Train Camp and the Operating Session

 Constructing a model railroad is an enjoyable pasttime (obviously!), but sharing that venture with close friends elevates the experience to another level. At their best, model railroads form the foundations for community, whether a large operating layout that brings together a group of operators monthly, or a small shelf diorama that serves as a talking point when company is over. In short, trains (even the little ones) are best experienced in the company of others. 

After many years of building my railroad solo, my network of model railroaders has grown and the railroad has matured enough to host both operating sessions and work sessions. This winter, I hosted my good friend Cam Nealy for a few days to primarily work on the railroad during a time we affectionately dubbed "Train Camp." During the three days of Train Camp, Cam and I tackled some of the larger projects I had been holding off on, like fascia and lighting, and prepared the layout for one of its first formal operating sessions. Camp culminated with a day long formal operating session. 

Cam is a talented modeler and I trust in his ability to tackle a variety of projects with skill. For the work session, I prepared a list of potential projects for us to tackle and made sure that the appropriate materials and tools were on hand. Then we were off! During the session we finished the fascia, installed more LED layout lighting, finished the cardboard lattice in Fields (an area Cam had started during a previous visit), constructed multiple tunnel liners, and started adding cardboard lattice on the upper level. Sessions like this provide a massive boost to a layout's progress and often raise the motivation to continue to work for days or weeks past the session. Our final task was to clean and prepare the railroad for operating. This involved A LOT of turnout fine-tuning in the staging yards, track cleaning, paperwork preparation, and equipment maintenance. We worked late into the night on the Friday before the operating session so that in the morning we only needed to quickly vaccuum the room and power up the railroad! 

Mr. Nealy inside the helix tracing the openings on the fascia so we could cut it to size.

Cam brought a lot of his equipment (80+ railcars!) to help fill out the operating roster. Here he is unloading and unboxing his crude oil unit train.

A full staging yard ready for operations!

Cam filing turnout points...

...and he kept filing...

The author (that's me!) working on the helix fascia.

Cardboard and hot glue, what mountains are made of!

...and then it was my turn to file points.

Operating Session

The Train Camp operating session was not the first operating session I have hosted on the railroad, but it was the first formal session with a full crew, lineup of trains, and dispatching. Matt Forcum (Metaline Falls Railroad) joined us Saturday morning to round out the crew. After finalizing a few consists, orienting Matt to the railroad, briefing everyone on how the session would run, and a quick bite of Chili for lunch, trains were rolling. 

In subsequent posts I plan to write more about my operating scheme and the process I went through to develop and refine it, but, in brief, the central operating feature of the railroad is manned helper operations. Loaded southboud freights need a little extra boost to get over Pengra Pass en route from Oregon to California so the prototype operates manned helpers between Oakridge, OR and the summit of the grade at Cascade Summit. My operating scheme captures a day on the Cascade Sub focused on the work of the helper crew pushing trains south over "The Hill."

Cam ran the helpers for a majority of the session with Matt taking various road jobs. At the start, I floated between running road trains, answering questions, dispatching, and railfanning. The layout ran flawlessly and as we established a rhythm, the scheme and pace of the operations provided a very immersive experience. Once things settled down, I moved to dispatching full time. 

Eventually the railroad will be signaled and use CTC control, however all territory is still dark, so we emplyed track warrants to grant authority and control train movement over the railroad. Track Warrant Control (TWC) slows the pace of a session down tremendously and the radio chatter provides for a realistic ambiance that adds to the immersive experience. Both Cam and Matt performed well and enjoyed the session greatly (or so I was told!). 

After 4 hours and 7-8 trains, we called it quits. Despite the fact this was indeed the first formal session, it felt like one of many before. There were no major hiccups and the scheme worked nearly flawlessly. I credit this to a lot of help from Cam prior to the session in preparing the layout, high quality and skilled operators, and a thoughtful, well-developed operating scheme that worked with the characteristics of the layout. I look forward to future sessions and continuing to add to the operating history of the Cascade Sub!

