For an outing horribly interrupted by a failing camera and an accident in Hollywood, the pickings here are not bad at all.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Another New Plan
For the new year, I revised the plan up a bit. It allows more lineage due to the use of four corners instead of U-curves, maximizing the area I have. I'll be working on two boards ASAP getting the studs nailed on to them, then getting the supports. The challenge is one of them will be 4' high and the other will be 2'6" high.
Segment 1 is the lower horizontal, 2 is the right vertical, 3 is the top horizontal, 4 is the vertical (and I extruded some of it from the shelf that will go over it) and 5 is the Deerfield section.
Segment 1 is the lower horizontal, 2 is the right vertical, 3 is the top horizontal, 4 is the vertical (and I extruded some of it from the shelf that will go over it) and 5 is the Deerfield section.
Friday, December 30, 2011
BIG Model Railroading Tip
When planning your layout (long story on why it was delayed), never go with 180ยบ Us. I made this mistake in the old plan and am reworking it. With my S-shape, I only have three lineal segments. I tried something different, using the allowable footprint. I made a lollipop design. Kinda like a swirl but it has five lineal segments. The more lineal segments, the less is wasted to your curve tracks. Also, by the minor warping, I may be able to incorporate a gradient on segment three that will allow the track to go below segment two.
With my new plan, I will be able to have a portion of South Dania, then on to Allsteel, City of Lauderdale, Cross Dock on an independent spur, Amerigas lead next to it (I may use the nearby curve to illustrate the spotting operation), then Fast-Dry, Bonsal, Boise, Home Depot, then Publix/Sun-Sentinel, then even Rankin. Lots of work. BrickAmerica, due to its incredibly low frequency, is being omitted from the layout.
With my new plan, I will be able to have a portion of South Dania, then on to Allsteel, City of Lauderdale, Cross Dock on an independent spur, Amerigas lead next to it (I may use the nearby curve to illustrate the spotting operation), then Fast-Dry, Bonsal, Boise, Home Depot, then Publix/Sun-Sentinel, then even Rankin. Lots of work. BrickAmerica, due to its incredibly low frequency, is being omitted from the layout.
My Local
This time I caught him working Fast-Dry Courts. He had an interesting cut once finished; 1 tank from there, 1 scrap gon, 5 Amerigas, 1 scrap gon, and 2 Cross-Dock reefers.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
The BEST O721 I have Caught in a While
Saturday, December 17, 2011
CSX O721 through Hialeah
These chases are FUN. A midnight chase through Hialeah where you're battling a speeding rock train. Nothing like it.
Speaking of Winter Break, I will also be working heavy-duty on the layout.
Speaking of Winter Break, I will also be working heavy-duty on the layout.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
FEC and the Fort Lauderdale Airport Expansion
FEC big-wigs are currently negotiating a business contract to send trillions of tons of rock over from Medley to the future site of expanded Runway 9R/27L, an engineering feat, of Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Int'l (KFLL).
When I was on the mailing list, FEC fans and employees were talking about how the deal would work, and it was noted that Dave (ECH) put in that IF and WHEN the deal is done, that so-and-so figures of rock would be moved 6x a week for three years.
The current provisions are as follows:
Locomotives can run much more efficiently than dump trucks as well. Simply even on diesel engines, the triple round trip is not needed, even though I could see the function for two unit trains of 150 cars. But trains are not stop and go, and have more efficiency simply on steel wheel on steel rail. I am here to question why it is still possible with such a consideration that trucks do the job. We have trains for decent physics properties that allow the pooling of bulk material. Rock is a bulk commodity and shipping trucks around does not do the job. But I hope as time progresses people understand that this is a job for the train to do. Motorists would be happier to be stopped at a railroad crossing, a traffic control device, than a "freeway" that allows "free" motion.
When I was on the mailing list, FEC fans and employees were talking about how the deal would work, and it was noted that Dave (ECH) put in that IF and WHEN the deal is done, that so-and-so figures of rock would be moved 6x a week for three years.
The current provisions are as follows:
- 300 carloads (30,000 tons) of rock to be moved
- 6x a week
- Would require two unit trains
- A spur track to be constructed in Fort Lauderdale
- (Already) the double track is being expanded south of the airport
Locomotives can run much more efficiently than dump trucks as well. Simply even on diesel engines, the triple round trip is not needed, even though I could see the function for two unit trains of 150 cars. But trains are not stop and go, and have more efficiency simply on steel wheel on steel rail. I am here to question why it is still possible with such a consideration that trucks do the job. We have trains for decent physics properties that allow the pooling of bulk material. Rock is a bulk commodity and shipping trucks around does not do the job. But I hope as time progresses people understand that this is a job for the train to do. Motorists would be happier to be stopped at a railroad crossing, a traffic control device, than a "freeway" that allows "free" motion.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Negative Relationship between a good Camcorder and Luck of the Draw
When I have the HDC-SD60 working and in great shape, my outings become a mecca for disappointment. I only get the basic trains, the givens, and whatever else that has flat consists and boring power. However, when I am down to using a smartphone to shoot my video, I get much better action.
