a picture a day....

Today...

Look at you Lee, having all sorts of fun! I don't know how you do it, but I am glad your able to take it all on!

Lee, I was thinking just what Mike wrote!  Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with us!!!

@mike g. posted:

I don't know how you do it, but I am glad your able to take it all on!

Thanks (you too, Mark)! It helps if you know the right people. The train was in East Olympia for the week training emergency responders on how to deal with a crashed train. I found that ironic as they didn't bring a Talgo train, and used the older commuter cars and the gutted F-40/P42 push combo that will all be gone once the new Talgos arrive.

They said they were doing this as they plan on using the Point Defiance line this fall (yes, where 501 had the deadly derailment at DuPont), so familiarizing local responders to a train crash is something they usually do for a new route.

Anyway, a pal of mine is the fire chief here in Rochester (and also a layout design and wiring guru, without whom I never could have finished my own layout) and he got me and some other railfans access for an hour or so. I got to walk all inside a P42 which was very interesting (and as surprised how little room there is in one of those).

One of my favorite Santa Fe ABBA sets. One of the B units has the new (1993) “Rail Sounds”.

For Today: " The Crew Change ....

Engineer Elmer Fadely gently eases the 611 to a full stop.  He's been at the throttle for quite some time and it's now time to change crews.  

Practically all Elmer could think about since mile post 317 is sitting down to a nice supper at Pootsy's Place, a local restaurant known for larger portions and  extremely popular among railroaders.  Some 8 years and 40 pounds ago Elmer's walked through the front door of Pootsy's and has been a regular ever since that day when he took his first bite of Pootsy's homestyle cookin!   The sign that adorns Pootsy's Place reads " At Pootsy we are about  EQuality & EQuantity ... Extra Quality and Extra Quantity!"  Elmer is so regular that upon walking in the door, Poosty herself greats him with a big HELLO ELMER! as she leads him to his favorite booth near the window.  Elmer is always a generous tipper too, which certainly enhances his VIP reputation at Pootsys.

After checking in at the Y and  taking a relaxing shower Elmer will make a bee line to  Pootsy's Place to chow down on some smoked pork chops, string beans, okra, and creamy mashed potatoes washed down with ice cold sweat tea.  After he's finished the main course he plans on eating a big ol piece  of peach cobbler.    Elmer knows that no one on the face of the earth makes a finer peach cobbler than Pootsy herself.... although this time  he will skip the large scoop of peach ice that usually adorns the top of the cobbler .... Elmer's is trying to watch his waist line or as his wife spells it out W A S T E  L I N E.    After a long day on the railroad and some great food in his belly Elmer is sure he'll sleep well tonight.  He might even watch the Brooklyn Dodgers game tonight before turning in.

The new crew includes fireman Gibby Judd and headend brakeman Clause Cringle.  They get down to the first order of business ... making sure the tender tank is topped off.  

611's new engineer, Full Throttle Thornton ... known as FT by all the railroaders, climbs aboard.  He's been known to take the 611 to 110 mph and hold her there on long straightaways. Old FT is quite a legend in his own time!   He sure can put some miles behind him.  That's for sure!!

With a full tank of water and FT at the throttle 611 is on it's way!  

Hey Patrick, once again, another great story and awesome pictures. Clause Cringle, Full Throttle Thorton, and Gibby Judd - love it!

Curt. Wow do those blue bonnets stand out. As I have said before these F units set the standard for diesels for me. Wished I could have had a set when I was  a kid but glad I have them now.

Hey farmerjohn, yeah some of those old “F” units are worth a lot of money, but I like the newer stuff with the awesome sound systems. My passenger cars on my Santa Fe Chief set are the old “Surf Liner” set. I will have to take a picture of them.

FOR TODAY:  " Jake and Buford working a way freight in west Patsburg."

@trumpettrain posted:

For Today: " The Crew Change ....

Engineer Elmer Fadely gently eases the 611 to a full stop.  He's been at the throttle for quite some time and it's now time to change crews.  

Practically all Elmer could think about since mile post 317 is sitting down to a nice supper at Pootsy's Place, a local restaurant known for larger portions and  extremely popular among railroaders.  Some 8 years and 40 pounds ago Elmer's walked through the front door of Pootsy's and has been a regular ever since that day when he took his first bite of Pootsy's homestyle cookin!   The sign that adorns Pootsy's Place reads " At Pootsy we are about  EQuality & EQuantity ... Extra Quality and Extra Quantity!"  Elmer is so regular that upon walking in the door, Poosty herself greats him with a big HELLO ELMER! as she leads him to his favorite booth near the window.  Elmer is always a generous tipper too, which certainly enhances his VIP reputation at Pootsys.

After checking in at the Y and  taking a relaxing shower Elmer will make a bee line to  Pootsy's Place to chow down on some smoked pork chops, string beans, okra, and creamy mashed potatoes washed down with ice cold sweat tea.  After he's finished the main course he plans on eating a big ol piece  of peach cobbler.    Elmer knows that no one on the face of the earth makes a finer peach cobbler than Pootsy herself.... although this time  he will skip the large scoop of peach ice that usually adorns the top of the cobbler .... Elmer's is trying to watch his waist line or as his wife spells it out W A S T E  L I N E.    After a long day on the railroad and some great food in his belly Elmer is sure he'll sleep well tonight.  He might even watch the Brooklyn Dodgers game tonight before turning in.

