April-May-June Update

Well no doubt I am slightly (3 months) behind on update posts. While life around these parts has been no doubt busy there have been plenty of model railroading, just lacking the time to write about it. This post will however catch you up with all the happenings around the MCIS St. Clair Sub since March. 

MCIS 7052.... Is this a new add to the roster? Read on to find out. 

CASS RIVER SCENE UPDATE
When we left off in March I was chin deep (upper level @ 66" off floor) into creating this scene. This specific setup featured a through truss bridge over the Cass River with deciduous vegetation flanking the banks along the right of way. 

After a few more weeks of work the scene is now 95% complete, the last bit to complete is ballasting the bridge approach. 

On previous layouts I have used Magic Water to create my water features but after seeing alot of good reviews on the Woodland Scenics Deep Pour Water system, I wanted to give it an honest try. Specifically the Cass River from the google street view is pretty murky so the pre-tinted murky water was on point. I ended up using two kits together to get the depth and coverage required. Using the product was as easy as the instructions provide, there are a good videos on the web showing step by step. 

As a base layer I did end up using Quikrete general purpose paver mix screened to get the rock I wanted in the middle of the river with a light blend of Missouri river pebbles provided by a good friend to provide alittle more color along the banks and in shallower water. Of course good scenic cement soaking is key in making this all possible. 

Quick Money Saving Tip: If you have a Hobby Lobby close by, you can get alot of model railroading products there, and even better use their online 40% one item coupon to help bring down the cost of items like the Deep Pour Water, tools, or Just Plug lighting. 

Paver and rock base in place, ready for scenic cement

 Water Pour 24 hours later - great results! 

Google Street View - Cass River 

With the water hard as a rock, it was time to begin adding in foilage on each side of the river. From the photo above, its pretty thick so I really wanted to layer the trees to draw the operator into the scene. 

 West bank of river at UPPE / LACE DTC block boundary

Zooming out a little more from the same shot above

 Canoers gliding town the Cass towards Caro, Michigan

 What is a Michigan river bank without a weeping willow

View west from DTC block boundary looking at the main (left) and east leg of wye (right) 

With Cass River scene just about done, I will be turning my attention towards Upper Huron. This scene encompasses the Michigan Sugar plant, Upper Huron branch wye, and the Town of Upper Huron. From the photos below basic terrain with paint and dirt base layer are in place. The next step before continuing to develop this scene is installation of backdrop. With Sceniking out of business I needed to find another vendor who created scenes to fit Mid-Michigan. After searching I came across Backdrop Junction and in short order working with Dave Burgess a backdrop will be on its way. The mockup looked great, cannot wait to get the finished product installed. 

We will return to Upper Huron later this summer to see how the scene development process is coming along. 

 Bare dirt.... Did I start modeling west Texas?

MAC RAIL UPDATE

If getting work done on Cass River wasn't enough, I decided to jump head first on quite a few backshop projects. Lets take a scroll through each of the projects completed and underway.

Contract Projects

The MAC Rail Sales rep has been busy as April saw the completion of three Soundtraxx Soundcars and a UP EMD SD50 with Tsunami sound and ditchlights under for a contract customer. 

Some say the soundcar is too much, done right it does add another level of immersion.

Paint Shop 

In addition to completing contract work, MAC Rail also opened up a paint shop for Michigan Interstate Railroad. Birthdays are always great when you get a portable spray booth. For the amount and scope of work I do, this is perfect with my Paasche H.

Michigan Interstate recently purchase two SD70ACe's from CSX. As part of opening the new paint booth, one of the units MCIS 7052 received a fresh paint job by the MAC Rail.

Motor was primed with Tamiya Fine White Primer and painted with Scalecoat II Reefer Yellow and Conrail Blue. 

