Ramblings of the Engineer - "The Blog" 

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Click here to see the updated - 2004 thru 2011 -  Index of RMR articles.
Many authored by our Engineer, Dick Senges, and other notable Rochester modelers. 

February 3, 2012

Check out the Photo Gallery on the Home Page.  New images of Log Car # 6, Log Car # 7 and a new turnout have been added. The large logging complex is coming along with new bench work for a fascia. More rock castings will be installed (wet) on Stone Mountain on February 6th.  Three new scratch built turnouts with Tortoise switch machines and NCE Switch-Its have also been completed as well as more track.  One lumber transfer car has been built and one is under construction. 

Relative to the NMRA Achievement Program, Master Builder - Cars has been awarded and the 7th AP, Model Railroad Engineer - Civil, is in process.     

The local NMRA group - Lakeshores Division - has a new website.  Check it out.  http://www.lakeshoresdivision.org/

January 15, 2012

Well so much for 2011.  Winter is here which means the Springfield, MA Train Show is just around the corner.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for events this month.  And don't forget to make plans for the LOTS National Convention in July 2012 here in Rochester, NY. 

Had a great time touring a local layout today.  It was modeled in 1:35th scale and 2 foot gauge using On30 standard track.  Pretty unique. The road bed was made of three layers: 3/4" plywood, 1/2" Homasote and 1/4" cork.    Size was large and benchwork mostly completed.  Great work and fun to see.   

December 16, 2011

Well the year is almost over and yet some train activities remain.  Check the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.  What is Santa's favorite model railroad scale?  HO HO HO.  Merry Christmas to all ! 

November 24, 2011

Well the year is almost over, but still a few more RR activities left in December such as the RIT Train Show in Rochester, NY on December 10 and 11th and the Edgerton RR Club tours in November and December.   The Syracuse Train Show this year was only in the Toyota building since the Progress Building was taken by the veterans.  But still a good show never the less.  The NMRA Lakeshores Division is planning some operations this Winter - check the Home Page - Train Events Calendar.  And of course start planning for the big NE show in Springfield, MA the last weekend of January 2012.  Several Rochester folks are already planning on going and have their motel reservations.

BTW - a new RR show and sale in Rochester, NY in 2012.  It is the LOTS, Lionel Operating Train Society of Cincinnati, OH, Train Show.   They are having their one week long National Convention in Rochester, NY, July 9th through the 14th.  Their big sale at the Rochester Convention Center is on Saturday July 14th.  See the Home Page  - Train Events Calendar for details.

October 27th 2011

The NMRA LSD Meet in Shortsville was a great success.  A great time was had by all and attendance was very good at 37 folks.   Presentations were given by Guy Wicksall on the Colors of the Lehigh Valley, Making Your Own Coal Loads by Ron Stacy and also Operations on a Small Layout by Ned Spiller, MMR.  Layouts on tour were the Tiger Valley RR by Guilford Mack and the Seneca Lake, Ontario and Western RR by Ray Howard.  Door prizes were plentiful and appreciated.   Contests were won by Dave Mitchell (1st Place), Jim Dierks(2nd place), Mike Pyszczek and Gordon Spalty (tie for 3rd place).     

Upcoming Train Shows - The Syracuse NY Train Show and the Batavia NY Train Show - see the Home Page for the Train Event Calendar.      

October 15, 2011

Lots of train doens this month.  The York Train Show, train rides in Medina, NY, train rides by the Finger Lakes Scenic RR, the big new Model Expo in MA, the Tuesday Night Gang's meeting regarding Digital Large Scale Printing presented by Dave Thompson, and the NMRA Lakeshores Division Fall Meet in Shortsville, NY on Saturday October 22.  See the Home Page - Train Events Calendar for details.

September 16, 2011

Had a great time in Cooperstown, NY driving a diesel on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad.  It was part of their Guest Engineer Program sponsored by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society and the C&CVRR.   I drove their 1956 Alco like 120 ton made in Montreal, Canada yellow and black diesel for a run of 18 miles.  Quite an experience, especially in the rain storm of a hurricane.   If interested, contact;  www.Irhs.com

Lots of train events this fall.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page. 

August 24, 2011

Well is was a busy Monday this week.   Worked out at the Medina Railroad Museum, Medina, NY, pouring EnviroTex Lite for 8 hours straight.  Worked with the Director Marty Phelps and also Linda and Bart - thanks guys for helping.   Covered all of the west end of the layout in the harbor area and used three gallons of color pigmented EnviroTex - what a job - very expensive and very messy.   

