As winter fast approaches, I am going to dust off the modules that I got from Tom Tee a few years ago at the Indy meet and actually try to make an honest start on the layout. I have gotten my old All Nation NW2 out of moth balls and started figuring out what to do with the paint scheme and details. Runs well as a member here(name is escaping me at the moment) redid the split chain drive sprockets on both trucks. She really needs a can motor conversion done as she does draw some amps. Right now she is in gloss black, clear strobe on the cab roof, golden glow headlights and single chime horn. Would make an easy Clinchfield unit or run down shortline power with some weathering. With my tiny room, trying to decide on a theme. I come from coal and logging modeling in HO scale. I have considered a coal tipple that is "up a hollar" down along the old Clinchfield, a small shortline servicing a couple industries or ??. Not enough room for logging with diesel power. More of an industrial scene or a run down coal tipple with an overgrown branch coming to it. I am keeping freight cars to 40' so I can keep the radius tight to maximize what space I have. (much over a 48" diameter circle just puts it around the walls!!) Room is 9.5 foot wide by 9 foot. Once I clean off the stuff stacked on the benchwork that is up, I will post some pics of what I have to work with. I am not a scratch builder, but sometimes can kitbash a bit. If I ffind the SD7 and caboose I am hunting, then that will swing things to a coal tipple scene most likely. The SD would be staged as the road power that has brought the emptys to be switched in by the yard goat.
A more modern shortline would be nice, but then car lengths become much larger such as with grain hoppers, along with more expensive. A run down shortline serving a grain elevator was high on the list but not sure I can that justice with operation that can be enjoyed in my small space. Maybe an industrial scene, Just dont know and thats one reason its been stalled. I know from my last failed start, the NW2 and 40 foot cars will run ok on that old AHM/Rivarossi tight radius curves and turnouts. Yes I know that is beyond tight, but it did fit reasonably well in my tiny space. Ideas?? Suggestions other than go back to HO(which I cannot hardly see anymore) Thanks Mike