Decals:

• Rail Graphics (MCIS logo, numbers, and lettering)
• Microscale (SD70ACe data)
• Highball Graphics (American Flag, Operation Lifesaver, Smart Start)
• Shellscale (Numberboards and rear numbers)
• Smokebox Graphics (Side Sill yellow reflective tape)

 Reefer yellow ends complete

 Conrail Blue applied

 Conductors side markings done (7051 as reference)

 Motor equipped with Tsunami2, Currentkeeper, and two fuel tank speakers

Completed motor in active service - nice work MAC Rail

EMD SD60M / SD70ACe Overhaul Project

With MCIS 7052 in service complete with new Tsunami2 sound/control system, MCIS management decided it was time to continue with the momentum and update the other EMD SD70ACe's (7050, 7051, 7053) for fleet commonality and efficency. While under way the two unit fleet of SD60M's which had been on MAC Rail property since last year awaiting updated electronics also received Econami sound/control. Project is on track to bring the three ACe's online by July 01 in time for the late summer demand coming into the 2018 sugar beet campaign. 

Lined up in Building 3A.

MICHIGAN INTERSTATE FLEET UPDATE

This year marked our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Building on a tradition that we started the year we got married, the CFO purchased this fantastic undecorated Proto 2000 Heritage 2-10-2 with QSI sound from the consignment cabinet at DMT. What an amazing present to commemorate and whole lot of fun to operate. Using gold dry transfers, I was able to do a convincing job marking it up for Michigan Interstate #2018. Maybe a call to Matt Welke at Circus City Decals is in order to setup a gold letter package for the excursion fleet. Don't think doing a ton of dry transfer work is for me. 

This engine will be kept along side MCIS #2008 at their Mount Pleasant base and used for passenger excursions throughout the year

Lastly MCIS 4051 (EMD SD40-2) has made an appearance on the Bay City Division. Since purchased used from the MR&T, this motor was assigned up on the North Division working between Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, and Detour. Using floquil acrylics and makeup applicators from a Model Railroader Cody Grivno weathering article sometime ago I was able to give it a touch of the elements.

Pretty lengthy post, but there you have it three months like that. The summer looks to be pretty busy with the installs, ops session preparation, and of course a few other cool adds to the mix. I plan to get a monthly post out around mid month and expect to stay that course the rest of the year. Thanks for stopping by. 

GM 

The Balancing Act

Recently a fellow modeler asked me how I balance having a young family, time, and model railroading. 

       The St. Clair Subs biggest railfan!!

The secret to model railroading with two young ones is a compilation of items:

 

1- Blitzing - Luckily the layout benchwork was all complete mostly before my son was born in November 2012. A good portion of track was down as well, but up till last week I was still adding in customer sidings and making slight track change. Even if this was not the case a one day blitz to install simple benchwork with foam on top could have you running trains within a day. Additionally building benchwork in sections would allow you to expand as time is available.

 

2- Late Nights - A great deal of time spent on the layout is in the evenings between 830pm to 1230am after the kids go to bed. The entire week up to the ops session consisted of being up till 1230am, a little intense doing it every night. Other times I can work on things while my son plays on the floor while i work on the layout. I try to get 3 nights in a week, sometimes more on the weekends versus weekdays but it varies... 

 

3- Contract out work - any custom detailing, painting, decaling, weathering, and Sound install is contracted out to two guys who have been doing work with me for many years. There is a cost sure but based on limited time it is deemed worth it. I have begun completing my own sound installs as my skills have improved, but it is a ratio of 2:1 for every two I contract out, I do one in house.  

 

4- Commercial Products - use commercial track, turnouts, scenery products, kitbash commercial structures, and suitcase connectors for bus wiring. Make it easy on yourself, getting buried in these items will greatly reduce your overall layout time. 

