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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
 Posted - 04/28/2010 : 7:41:22 PM
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My previous thread on construction of my layout is
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16693
which reported on my experiences hand laying track. I love hand laying track ... almost as much as I love having it all done! [:-bouncy]
This new thread will cover all aspects of construction of the P&EBR going forward from completion of track and track power.
The Piedmont & East Blue Ridge is a freelanced industrial line in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Prototype inspiration provided by the Nelson & Albemarle. Time frame is about 1945-1955. The railroad's reason for being is to move soapstone from quarry to mill for its parent company, Piedmont-Standard Soapstone Corporation.
The layout occupies a 12 by 14 foot room, punching through walls onto shelves in 2 adjoining rooms. Minimum radius is about 24 inches. DCC by Digitrax.
Let's run some trains!
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17863 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 8:16:32 PM
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| This should be fun to watch. |
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evangardner
Section Hand
New Zealand
89 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 9:05:55 PM
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If your trackwork and backscenes are anything to go by, this is going to be a railroad to be proud of.
I look forward to watching you progress.
By the way, what is that little saddle tank loco I see in some of your photos? Is it an 0-6-0? I've been looking for a little loco for my line and that looks good. |
Evan Gardner
Christchurch, New Zealand
http://www.ferrus-workshops.com |
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Grubes
Engine Wiper
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 9:49:58 PM
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Mark,
Look forward to this new thread. Really enjoyed following your progress on the last one.
Dave
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 9:54:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by evangardner
By the way, what is that little saddle tank loco I see in some of your photos? Is it an 0-6-0? I've been looking for a little loco for my line and that looks good.
Evan,
Thanks for the comments.
Check out:
http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/0n3rtr.htm
But hurry ... supplies are limited [:-eyebrows]
Mark |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 10:41:15 PM
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After attending two very fun operating sessions over the weekend, I was itching to get the P&EBR running under some sort of car forwarding system. The systems used by the hosts of the two op sessions I attended were very different, each had its strong points. After a long discussion of car cards, waybills, switch lists, and train orders with Brian Bond, I sat down and designed a spread sheet of possible car requests, with attendant car cards and waybills. These were the basics I needed to impart some sense of purpose to running trains. A random number generator picked the first 4 requests for cars, and the P&EBR was in business! [:-propeller]
The first revenue train on the East Blue Ridge left Winwood with a string of boxcars. Here it is at Glade Junction, northbound past the Meridian quarry.
The first setout was at the Dust Mill yard track. (Note to self: do a better job of blocking cars [:-banghead])
At the top of the grade, the train crosses Cedar Creek and passes the small town of Ariel Church.
The train is dropped on the Shops Yard track, and the crew moves the teakettle to the ash pit, terminating their run. I then turned the waybills in the car cards to reveal the next move for each car.
The next crew rolls out of the engine track and couples up to the boxcars on the yard track.
They pull the cars out of the yard and on up the line.
The boxcars are set out at the Piedmont Mill track, soon to be loaded with crates of world famous "Nelsonite" fixtures and appliances.
The little Davenport then ran light all the way to the Dust Mill to spot the remaining boxcar at the loading dock. This car will be loaded with bags of talc.
The work was completed without incident, and I got through it with just a few issues that must be dealt with as soon as possible:
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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dallas_m
Fireman
USA
3137 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 04:11:10 AM
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Mark --
Kudos on reaching "the next stage" ... it's already a pleasure watching your layout develop, and obviously much more of that to come. Terrific!  |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 05:41:15 AM
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Thanks, Dallas
I am looking forward to breaking into the shipment of BVM goodies I received a few months back. I have Verne Niner's boxcar to use as a guide for building several more.
Mark |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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Neil M
Fireman
Australia
2173 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 06:03:26 AM
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Looking good Mark.
I admire your trackwork and really like your concept and track plan so i'm looking forward to seeing how the scenery works out.
Neil |
Built a waterfront HO layout in Ireland http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22161 but now making a start in On30 in Australia |
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Locoman
Fireman
USA
1535 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 07:08:10 AM
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| Mark, I enjoyed following along on your past thread and am looking forward to seeing your work here. I like your track plan. It will give you plenty of operation challenges. |
Jim
Curmudgeon Rock and Timber Co. Short Line
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28246 |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9327 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 08:23:54 AM
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| Looks really good Mark! For me, the only thing better than building something is watching it come to life, and that's just what you've done - brought it to life. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 5:02:39 PM
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| May the Piedmont and East Blue Ridge run long and well...it's great to see your progress, Mark! This next thread will be another fascinating journey as we observe your railroad coming to life. |
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BBLmber
Fireman
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 5:26:08 PM
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Hey Mark, your first operating sesion has got too be great watching your dream evolve.
Mark |
W,L,&E |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16524 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 5:41:39 PM
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I love your plan, Mark. That should be a fine and interesting layout, with lots of nice spots.
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Frederic Testard |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2010 : 06:30:01 AM
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Thanks for all the comments and well wishes.
Getting a car forwarding system in place and giving some structure to running trains has been a primary inspiration for the construction of the layout. An operation oriented layout has to run consistently and reliably. Without that goal, track laying could have gone quicker, but the wrecking ball would probably have come quicker also.
Thanks again,
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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Geezer
Fireman
USA
8289 Posts |
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Topic |
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Building the Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
