Car Knocking

On real railroads, a car checker / carman (or “car knocker”) would inspect cars as they passed through yards to ensure they were in good operating order, and “bad order” cars that were not. These rejects would be repaired on the “repair in place” (RIP) track or be forwarded on to another location if heavy … Read more

Backdrops

I am in the midst of installing backdrops for my model train layout. Backdrops provide the background for your scenery and hide all the ugly stuff that might be behind your layout. For example, the Woodland Scenics risers I use to bring the CP Rail line up to the stacked staging work well, but they are ugly. … Read more

Track Plan Evolution

Like most people I like to draw up track plans before beginning construction. Now that all the track is laid on my layout, I’d like to show the evolution of the track plan for this layout. Remember that I model in HO scale. My train room is 20’6″ by about 10′ but is not quite … Read more

Filling the Tie Gaps

When you are laying flex track, you often have to cut a tie or two off each end to make room for the rail joiners. Once the track is down, you have an unsightly and unrealistic gap in the ties. It’s simple to fill in this gap. Keep those cut off ties for later use. … Read more

Adapting Reality

I am modeling a layout loosely based on Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. I call it “adapting reality”. In my world I have renamed it to Georgetown (after my father) and dated it to about 1989. [AdSense-A] The real Portage la Prairie of the time featured: CN and CP main lines running parallel to each other … Read more

The Last Spike

After many delays, the last spike was driven into CP’s track in Georgetown, Manitoba. Few were on hand to witness the auspicious occasion. Citing budget cuts, CP Rail General Manager Bill Horne Van said, “All I can say is that the work has been adequately done in every way.” He then boarded the work train’s … Read more

First Circumnavigation of my Train Room

Here’s my first video showing the track running all the way around my train room. It is very clearly rough track and it needs a lot of work, but you have to start somewhere. The part at the start and the end is temporary and is coming out, to be replaced by something a lot sturdier. … Read more

CARM 2012 in Regina

Mark your calendars for CARM 2012, the annual Canadian Association of Railway Modelers convention in Regina, Saskatchewan. The show will be held from June 28 to July 1, 2012 at the University of Regina campus. Registration forms are now available on their web site. PS – I have no involvement with the event other than the use … Read more

Fredericton Model Train Show

If you’re in Fredericton on December 3, check out the Fredericton model train show! It will be at the Fredericton High School on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM in the cafeteria. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those 12 and under. Have fun! Here are my photos from the 2008 Fredericton Train Show.