9:40:02 PM
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| As you can see, John has a fantastic layout and crew. He is also a gentleman and an excellent host. This from having been invited to run and enjoying every minute. Work being very busy right now, prevents me from attending, but I am there in spirit. Some of the same crew I even put up with at my house. Quick, someone get steam nut. I saw a steam engine...he is probably hugging it. |
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Steam Nut
Fireman
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2006 : 07:23:08 AM
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| Yes, The layout is a great place to run. Maintenance nights are also a blast and theres plenty of them. And yes Ralph's spirit is there, Its a pic on the wall we toss darts at when something happens. And look out Ralph I have a new blade for the saw zaw and I'm on my way over. And when I get YOUR steam engine done it better show up on this fourm! Thats right everyone, Ralph owns STEAM! |
Steam Lives! |
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LVRALPH
Fireman
5431 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2006 : 12:47:37 PM
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When the steam engine is done it will show up on the forum. I promise. It is very pretty even in brass. I can only imagine what it will look like painted. I guess you will have priority on that job!
As for throwing darts at my spirit, have you looked lately at that thing growing on your neck! |
Edited by - LVRALPH on 10/20/2006 12:49:40 PM |
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Diamond Bill
New Hire
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2007 : 9:26:57 PM
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Mark, I ran into Mr. Perry at the division meet. He has expressed interst in running Jersey City. I have provided him some helpful hints so that he is ready for next session at johns.
<> Bill |
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Wednesday Night Ops on the CL&W