Also, the September/October 2011 issue of the Rochester Model Rails magazine is now posted on the Home Page.  Nice article about the first editor of the Rochester Model Rails magazine, Norm Wright.  The Cover shows Dick Senges and Nate Stone at the Savannah Georgia State RR Museum.  Nate and Dick toured the Museum most of that day back in March 2011.  The conclusion of Nate's article on his HO scale layout is also this issue.  Later in the issue are some images from the NMRA Lakeshores 2011Annual picnic at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers in Clyde, NY - a great time had by all. 

The logging article in the RMR this time shows a custom scratch built log car designed and built by Dick Senges.  This issue shows the drawings, next issue the parts and custom written instructions, and the final Part III of the article the finished log car.   This Log Car # 6 has almost 200 individual parts of which 46 were fabricated from scratch.  It will become part of a series of eight different cars entered for judging for the NMRA AP "Cars" Award.

In September look out for more RR activities such as the Narrow Gauge National Convention and also local train rides.   As long as the weather holds, the guys will be train watching at the tracks in Fairport, NY.   

August 3, 2011

July is over and August is upon us.    The NMRA Lakeshores Division picnic was a great success and we al had fun with the Finger Lakes Live Steamers.  Thanks guys.  Upcoming events this month are the Speeders in Victor and the Steam Pageant in Canandaigua.  Also train rides in Medina, NY at the Medina RR museum.  See the Calendar of Events on the Home page for details.

July 7, 2011

July is a busy month for local RR events.   July 16th there is a historical talk in Fishers NY about the Victor and Fishers RRs.  July 20th Victor is sponsoring a talk on the Rochester Subways at the Town Hall in Victor.  July 23rd there are two RR events - the NMRA LSD Picnic in Clyde, NY at the finger Lakes Liver Steamers and then in the pm an open house in Fishers, NY celebrating the restored R & E Trolley Depot.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details.  And don't forget train watching in Fairport Tuesday nights. 

June 21, 2011

WOW - the summer is almost 1/3 over.  The Tuesday Night Gang guys are train watching in Fairport Tuesday nights now that the weather is warm and sunny. 

Marsha and Dick Senges went to Galeton, PA (the PA Lumber Museum) to measure a Barnhart type log car as Dick is building an exact replica in 1:87 scale.  Quite a task as there are over 230 parts and the total car is only 22 feet long  - that's three inches in HO scale.  Pictures of the model will be in the Rochester Model Rails later this year.    The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Galeton will have their annual Bark Peelers' Convention this July 2nd -3rd.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details.  

On July 16, 2011 Victor will sponsor a talk about the railroads of the Victor and Fishers, NY area.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details.  Also, the Friends of the RR in Victor will show a video on the Rochester Subway on July 20th at the Victor Town Hall.

Plans are shaping up for the NMRA picnic this summer - July 23 - at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers location.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details.  The local NMRA group, the Lakeshores Division, is issuing a monthly newsletter now - the Lake Shores Limited.  The plan is to keep the 100 LSD members well informed of NMRA LSD events and add to the fun of the local group.

May 28, 2011

Well summer weather is finally here and the guys are watching trains in Fairport, NY on Tuesday nights.  The Thomas weekends are over at the Medina RR Museum in Medina, NY.  Now on to the train rides !

A firm date has been set for the NMRA Lakeshores Summer Picnic - July 23.  It will be held at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers facility near Clyde, NY, just north east of the Waterloo Outlet Mall.  The Mall is about 30 miles and 30 minutes east of Victor, NY.  Bring your own food, water, chairs and drinks.  The Finger Lakes Live Steamers will have some of their equipment running.   Details to follow.    

May 9, 2011

On May 2, 2011, Linda Klein, Marty Phelps' (Medina RR Museum) close friend passed away.  Linda headed up the marketing for the Museum and liked doing scenery on the 14' x 204' 1:87 scale model railroad.  One funny story about Linda is one day, while working on the scenery, Linda fell and destroyed some bridges in a large gorge in the layout.  From then on, the area was named "Linda Falls".

The first weekend of "A Day Out with Thomas" went well at Medina RR Museum and the weather was perfect.  Plenty to eat including sausage sandwiches and ice cream.  Dave Armitage played his banjo for entertainment in the afternoon.  Dave will play again at 3:00pm on Friday May 13, 2011.  

There are some new editions to the Medina RR Museum.   More cityscape has been completed on the north west side of the layout.  Rob Walker did a great job here - thanks Rob.  Also, all the wood wainscoting skit has been installed on the entire layout.  And all the security glass is now complete - all 436 feet.

The date is set for the NMRA LSD Sumer Picnic - July 23rd.  It will be at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers HQ in the Clyde area, just east of the Waterloo Outlet Mall, about 30 miles east of Victor, NY.  Bring you own food and drinks.  Details to follow.    

