Galesburg "City Job"

[mcjaco]

Nice seeing both Bill and Jim once again. 

This is really a wonderful little layout, that I think is perfect for a spare bedroom, etc.  Lots to do, and TWO railroads in a small space.

[w neal]

Here are a few pictures. I am sorry these are not great pictures.  They are quick hand held shots. I did not take time to do it properly using a tripod & all. There was SO MUCH going on at this year's event that I just couldn't take the time.








This house needs a mailbox, etc. eh?



 




This was taken the second day when we were featuring 70s era equipment. Jim did a nice job adding the working beacons to his Kato switcher. Here is the pair pulling another load of steel plate to the Butler complex. I thought he did a nice job of weathering on the Rock boxcar too. It reminds me I need to get more weathering accomplished on my equipment. I think the nicer layouts feature weathering on many different objects, including freight cars,








I need to add something to the empty cable reels on display at Illinois Power & Light's storage yard.

[w neal]

Looks like I may not be appearing with the City Job until RR Days in June, Trainfest, etc. Right now, I'm still in winter mode. Its been a busy four years and I'm on a budget. I'll post a schedule when we get things finalized. More later...

[w neal]

It was a fantastic weekend with good friends, great food, and N scale galore at the 10th annual Ohio N Scale Weekend. The hosts did a great job a putting it all together. We had a great time showing the Galesburg City Job to others, sharing techniques, reacquainting with some fellow N scalers, and even switching a few cars here and there. Jim worked hard putting a switch list together. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time blabbing with fellow N scalers and did not get a lot of City Job work accomplished. Sorry Jim. But alas, talking with fellow N scalers is what its all about eh?

Here are a few photos of our layout:

The first one here is actually on Jim's half of the layout. Here you see the rather nasty 90 degree turn that the prototype makes as it curves onto the old interurban line and towards the CB&Q's passenger main in Galesburg.






This one is of the northern end of my "mystery industry", which is one of my latest additions to the layout. This is based on one of only two photos of the prototype. One is from an overhead shot provided by a Railwire member earlier. The other is from a friend who was railfaning the line back in the 1990s and accidently got this building in the background. This structure may actually be from a later time period than we are modeling. More research needed.

Both of my newest structures are "chopped" by the way our module's sides fall in relation to the prototypes. I figure this gives 2 chances for some interior modeling. We'll see...









In the background, another of my newest structures - Illinois Power & Light. The prototype is one of only a few original structures standing. It's architecture sure does hail from an earlier era and helps remind viewers that this is the 60s (or something) eh? In the foreground, a little work has been done on "Galesburg Gravel" where they seem to have manufactured cinderblocks - all the rage in building materials after the war. I plan to add a couple cement - type elevators where the cement truck is parked as my circa 1930s? airplane shot shows.

















Of course, the obligatory "end shot" of Jim's Butler modules. Sure do like his 60s lettering scheme on the switcher. Jim plans to totally re-do all 3 of his modules. Seems a shame to me somehow. I thought he "done good" here.





Flat car work I "done did":






Thanks Jim!!

And thanks to the good guys at Central Ohio N Trak for putting it all together!


Next, the homecoming at Galesburg Railroad Days - 4th weekend in June. See you at the train show.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This layout is a work of art! Beautiful AND functional. I love it.

Have you thought about some portable/moveable backdrops to really make it pop?

[w neal]

Work of art?!? Golly Ed, thanks but I dunno about that. We do OK, I guess. But thank you all the same.

We thought about backdrops initially, but the track height being roughly 53" made us think that backdrops might just get in the way during operations, moving, Etc. But your suggestion does not fall on deaf eyes sir. I do believe in them. I might have a couple mods in tow at Altoona. Then you'll really see why we thought this way.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Work of art?!? Golly Ed, thanks but I dunno about that. We do OK, I guess. But thank you all the same.

We thought about backdrops initially, but the track height being roughly 53" made us think that backdrops might just get in the way during operations, moving, Etc. But your suggestion does not fall on deaf eyes sir. I do believe in them. I might have a couple mods in tow at Altoona. Then you'll really see why we thought this way.

Oh, I TOTALLY get it! My oNeTRAK modules don't have them for the same reason.

However, when it's time for Glamour Shots, just something will help. Keep em removeable, in fact, I'd say just get some foam core and use spring clamps like I was talking about recently.

[w neal]

Copy that.

[w neal]

Here is a couple more. My pal took these with his cell phone. I really need to join the modern age. I know, no background blue sky props (steady Ed  ). I need to weather those yard tracks, they're way too clean.




I like to set some stuff on the mainline to hint at other trains of the ATSF. I'm sorry, but you just can't beat the classic pinstripe paint scheme, especially on these beauties. The yellow around the windows really makes them pop. I guess it's just me.











If i'm not mistaken, this car is the one that was gifted to me by Jim. It is a custom painted Atlas 40' box by Wiggin Locomotive Works. I value it greatly. Thanks Buddy!

[w neal]

Our next setup is at Galesburg Railroad Days. I recommend the VIP yard tour, and of course, the train show! Stop by and say Hello:

https://galesburgrailroaddays.com/

[txronharris]

I need to add something to the empty cable reels on display at Illinois Power & Light's storage yard.

I work for a municipal utility and we have our poles stored in our yard. I can get some pics to you, but that might be an easy quick way to model some stuff there. Making some ground transformers which are basically just various green boxes would me an option too.  But you're off to a great start and I like what you have there.

[w neal]

I have a yard here at my local utility I have been using for reference, but pics are always welcome. Poles & transformers are a great idea indeed.

Meanwhile...,

As the ole STYX song says; "Light up and be happy":

[jpec]

I have a yard here at my local utility I have been using for reference, but pics are always welcome. Poles & transformers are a great idea indeed.

Meanwhile...,

As the ole STYX song says; "Light up and be happy":

Or, as the old Traffic song said "light up or leave me alone"

[w neal]

Homecoming in Galesburg this weekend. Can't wait! See you there. Hopefully I'll have something new to look at.

It really is a show worthy of being attended. Yes, plenty to buy. And you can't beat the environs. Take the time to do some railfanning. At least get up on the county road 10 bridge!!

http://www.galesburg.com/news/20180620/galesburg-boasts-largest-train-show-in-downstate-illinois

[C855B]

... http://www.galesburg.com/news/20180620/galesburg-boasts-largest-train-show-in-downstate-illinois

Since when is Galesburg downstate????? It's only 1/4 the way south from the Wisconsin border! Maybe from a Chicagoan's perspective, where everybody there thinks I-80 is the dividing line 'tween "them" and "us". We real downstate folks consider I-70 the separator.

 

I'd like to see the show some day, but it's a four-hour drive from Centralia, so not a casual drive, and we'd have to compete for overnight lodging. That's how far not downstate Galesburg is.