I philosophize this theory with the way my trips to Central Florida have went. Well, here's the insult to injury. In July 2007, where a video camcorder was nonexistent, at least I SAW O719 holding out by Oleander, P097 in Orlando, Q791/A977 in downtown Orlando, and Q188 near where I caught Q235. Though, not all catches meant that I saw the power; though I could've chased them with today's standard of railfanning. In November I saw a NB Autorack train, Q238, and had a Handycam, but missed the power and my father refused to chase it. May of 2008, well nothing but the NB meteor but that didn't matter all too much, and November of 2008 we didn't go trackside. In March 2010, where my Handycam (a tape cam) was already customized to produce full color night shots, I just missed a Q188 with a GEVO leading and left CFL with only 3 full catches. And in March 2011, with the HDC-SD60, I finally start to get the trains, but they're all dash-8 consists. Though, in Plant City, I got a taste of AC power on Q188. But still, that doesn't quantify well especially with the summer disaster where I only see the three givens, X901, Q188, Q456, and only X901 has an interesting lashup and a loud horn on its SD70MAC. But SD70MACs were already numbered quite well in my channel, being like the fifth of the year that I see. Now for the teeth of this post. My camcorder craps out in Nov., refusing to turn on. (it will get repaired) We go for Veterans Day, to FOTM and scope out a couple of trains after. I get a total of seven, V165 (my first coal train), Q456, P092, Q177, Q188, A777, and Q235. Q188 had an all AC lashup and V165 had a very interesting lashup, an SD70MAC leading a CEFX SD40-2 and a ES44AH. Really, Train Gods? I appreciate the uncanny catches but why did the camera have to break just before the outing?
I think you can suppose psychology has to do with this. When you have great expectations, you get nothing and leave home wondering why you invested the time for nothing. And when conditions OR expectations are grim, you leave yearning that the camcorder was working.
It has also been the conduit for frustration as well. Other railbuffs get the luck of the draw almost all of the time. I get in the picture, with the picture quality I desire and they say they've probably received the lowest numbers yet. Yeah, my Spring 2011 trip was good but the pickings could've been better. I still have yet to see a Central Florida rock train and a unit Phosphate, no matter how many times I've hit the area. :/ At least there's some fun to the trips.
Almost the same happens on the Miami Sub. I at least started upping my game and got V149, the Miami Coal train, but still, the really fun stuff only happens when I'm not on a daytime outing. Even so, V149 was monitored meticulously on that stormy Saturday from my home until I knew it was on the line. My only K-rock train catch was a horrible chase as well. But before 2007, I remember seeing everything! Rock trains, Q-manifests, even foreign power on the Miami and Homestead Subs.
Maybe this will be a lesson for whenever my faithful Panny gets fixed. (that's a matter of if, I think). When I go to Tampa, FL for the annual Tampa Train Show, (GSE) I will try to go with ZERO expectation. Let's see what I score. :)
I philosophize this theory with the way my trips to Central Florida have went. Well, here's the insult to injury. In July 2007, where a video camcorder was nonexistent, at least I SAW O719 holding out by Oleander, P097 in Orlando, Q791/A977 in downtown Orlando, and Q188 near where I caught Q235. Though, not all catches meant that I saw the power; though I could've chased them with today's standard of railfanning. In November I saw a NB Autorack train, Q238, and had a Handycam, but missed the power and my father refused to chase it. May of 2008, well nothing but the NB meteor but that didn't matter all too much, and November of 2008 we didn't go trackside. In March 2010, where my Handycam (a tape cam) was already customized to produce full color night shots, I just missed a Q188 with a GEVO leading and left CFL with only 3 full catches. And in March 2011, with the HDC-SD60, I finally start to get the trains, but they're all dash-8 consists. Though, in Plant City, I got a taste of AC power on Q188. But still, that doesn't quantify well especially with the summer disaster where I only see the three givens, X901, Q188, Q456, and only X901 has an interesting lashup and a loud horn on its SD70MAC. But SD70MACs were already numbered quite well in my channel, being like the fifth of the year that I see. Now for the teeth of this post. My camcorder craps out in Nov., refusing to turn on. (it will get repaired) We go for Veterans Day, to FOTM and scope out a couple of trains after. I get a total of seven, V165 (my first coal train), Q456, P092, Q177, Q188, A777, and Q235. Q188 had an all AC lashup and V165 had a very interesting lashup, an SD70MAC leading a CEFX SD40-2 and a ES44AH. Really, Train Gods? I appreciate the uncanny catches but why did the camera have to break just before the outing?
