Galesburg "City Job"

[MichaelWinicki]

Got some bad news from my layout partner. He sounds very disheartened. Its as though he wants to give up on the project.

"I suppose the question to ponder the rest of the 2017 season is, "Do we continue this journey into 2018? While I love the way things are turning out, I also see a lot of things I should have done differently. So I guess at this point my question is, do I sell the modules to you and move on, or do we endeavor to look at new opportunities in 2018."

I gave him some encouraging words and the hope that the project could continue. I'm just a bit worried however. Its likely just moving jitters, etc.  We'll see...

Sorry to hear of that.

But maybe it presents an opportunity.

Sometimes relying on others... The results can be uneven.

[w neal]

Yeah, no kidding. That's why I left the "club scene" years ago. It just takes one bad apple...

I think Jim is stressed about a lot of things in his life lately. Things will look clearer for him in a year or two. Meantime, I may have to try a few shows on my own. But then, I'm used to that.

[casmmr]

We enjoyed having you and Jim at the Ohio N-scale Weekend.  The 9th Ohio N-scale Weekend is on May 19/20/21, 2017, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, Hilliard, OH.  I sent info to Jim, however, if you would like the same info, let me know and I can email or snail mail it to you.  Also, if you cannot make it, please let me know as I can really use the space for vendors or another layout,  Thanks and see you later, Craig Sonnen, secretary, Central Ohio N-trak.

[w neal]

That lies in Jim's hands. We have already talked about attending. You should be hearing from him.

[btrain]

I hope things get less stressful for Jim. I really like the design philosophy you both have for this layout. You guys inspired me at last year's Ohio N scale show to get off my bottom and start a modular layout that I've been thinking of for a very long time.

[w neal]

Looks like he's still in the game. We hope to see you at that show again this year. We have a few dates this season. We will post something shortly. Look to see us in Columbus next month and, of course, Galesburg in June. Will be in sacred central Illinois in April, we hope a couple of times. We may have an August date as well.

With Jim's impending relocation, I don't think we'll be able to make it to Trainfest this year. Dang it. 

[mcjaco]

Sounds like Jim has some big life changes coming up, and that always stresses people out, and tends to make the hobby stuff seem that much more of a burden.

Glad to hear he's come around.  I love the concept, and think it's very well executed.  I may have been in line to snatch these up as a home layout, if you went that way!

[w neal]

We have decided to celebrate the anniversary (40th, I think) of the Burlington Northern hosting Railroad Days in Galesburg. In honor of this, and because my layout co-conspirator needs an excuse  , we will be running 1970s era equipment. Expect to see more BN and yellow bonnet power traversing the layout.

Our "research", from my perspective, seems to indicate that there will be some GP-20s (downgraded from mainline service) switching the modules, and maybe a GP-30 or two.

April is coming fast. I need to get some decoders in my "yellow bonnet era" equipment now (grumble grumble). And, I'll need to dirty up some of my 60s power.

[w neal]

Time for great moments in "Duh!":

During this week's cram session on the modules (as I prepare for its showing at the Urbana Illinois show this weekend), I was trying to figure out why my locos always kept stalling on this grade crossing. After drilling a couple holes and adding new power leads to the track, I promptly discovered that it did not cure my problem. The loco would creep to a certain spot and "die". Like this:






After a bit of head scratching. I wondered what else might be causing my dilemma. After a few moments, the neurons fired. These things are made of wood. I.E. they flex with humidity. "DUH" 

Originally, these crossings were installed just a tiny bit lower than the tops of the rails. After the rigors of a few different shows, in all times of year, I'm sure humidity had its way and caused warping. My somewhat risky solution was to carefully shave off the tops of the crossing with a sharp exacto blade at such an angle as to follow the curve of the road (not really shown well in the picture). I recommend great caution, as it is very easy to also shave off the tops of the rails and cause dents and scaring of the rail's surface.










Here is the result:




I'll just carefully restain the crossing in place using a micro brush, being careful not to get any on the road's surface. Perhaps I'll mask the road, as I am prone to being clumsy. I'll also wipe off the tops of the rails while the stain is still wet.





At least my locos roll through the grade crossing now without stalling. I'll need to keep on eye on things however as I'm sure they'll warp again. At least I'll know what to try first.