April 28, 2011

Dick Honeyman gave an outstanding Power Point Presentation on the Bath and Hammondsport Railroad to the usual suspects - the Tuesday Night Gang at Dick Senges' house on April 26, 2011.   The "Gang" enjoyed the talk immensely and also viewed the 1:87 scale B & H RR models.

Next event - Tuesday Night Gang Operations Night at Steve's in Mendon - April 29th, 2011, 7:00pm.   

This summer look for the date of the NMRA Lakeshores Division Summer Picnic to be held at the site of the Live Steamers near the Waterloo Discount Mall east of Rochester, NY.

Don't forget, the Day out with Thomas weekends at the Medina RR Museum in Medina, NY, are coming up in early May - check the Train Event Calendar on the Home Page. 

April 14, 2011

WOW - what a turn out !  About 70 folks turned out for the NMRA Lakeshores Division Spring Meet in Hammondsport, NY on April 9, 2011, at the Glenn Curtiss Aviation Museum.  Great Power Point presentations by Dick Honeyman and Dick Senges on the History of the Bath and Hammondsport Railroad and Modeling the B & H RR.  Dick will be repeating his talk on April 26th - see the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.    Ray Howard was presented his NMRA - AP "Civil" award and Harold Russell a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Lakeshores Division. 

Next Train Events - Peter Todd models auction April 23rd in Benton Center, NY and the Day Out with Thomas at the Medina RR Museum in early May - weekends of May 7th and 14th. 

April 2, 2011

Back from Savannah, GA - great trains - saw Nate Stone's super Clinchfield Northern Model Railroad, the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Central of Georgia Railroad Repair Shops.  Great trip.

Next major event - the NMRA Lakeshores Division Meet in Hammondsport, NY, April 9, 2011, 9:00am.   See you there.  You do NOT need to be a NMRA member to attend.  See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details. 

March 6, 2011

Great times were had by all at the Rochester Model Railroad Club's Open House March 5th and 6th.  A great turnout.  And the layout is really looking good.  Next Rochester, NY train event  - this weekend - the Greenberg show at the Dome.  See the Calendar on the Home Page. 

And for all - mark the date - April 9th - the NMRA Meet in Hammondsport, NY.  Two great clinics:  Bath and Hammondsport Railroad historical talk by Dick Honeyman and a modeling the B & H RR talk by Dick Senges.  And a model contest and a photo contest.  In the afternoon the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum plus two model railroads to tour.  See the Calendar for details.

February 1, 2011

Please note that the Resin Casting Tuesday Night Gang meeting on February 8th has been cancelled due to illness of Bill Estes.

Great things happening in the NMRA NFR Lakeshores Division.   The LSD has put out a LSD newsletter - the Lake Shores Limited.  It contains articles about the local NMRA division meets and also about model railroading.  Hope the LSD members like the new newsletter.  NMRA members can make article contributions by contacting the Editor - Richard Senges at:  OCRR@frontiernet.net

Many events are scheduled in the near future - see the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.   In early March is the Rochester Model RR Club's Open House - Saturday and Sunday, March 5th - 6th - sale on Saturday.    March 6th is also the Erie Spring Train Show and Sale - see the Home Page - Train Events Calendar.    

January 21, 2011

The T N G Amy Colburn Mural Presentation was a smashing success with 20 in attendance.  Everyone loved Amy's talk on painting model railroad backdrops.  A video has been made by Bill Parker and appears on this website (Home Page) linked to You Tube.

The NMRA LSD and CNY Divisons Combined Meet was also a great success with about 60 folks attending.  Next RR event this month is a T N G operating session at Steve's Friday night the 28th and the Springfield Train Show on the 29th and 30th.. Then on February 8th, a T N G session and live clinic given by Bill Estes on Resin Casting - see the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.  

January 12, 2011

Great T N G holiday party at Steve Levine's in December.  Thanks Steve.  In January two train events - the Tuesday Night Gang event hi-lighted by a great presentation by Amy Colburn, mural artist, on model RR backdrop painting.  Thanks Amy.  Also, the NMRA LSD Meet in Auburn, NY, on Saturday January 15, 2011.   See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.  

December 12, 2010

WOW !  The year is almost over.  Did we get all the train work done this year we had planned.  I doubt it.  Lot of folks are working longer hours which leaves less time for trains.  The fall train shows were successful as usual - Syracuse, Batavia and RIT.  Fun to see old RR friends and all the stuff for sale - great layouts too.  The NMRA is still active in this area having multiple events each year - next NMRA Meet is January 15th in Auburn - see the Train Events Calendar for details.  The Tuesday Night Gang also held many meetings this year and will conclude this year with the Holiday Party at Steve's.   

November 27, 2010

Another successful Open House enjoyed by the folks from Pennsylvania and Bill Parker from Victor.  Dick Senges gave two presentations - The History of the Oil Creek Railroad and Modeling the Oil Creek Railroad.   Discussion were held regarding the OCRR and oil in the Valley. 

