The New Northern Central

[lock4244]

Our good friend John ( when he worked for Rapido) got me all excited pre announcement on these saying Rapido was going to be releasing a car I needed for my layout, I thought the sodium chlorate cars.  Sorely disappointed when these were the announcement.   But maybe I'll get 1 or 2 at some point

For me, an essential car for my locale and era... their release has filled a big hole in my fleet. I'm elated they delivered a real masterpiece.

[lock4244]

This is very much what 80's CR was to me, empty yards that had long outlived their purpose, or at the least supplanted by consolidation with another yard nearby. The dead season only adds to the somberness of the feeling this empty yard gives. Not sure the history of the former NCR under Big Blue, but regardless, it's certainly very much invokes early CR to me in that respect 

[bbussey]

I ordered one of the 1976 Procor cars today based on the reviews here. Though I suspect I will be swapping out the wheels at minimum since it’s an open frame car.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is very much what 80's CR was to me, empty yards that had long outlived their purpose, or at the least supplanted by consolidation with another yard nearby. The dead season only adds to the somberness of the feeling this empty yard gives. Not sure the history of the former NCR under Big Blue, but regardless, it's certainly very much invokes early CR to me in that respect 

Well... First off, thank you. I'm glad it's "connecting".

In reality, the NCR was just a stub end branch line after 1972. It ran from a junction with the through route Port Road line into York where it ended thanks to hurricane damage.

Conrail did a decent business in town, but it wasn't nearly the busy through route which I'll be portraying it as (via a single "what if").

That said, the yard DOES look good like this, so I'll be exploiting THAT for future photos

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I ordered one of the 1976 Procor cars today based on the reviews here. Though I suspect I will be swapping out the wheels at minimum since it’s an open frame car.

Jason better send me my cut. Lol.

I don't hate the way these look, so I'm living with them.

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[Bendtracker1]

Imo, these Procor 5820's are probably the finest cars Rapido has done to date. I've had none of the teething problems one associates with their offerings, which is quite refreshing as I bought a fleet of these.

I swore I wouldn't buy the blue car because it's a one off. So I bought one... it has a certain appeal.

I'm happy with the one I got.  When I saw it was a Rapido, I had a small amount of hesitation thinking about their GP20 tank car.
I've got both hoppers, and in some ways, I think they did a better job on them than what Scale Trains did on theirs. 
They both have pros and cons, it's close in my view, but I just like the Rapido version better.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well folks, I did it.

Not only did I ballast and scenic (such as it is) the main part of Windsor St yard, but I ALSO successfully got it running again!

So I did a victory lap.

Heading down to couple up to the train.


86'ers successfully around the tightest curve on the layout.


And finally, everything put back "to bed": the train had to be doubled into two tracks and the power put on the "TV lead"





It's been a good weekend so far.

So who wants to come over and find every piece of still dirty track?

[wm3798]

Looks like I'll be in the neighborhood the week of Aug 10-17.  My sister and her family are going to the beach, and I'll be looking after mom.

Perhaps one evening I can slip down the hill bump some cars...

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Looks like I'll be in the neighborhood the week of Aug 10-17.  My sister and her family are going to the beach, and I'll be looking after mom.

Perhaps one evening I can slip down the hill bump some cars...

Lee

Hell yes!

[wm3798]

I'll bring my new TTrak set so I have something to work on... do you have a TTrak port on the layout yet?  Seems like you should!



Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'll bring my new TTrak set so I have something to work on... do you have a TTrak port on the layout yet?  Seems like you should!



Lee

Nope. And somewhat intentionally: I actually have that discussion with my dad quite a bit since his entire home layout is made up of the same modules he brings to shows.

But I have a big kitchen and folding tables...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Adding some more scenic touches.

Grass in some of the emptier parts of the yard.





Some subroadbed and trees along the front (they're there to be intentionally annoying).



And even something nice for the D&H crews: a little driveway to get off their power when they go on the law here.

[bbussey]

Jason better send me my cut. Lol.

I don't hate the way these look, so I'm living with them.

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I got my gray car today.  A Spring Creek blue car is en route.  I concur that this is the best N scale freight rolling stock they've released to date.  I'm going to remove the air hoses, and I still might swap out the wheels due to the larger flanges but they aren't horrible.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been showing off a bunch of 70s stuff lately, but as I was doing some organization last night I decided it was time for an 80s photo shoot.

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[wm3798]

Having walked in that world at that time, I'm pleased to report that you're nailing it.



Lee