Took the tourist trip on the Durango & Silverton. We got lucky, this was the only day this week that it didn't rain. We also brought heavy jackets but it wasn't that cold. We did see snow, but high on some hills.

We left Durango as a double-header (480/473) steam until we got to the top of hill and took on water, then 480 went ahead because of the weight restrictions on one trestle. We then went double-header  into Silverton. On the way back, 473 took us all the way. We followed the river and at one point was 400 feet above it, and many times was so close to the edge, all we could see when we looked down was water. In many places, the rocks were shored up by old rails and bailing wire. At one point the engines let off steam. Seems like they use river water and need to get rid of the sediment that collects in the boiler.

All-in-all, the ride was a good one, a bit cramped since it was narrow gauge. The scenery was exceptional if you like hills and trees, which I do. The trip is about 3 1/2 hours each way. They stop running steam for the winter late October, and only go half way until Spring.

Here are some shots I took. My friend took some shots with me in them, but I couldn't believe I looked that decrepit and so I won't scare you all by posting any of those....

Classic CNR steam---U2G #6213

P1460039 by Ed Creechan, on Flickr

WPMA-17 making a pick-up at Oisin Sand.

Bruce

   

Not sure how this will go over, but I have been thinking of making a thread like this for awhile now. 

I watch a lot of you tube vids on trains/train stuff, and have no one to talk about it with, or if you have stories train related you would like to pass on, or have rail fanned and want to talk about it, etc. 

Pics are more then welcomed, but not a must. 

I encourage replies to peoples posts, so come on, lets talk!    

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To start out, I watched todays post from Jawtooth, on youtube, and seen an NS train, the lead engine was an AC4400 I believe, and it had two UP engines behind it, what blew me away was the second engine, a UP, was an SD90/43MAc , WOW! I thought I read about two years ago that UP had retired all the SD90/43MAc's, guess that was 100% wrong, it was really neat to see...cripes, I'm a nerd

Hello,

here i would like to post my small conversions by placing figurines into H0 cars.










Later this CN truck will be placed on a trail beside the rails.
Thinking to name this little autoscene: Two Hoseheads At Work.
Truck: Atlas
Figurines: Preiser, the white ones for self couloring


Lutz

A pair of GE B40-8's head up Conrail's TV-71.

Bruce

   

Here is my track plan set in the present day in Nova Scotia, Canada. My three main industries are gypsum, paper mlll and a waste to energy plant. The Canadian Atlantic Railway (CAR) is the parent company and has two subsidiaries. 
Canadian Atlantic & Maine (CAM) & the Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR). The Canadian Atlantic family is strictly a GE railway with U23B/U36B's being the core of the fleet. CAR also has a leasing arm that is strictly EMD 645 equipped unit's. More on it in another post.

This is all freelance set in the present day although the Canadian Atlantic Railway and Dominion Atlantic Railway names have been recycled.



   

A rehashed photo.  SMS S12 working the Perch Cove Power Plant.

Bruce

   

I have a friend that live in Edmonton, AB, and wants to buy an HO steam engine for someone that collects, but doesn't run them. She thought this one might be appropriate but isn't sure since she knows nothing about trains. I told her that I would ask you guys if you thought this was a reasonable collectible and if it was worth the asking price as such. She also asked if any of you had any suggestions beyond buying this one.

HO steam engine on Etsy

Here is a quote from her message:

"It isn't for someone who collects trains or uses tracks like you guys do.  Just for someone that has a real love for the old steam locomotives and I am trying to find something special as a unique gift.  So if they could even recommend something else that might be even more appreciated or recognized as having collector value - since I know nothing about these! - I would welcome the suggestions."

I'd appreciate if any of you would let me know what I can tell her about the value of this as a collector's item, or if you can suggest something more appropriate.

Thanks....

Anyone else using an OLFA hobby knife?  These things are the bomb.  They're Japanese and apparently the blade of choice for Origami. Coworker of mine found out I do a lot of cutting of thin materials and bought me one.  Head and shoulders better than the XACTO I have, and the blades stay sharp a good long time.