Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[w neal]

Nice to hear from you Kev! Its wonderful that the WC inspires so many, and from so far away.

Indeed, I have been a follower of Bob's site (WC2scale) group for years. I have even contributed to the site. It seems to be less than it was however, as the website changed, or switched webhosts, what ever it was. What happened to all those great pictures the site used to have? I have tried to contact Bob through the website but have received no response. I hope the website can get all those great resource pictures reposted again.

Since you like paper mills, have you considered modeling the Wisconsin Rapids area? It offers a large plant that was once served by multiple railroads. You might want to investigate...

[Kev1340]

Bob's original host went bankrupt and shut down without warning and he has been rebuilding it from scratch. Most stuff is back up now though the new site is not so intuitive to navigate. Best way to contact Bob is through the WC2scale yahoo group.

The Wisconsin Rapids area has been the primary source of inspiration for my mill model

Cheers,

Kev

[w neal]

Nothing got done on the layout last week, but it was fun to see this sign while on vacation:

[w neal]

Trying my hand at pole lines:












Got one line a bit too taught. Should I replace it?

[w neal]

No lines strung here yet. Still wondering if my spacing is too close? I placed the poles 100' - 110' apart.

[kc9jts]

I think the spacing is fine.  I looked at a few of my photos of the WC and it seems kosher:

http://personalpages.tds.net/~sooline/Nick%20Trimberger%20Photos/wc%202006%20vernon%20wi%20L5455%203-12-02%20copy.jpg
http://personalpages.tds.net/~sooline/Nick%20Trimberger%20Photos/cn4715%20burlington%20L5455%20Oct-9-2002%20copy.jpg
http://personalpages.tds.net/~sooline/Nick%20Trimberger%20Photos/gcfx%206069%20colgate%20GBBR%2010-7-02%20copy.jpg

Sorry for the long links

NBT
Omaha NE (formerly WC-land)

[JSL]

I sure looks right to me. I wouldn't change it.

[keeper]

Nothing got done on the layout last week, but it was fun to see this sign while on vacation:

Is that the one on the bridge going over US41 in Marquette, Mi?

Thomas

[w neal]

Thanks for the verification & support on the poles fellas! It does seem to resemble your photos indeed.

As to the sign's location, I could tell you but...   

[Dave Schneider]

Congrats on a successful layout tour. It is a nice thing to do for the community. I have really been enjoying your updated reports as the WC is also a favorite of mine. I took a look through the various pages and couldn't seem to find a track plan anywhere. Do you have one to share with the group?

I too am curious about the location of the Soo Line sign....I did time in the UP    but it doesn't look like Marquette to me. You can tell us! It's not like anyone is going to go there and take it!

Best wishes, Dave

[w neal]

Just having a bit of fun here. I have seen pictures of at least one of these running in lands north back in the day. Its always fun to find an excuse to run exotic road power on the layout. Another reason to like the WC eh? 

[mcjaco]

^ I recall being out in Franklin Canyon, CA watching the ATSF, and a Wisconsin Central F45 rolled through.  One never knows!

[kc9jts]

Just having a bit of fun here. I have seen pictures of at least one of these running in lands north back in the day. Its always fun to find an excuse to run exotic road power on the layout. Another reason to like the WC eh? 

For a while SP power was quite common on the Geneva Steel trains; although it was typically widenose GEs (such as Dash 9s).  Other exotic power was pretty common (at least on the Chicago sub).  I remember seeing CSX SD40-2s, SD50s, SD60s, and quite a few widenose GEs along with standard cab B40-8s & C40-8s either on ore trains, coke trains(?) or FDBY/BYFD.  NS was about the same as CSX although Catfish Dash-9s were the most common; most NS power was on trains FDNS/NSFD or potash extras although for a while it was also common on CN trains M346/M347.  BNSF or UP power would show up on occaison but not as common.

NBT
Native of WC-land

[GaryHinshaw]

Trying my hand at pole lines:

I think the sag in this example looks spot on.  Well done!  Now how did you do it?    (Apologies if I missed it.)

-gfh

[w neal]

Congrats on a successful layout tour. It is a nice thing to do for the community. I have really been enjoying your updated reports as the WC is also a favorite of mine. I took a look through the various pages and couldn't seem to find a track plan anywhere. Do you have one to share with the group?

Best wishes, Dave

Thanks. I find it very rewarding to open one's layout to such events. Plus, its just plain fun to connect with people.

Yeah, sorry about the track plan. My cartographer is working freight now and is very busy. Plus it does not help that I was slow in getting him some dimensions over the last few weeks. Its just plain busy for me this August (mostly). For now, just imagine two circles of staging with single track & passing sidings in between.  Its pretty simple, in theory.

I have not been blabbing much about my techniques simply because they are nothing unique. I am not exactly an innovator in this hobby. Its not that I'm not willing to share, its just that I'm not doing anything amazing. Like all of us, I read & otherwise learn from others. I guess when I feel I have something new to share, I will. I'm just really lacking on the creative front I suppose. Perhaps then, I am just looking for feedback here; positive or negative. Bearing in mind that I am no Danneman or Denton, critique me...