I know this subject has come up before, maybe over at Z, but anyone know of good sites to get prototype photos to use as weathering examples?

Hi Guys,

When using my Powercab on the HO layout i select a loco number turn on the headlights and move the loco off stop it with the lights still on and then select another loco repeat the process and go back to the first loco address as soon as i hit enter for selection of the first loco again the lights go off and need turning on again ...... is this normal for the powercab as the NCE power pro leaves all lights on and allows me to move from loco to loco no problems.

The above is the master plan. A double tracked mainline featuring rolling hills, a medium sized terminal, and 13"+ radius curves.

Givens & Druthers:
Canadian Southern: London-Detroit division
Scale: N
Gauge: std

Prototype: Freelanced Canadian National/Canadian Pacific in Southern Ontario

Era: 1945-1955
Region: Southern Ontario
Railroad: Canadian National/Canadian Pacific

Space: 10' x 9.8'
Localized in a small bedroom with a walk in closet

Governing Rolling Stock: Passenger cars and large steam

Relative Emphasis:

|___________________V__________________________|
Track/Operation .................................................. ..Scenic realism
|_______________V_____________________________|
Mainline Running .................................................. ........ Switching

Operation Priorities:
1: Ability to run passenger trains averaging 5' long
2: Ability to manage the yard while having minimal focus on two trains running the main
3: Steam engine mtc. terminal
4: Small switching locations for industry
5: bridge crossings for trains
6: water crossings for trains
7: junctions

Typical operating Crew: 1

Minimums and guidelines:
Minimum radius curve 13"
average radius curve 15"
minimum grade: 1.5%
max grade: 2%


Benchwork:
Latice frame made up of 2x2 and 1x3 spruce
layout is 34 inches high

Current semi-prototypical Locomotive roster:
Model Power Pacific (CP)
Kato Mikado (CP)
Con-Cor Santa-Fe (CP)
Broadway E8A (CP)
Kato RDC (CN)
Trueline RS10 (CN)
Bachmann Heavy Mountain (CN) (kitbashed to U1f class)
Bachmann Heavy Mountain (CN) x2
Bachmann Consolidation (CN)
Intermountain F7A (CN) x2
Intermountain F7B (CN)

Construction start date: June 20, 2009

I have a hidden staging yard below my layout. There is about 26 feet of track to get to it of this 26 feet of track about 3 feet of it is easily accessible. Now we all know where problems will arise. This evening a train got stuck on it and started to tear it out!
Thi is very difficult to do as I really like where it begins on the layout.


this is not a tunnel

But it is history. I have come up with another route and destruction/construction has begun. With the new route there will be about 4 feet that is difficult to get to. For me that means I will have to crawl about 4 feet under my layout to get to it and that is very hard to do. I will get pics tommorrow and keep you up to date. I can't wait to get it done, I am excited about this.

...but it's not a fake or "photoshopped" photo. While I was working on my wall paneling in my train room, I accidently dropped one of my brad point drill bits. I looked around, but couldn't see where it had fallen. Here's why...    

The bit had fallen on the floor and the brad point had buried itself into the wood!!

The other night at the N Scale club we was discussing layouts in general and I causally mention my temporary switching layout on my 30" x 60" dinning room table...After the usual good natured ribbing(yeah,I can see it now,here comes the mash potatoes express etc) the discussion then turn toward using a table/2" insulation foam combination..

Then the usual questions came up such as lighting,Fascia board,control panel etc-far more questions then I believe necessary and thinking well within the normal box of "proper" layout designs elements...I contend such a layout will call for out of the box thinking..

Lighting could be similar to to that of a pool table but,use a row of incandescent lights mounted on a overhead track.

Control panel..This could be mounted in the usual fashion.However,if one will be using Kato's Unitrack then all that would be needed is a schematic with the location and number of the turnout-the switch controls mount on the Unitrack power pack..DCC users would need to wire the controls for DCC or perhaps use the power pack for switch power.

As far as the Fascia one could use plastic or wood molding strips.

Then the cost of the table came up and many thought a HCD with folding legs would be cheaper..It was mention that the table could be bought use at a yard sale or perhaps a estate auction.

What do you think?

Would such a layout be feasible?

Frankly I am not exactly sold on the idea of a table layout because IMHO it would be no more then a glorified HCD.

I have not quite decided which kit I am going to build. It will either be a coaling tower, freight transfer, or a cinder pit and conveyor. Not nearly as ambitious as some of the others I have seen listed thus far, but it is getting me off my butt. Pics to come when I actually pick one.

Matt