Next Train Event - the RIT Show December 4th and 5th.  

November 21, 2010

The Open House went well with 37 folks in attendance.  Everyone liked the new 50' mural - see:  http://www.amycolburn.com/mural_r_sengesrail.html          

Next big event is a meeting of the Ohio and Pennsylvania Oil/RR folks at Dick Senges' house on the 27th to discuss the oil regions and the railroads in the 1860s.  There will be two slide shows - The History of the OCRR and Modeling the OCRR. 

Next Train event - December 4-5, the RIT Train Show in Rochester, NY.   

November 15, 2010

Dick Senges will hold an open house (for adults) for his 1:87 scale Oil Creek RR, the Oil Creek Logging and Mining RR, and the Bath & Hammondsport RR on November 20th, Saturday from 1:00 - 5:00pm.  The Rochester Model RR Club is invited plus all interested  adult model railroaders.  New items include a 4' x 50' mural, NCE DCC radio, Tsunami sound locos, new vehicles, new figures, additional scenery, upgraded structures and four year progress on the 25 square foot SierraWest Twin Mills at Deer Creek sawmill and pond complex.  Bring your camera.      

October 23, 2010

Great time had by all at the Fall Meet of the NMRA NFR Lakeshores Division.    The group met at the Rochester Model RR Club in Rochester, NY.  Good clinic given by MMR Harold Russell on painting.  And a movie presented by Bob Mortinsen of Keystone Locomotive Works.  All those attending won door prizes.  The business meeting elected Ray Howard as Superintendant, Dave Mitchell as Assistant Super, Dick Senges as Secretary and Dave Coon as Treasurer.  Ned Spiller, MMR, was appointed LSD Member Aid.  Harold Russell, MMR, continues as Achievement Program Manager.  The layouts on tour were well received by the group.  Thanks to Paul Gardella, Leo Adamski, Ron Stacy and Dick Senges for having your layout open.  Thanks also to the Rochester Model Club for hosting the event.  

October 7, 2010

Time is flying by so fast.   Back from France.  Loved those fast French trains and a trip through the Chunnel to London, but ready to settle down and get some 1:87 train work done.  The Sept./Oct. issue of the Rochester Model Rails is out - great images of the Steam Pageant of Canandaigua, NY,  Bob Lexox's model railroad of Greece NY, the Best of Show of the Narrow Gauge Convention and also the Boilers - Part 22 of the Sawmill saga.  Also met with a representative of LOTS (Lionel Operating Train Society) about having my layout on tour for the LOTS National Convention in 2012.  Sounds exciting.

Upcoming events - The Tuesday Night Gang is very active this month with two events.  Also, the local NMRA will host an event on October 23rd - see the Train Events Calendar on the website home page.  Train rides in Medina along with the Railroad Museum.   And then in four weeks  - The Syracuse Show. 

September 5, 2010

WOW - Time is zooming by fast.  The 30th Narrow Gauge Convention in St. Louis was great.   Next year the NG Convention will be in Hickory NC - sign up now.  Really competitive contests this year with over 180 models and photos entered.  The Rochester folks were well represented at the Convention with guys from Hammondsport, Victor, Penfield, Lima, Painted Post, and Henrietta.    Great train layout tours, clinics and vendors.   The next Rochester Model Rails will have some photos. 

August 2, 2010

Great events in August ........ The Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua, Victor Train Days including a TTCS toy train sale, NMRA Picnic at the Medina RR Museum, and the Speeders in Victor and Diesel Days.   See the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for details.  Then early September, the National Narrow Gauge Convention in St. Louis.  See you here.  

May 30, 2010

The Mid Atlantic Narrow Gauge Guild 27th Annual Module Meet in Kimberton, PA was great as usual.  Many suppliers there and a good group of narrow gaugers.  A Day Out with Thomas at the Median RR Museum was also a great success, even though the first weekend had some high winds and rain.

All you WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, and other vets -  the Medina RR Museum, Medina, NY June 12 event is coming up soon.  Honoring the WWII 82nd Engineers who fought in Europe in WWII.  Military displays at the Museum and train rides.  See the Train Evens Calendar on the Home Page.

May 6, 2010

Don't forget this coming weekend and the next weekend - A Day Out with Thomas at the Medina, NY Railroad Museum.  Also the Museum will be open including the 2800 SF 1:87 scale model railroad (now automated using NCE DCC) , firefighting antiques along with military displays - planes, tanks, ships, etc.  And many RR antique items and models.    

