Time For Expansion, Already?

After staring at the track layout for 2 days and then discussing it with the wife to get her opinion, I decided to already do an expansion to the existing “Manning Oaks” layout. I was not very fond of the idea of a ‘dead end’ track, and seeing that I had 2 loops and half of a 3rd loop, I thought why not have the ability to have 3 loops. Once all the wiring is completed I will be running DCC on this track (with also the ability to run DC) and one of the benefits of running DCC is to be able to control multiple trains at different speeds. Also one of the reasons for building this layout is just to be able to watch the trains run. So by adding a 3rd loop I can have the enjoyment of watching 3 trains go around the track without having to work any of the turnouts.

I put my existing “Manning Oaks” track layout into a program called SCARM, and then I was able to remove the pieces that I no longer was going to use and add the pieces I needed to complete the 3rd loop, I came up with the following layout.

“Coloma Rails”

Seeing how it was no longer “Manning Oaks”, the name “Coloma Rails” was born. The above image is also flipped from the original “Manning Oaks” since this will be the view from the Engineer’s station.

Once I finalized this layout, it was time to place an order for the remaining track pieces that I will need, and the wait now begins. I am hoping to get my track sometime early next week. In the mean time I will probably start to work on a shelf for the command stations.

Holding Pattern

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Starting The Benchwork

I am not much of a woodworker and I knew cutting plywood and 1x4’s with my limited tools would be very tedious. So I needed to come up with another way to build my benchwork. I remembered back to one of my previous layout attempts and that I purchased a hollow door from store. That door back then was only 30” wide so I needed to see if could find one that is 36” wide. Sure enough my local Home Depot sells 36”Wx80”L for around $38.00, I thought that would work perfect and save me some time. So now the trackboard is set and I needed to think how I was going to wire the layout. Having the board sit right on top of the bar would not allow me to do my wiring underneath the board. I decided to purchase a 1x4 abd cut 4” blocks to use as legs. I figure the blocks just being used as legs my cuts do not have to be perfectly straight, a jigsaw would work. My next issue is my bar top is made of tile. I thought the wood block would probably easi...

Ballasting The C&NW Layout

After watching plenty of videos on YouTube on ballasting N scale and specifically KATO Unitrack, it was now time to get it done on my C&NW layout. Growing up and attempting previous model railroads, ballasting was always an issue for me, but with the help of the internet, I think I finally got it right. There are plenty of YouTube videos on it now and I elected to go with the following approach. Items needed: Ballast White Glue Isopropyl Alcohol Scenic Cement Baby Spoon Craft Paint Brushs Eye Droppers Steps: I applied Elmer’s Glue-All full strength (white glue) on the edges of the Unitrack and a little on the trackboard. With a craft flat paint brush, I spread the glue evenly. I used a baby spoon to distribute the ballast over the edges of the track. The baby spon allowed a bit more control to apply the ballast. With a fine paint brush, I cleaned up any ballast that was built up on the ties. With a wider flat paint brush, I brushed up at an angle any ballast on the track board...

2017 Lowell Smith Disney Christmas Car

Back at Trainfest in November I met Lowell Smith in the vendor area and loved the cars that he designs and sells. Back in 2010 he came out with the Disney Christmas Train line and each year reveals a new car at the Walt Disney Family Museum. These cars sell out very fast and I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the 2011 ‘Mickeys Good Deed’ and the 2013 ‘Bambi’ cars from him while there. The 2017 car was releasing on December 2nd and I knew I had to get my order in right away or I’ll miss out. Well I am glad that I ordered when I did. My car finally came in the other day, and when I went back to his website this morning, the car is already Sold-Out, along with every other year. It will be challenge to find/collect my missing years. Here is the 2017 Disney Christmas Car ‘Donald Duck’.

Coloma Rails - N Scale Model Railroading

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