I think you can suppose psychology has to do with this. When you have great expectations, you get nothing and leave home wondering why you invested the time for nothing. And when conditions OR expectations are grim, you leave yearning that the camcorder was working.
It has also been the conduit for frustration as well. Other railbuffs get the luck of the draw almost all of the time. I get in the picture, with the picture quality I desire and they say they've probably received the lowest numbers yet. Yeah, my Spring 2011 trip was good but the pickings could've been better. I still have yet to see a Central Florida rock train and a unit Phosphate, no matter how many times I've hit the area. :/ At least there's some fun to the trips.
Almost the same happens on the Miami Sub. I at least started upping my game and got V149, the Miami Coal train, but still, the really fun stuff only happens when I'm not on a daytime outing. Even so, V149 was monitored meticulously on that stormy Saturday from my home until I knew it was on the line. My only K-rock train catch was a horrible chase as well. But before 2007, I remember seeing everything! Rock trains, Q-manifests, even foreign power on the Miami and Homestead Subs.
Maybe this will be a lesson for whenever my faithful Panny gets fixed. (that's a matter of if, I think). When I go to Tampa, FL for the annual Tampa Train Show, (GSE) I will try to go with ZERO expectation. Let's see what I score. :)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
CSX Miami Sub Layout Update
Heading to Ready to roll today. I am very pleased as to how I am finally back to the model railroad scene tonight. On the 8th I picked up some cheap turnouts so for that I'm good. Finding a great deal is like a pot of gold. Each were running at least 30% off and I got 3 turnouts for the price of 2, 2 of which were #8s. This was from Warrick's. It's funny considering that I was going to buy them in the Summer at full price. Well thought out, eh?
I may pick up further accessories or rolling stock. As far as the engines go, I'm made; I have a GP39-2 and a SD70MAC, more than enough.
I'll be fanning the parallel mainlines today in search of Amtrak, FEC, CSX, and Tri-Rail action. I'll also be at IKEA picking up a correct FRAMSTA unit.
So a fun, busy day today!
I may pick up further accessories or rolling stock. As far as the engines go, I'm made; I have a GP39-2 and a SD70MAC, more than enough.
I'll be fanning the parallel mainlines today in search of Amtrak, FEC, CSX, and Tri-Rail action. I'll also be at IKEA picking up a correct FRAMSTA unit.
So a fun, busy day today!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
New Cars from Atlas...
Coalveyors are being announced. I really dig how the DJJX and MWCX schemes often seen on 453 and 452 carrying scrap are being offered.
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/hocoalveyor6.htm
Meanwhile the coil cars are finally out!
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/hocoalveyor6.htm
Meanwhile the coil cars are finally out!
Derailment and Ballast Train on the Miami Sub
The Miami Sub suffered hell as we know it on Wednesday when Train O720 picked a switch by the Dania middle and back tracks, MP SX 1015.0. Luckily I believe that since a yard derailment like that occurred and the train was operating at a low speed, there should have been no injuries nor casualties. This, for a whole day, held up Tri-Rail and Amtrak trains on Thursday, with P091 and P097 combining at West Palm.
Meanwhile, a W062-29 of sorts, a 37 car train of ballast, came through the area Friday Afternoon. Rudy and Doug, two local railfans, were there to catch it, both at locations 3.7 miles apart. Not to say the train wasn't a close call; they had no heads ups and Rudy just tipped Doug on the last minute, while Rudy found out the fun (or hard) way. (Is it the hard way when you chase a train the whole way?)
While Ted guessed on my mailing list it was for Fort Lauderdale, my belief was and is that it is for Miami Airport's upgraded Tri-Rail Station.
Here are their videos. Always nice to simply see SD50s in Miami.
Meanwhile, a W062-29 of sorts, a 37 car train of ballast, came through the area Friday Afternoon. Rudy and Doug, two local railfans, were there to catch it, both at locations 3.7 miles apart. Not to say the train wasn't a close call; they had no heads ups and Rudy just tipped Doug on the last minute, while Rudy found out the fun (or hard) way. (Is it the hard way when you chase a train the whole way?)
While Ted guessed on my mailing list it was for Fort Lauderdale, my belief was and is that it is for Miami Airport's upgraded Tri-Rail Station.
Here are their videos. Always nice to simply see SD50s in Miami.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
CSX Coal Train
An epic angle from the Miami side. Really like any shot of CSX with the skyline in the background.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
CSX O721 catches
The homestead sub is like Algebra. Everything that runs there is on the Miami sub as well. And so, I present a video from there of several catches between 8/16 and 9/11.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
O717 A La Street View
He got the cameras rolling at NW 15 ST in Pompano. The traffic looks like as if the gates just rose, and here's the EOT. Note the low cube boxcars at Boise. I knew that was one of their carloads.
Image courtesy Google St. View.
