Jim's Model Train Site

I have released the first 4 episodes of the C&SFT Operating Session series on Youtube. There are 11 episodes in all, and I plan to release episodes 5 to 8 in a week or so, and the remaning 3 a week after that.

The series features a full operating session on the C&SFT, including all arriving and departing trains, train meets at Calumet South loop, switching moves, and yard work.

What does a bit of extra cash and a flurry on eBay equal?

Why, a few new locos of course!

Just arrived today - 2 DCC equipped Bachmann locos. An ATSF SD40-2, and a generic industrial looking GE44 tonner. Both run really well, although I did have to add some acceleration and deceleration delay to make them run a bit more realistically.

If you have been looking at my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/jimsmodeltrains) recently, you may have noticed a small 'advertisement' in the form of a short 30 second promotional video about a new Video Series I am putting together.

Over the last month, since we moved to our new house, I have been able to lay all the track on the 6x1 feet module that has the staging tracks, and lay most of the track on the second 6x1 feet MWSL module which will allow the MWSL layout to connect directly to my C&SFT layout.

I have posted a couple of videos on YouTube of progress so far.

Yes, the layout has been moved again. This time it was only moved about 6 miles from it's old residence. And, much to my joy, I was able to include the 3 feet yard extension module back into the layout. No damage was caused during the move.

That's all for now.

As on Sunday 21st December, I have started the next phase of the never finished layout (is there any other kind?). I purchased the framing and baseboard, and have painted some of them so I can start the actual construction of two new modules. The two modules will each be 1800mm x 300mm (about 6 x 1 feet), making an extension to the layout of 12 x 1 feet.

Following the 'shrinking' of my layout to fit the available space, I was communicating with a member of the virtual interchange group I am a member of, and the suggestion was made for us to run a 'virtual' transfer run from Silvis to Calumet South using Rock Island and C&SFT motive power.

So...