May 3, 2010

Great train event last weekend - the NMRA NFR Lakeshores Division Spring Meet in Oakfield, NY.  Super work done by the Host Ray Howard and the clinic givers on subjects such as photography, ACC glue use, tools, passenger cars, and decoders.  Thanks you guys - you did a fantastic job.  Also thanks to the two layout operators - Red Wittman with his On30 model railroad and Mike Pyszczek with his HO scale layout.  Great time had by all.  The model contest was also a great success - Dave Thomson won first place with his O scale flat car with steam engine load and Leo Adamski won second and third with his buildings.  Now looking forward to the summer picnic and the fall LSD Meet.  Don't forget the Thomas the Train event coming up later this May - see the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page for dates, etc.    

April 12, 2010

Somewhat quiet on the train front as Spring is here for sure.  New models on the layout include the B & H RR covered wharf shed, the Hammondsport band shell (with band), and the 1898 Power House.   The models look great and really enhance the Hammondsport scene.   Photos to follow.    The logging boiler house with its two boilers and one large steam engine is still under construction, but hopefully will be completed soon.

The great York Train Show is coming up this month as well as two Tuesday Night Gang events - one with a NCE clinic (Larry Larsen) on the 27th and one for operations on the 30th - at Steve's house in Mendon.  Then the NMRA NFR LSD May 1st Oakfield all day Spring Meet with six clinics and three layout tours (see the Train Events Calendar for details).  Following the Oakfield event in May will the six day event in Medina - Day Out with Thomas. 

March 4, 2010

Lot of train doens going on.  Steve Levine is hosting many Tuesday Night Gang events including many clinics.  Thanks Steve.  Also, Steve is enjoying the Friday night operating sessions.  Jack Matsik had another Train Sale last Sunday - hope all went well for Jack.  The annual Rochester Model RR Club Open House is coming up this weekend - March 6 and 7th - see the Train Events Calendar on the Home Page.   The Medina RR Museum is planning a great year of events including A Day Out With Thomas May 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16.   Ate lunch a couple of times in LeRoy at the D & R Depot restaurant - great food and god prices.  The Keuka Lake RR Gang is getting together periodically at Ned Spillers layout for operating.  Thanks Ned for hosting.

Progress is being made on the B & H RR part of my layout as there is a new Covered Wharf Shed in place.  I will have some photos soon.  The Hammondsport Power House will be completed soon also and be installed near the B & H R engine house on the layout.  Also, the small gazebo will be replaced by a large band shell type gazebo structure.  Mean while the large sawmill complex's boiler house is being populated with two Western Scale Models boilers and one large steam engine.  

February 4, 2010

The Springfield Train Show was super and very crowded as usual.  Weather was clear but cold.  Four buildings this year with plenty of stuff.  Bought a few items of course.  Met some new suppliers and saw some old ones.  Purchased a super little 1:87 scale band stand or gazebo that was laser cut and fully assembled with unbelievable detail.  Supplier was Robert Geller of Clark, NJ.  The band stand will go on the Hammondsport section of the layout.   RMR issue # 65 will be out this week. 

January 28. 2010

Great times at Steve Levine's house hosting the Tuesday Night Gang.  Three clinics were given - one on turnout construction by Dave Thompson, one by Matt Kovacic on cloud painting using acrylic paints and one on cloud painting using flat white spray paint and stencils by Dick Senges.

Stand by for the 65th issue of the Rochester Model Rails magazine to be issued soon.  Topics will cover Railroad Sites of Ontario and Wayne Counties in New York State, Lionel train layout wiring and sawmill dry rollway construction. 

January 6, 2010

Well it is the new year and lots of RR doens going on.  Steve Levine hosted the Tuesday Night Gang in December - a great time had by all.  Steve will be hosting again - twice in January - see the Train Evens Calendar for dates.  The NMRA is having their local winter event January 9th in Auburn, NY - clinics, contest, layout tours, etc. - details on the Calendar.  

The sawmill project is still afoot - now building the Western Scale Models twin cylinder large steam engine.  There are many parts to this kit and the instructions are 27 pages long! (BTW - Western Scale Models no longer makes products in HO or S scale.)   Then the boiler for the Boiler House is next.   This leads to the drive system which is expected to be completed this winter. 

Dave Armitage has almost completed the Covered Wharf Shed which will replace the current double track plastic Wharf Shed in the Hammondsport area of the layout.   Dave will then construct the 1894 Hammondsport Power House which has a 50 foot tapered square brick chimney.  Should look neat on the layout near the Hammondsport Engine House. 

And don't forget the Springfield MA Show at the end of the month.

December 26, 2009

Hope you all had a great holiday and a Merry Christmas.  Don't forget the TNG get together - Tuesday Dec. 29 at Steve's.