 

5- Simplicity - My benchwork, wiring, and trackwork are all very simple making its install very expedient

 

6- Making Every Second Count - if its 15 minutes that is enough time to do any number of small projects. In the past I would only work in large time blocks and waste a lot of time, now any bit of time you gotta take and run with it

 

7- Planning List - I create a project list and categorize by time length so when I have the free time I can jump in and work on something, versus looking or getting the items needed which wastes time. Additionally each month I take a little time to outline the main projects I want to work on whether it be ballasting a small portion, build an industry, or install sound into an engine.  Be realistic and choose one or maybe two if they are simple to complete.

 

8- Expectations - things happen and you may not get in the layout room for maybe a few weeks, it is only a hobby the sooner I realized this the more I take it in stride and do not sweat it. Family is much more important than a model train.

 

9- Spousal Balance - take care of the family, then house and time will present itself. My wife has always known me to be a model railroading guy even when we dated in college. She understands and values the skills and hobby that I enjoy as a passion. So when I have free time I am usually in my layout room versus sporting events, railfanning, or even operating on other layouts... Its about the balance, I prefer to play all of my cards on getting my layout where it needs to be. Get her involved on making decisions based on overall layout visual appeal in scenes, industry planning, and scenery. Sometimes we as the modeler get stuck in making these decisions and having an outsider say “I like this versus that” gets us out of that rut and gets them involved just enough to know they are appreciated and progress isbeing made.

 

10- Spousal Reciprocation - if you get time to work on it, make sure she knows you appreciate it and reciprocate by letting her go have a girls night, getting the kids bathed, shopping, or just relax to read a book.

 

11- Family Involvement - Make progress and share the success with your family. I use operating my trains as a way to help my son with his counting, colors, and recognition of objects like tank car, boxcar. Take the family to the hobby shop or train show. On the way back get a bite to eat, ice cream, or stop somewhere for the wife to shop. This goes a long way. As my son does get older I plan to roster Thomas The Tank in HO scale for his enjoyment. 

     Train ride @ TWMRC Train Show

12- Continuous Running Loop - best thing I have installed on upper and lower levels are two continuous loops so I can run trains for the family to enjoy. Not to mention I can put a train on the loop and let it run for hours getting the engines break in time and go about my business in the house periodically checking in. Non-modelers want to see trains run, not operate. 

 

13- Family Help - If your father or father in law lives close and likes doing projects get him involved to help build the benchwork and basics. This can help double your efforts in the limited time you have.

 

  Just like his dad! Great sign of balance.

Everyone have a great weekend!

GM

 

C-FWUH-01

Between all of the projects going on, it's nice to sometimes just take a train out of staging and enjoy running it on the "Clair" with my son. Last night we decided to run C-FWUH-01 (Coal Train - Fort Wayne, IN (ISRR/NS) to Upper Huron, MI (Saginaw Valley Co-gen). 

Behind GP38-2s (3833/3827) were twelve loaded coal cars followed by shoving platform 31. 

My little conductor giving a role by as we came off Bay 2 back onto the mainline.

Conductor now being the AEI reader to verify our car count. Who knew this part could be so much fun.

Finishing up the role by with shoving platform in tow. I ask him "what color is this train?" And the response is "Wred".

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy the time with your family and your hobby, I know we will.

GM

Mid February Update

February has been a crazy hectic time around the house, which means not alot of time for model railroading. I however had a few hours over the Presidents Day Holiday to install a sound decoder.

During these few hours I installed a Soundtraxx AT-1000 EMD 645 sound decoder, Soundtraxx Current Keeper, and Railmaster Hobbies DS1425-8 speaker into the freshly painted EMD SD40M-2. 

Tonight my son and I finally had the opportunity to program and test out the engine. This is what it's all about - enjoying the layout and hobby with the family. The kid was working the ground on Bay Yards east end observing the new sound coming from MCIS 4059.

I hope to get a little scenery done on this section toward the end of the month.

GM

Good Bye 2014 /\ Hello 2015

As we traverse the last day of 2014 I stop to reflect back on all of what this year has brought in terms of challenges, successes, and opportunities. Personally my family and I have had alot of all three and it has been a fun journey, but that is what life is all about.... Enjoy the journey and continue forward.