Image courtesy Google St. View.
Google Street View
While obviously we junior railfans were on the scene all summer long, Google Street View updated with a new reel of high resolution imagery from the Miami side. As my focus is Fort Lauderdale-Deerfield, I'll probably be posting images of cars in the house tracks. The time of year looks like Spring 2011 as the Turnpike/8th St. Interchange just had the backplated lights installed, the sun is to the south, among others. The imagery is very interesting as I am analyzing who received cars at the times in the area. ie. Phoenix Cold Store has reefers (I thought they went under for some reason) and Veco has TWO boxcars. Sun-gas and CBI looked full, and Trujillo has one BNSF box. Will post more as I progress.
I remember people saying they saw the car sometime this year, guess that is the case.
I remember people saying they saw the car sometime this year, guess that is the case.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Classic Combination
Seeing an A380 followed by a rock train have come to be a classic combination for me.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Classic O721
Always nice to see a Spartan C40-8 down here. Haven't seen those in forever and boy are these gals getting old. 7562, a rust bucket who I bet will be coated soon
More SD80MAC
CSX Q453 and Q452, Miami Terminal Freight, this week has rotated 4595 (an SD80MAC). I scored them in Hollywood but she was trailing. Video soon.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Miami Sub Update
For logging reasons, CSX E109-31 departed for Augusta, GA and eventually Erwin, TN at 7:40 PM on Wed. with the 631 and 206. Doug caught the two motors on Q453-30.
Monday, August 29, 2011
This Weekend on the Miami Sub: Epic Power Both days
We SFL Railfans had a field weekend here on CSX land. EMD power has been in charge of Q453 both Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday featuring an HLCX leaser. To add insult to injury for those who missed, tonight's leader was an SD80MAC! A first for Miami. I was 1/2 though, catching the HLCX leaser and the CSX SD60I on Saturday. Oh well, but priorities exist.
Here's a still of Q453-27.
Here's a still of Q453-27.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
CSX Freight Train 14 Running Lite
One hell of a rare operation, Train O917 ran today (Saturday) up to Amerigas for some priority tanks. I wonder why. Though, the need of an extra op sounds really promising business-wise.
FEC Train 101 Hollywood, FL 1/09/2009 FEC/RA SD70M-2 Leading
Yes, this one's on the other side but I can't ever get over that horn!!! This is the type of horn every locomotive should have.
FEC Train 101 Hollywood, FL 1/09/2009 FEC/RA SD70M-2 Leading
Yes, this one's on the other side but I can't ever get over that horn!!! This is the type of horn every locomotive should have.
8/26/11 CSX Q452 SINGLETARY SIDING OCALA FL
When at school it's always nice to follow up on someone's 453/452 postings to keep an idea on traffic. I believe the train had a distinct size due to the Fire in Okeechobee which disrupted service, especially with a long Mildred pick up. What I also noticed was a remarkable and conspicuous Y120 and O721 cut. O721's cut is hard to tell at first, but starts at the Plastics Hoppers at 02:42 and continues on to the CEFXs. I would've loved to document this 14 car cut going north on Wednesday night. (or was it Thursday after all?) Y120 looks to be broken in 2 as I can't imagine where a covered hopper and open would go on the DT spur, but two Miami Iron cuts can be noticed.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
#O717 Video Update
Logging my updates on here, I am glad to say the video is 46% uploaded in the 6 hour window I am dealing with. It has another 4 hours roughly till it's fully 1080 and up. You guys, both railfans of the Miami Sub, model railroaders, and switching fans alike will love this! Lots of time and energy was put into this and it is also a research project for my layout. I'll embed it when it's all done.
Meanwhile, my buddy Rudy ran right into CSX O717-19 at the same spot I caught the home run today. A much more gloomy catch in overcast weather, I'm still looking forward to see what it picked up. Its late operation showed though that it was busy today nonetheless.
Meanwhile, my buddy Rudy ran right into CSX O717-19 at the same spot I caught the home run today. A much more gloomy catch in overcast weather, I'm still looking forward to see what it picked up. Its late operation showed though that it was busy today nonetheless.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
O717 Video & Job Frequency
I have produced an 8-minute video showing O717 working Home Depot and Sun-Sentinel as well as moving through Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The Fort Lauderdale catch had its size double from Pompano as the job picked up more cars coming south. It will probably see the YouTube light tomorrow. From something like this you can easily deduce that the busiest customers are Home Depot and even Sun-Sentinel, though Sun-Sentinel doesn't get daily service. But I want to also say that Amerigas is busy, and that place was not switched yesterday. Well, they WERE switched today, so I could suppose they are pretty frequent. Next in the line is Boise-Cascade, not the most frequent in switching, and the frequency chart goes down with Allsteel, WR Grace, Publix, Cross Dock, and the remaining of the 14 customers.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
#O717Nation - CSX O717-17
Today's double 17s had an interesting hodgepodge of manifest. I caught him three times today at work in the area, only considering all three times due to its very changeable consist. First was switching Pompano Beach's big Home Depot warehouse/Distribution Center and its departure. Second was Deerfield Beach's Sun Sentinel warehouse. Lastly was its home run after picking up from customers like Fast-Dry Courts and WR Grace.