Many projects are in the works - a new powerhouse, covered wharf shed and engine house for the Hammondsport section of the B & H RR.  Added twelve new buildings to the layout.   Also, constructing a large 1:87 scale duel cylinder steam engine (Western Scale Models) for the boiler house to be part of the large sawmill complex.  Next project after that will be the boiler for the boiler house.   

December 24, 2009

Change of date for the next NMRA Meet - Auburn, NY.  Now January 9th.  See the Train Events Calendar for details.

December 5, 2009

Great times at the RIT Train Show and the NMRA NFR Lakeshores Division Meet .  Ray Howard and Ned Spiller (MMR) gave great presentations on soldering and tree making.  Thanks guys - great job.   Next NMRA event - January 9th - Auburn, NY - see the Rochester Model Rails Train Events Calendar.  

November 19, 2009

Great meeting at Ned Spiller's HO model RR last Tuesday.  Ned has done a great job in modeling New England RRs.  His layout is open for the Tuesday Night Gang again this Sunday, November 22, at 1:00pm.   Ned will be giving a clinic at the RIT train show ( NMRA - LSD Meet) Saturday December 5th on tree making.   

November 15, 2009

Great time at the Batavia Train Show.  Saw all the usual folks and some new ones.   Purchased some DVDs, a small decoder and a great model of a sawmill.   Saw a really fine model by Dave Armitage of the Big Shanty Depot of the famed Great Locomotive Chase and a nice sawmill by Rich Cobb.  Next big train show in three weeks at RIT.     

November 10, 2009

The Train Events Calendar is being set up for 2010.  If you have any events you want posted, send me an e-mail:   OCRR@frontiernet.net.

November 8, 2009

Went to the Syracuse Train Show Saturday.  A great day and good weather too.  Bought a bunch of stuff - doing my part to prop up this staggering economy.  Even purchased some Lionel FasTrack for my granddaughter.  Saw all the usual guys there of course.  Rick Hunter of Hunterline of Canada had a great assortment of Mt. Albert scale lumber, so filled up to augment my dwindling supply.

November 1, 2009

A new model railroad project was launched by Dick Senges along with several other RR folks.  It is to document the 1894 Hammondsport, NY, small Power House located near the Bath and Hammondsport RR's Engine House.  This Power House is unique in that it is still standing today, has a 50 foot tapered square brick chimney and a 24" x 26" stone building.   It is currently privately owned. 

The project will consist of detailed historical documentation, professional scale drawings, a professionally built 1:87 scale model of the Power House and an article in the Rochester Model Rails magazine.    The model will be placed in the Hammondsport section of Dick Senges' model railroad.    

October 25, 2009

The five modules of benchwork were installed in Sam Pennise's basement on Sunday morning.  A great job by Sam Pennise, Don Young and Ned Spiller.    The group then went to lunch - thanks Sam -  in Hammondsport.  The group went to the Power House and interviewed several town members about the history of the Champlin Power House.  Very interesting.  Then on to Ned Spiller's HO layout - very nice Ned - great job. 

Sam's On30 track plan will be re-reviewed by Dave Thompson and then on to sub-roadbed building.  The control will NCE DCC radio system.  The sub-road bed type is still under review.   

October 19, 2009

The basic benchwork for Sam Pennise's On30 model railroad is 100% complete.  It was transported to Hammondsport on October 19 and is expected to be erected this Sunday, October 25th.   This completes the benchwork phase of Sam's On30 model Railroad.  Next the finalization of the track plan and some track laying.  Roadbed is expected to be commercial Homasote or cork over plywood (with risers and cleats) and in the flat areas over pink foam.   The layout is in a train room measuring 14' x 18'. 

October 12, 2009

Great progress being made on the model RR front.  Helping Sam Pennise design and build benchwork for his new On30 model  railroad.  It will take up most of a room 12 feet by 18 feet in his current basement.  The layout will consist of a series of modules of  1" x 4" box design, some with foam top and some with open grid.  Legs (2" x 4") will be bolted on with some bracing.  Hope to complete in October.

The pop-up in the upper logging area is complete all except for the new buildings.   Expect to complete this scene soon.   One Tortoise and two Switch-Its need to be installed. 

Launched a new project research the Champlin Grist Mill in Hammondsport, NY.  Six folks are now on the Project each doing their respective part.  After the final research and documentation, a model will be built and an article with text and scale drawings will be published.  The building is expected to be about 24' x 26' with a 42' - 50' brick square tapered smoke stack.  Should look really neat when completed!

September 23

I noticed that the Best of Show at the Narrow Gauge Convention and also the NMRA winner in the Diorama category is the SierraWest Twin Mills at Deer Creek sawmill.  These various sawmill buildings can be seen in the Photo Gallery section of this website.   Articles on sawmill construction can be viewed in past issues of the Rochester Model Rails magazine.  Hope to finish this mill on my layout in 2010. 

