Nick Kane's Brass Loco Scratch Build

 Some of you may have seen Nick's work on a prior post or have heard about his remarkable talent. He is truly a master. His skills are second to none. 

Nick is modeling the Sacramento Valley RR circa 1855 in HO scale. In addition to scratch-building all his structures. He is one of us who are devoted prototype modelers.  His first build was the Robinson. I will post photos of it another time.

This loco is his second. Check out the cab detail! Remember, this is an ALL-brass scratch build!

I will be adding at least one post a month on Nick's progress with all the aspects of his layout build. Please stay tuned, and comments are always encouraged.

Uodate on LeBron Matthew's Layout

 LeBron models the Western & Atlantic RR as do I. Hence, his model RR is referred to as the south branch, being that he lives in Georgia. 

Several months ago, LeBron had a new layout built by a local company. He has been quite busy and enjoying the scenicing phase. Here are his latest photos of his scenery work. 

Downtown Atlanta, Decatur Street...

On the outskirts ...

His selective compression of Atlanta. Although best seen in person, LeBron's modeling is in the master model railroader category. He is meticulous in his detailing to create authentic representations. He also paints his backdrop! Remarkably talented! 

We have been friends for over 20 years and have had many visits with one another, sharing building techniques, working on projects with each other, and the miseries of adding decoders, speakers, and motors to convert Mantua Generals to a prototypical look. But we certainly do have a whole lotta fun!!

Here is one from about 2004 at his original layout. Chris Brannigan is on the right, and he, along with LeBron, DC Cebula, Brian Kammerer, and I, are the original members of the ACWRRHS.

Brian met up with the General's curator over a few beers one night. The curator was gracious enough to allow us to have our photo taken on the pilot. He told us to stick around after the visitors left the Kennesaw museum, as the General is cordoned off. WHAT a treat!

Operating Session #17

August 12, Trainmen assembled into three crews of two operators each. Bill Myers was assigned to the special running out of Atlanta. A wide range of trains were dispatched, including artillery, mixed, cotton, and hospital. "Random Events" added the unexpected, a wreck train and a telegraph section. Operators also encountered a car with a broken axle, sabateour torching a bale of cotton, officers intervening and demanding two cars off fed and hay dropped on a siding. Bill's special was the spoiler as the other trains had no idea to expect him. Makes for a real-life prototype experience.

After each session, I ask everyone to supply me with highs and lows of their experience. During their runs, they also note where they had issues, e.g., derailments, short, poor loco performance, and anything I need to know for a smooth operation next time.

Here are a few pics from that Saturday...

Corey and Roger are picking up platform cars of cotton in Kingston. Their Random Event was a torched cotton bale, and to uncouple that car.

Here we have Jim on the right, a first timer. He is the Superintendent for our sister NMRA Division, The Garden State. You can read about Jim,  layout updates, and the activities of their division in the Whistle Stop newsletter. Google the NMRA, Garden State Division and their website will pop up. He and Glyn are taking a train through Kingston, on its way to Chattanooga. 

Rob, the engineer, and conductor Dave are making a move in the north end of Big Shanty. Most of you probably know that the Great Locomotive Chase began nearby. By the way, this crew had the car with a broken axle.