Here is its home run, which was noteworthy.
Here is its home run, which was noteworthy.
#O717Nation - Today
Today's objective is to score four big locals. They are Y120, FEC Downtown Miami, O722, and O717. If I can I'll get 960 as well as 965, and O720. Stay tuned for updates, trackside photos, and video. I will definitely be along the "O717 nation" photographing and trainwatching.
The hash tag reflects the fact that posts get cross-posted to Twitter.
The hash tag reflects the fact that posts get cross-posted to Twitter.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
#CSXMiamiSub - Rock Train Empties
Sometimes when empties and loads accumulate they can make for monsters. Check out my catch of O721 which was the longest to date in my YouTube endeavors.
#CSXMiamiSub - Trip Tomorrow
(pound symbol title is because the posts get fed onto Twitter)
Time to see O717 out on the field tomorrow morning. I'll also score classics like Y120, O722, and the FEC locals as well. Wednesday is truly the best day to catch freight action. Y120 works the Downtown Spur, and 960 works the Pompano lead. It also often means long Q452s. O717 will very likely be working Sun-Sentinel as well for some decent shots.
Time to see O717 out on the field tomorrow morning. I'll also score classics like Y120, O722, and the FEC locals as well. Wednesday is truly the best day to catch freight action. Y120 works the Downtown Spur, and 960 works the Pompano lead. It also often means long Q452s. O717 will very likely be working Sun-Sentinel as well for some decent shots.
Monday, August 15, 2011
#O717Nation - Leg Diagram
Will be stopping over at Home Depot this week to buy two 8' long studs for DFB as a test.
I have designed something whereas the legs are to be removable. The screw joints are to be #8x2.5" bought from the Home Depot as well.
Here's a concept drawing at how it will look like.
I have designed something whereas the legs are to be removable. The screw joints are to be #8x2.5" bought from the Home Depot as well.
Here's a concept drawing at how it will look like.
- The stud element I bought from HD can be cut in two as I said to form the 4' perfect-posture legs. I will buy two each visit, to maximize the free cutting limit, 2 items. Each item, almost an extra dollar each.
- 1.5" think makes a sturdy support.
- Felt pads can be bought for pocket change from Walmart, and eliminate scratches and stress on the surface.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
#O717Nation - Boards are Up and De-Warping
After the boredom of sanding the two model railroad boards, they are up and will be pounded with heavy containers as to flatten out. Studs are coming in as I type and the construction of such sections, plus the purchase of studs as legs, will begin this Saturday.
V149 and Q452
It was just about the time again for a coal train! Two ES44ACs haul V149 and a mostly Y220-based Q452 appear after.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sanding
I am happy to announce electrified sanding is done on my two 2'x8' board sections, both looking spiffy. From there they will be taken upstairs and laid flat to de-warp (it's humid).
I will be sanding the sectional studs only after I use the Black & Decker WorkMate bench to cut them to size, 21" in length. After which I will be screwing the boards onto these sections first, eventually followed by the 8' long studs. The way my table legs will look will then be decided (Boy do I have a lot of time to figure that out!) out of two options, L-shaped and Square based. Legs will be 4' high not to damage my back.
I will be sanding the sectional studs only after I use the Black & Decker WorkMate bench to cut them to size, 21" in length. After which I will be screwing the boards onto these sections first, eventually followed by the 8' long studs. The way my table legs will look will then be decided (Boy do I have a lot of time to figure that out!) out of two options, L-shaped and Square based. Legs will be 4' high not to damage my back.
Friday, August 12, 2011
O717 Today
6 carloads this morning, caught by Rudy through Pompano Beach, FL. No video. They are at the moment working one of the nicest stretches over by Sun-Sentinel and Publix. The 6 car count may be inaccurate as the train may pick up more cars, especially from SB mammoths like Allsteel, Amerigas, Boise Cascade, etc. Feel free to keep in mind this is a 5-day a week local so for there to be one this way means the line is in good shape.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Double Heritage Luck
It's interesting when two days later, another heritage unit comes down P097. Today AMTK P097-08 has the 145 (Phase III) leading. Due to food poisoning, and the weather, no go for me. It's even more interesting, though, when I noticed I had titled my P091 post "Amtrak 97 Hollywood...". Seems like a vision of the future, I guess. ;)
Monday, August 8, 2011
Amtrak 97 Heritage Unit Hollywood Area
Seized the moment to score me a heritage unit on the good old Miami Sub. Note the poorly maintained track where Cemex is ;)... Overgrowth and modest conditions do occur on the O717 stretch, too, but of course, such is limited to industrial house tracks.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday's Progress At A Glance
- In the 7 month planning time, my grandmother stayed here in Miami. She occupied living space in the room where the layout is going to be set up. As she left everything was intact for the last two months until yesterday August 5th whereas the bed was picked up, clearing space for
futureimpending reorganization of items. - The first board was re-sanded (I did a manual attempt but it didn't suffice at all) about 80% of the board. It will be finished either this afternoon if the neighborhood doesn't ban noise levels during the day at a reasonable time, or into the week.