[w neal]

Here is a partial list of some upcoming show dates. We are hoping to get into the Decatur Illinois show April 8th & 9th, but we have not heard yet from the show's organizer. 

[w neal]

I'm now told the 1970s era will now only take place during the Galesburg show. Its back to the 1960s for the other shows, so no green locomotives. That's ok with me. We are happier there anyways. I always liked the ATSF pinstripe scheme better anyways. 

[w neal]

I'm finally officially "planting" my houses in the ground. This one represents one that used to stand along Monmouth Boulevard. In fact, some still stand along Monmouth to this day, just not this one that was so close to the tracks. I added some mud, A.K.A. ground goop, around the base of these. The lighter color indicates the "still wet" mud. This stuff subsides a bit as it dries. A second coating is needed to help hide the seams.
















This house, or one much like it, still stands near the Santa Fe's wye. My apologies for such a blurry picture. I was unable to carve out any ground foam for the base to sit in, as plywood lies directly underneath (why isn't this foam - cutter working  ). Therefore, I had to try to hide the base with mud. A second coating will be needed for sure.














Oh, I managed to restain my RR crossings.








More work tonight. The show is in only a few hours... 

[w neal]

We will be at the Decatur Illinois show this coming weekend. Come say hello to us.

It was good fun at Urbana this past weekend. Lots of nice comments. It was easy to tell the modelers amongst the crowd, as they were the ones who would say "love the height". 

"Mr. Roundy Round" , as I call him, was there again to let us know how stupid our layout was.    It was hard for him to understand the concept of a switching layout and that some trains were just not moving. After trying to explain, I told him that its not for everybody. He agreed.

I let one young fellow (around 12 years old) do some switching at an industry or two. It was great fun for both of us.

Pics later...

[w neal]

It was a good weekend at the Decatur show, albeit bittersweet. Our first, and last showing of the layout there. 

I did just a bit of railfan action on the way. The following scenes were taken near Danville:















Upon seeing the roadrailer in Danville, and knowing that these trains are "on their way out", I decided to chase it out to a better spot in the country:









That's better:












Later that day, and after loading up the rest of my modules at Jim's place, it was time to set up the layout. But on the way, was this leased locomotive with interesting paint:






We did manage to at least get the basic setup done before they closed the arena.





And after setup, who says only the tropics have beautiful sunsets. Sometimes, the Illinois flatlands should be called "big sky country", in my opinion.











Day one of the show found Jim's setup looking fine:










Things seemed to be functioning well for not having been operated together since Trainfest.






More later...

[w neal]

Some new signage from my layout partner. It was actually read by at least one father & son.













After the show, and before dinner, we did a little rail archaeology. This elevator lies along the old IT R.O.W., I think it was.













Dinner was in Atlanta. Across the street was this big wiener.













After dinner, we had a brief look at the Elevator museum at the junction.












The next morning, we found relics of a former coach never to be restored along an IC branch in Cisco.

















The Decatur show was not huge, but very fun with an amazing selection of N scale to be seen. Careful observers may be able to spot the layout even.
















It also afforded the opportunity for some overhead shots. It reminded me of standing in the balcony at the museum of science & industry in Chicago staring at the Museum & Santa Fe layout.

One interesting comment: "You don't see a wye modeled at too many shows". Never thought about that really.




















The next day, I took a little time to explore again before heading home. Here is a couple views of the former Peoria & Eastern. The NS was finally granted permission to abandon these tracks. I fear they will be torn up soon.











Always wanted to see the IC depot in Champaign. I hear division offices used to be upstairs. Reminds me of the depot in Galesburg.

The old entrance ramp to the tracks had a sign that said "no access to the trains", or words to that effect. I trespassed a bit anyway. Down the tracks, and next to the new depot in the distance was parked a CN cop. Certainly understandable given the neighborhood, and terrorism threats, etc. I just could not help but think what a difference 100 years makes (thinking about the 100th anniversary of WW1). Back then, they wanted to welcome people. Today...















Some interesting remnants behind the former freight depot in town too.








It was sad to leave this part of the country as it was our final shows in this vicinity. Life moves on...