Oakridge staged for the operating session. 

Amtrak 14 glides through Wicopee on its way north to Portland. 

The dispatchers desk with train sheet, track warrants, and detection panel.

The helpers on the rear of a southbound manifest at Fields waiting for Amtrak 11 to pass. 

Engineer Matt bringing his train up to speed after letting Amtrak 11 pass (seen above in Klamath Falls staging).

Helper engineer Cam adding some throttle. 

The helpers continue south through newly constructed scenery on the upper level. 

A full Klamath Falls staging. Each staging yard is one directional with a reversing loop. 

The headlight of the helpers can be seen through the bore of tunnel 15 as the units push on the rear of a loaded BNSF grain train.

Engineer Matt guides the BNSF unit grain train through (future) Tunnel 4 and towards Cascade Summit near the end of the session.

Winter 2022 Layout Construction Update

This January I was back in the layout room and had the opportunity to make progress on a few different fronts inlcuding fascia, terrain forming, lighting, and scenery. 

The largest project I tackled was completing the fascia. Like painting backdrops, installing and painting fascia dramatically improves the visual appearance of a railroad and the room itself. Fascia defines the edges of the model world, completes the backdrop, and, in the case of a multi-deck layout like mine, frames the scene.  The room not had a vastly more finished look and the individual scenic vignettes across the layout are framed and ready for further stages of construction. 

Above: New fascia and carboard lattice terrain on mid and upper levels; ballasting underway in Oakridge.

In addition to fascia, my good friend, Cam N., joined me again for a few days (see upcoming post on Train Camp and the Operating Session) to work on a few projects. During his visit we completed the cardboard lattive terrain on the "middle" deck (Fields) and began terrain forming onto the upper deck. He also constructed a few tunnel liners and developed a very simple method using pink foam insulation. Much better than my cardboard and cardstock creations! I will adopt this method in the future. 

Above: Fascia complete around the helix; cardboard lattice terrain complete in Fields (mid-level on the left).

Above: Fascia complete at the layout entrance; from bottom to top: Eugene staging lead, "the slide" between Wicopee and Fields, and Cascade Summit and Odell Lake.

I also made a big push to exhaust my stock of scenery supplies. There is something satisfying about using up a material or product that has sat under layout for months or years. This push resulted in new vegetation around the south portal of Tunnel 22 and further dirt layers in Oakridge yard. After a few evenings I ran out of ballast and a few colors of my favorite bushes by Martin Welberg but didn't come close to exhausting my supply of static grass. I completed this effort by making and installing a dozen or so pine trees above Tunnel 22. 

Above: New scenery (vegetation and trees) around the south portal of Tunnel 22.

My efforts in the yard at Oakridge focused on improving the dirt and ballast layers and starting to adgrassd . I found the most succes with ballasting and dirt by applying mutiple successive layers. I mainly used Scenic Express and Arizona Rock and Mineral products in varing colors and grain size to achieve varied color and texture. I plan to return once all the ballast is complete to weather the rails, ties, and ballast to tie everything together. I added static grass and weeds once sections of dirt and ballast had dried. I used Silflor static grass in varying colors and lengths as well as Martin Welberg weeds and tufts. Both brands and their respective products are available from Scenic Express. 

Above: Dirt, ballast, and grasses in Oakridge yard.

Above: Overview of scenery in Oakridge yard, new fascia, and new terrain on the middle deck after the January work session. 

I hope to be back at the layout a few times this summer and again in January 2023 to continue progress.

Weathering the Fleet: Fall/Winter 2021 Update

Throughout last fall and winter I have tackled numerous weathering projects as I continue toward my goal of having every locomotive and piece of rolling stock weathered. 

CP 8727

Talk about a project that has been hanging over me for a while! When I first started following Athearn's monthly project releases almost two years ago, these models caught my eye and became a "must have." CP grain and oil trains are commonly seen running over the Cascade Sub and so Athearn's newest run of CP ES44's were the perfect choice to continue building my roster. 

