Hedley Junction

[sailormatlac]

@Painkiller: There's all kind of model railroaders out there. We share a common passion, but our interests are different, so I can't say: "that kind of approach is best". However, I can say that when you want to stress the realistic aspect of scene composition, moderation is your best ally. Everybody that understand that can move forward into the next level. And less track, means less compromises and headache trying to find out impossible answers.

I'm always amazed how switching a layout at a normal, relaxed pace, takes up time, even with a small 5 car trains. Traveling many longer scenes is fun, but working for a long time a very nice small scene is as fun to me. That where small urban setting are interesting. And in fact, when going "urban", I think one should refrain to use too much compression. As you said, trains stay "full scale". In fact, I just have to think about Trevor Marshall's Port Rowan layout in S scale. He's doing transition era with the smallest footprint possible, less turnouts than you have fingers, run 3-4 car trains and still get a tremendous amount of operation out of a derelict rural branchline.

On Hedley-Junction, we can run trains as long as 20 cars without looking too much out of place, but to be honest, 5-12 cars looks far better. I only have two regrets and if I had more space, I would have modelled Montmorency Falls 4-span plate girder bridge next to Dominion Textile http://jonathansworldlyimages.com/wp-con...2-5605.jpg.
...and my hometown sawmill (I built the structure back in my early high school days and would love to use it). But I don't have that place and, frankly, it wouldn't add that much meaningful operation.

@Thanks Syl! Locomotives are every model railroaders' pitfall! Normally, I would only need 5 locomotives to run the entire layout, even 4 would be enough (a pair of CN captive road switchers and 2 industrial switchers). If I ever get my hands on a pair of M420, that will fit the bill. In fact, the real problem was when the layout shifted from mid-70s to mid-80s. The first era was dominated by Wet Noodle old Alco and GP9s while the 80s are mainly zebra stripes and comfort cab locomotives (GP40, M420). I ended up with many locomotives that fit for one era but hardly the other. I'm fudging a lot by keeping many wet noodle engines in service when they were in fact getting repainted, that's why I keep the fuzzy "early 1980s" era to gloss over that "issue".

That said, we entered the last track laying phase yesterday. We ripped off all remaining Atlas Code 100 track and started to implement new Peco Code 83 tracks. The returning loop is now part of history after more than a year of debate, if not two! It was no longer useful to operate the layout, so it met its demise.



Gluing tracks with white glue (PVA) was a wise move and made removing the old track and ballast a piece of cake. I soaked the track with water with a spray bottle and started to pull the track less than 5 minutes later. Removing the ballast was as easy and the cork roadbed is now as smooth as when installed many years ago. I remember gluing tracks with building grade glue (PL300) few years ago. What a mess...

Jérôme started the rebuilding phase by replacing track in behind the furnace. Only two lengths of flextracks, but what a pain to install them in a less than 4 inches wide and 5 feet long space! Unfortunately, we won’t be able to use Peco curved turnout to build Clermont’s siding. At least, partially. Instead, we will have to rely on Shinohara curved turnouts . Not my favourite brand, but we have very little choice left since we decided to keep the peninsula dreaded 24 inches radius for many reason. Oh, well… I feel this is gonna be a challenge... and we thought relaying the peninsula would take maybe one evening! The only other option would be to get a custom built turnout.

I also started to fit my newly-built structures for Donohue. Sidings had to be relocated to fit the new buildings. I also replaced the right hand turnout on the runaround with a left handed one to free more space for structures. All in all, I much prefer the new track arrangement. Funny how slightly realigning a few tracks can change the perception of an area. At least, now we have a better vision of what Donohue will look.





Speaking about having too much locomotives. We also tested a few locos that never ran on the layout and were kept in their boxes.

First one was Atlas new S-2 in Canadian Pacific scheme. The new improved version is awesome, the sound is excellently Alco-ish and details are very fine. This one is going to be bashed into Donohue’s switcher. So, no it's not a frivolous acquisition.

The other locomotive is a sound-equipped Atlas C424 in wet noodle scheme. It is an excellent performer, but plagued with serious pick up issues. That will have to be address because the model is almost "useless". Once again, the sound decoder by LokSound performs quite well. This loco will be part of the motive power pool that pulls extra cement trains and won't visit Clermont.

Next challenge? Complete Donohue structures, mainly the woodchip unloader by bashing lots of bits and parts. I'm still scratching my head, good thing I took hundreds of pictures about the mill.

Also, Louis-Marie recently travelled on Murray Bay Sub and came to the conclusion he wants to redo his rock faces on the peninsula. We both agree this has the potential to be the most breathtaking part of the layout.

Matt