The new crew includes fireman Gibby Judd and headend brakeman Clause Cringle.  They get down to the first order of business ... making sure the tender tank is topped off.  

611's new engineer, Full Throttle Thornton ... known as FT by all the railroaders, climbs aboard.  He's been known to take the 611 to 110 mph and hold her there on long straightaways. Old FT is quite a legend in his own time!   He sure can put some miles behind him.  That's for sure!!

With a full tank of water and FT at the throttle 611 is on it's way!  

Yes indeed  Patrick, nothing like a delicious hot dinner after a full day of real work'.. I wish I could join Elmer, for some of those smoked pork chops, and mash'...  A great little story Pat'... made me hungry....  🥢 👍😉

Curt. I agree  with the new units. Here is  my set on a high line crossing a trestle.

Wow, 194 pages of fun to review pictures and videos from all over the country, do to modern technology…. Beautiful pictures everyone…. Happy Railroading Everyone. A friend brought over his Southern Pacific set yesterday and here it is…

That Southern Pacific Daylight is a beautiful set. Saw the video of the restored version going up Cajon Pass near San Bernardino, California.

Hey farmerjohn, looks great on your spectacular trestle.

For today:  With number 97 having just taken on water at the tank, engineer Bulldog Murson and fireman Skeet Marx stretch their legs as they've been told it will be a while now before their next assignment.  In the background Western Maryland 724 is on the service track.

Pat, getting out and stretching legs is always good

MTH PA-1

Hey Patrick, What, no one brought a thermos of coffee? I bet Skeet’s wife sent along some homemade cookies for their break.

A little refreshment after a game of sandlot baseball.

Great photos everyone! Sorry I dont have a lot of time so thats it for now! LOL

Early in the morning just as the sun clears Holston Mountain, a crew at 'Baker' Company, 796th ROB, gets Army loco 5069 ready for switching....

FOR TODAY:  

THE FIRST SIP OF JOE:  During the very early hours of the morning as the first rays of sun begin to scatter... brakeman Harvey Smoot rides the footboard  of number 97 as it inches backwards toward its' train.   Once the train is connected to the locomotive, Harvey looks forward to he and the rest of the crew taking a short coffee brake just across the street at Twilla's Lunch & Breakfast Room.   Experience of working this switch job over the years, Harvey knows at this early hour, Twilla has just put on the first pot of coffee of the day.  Twilla's coffee is arguably the finest in Patsburg ...   " Ahhhh! Nector of the gods!"  These same words emanate from Harvey's lips each morning upon his first sip.  Hearing these words always amuses Twilla,  as her eyes twinkle she breaks out with a half smile while shaking her head from side to side.  Harvey's first sip has become a morning ritual for both Harvey and Twilla, not to mention the rest of the crew who also finds entertainment value as they look on.  

Now that number 97 is connected to its' train the crew will dash to Twilla's for a cup of that FINE coffee before embarking on the day's switching orders.  

While Harvey and the boys are at Twilla’s for their morning coffee break, the White Tailed Deer family is bedding down after grazing all night along the quiet tracks. They are used to the noise of the trains during the day and don’t seem to notice them.

Hey p51, very cool. Something about the black and white makes it look so real.

@Curt Henion posted:

Hey p51, very cool. Something about the black and white makes it look so real.

Thanks. I love b/w...

Lee - once again fabulous photos and videos!!  The black and white really gives your layout a definitive sense of 'place in time.'

Curt -  nice segue from 'First Sip of  Joe'  to your the deer grazing in your nice photo!

Let’s roll today, everyone great pictures, all fun to review, also great videos. Have a great week all. Happy Railroading Everyone

Hey leapinlarry, great pictures and video. Fantastic layout. Curt

FOR TODAY:  "Travel by Pullman!"

Larry, Patrick, both excellent shots (as always for each of you)!

My wife is a knitter and she said, “I would like a yarn shop on your layout”. Well, I figured that was the least I could do since she donated the bedroom to the cause. The yarn shop is built out of foamboard and the stucco finish is sand mixed in acrylic beige paint. The tile roof is plastic drinking straws. She is sitting on the porch with her two cats. Oh, and I should mention, she is a Mustang Girl.

Curt - you will now have to make a sign for the yarn store.  What name does the CEO want? 

I made one using card stock paper laminated together with a couple pieces of thin braided wire hot melt glued into the overhang.   

Yes, that is why I built the roof with a step in it for a sign in front. I like your sign and your idea. I did this sign on my locomotive repair shop, but I want the yarn shop sign a little more colorful. The name of my wife’s knitting business is Left Hand Creations (she is left handed). Thanks for the idea.

Curt nice hand lettering on the ATSF sign. I do not have a color printer in operating condition so mine had to be black and white - although I could have colored in where needed. What I really wanted to do was print the sign with a 3D printer, This fall I may be able to get access to a printer to try some ideas.

Left Hand Creations with a ball of yarn with knitting needles sticking through might be fun.

This sign is printed the same way and glued to the plastic sign.  Full Circle is the name of my son's coffee shop in the Grand Rapids area. He provided the graphic. Black letters on white background did not look as good. His first franchise in Champaign IL.  

FOR TODAY:  Action at the junction on Wednesday morning .... a train load of pulpwood makes its' way through Butler Junction.

Patrick, your focus on detail is incredible. Curt