Look for episode 3 of the Miami Sub Layout series later today. This episode: Sanding.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Sanding
Sanding is an important treatment process for wood, and since my surface of choice is indeed wood (no rivers and pretty flat terrain), it needs to be sanded. Home Depot has a 29.77 USD 4x8'x.75" board (worth an "As Seen on CSX" Banner? lol) that is already sanded, saving the hassle of sandpaper, BUT the edges will still need it.
Hence I suggest this to all modelers majoring in wood, if you haven't already, when in the pre-benchwork phase, SAND your lumber if bought unsanded, but if bought sanded, still, give it a quick run. There's room for error. But the main part you WOULD need to sand, as I said, is the edges. You do not want blisters in your fingers!
Today I am going to be sanding the split-in-two 4'x8' I bought this past Monday on the edges. Then, after that, they are going to be carried to the room.
Hence I suggest this to all modelers majoring in wood, if you haven't already, when in the pre-benchwork phase, SAND your lumber if bought unsanded, but if bought sanded, still, give it a quick run. There's room for error. But the main part you WOULD need to sand, as I said, is the edges. You do not want blisters in your fingers!
Today I am going to be sanding the split-in-two 4'x8' I bought this past Monday on the edges. Then, after that, they are going to be carried to the room.
Friday, August 5, 2011
For the Driver 1 Fans
A little OT here, but hell, I discovered this on a Homestead Sub bike-ride. Went on Red to see if there was a Y220 (there wasn't) but discovered this when waiting on SW 8 ST.
Image from Google Street View
It's not like this is a landmark of sorts, but this is one of the lower level buildings recognizable from the Driver: You Are the Wheelman game in the Coral Gables area. There are like four of these, LOL. A childhood memory reconnected.
I couldn't find an ingame screenie to compare, can anyone help?
It's not like this is a landmark of sorts, but this is one of the lower level buildings recognizable from the Driver: You Are the Wheelman game in the Coral Gables area. There are like four of these, LOL. A childhood memory reconnected.
I couldn't find an ingame screenie to compare, can anyone help?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Point of Trainwatching
The weather is beautiful, you have a nice seabreeze. 90ยบ but it feels nice. You take a stroll on a bicycle (which later screwed the gears up due to a gutter strike @ Sunset Dr.) Your sources say nothing is coming; everything "Arrived" into Miami Terminal. Inching upward past a nice shadowy stop at AD Barnes Park and photographing a historic FEC wooden trestle (Still there today!) you finally inch in to Coral Way after noting THREE Voodoo sacrifices. (This sight was hard to look at)... No train yet, and a stroll to SW 21 ST. Time to decide, head back, blaze it to SW 70 AV, or have a Cafรฉ Cubano at Rinconcito Latino? The second option almost won, and I made it to the east sidewalk, when I finally hear a K5LA. O721-04 was honking bravely through the neighborhoods of West Miami like God intended with the 6061 leading 4307, and 22 empty Yelvington cars, which would be to my knowledge later on. The honks get louder, and I get in position to get set for a hopeful 1.25 mile chase to SW 41 ST. I turn on my HD Camera, and it screams "NO CARD"... #$%#!!!! But my backup was ready to fire, a Cybershot Digital. I was expecting one AEX hopper followed by two to four Cement hoppers, but was spared when I found out it was an ordinary train. Nonetheless, the manual horses run, as few as 10 feet away from the train (Public Street), and I begin recording a little clip as I pass the Bus Terminal. The train picked up speed and I had no hope of speeding up, unfortunately. But I managed to complete the shot at Waterway Drive. While with the attest to the lack of an HD camera to film the chase I was duped a great deal, I was still enjoying it. The chase, the 20mph pace. It was a different feeling and an utter first to drag race an empty rock haul. And the road... all to myself. Welcome to Miami, railfans.
CSX Q453 W/ SD70M & Awesome Crew meets Q452!!!
