I'm pretty excited. Tomorrow, my wife and son will experience their first ride behind a mainline steam locomotive. It'll be the NKP 765 along with a string of Jerry Jacobson's (Ohio Central) coaches and then Jerry's FP-40 (it will be a push-pull deal). Its in North Judson, IN...which is in north of Lafayette...between Chicago & Indy...there will be a couple weekends of excursions there...followed by the run to Train Festival. While I have seen the 765 run in the past few years, I haven't ridden behind her since before her big overhaul...I rode the tool car on her way back from Hunington, WV in the early '90s.

I'll post some photos...

Here's what's happened in the past 10 years...

Bye bye to the cab...from the ex-Virginian 200ton wrecker. It is a diesel...it was built as a steam crane.


The big lift


Look at those drivers! The most expensive part of the overhaul. The jacking pads were installed when the building was completed...1991(?)...and the 765 spent the previous two winters in the Lima Locomotive Works...I clearly remember Tom Stevens working on the boiler...he was engineer at least 50% of the time back there as well as CMO...he's a darn good guy.

Here are a few of the other special people whom have made it happen:

Glen Brendel is the current President...and he's been an active member since the founding. While most railfans have never heard of him, you could say that he managed the most recent overhaul.


That's Steve W. and Gary Bensman admiring the Syphons. If you've ever been up to the shop, you've seen Steve. He's there every week...despite the fact that he lives a couple hours away. And Gary was a volunteer many years ago. He grew up with the NKP's St. Marys, OH wye in his backyard. My father and him used to stay in the wooden NKP caboose 141 every weekend so that they had two full days to work on the 765 during the initial overhaul (the 1970s). Of course, he's now better known for his full time work...I can recall when he had the Burlington 2-8-2 #4960 outside the OLD 765 shop back in the 1980s.

I don't have anywhere close to enough photos of the many good people whom have helped on the locomotive...I've contributed very little (I also live 4 hours away...and get up there around once a year). A major overhaul of a mainline steam locomotive such as this requires excellent leadership, plenty of dependable volunteers, and a Brinks truck.


That's me...


after she was once more sitting on her own wheels


The glorious test run 3 years ago.

Soon, I'll post photos of tomorrow's excursion.

Hi guys, in case anyone is interested, i have re-listed all the stuff that did not sell from last time. I have not grouped items together and placed them at LOW starting prices for the lots:

1. Walthers 20', 40', & 48' Container 10-Pk. - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204446138

2. Walthers Gold Line 4000 CU-FT Coal Hopper 6-Pk w/loads - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204897595

3. Walthers RTR and Gold Line NSC 53' Well Car 6-Pk (SIX (6) 3-PACKS OF 53' WELL CARS - 18 CARS TOTAL!!!!!) - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204898240

4. Walthers RTR 16K & 23K Gallon Tank Car 6-Pk - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204912485

5. Athearn RTR Boxcar 10-Pk. - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204915430

6. Athearn Blue Box Boxcar 3-Pk. - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204916450

7. Athearn/Rounhouse 54' Covered Hopper 9-Pk. - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204917791

8. LBF & E&C Shops Boxcar 5-Pk. - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204919007

9. Accurail/Athearn/E&C Shops 55' Centerflow/Gondola 5-Pk - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0204920217



Thanks for looking!!!

What would you do here ? I need advice, please.
The track on the bottom goes to the table on the left, and the upper area could be a industry of some kind.
The original plan was to put a water feature of some kind, with a industry up above, and maybe a bridge or trestle, but it seems to me there are lots of other possibilities here. One is a coal dealer with a trestle for unloading on the upper track. Or, the track for the upper siding could drop down to the table on the left at a 3% grade. I don't know why that would be done, just an idea. The area measures 24x78 inches.
So, what would you do ?

Loren

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Did some railfanning on the SMS Rail Lines at Bridgeport, NJ. They provide rail service for the Pureland Industrial Complex in Bridgeport.
554 a Baldwin AS616 setting out ethanol cars at the truck transfer track    
9069 a DS4-4-1000 drilling Heritage Bag    
554 picking up ethanol cars at the Conrail interchange    

Bruce

I was reading a book this morning (it happens occasionally), and I saw a picture of the Chicago L. The picture was of a corner above the intersection of E Lake St. and N Wabash Ave. in the downtown loop. It appears that when traveling north, the track briefly curves to the right before making a 90 degree curve to the left creating an S curve. My best guess is that they did this because the radius was too tight but it seems like there could have been a better way. Upon looking around, it also appears this is the only curve to have been built this way. Does anybody have more information on this curve and why it was built like this? The operators have got to have a special name for this curve but I have been unable to find any information.
While none of the pictures I was able to find are from the right angle, I did manage to find a few that showed this curve however subtle they are. Simply for the sake of comparison, this is a normal curve...


The next two pictures show the S curve...
one from down low...


...and one from up high...


And just for the sake of interest, I found a couple more that are not related to the curve but interesting shots all the same....

Hi guys, i have a pair of Athearn RTR GP38-2's lettered for BNSF for sale.

Both were bought off ebay a few months ago and they both ran great according to the previous owner of them. I have never had a working layout or power in my tracks, so all these locos have done is sit on the rails of my photo diorama for pictures. Both came without handrails from the previous owner, but i have installed and painted handrails for both of them. One is missing the horn but otherwise they are in great condition and complete. Both have knuckle couplers installed. Neither of them have a box, but will be wrapped in bubble wrap and packing with lots of packing peanuts for safe shipping to you.

Athearn RTR BNSF GP38-2 #2094 (ATH7992)
Athearn RTR BNSF GP38-2 #2257 (ATH7993) (Missing Horn)








Im asking $100 for the pair shipped to you via USPS Priority Mail anywhere in the USA.


----TERMS OF SALE------

1. Payment by PayPal (Preferred), money order or personal check (held till clears my bank).
2. If sending payment by check or money order, payment must be made within 7 days of the shipping quote, if any longer, you will forfeit your items and they will be listed for sale again.
3. Shipping By USPS Priority Mail and is FREE anywhere in the USA
4. I can be reached by posting here, PM, or email @ <!-- e --><a href="mailtoteelmillmodeler@aol.com">steelmillmodeler@aol.com</a><!-- e -->

This is my first video with my Cannon A590 I got last November and first youtube video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cvWSx2o7Lo


I think I will break down and buy a HD camcorder..

It has been in the works for a while now and according to the local paper it is real

Subject sounds like a Dr Seuss book!

Squidbait and I have had an ongoing bet about who would actually build a layout first.... well the other day I saw him leave the store with some cork roadbed so I started sweating! Started benchwork this weekend and have L-girders on legs along the long wall as shown in the layout plan below.

I will do my best to try and keep this thread updated on my progress.... pics of the benchwork coming as Squidbait will never believe without pictures

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I started with an Atlas GE U30C and a selection of parts cut from an Athearn SD40-2 shell. The roof mounted radiator of the GE was removed and the dynamic brake housing of the SD40-2 was grafted in. The EMD blower housing was added to the left side of the GE body 2.2 scale feet behind the cab and the exhaust stack was relocated to a point 8 scale feet behind the cab. The EMD radiators and the three radiator fans are situated about 2.6 scale feet behind the exhuast and continue to a point about 18 scale feet behind the exhaust stack. The air tanks have been removed from the bottom of the loco and will be added to the top halfway between the radiator fans and the dynamic brake housing. The end result (minus the air tanks) is something that looks like this:







Now I just need a name for this beast.