http://alaskarail.blogspot.com/ is a link to my new blog - Just moved

to Wasilla, AK and we love it.

I have spent the last week wiring and installing three Quad Pic decoders together with the 12 servos plus designing a switch panel to take the Tam bi-colour controllers (see picture below).  Will detail the experience in my next post.

Cheers

Peter Randerson

See what I did there?  The progress in question relates to fast clocks.  I finally made sufficient headway on the dispatcher's office to install the fast clock master module.  I'm using the Time Lynx from Rail Lynx http://rail-lynx.com/accessory_modules.htm.  Unlike the clock that's integral with my NCE DCC system, the Time Lynx is variable in tenths of a "fast" hour anywhere from 1:1 to 25:1.  It was also more cost effec

Start at the beginning

Like I suspect many of you, I've been wanting to build a model railroad for some time. Until now I haven't had the money, or a space to actually build. I suspect many who have the interest, also have the same problems.

No, not THAT kind of pot - I'm talking about a flower pot!  I was tired on working on Kevin's main structure  (http://kevinkreaganhouse.blogspot.com/ )  so now I'm going to work on details.  What better way to dress up Grandpa Sam's then with a few flowers.  I could buy those $$$$ HO scale flower pots with flowers included; however, I figured that I could do better.

There has been a rumor circulating for a while about Union Pacific starting a new heavy-haul freight service to minimize wear and tear on rails.

http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/Customer/up6928.jpg

Just thought you might appreciate the challenge for modeling.

OK, I figure I'm just going to start a new blog post on this.  After operating on rfbranch's layout a month or so ago, it was clear to me if I'm going to do some operations, I need a bit more reliability in the track work.  For the most part, Rich's ran smooth as can be.  The only issues he had were a couple trip pins that needed to be bent up, otherwise I can't remember a derailment.  

Had to replace some of the toner cartridges in my laser printer the other day, and while paying 50 bucks a pop for coloured dust leaves me a little cold I was glad I looked over the old cartridges to see what makes 'em tick. They are full of little gears and "castings" After I ripped all the useful parts off them I gave them a spray of silver paint. When the silver was dry I gave them a rusty wash followed by a dark wash and Voila! 

I've been thinking.  Rivet counters, scratch builders, operators, prototype modelers - we have a bad reputation, or at least are perceived less than favorably by some.  Why?

The Durand Railroad Days is held every year on the first weekend after Mothers day. This is one of the operating layouts that were on display.

Thanks for looking.

Rob Teed