Yesterday it had a rare leader, ex. EMDX leaser SD70M, which is usually in the confines of Central Floriduh. Caught by my friend Rudy. Had a classic Hollywood (R) meet, lol, double entendre there, with Q452. 452 was a flat out monster train. On top it had its "Y120s" and in the middle, as Q453 interrupted, passed a little glimpse of coal ash empties. Y220 worked the Lehigh Spur under a bit of my radar, though I valued a shower and bed more than Y220 that night (Tuesday). I believe this train should've also had these 7 empties from Orr WTP I caught on Tuesday. The DD @ Manatee (Oakland Park) gave 396 axles. 96 cars, eh? Not bad.
Now I have achieved a part of my sanding process for the two boards, and one of the warps is balancing off now. As I wake up in the morning, if the warp is completely balanced, it's comin' inside. Model O717 here I come!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Atlas New Stuff
20700 gallon tankers look good, but the price point is ridiculous. 40 bucks must be the new 25. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho20ktank3.htm
I actually am shocked at finding the Ethanol Tankers 10 USD cheaper than a 20,700 gallon. The 20700 is 2/3 the scale capacity! If I were to choose one of these though I'd go for DOWX, with the WR Grace Co in mind.
The Berwick 50' looks promising, and much more forgiving in price, LOL. 25.00 USD. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/hoberwick50bc.htm
Hence at times I still recommend the purchase of Trainman stock before these overshadow it.
Looking at my customers it is really unlikely I'll need any of these unless I do FLL Yard in a separate layout. Maybe a BNSF Berwick.
I actually am shocked at finding the Ethanol Tankers 10 USD cheaper than a 20,700 gallon. The 20700 is 2/3 the scale capacity! If I were to choose one of these though I'd go for DOWX, with the WR Grace Co in mind.
The Berwick 50' looks promising, and much more forgiving in price, LOL. 25.00 USD. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/hoberwick50bc.htm
Hence at times I still recommend the purchase of Trainman stock before these overshadow it.
Looking at my customers it is really unlikely I'll need any of these unless I do FLL Yard in a separate layout. Maybe a BNSF Berwick.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Miami (continued)
You may have to be on foot or really, at street level to experience Miami. As I did a new tradition, chasing O721 by bike, I intercepted upon it @ Sunset Drive/Galloway Road. South Miami has a back-woods feeling but in the intersection, there are Cafeterias and the BP there is very much in Lance's standards. When buying the Gatorade (I felt Cafe Cubano would not be right for a bike ride) I stumbled upon an interesting character, chanting the likes of "oye papo" to try to impress a 30 something woman. Unfortunately the lady was taken, but I felt right at home witnessing that. On a more subtle note my exchange w/ the clerk at the BP was in pure Spanish. She immediately said "uno cuarenta y nueve" as the total (1.39 USD + Tax 7%) and I handed the 2 bucks, got the 0.51 and we both said gracias, to me for the business and to her for the labor.
I also did a bit of meandering and on a lesser note, despite a rush, experienced West Miami and its very exotic "Voodoo and Palmettos" material. Encountered a lot of mosquito rich areas though, gotta bring that OFF!
It's things like this that make me appreciate Miami much more. A melting pot of character and culture.
Video of the O721 coming soon.
I also did a bit of meandering and on a lesser note, despite a rush, experienced West Miami and its very exotic "Voodoo and Palmettos" material. Encountered a lot of mosquito rich areas though, gotta bring that OFF!
It's things like this that make me appreciate Miami much more. A melting pot of character and culture.
Video of the O721 coming soon.
Fort Lauderdale
As much I find the area an interesting mecca for switching, I decided and realized it will be excluded through this layout until I secure more space, which in a tiny room in a townhouse, is impossible. Fort Lauderdale has TRANSFLO, two Team Tracks, F05 (where O717's cars go), and the White Lumber Lead. However, I guess as they say I have to finish my plate up before helping myself to more. A net 40+ square feet of track is already going to be in need of detail anyway.
Lance pointed me in this direction anyway, which I thought was very viable since his Downtown Spur has zero staging. AFAIK trains can only really turn around at FP&T.
The Fort Lauderdale area would poise the layout with two more needed hours of operation, the purchase of much more pricey ethanol tanks, and another couple months of detailing. I can do the pair of yards some other time (Fort Lauderdale and Dania).
O717 already eats up six (6) hours switching between Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield, and back. The train customarily runs around at Rankin but I'm catering to run-arounds at Pompano-Parker now. So I will be spending 6 hours an op myself switching. So I still have a bit to eat on my plate.
Not much of a change to the latest plan, just the top deck will rule up and chances are I'm looking at a 7' long straight track on a wooden deck (removable) to house cars and switch them out, like roller coasters load up, leave, load up, with the unloading in another platform.
Lance pointed me in this direction anyway, which I thought was very viable since his Downtown Spur has zero staging. AFAIK trains can only really turn around at FP&T.
The Fort Lauderdale area would poise the layout with two more needed hours of operation, the purchase of much more pricey ethanol tanks, and another couple months of detailing. I can do the pair of yards some other time (Fort Lauderdale and Dania).