I recevied this model in the fall of 2020 and it finally hit the rails in the summer of 2021, serving dutifully before its appointment at the weatheirng shop. I started the process of fading and intial grime layers in August, but the project was put on hold as I relocated for the fall. Once my workbench was set back up, the serious weathering effort began again!

The model is weathered using my preferred method of acrylic washes. I did not use an airbrush, preferring the control and precision of brushes. To fade the model and add grime layers, I built up thinned washes of paint, drying each before applying the next with a hairdryer. 

One key to success with this method is a good covering of Dullcote. This allows the washes to grab and stay put on the model. I will often apply multiple coats to ensure that coverage is adequate before applying the washes. The second key is to work in small areas with very light washes. Admittedly this makes the weathing process much more time consuming, but it is time well spent. I end up spending less time wrestling with an unruly wash and make less mistakes! 

I used the acrylic wash technique to add grime as well. The main colors for this model were raw umber and a dirty gray-tan. The tan provided a nice dusty effect commonly seen on CP units. Detail work was done with some drybrushing effects and powders. Finally the model was sealed with another coat of Dullcote. Before being put into service again, I will replace the couplers with metal KD's, paint and clean the wheels, and ensure the decoder is programmed appropriately. Look for this unit to be hauling oil and grain up The Hill soon!

BKTY 150572

My original intent was to enter this model in Athearn's weatheirng contest last April, however I missed the deadline significantly. Regardless, this model was a challenging and engaging project.

I again started with my usual process of fading and grime layers with acrylic washes. I then used acrylic paint to apply rust detail. For depth and interest, I used both burnt sienna and burnt umber for the rusting effects. Rust streaking was done with burnt sienna oils and thinner. 

I tried a few new techniques on this model as well. First, I added hazes of rust and grime with oils. I applied small amounts of oil paint to the model and then feathered the paint with a dry brush to create a haze. I used this effect on the doors and under the roof sill. Additionally, I used graffiti decals instead of hand painting. I have mixed feelings, but pleased to add this effect into my toolbox for certain applications. It certainly was a lot less labor intensive and the result is not too bad. 

ABOX 52237

I have become a big fan of Athearn's Prime for Grime schemes and this ABOX car (and its twin, which I apparently neglected to photograph) were great starting points for two modern additions to the fleet. 

Breaking from my trend of acyclic washes, I faded these models and applied intial grime layers with the airbrush. Next, I used burnt umber oil paint to apply grime along all the seams and panel lines. I essentially "scrubbed" the paint into the seams and crevices of the model and cleaned the excess of with thinner. This technique is a very easy way to add depth. The door was weathered similarly and received a layer of drybrushing. Rust and graffit was hand painted with acryclics. 

Really pleased with how these models turned out!

ARMN 

A modern layout is not complete without some reefers rolling around the rails and the Cascade Sub is no exception! Weathering on this Atlas model was very simple and fast. First, I applied graffiti using decals on both sides of the model. Next, I sealed the entire model with a few coats of Dullcote and applied a burnt umber wash to add a hint of grime and knock down the stark white look. Finally, I added some rust streaking effects along the door track with oils and thinner. In a matter of hours this car was ready for service.

DGRW

Like white reefers, modern layouts need a good supply of plain gray covered hoppers. These filler cars are in no way the star of the show, but go a long way to making a manifest train look complete. To weather this model, I mainly used the airbrush and oils. Fading and initial grime layers were done with the airbrush. I then applied a black-brown oul pin wash to exentuate the details. Finally, I applied subtle streaking effects with oils and thinner. A few small graffiti tags were hand painted.

My big push to weather the entire fleet continues into 2022 with a special focus on centerbeams, woodchip cars and locomotives. These models are essential elements to include on my cast of characters for the Cascade Sub. Stay tuned!