From a model railroad perspective alot of progress has been made on the layout, modeler friendships created, kept the blog pretty well updated, and began sharing my layout with others through informal operating sessions.

Looking to 2015 - top goals are to continue with good blog posts (2-3 a month), finish all trackwork as right now I just need to add in the industry tracks, operate the layout quarterly, and have fun.... The last goal seems so simple but we lose sight of this as it is a hobby. Going to kick it off on track with our first four person session this Saturday.

Here's to the new year!

GM

Winter Photo Fun

Photo below used with permission by Chris Palmieri.

An empty BNSF coal train lead by EMD SD70MAC pushes through falling snow onthe Sioux City Sub at Abel, NE.  

Mid November Update

Weather down here in Texas today is cold, rainy, and overcast which makes for the perfect time to provide my Mid November Update. The last few weeks have been alot of fun around the house and on the "Clair".



MCIS SD70ACe 7050 leads the M-BAPH-10 out of Bay Yard towards Port Huron.



Fort Worth Train Show - Will Rogers Coliseum 

 


Tug and I prior to going into the show.



Grandpa and Tug checking out train photos and other memorabilia.

 

A CN / Grand Trunk Western consist in Texas.... Those new Intermountain SD40-2s look and run fantastic!

  Last weekend was the annual Fort Worth Train show at the Will Roger Coliseum (Amon Carter Event Center). This show hosts a ton of local modular layouts (A hit with my son) and dealers selling consigned and new products. I was very impressed with both the Forest Hill and Fort Worth train shows this year in Tarrant County. The same vendor that I had picked up five cars from at the Forest Hill Train Show was in attendance so I had the opportunity to pick up another nine cars needed for customers served on the railroad. 

Picked Up: 

2 Atlas Pressuraide Hoppers - Customer: Huron Mills 

2 Walthers Plastic Hoppers - Customer: ThermoPak Industries 

2 Athearn 20,900 RTC tank cars - Bridge traffic 

2 Atlas 3560 Hoppers - Customer: AmCan Salt 

1 Intermountain Cylindrical Hopper - Customer: Michigan Agricultural Commodities

Y-BA04-08 bringing the new online cars back to Bay Yard from Lake State Railway Interchange.



Layout Update

Along with the train show I have been working diligently to complete the basic scenery on the east end of Bay Yard. The most recent addition to the scene was SuperTrees trees. For this area I decided to use the 60 second tree method with spray paint and hair spray versus matte medium. One of these tree batches I will try out the glue method using scenic cement but with my time limited every shortcut helps balance time working on the railroad.

Enjoy the pictures - hope Santa Claus will bring me Siliflor grass tufts to help finish the scene transitioning into the helix.

East Yard lead into Bay Yard - the Smith & Sons ballast blends turned out really nice.

Coming out of the helix - just beyond the curve is the east switch to Bay Yard and Chessie Junction.

Looking east from the yard lead - the whole in the backdrop represnets the lower level continous run / Lake State Railway Interchange.




MCIS SD70ACe rumbling through the newly added foilage.

 

L to R - East yard lead, Main 1, Main 2, Industry track into Lakes Forest Products

Engineers view through the newly forested section east of Bay Yard between the M-15 overpass and helix entrance. This is also the beginning of the continous grade out of the Saginaw River Valley up to Upper Huron, so as you can imagine the prime movers would be singing.   


Everyone stay safe going into the holidays and stay tuned for my next update around Thanksgiving.

GM

Family Time Inspiration

L

MCIS 7050 running lead on the M-GMGM-16 past the Bay City Station. I use this symbol when I run continuous mode on the lower deck for my son. It's great that at just under 16 months old he loves going into the train room and points to the layout wanting to see what dad has been up and of course watch a train operate. We both crouched down to get this perspective and figured it would be a great photo to share.