The pop-up section on the upper logging area is coming along.  The Sculpamold is dry an will be painted brown soon.  Then a layer of dirt slurry (white glue, water and sifted dirt) to be applied on the pop-up and surrounding areas.  Yet to finish the two Tortoise installations and the NCE Switch-It stationary decoders.  when completed than a town to be installed on the pop-up section along with the small sawmill. 

Construction of the very large SierraWest Twin Mills at Deer Creek sawmill to resume soon.  

September 20, 2009

Back in Victor from a trip west.  Rode the 1880s train in Keystone/Hill City, SD - great 2-6-6-2 old logging loco.  Toured great model railroads in Rapid City, SD (Black Hills Railway Society); Deadwood, SD (Northern Hills Railway Society); and Ogden, UT (Union Station Museum - Wattis-Dumke Model Railroad).  Also viewed the railroads serving the largest copper mine in the world near Salt Lake City.  Will report on these in detail in the Rochester Model Rails e-magazine in future issues.

September 4, 2009

Currently working on the access hole in the upper logging area of the layout which was cut out earlier this summer.  Matt Kovacic and I replaced the two existing Peco turnouts with Micro Engineering code 70 turnouts utilizing the new access hole.  This upgrade will allow more efficient switching with the new NCE DCC system installed in March 2009.  Tortoise switch machines and NCE Switch-It stationary decoders will be installed later.

Now to make the popup section:  Hot glued a 2" piece of pink foam in the open area, completely sealing the hole.   When secure, cut a  hole in the foam, similar to a Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin top.  Removed the piece, hot glued a 5mm piece of Luan plywood on the bottom along with a handle (old drawer pull).   Painted it brown.   Now the popup foam piece fits perfectly gently sitting it in the hole from the top down.   Next step is to dirt slurry the top and install a town and re-install the small sawmill.    

August 25, 2009

Noticed in the September 2009 Scale Rails NMRA magazine the sawmill I am building is featured on page 26 - SierraWest's Twin Mills at Deer Creek.  Carl Lasky did a great job building the mill and won first place in Diorama Kit Class in CT.  Looks super. 

August 23, 2009

Had a great breakfast at Sweet Sue's on Routes 5 and 20 east of Canandaigua.  Then on to Diesel Days to ride the streetcar and also a diesel loco.  Interesting to note that the streetcar was from Philadelphia and ran from 69th street up the Main Line.  I used to take the streetcar from Broomall to 69th street and back in the 1950s - maybe it was on this car !   A fun day.  

August 18, 2009

Stand by for the September/October issue of the RMR.  Should be out by end of August.  Will contain some new stuff - The RR Exploits of Jim Hutton, the NMRA National Convention in CT, and a How to Model article about miniature kerosene RR lanterns.

August 16, 2009

Saw the speeders off this morning at the Victor tracks.  About 25 motor cars arrived early in the am and after briefing and a breakfast snack went off on their journey.   They will return later today to Victor.  See the next RMR for images. 

August 10, 2009

Went to the Victor Train Days last Saturday and Sunday.  A great day on Saturday but much rain on Sunday.  Great music on Sunday - Everheart band.  Victor town has published a great brochure listing about 23 Victor historic RR buildings along with images of each building.  Do you know that there is a very old (circa 1840) stone RR pump house in Fishers, NY - 2nd oldest in the US.

Next Sunday, 16th - the motor cars (speeders) will be in Victor 6:30am to 9:30am.  Coffee and donuts.   See the RMR Calendar. 

August 2, 2009

It's August already. WOW.  Summer is gong fast.  Don't forget about the Victor train rides this coming weekend (see RMR Train Events Calendar) and the Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua, August 5 - 8.   Also the local NMRA is having a picnic and the Medina RR Museum is running several Winery Train excursions in August.  

Also, the August issue of the RMR is out - see the Home Page and click on latest e-magazine.

July 19, 2009

Talked with two new model railroaders last week.  Bill Lauretti lives here in Victor, NY, and models in HO scale  - modern 1990's  railroads.  Also, talked with Bill Croce of Hammondsport, NY.  Bill is an ex NYC area train engineer and models in Fn3. 

Was at Clinton Springs today for the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway Victor to Clifton Springs event.  Great pig roast, local Museum tour, and super strawberry shortcake - with ice cream!   Live entertainment too.  The town is very well kept and offer events throughout the year.  Neat place to visit. 

Coming up are the Medina RR Museum Winery Tours and also the Canandaigua Steam Pageant in August.

July 12, 2009

Don't forget the big train doins in Clifton Springs and Victor, NY on the 19th.   Also Jack Matsik's HO scale train sale the same day.  See the Rochester Model Rails Train Events Calendar for details.

