Bay Yard Update

Having a few days off, figured I would showcase some of the work being done on Bay Yard. This really is the focal point of the layout as all traffic flows through it. By the numbers the yard will have six body tracks which can be used for anything from classification to arrival/departure, a throughfare track, and engine servicing top it off. By design it can be switched from both ends since it has double ended capability, but the east end has the longest lead to work with.

Looking west from the start of the East yard ladder. The super reefer is spotted over at BayView Fresh Foods.

Left to right (switch at DSF, tk 7, tk 6, tk 5, tk 4, tk 3, tk 2, tk 1, main, and Bayview Foods siding)

Looking east towards yard - tracks in foreground are switch to North Spur off main line veering to the left, and right switches are the beginning of the West yard ladder. The piece they are sitting on is removable to access the room.

Another picture of the West yard ladder just this side of the DSF.

Motor of the Month (Feburary 2012)

Every month I plan on featuring one of my locomotives, for the first month we are going to feature MCIS GP40-2 "4005"

Model:(Atlas) GP40-2
Built: 1975
Manufacturer: GM-EMD
HP: 3000
PM: EMD 645E3
Fleet Size: 8 (4001-4008)
Painted by Fred Fogelsinger (Bay City, Michigan)

Rock Island Power Shortage

Caught a picture of two Michigan Interstate Motors on short term loan to Dan Munson's Rock Island Layout in Omaha. Those Conrail Blue hoods sure look good moving through the brush.

(SD40-2 "4052" and GP38-2 "3828" lead a local of scrap gons into Douglas, IA)

Saginaw River Bridge

One of the main elements I wanted for my layout was a crossing of the Saginaw River with a swing bridge. While I liked the Walthers kit, I figured to be unique why not kitbash my own. The bridge's main structure was from the combination of two Atlas Code 83 Through Truss Bridge Kits. With their easy assembly and "good enough" detail the bridges made fun work while not spending tens of hours laboring to build a bridge girder by girder that is still a considerable 27" long. Alot of detail is still needed so stay tuned as I work this scene for a possible entry in the Walthers 2013 Catalog.

Helix Part 1

Shown here is the future location of the helix from the main deck to the second level. The beauty of foamboard is its ability to be cut however needed, in this case the inside of the Ashlin Designs helix will be open to allow maintenance and derailment access. More on helix construction in March. Sidenote: The train in the picture is rising up from the lower deck staging about to come onto the layout and cross the Saginaw River.

Layout Update

Here a few pictures of the work that has been happening around the layout recently. From the photos evidence of foamboard, fascia, backdrop, and lighting installation seem to be well at hand.

The first picture was taken from the french doors walking into the room looking to the right which will feature local Bay City industries and Bay Yard creating the focal point for the layout.

Picture number two is looking at the same area on the main deck but from the back of the room looking towards the door. Under Bay City and Bay Yard is a 4 track staging yard capable of holding around 50-55 cars or in my case 3 manifest trains and 2 locals. Below the staging yard are two four drawer storage cabinets from IKEA that I use as off layout staging / storage. My Digitrax Zephyr and PR3 sit on a pull out shelf about the cabinets.

This last picture is from the center of the future helix facing towards Bay Yard and the computer desk. The helix once constructed will be accessible from the inside via duckunder. Behind the unpainted backdrop is a 4 inch gap which houses the 2.5% grade two and from lower level staging.

Weathering Work

Here are a few pictures of MCIS equipment recently weathered by Shannon Crabtree and his Virginia Midland Shops - great work!

Ok so the covered hopper with rep marks WCOX is not actually Michigan Interstate equipment but instead a joint ownership pool with Michigan Agricultural Commodities and State of Michigan that were purchased from FarMarco. Its one way to add more to your fleet without having to repaint.