July 7, 2009

This summer is moving along very fast - don't they all.  This week some folks will be at the NMRA National Convention in CT.  Hope to hear some reports and see some images when you all get back.  The Micro Engineering replacement of the old Peco turnouts is going slowly.  Hope to get back to that task soon.    

June 29, 2009

I noticed in the latest August issue of MR mag on page 67 the author used Testor's Easy Lift Off to strip paint from a Bachmann 4-4-0 loco.  Anyone locally have experience with this stuff?   And he air brushed Future Floor Wax on the loco before applying decals.  Good idea? 

Ned - check out that Ball Signal article on page 42 of same issue. 

June 28, 2009

Cut down four basswood trees and cut the 3-4" straight sections into two-foot lengths.  Then re-cut the ends on the radial arm saw and hot waxed the ends.  Logs will be stored for a year and then cut into 1:87 dimensional lumber. 

June 25, 2009

While at the Kimberton Show this year I saw some really great looking lobster traps.  It appears that they can be purchased from:  Frenchman River Model Works, Builders in Scale and Bar Mills.  The guys at Kimberton mentioned a company "Emerson" but I have not been able to locate this company.  Suggestions?   Are there lobsters in Keuka Lake - maybe !

June 24, 2009

Received the NCE Switch - Its I ordered .  Installation appears easy as two wires to the track power (bus) and two wires to the Tortoise switch machine.  Two Tortoise (Torti or Turtles ?) can be run from each Switch-It.  And push buttons can also be hooked to the Switch-It.  Will report as to the success of the Switch-It installation.   Any of you guys here in Rochester, NY, have experience installing Switch-Its?  Suggestions? 

June 23, 2009

WOW  - This summer is going fast as do they all.  Much less train work going on since the good weather demands us to spend time outdoors to do maintenance, have fun, etc.  Like fixing the damage from a large tree falling on my house about two weeks ago -ouch !!! Logging 1:1scale is much harder !

Visited NCE in Webster, NY, the other day and talked to Larry Larsen.  He is doing just great and we are all glad for his recovery from his roof fall.  Larry - stay off that roof !

Speaking of roof falls, another Rochester model railroader had a similar fall, Pete McRae.  Pete spent a few months is a wheelchair and is now using a walker.  Pete - you too -  stay off that roof !!  And a speedy recovery.

June 22, 2009

Volunteered again at the Day Out with Thomas at the Medina RR Museum in Medina, NY.  Great time but got a heck of a sunburn - duh - Dick - stay out of the sun.   Right !    

Speaking of the Museum, they are now offering Winery Train Excursions  - check out the Train Events Calendar for the dates.  Marty and Linda - keep up the great work at the Museum.  

Many thanks to Bill Carr for volunteering at the Museum working on the DCC system.    Bill and I joke around about NCE DCC and have some pet expressions like:  "A little expertise is required" and "Needs Constant Engineering".  DCC does take some study and applying good DCC and electrical standards to make it work.   Ah the "W" feature - you want it to work ?

Speaking of DCC, I finally after four years of experimenting with NCE DCC, switched over this March with the help of some RR friends - thanks for the help guys.   Works great - love those Bachman Soundtraxx shays which are now my primary runners.  Those shays sound super MUed together.   Installed a special drawer which contains the NCE DCC controls and also a 6-pack of #1156 lights  - works great !  Also installed 7 UTPs around the layout for those not using radio.  And some new DCC wiring.  

June 21, 2009

Relative to the Oil Creek Railroad upper logging section, Matt Kovacic (thanks Matt) and I are changing out some turnouts - Peco Electrofrog out and Micro Engineering code 70 in - along with Tortoise and Switch-It installation.  Should finish this this summer which will allow much improved operations in the upper logging area.  This work is being done through a new pop-up hole which will be completed after the turnout work is finished.  

Tim Smith is still going strong with his train store in Webster, NY - Empire Northern.  Visited him and purchased some train stuff last week.

Jack Matsik is selling his complete HO scale collection.  See the Train Events Calendar for the next sale. 

Sam Pennise is making progress on his new On30 layout design and hopes to start benchwork soon.

The sawmill is almost three years old and not quite finished.  (see the Photo Gallery for progress images)  This fall I hope to start  placing the 20 buildings and installing the drive system, rods, pulleys, etc.    Once done I can super detail the inside of the "New Mill" and start the second story saw sharpening shop. etc.   Looking forward to completing the sawmill project. 

The Kimberton Narrow Gauge Module Show in Kimberton, PA, this year was a lot of fun and had great layouts and vendors.  See the cover of the May/June issue of the Rochester Model Rails.      Sam - I love Pat's Cheese Steaks !

Don't forget the Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua, NY, this summer in August - see the Train Events Calendar for the date.