O717 already eats up six (6) hours switching between Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield, and back. The train customarily runs around at Rankin but I'm catering to run-arounds at Pompano-Parker now. So I will be spending 6 hours an op myself switching. So I still have a bit to eat on my plate.
Not much of a change to the latest plan, just the top deck will rule up and chances are I'm looking at a 7' long straight track on a wooden deck (removable) to house cars and switch them out, like roller coasters load up, leave, load up, with the unloading in another platform.
Home Depot Installment 1
I made my first Model Railroad Purchase from Home Depot, in 2 years of dreaming. ;)
The 4' x 8' x 23/32" was a good place to start. I bought the fine one as it, though 12 bucks more pricy, is better off. To allow that benchwork to be done, I also but only bought 5 "2x4" studs. The arrangement is as shown. The fifth one is what is cut in 1/4s in the diagram.
The big board (cut in two) cost 29.77 USD. The studs each... 2.80 USD. (x5 = 14.00)
Screws on the side? 7.25. The total price? Little more than an Athearn Auto-Max in discount retail.
I wanted to hold off on the supports mainly because of the cutting price. I hit my "free" limit... Two cuts, the big board and studs, are free. Excess cuts are .80 USD each. HD will be on my way tomorrow so the gas won't factor much to offset the savings, 2 supports are 2 cuts. $1.60.
Besides, I am undecided on the supports. I am leaning towards getting the 6x6x8 but also am thinking of going w/ the ol' studs in an L shape (5"x3.5" gross L/W)
The 4' x 8' x 23/32" was a good place to start. I bought the fine one as it, though 12 bucks more pricy, is better off. To allow that benchwork to be done, I also but only bought 5 "2x4" studs. The arrangement is as shown. The fifth one is what is cut in 1/4s in the diagram.
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| The future Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach sections! |
The big board (cut in two) cost 29.77 USD. The studs each... 2.80 USD. (x5 = 14.00)
Screws on the side? 7.25. The total price? Little more than an Athearn Auto-Max in discount retail.
I wanted to hold off on the supports mainly because of the cutting price. I hit my "free" limit... Two cuts, the big board and studs, are free. Excess cuts are .80 USD each. HD will be on my way tomorrow so the gas won't factor much to offset the savings, 2 supports are 2 cuts. $1.60.
Besides, I am undecided on the supports. I am leaning towards getting the 6x6x8 but also am thinking of going w/ the ol' studs in an L shape (5"x3.5" gross L/W)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Home Depot This Week
Expect benchwork progress to be added this week as I take my trip to the Home Depot tomorrow evening. My "funds" for it have arrived. :)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
[HD] CSX Q453-30 - Dania, FL - 07.30.11
So I was able to secure a little catch on the CSX tracks last night after doing some IKEA shopping and running an errand at Sawgr-ass mills mall. (Well, there's a LEGO store coming but I still don't like the place)
One thing I will try to neglect as little as I can is catching inbound manifest on CSX. I was fully okay with neglecting FEC 101, FEC 222, blah, givens. I didn't care about Amtrak today. Even so, Q452, with its recent short size wasn't "production value". (Super 8 reference) But what serves a modeler's plate well for his turf is what comes in. It shows who is still demanding what. So I managed to figure out where more or less 3/4 of the train goes, but the numerous standard size boxcars don't necessarily correlate to Fort Lauderdale anyway. Even so I gathered a couple of road numbers to trace accordingly as to their status.
The train is not blocked per industry at Waycross; this is the Miami yard jobs' duties. So things that pair up for the same destination might be split up, after all. I do admit it surprised me not a single Bad Order Yelvington empty was on this train. O717 demands are in light blue. Transflo Loads are in green.
1: Likely for new rock offloading facility @ Opa-Locka, OR Cemex Miami, Fly-ash most likely
2-5, 53: Newsprint for Sun-Sentinel
6-9, 21-24, 28, 36-38, 42-44: Miami Area, can be Fort Lauderdale bound
10-13: By principle it looks like what Orr Treatment Plant in Kendall would receive, but can be for TRANSFLO
14: Certainly for TRANSFLO, Pressureaide of Plastic Polymers
15: Likely Newsprint for Sun-Sentinel
16-18, 49-51: Likely for TRANSFLO
19-20: Home Depot. Note pieces of wrap were dangling. This is why I do not recommend setting up literally next to the train. Camera was unattended when train was through, even though it was 5' away
25: Plastics. Looks like it can be headed to Publix since a new TILX was seen there.
26-27: Chlorine. Likely for Orr.
29: Plastics. Different reporting mark tells me may head to Seal-Tite or Nailite
30: Chlorine. Either FLL Water Treatment Plant, Orr, or Sentry
31-32: ECUX Plastics hoppers, very likely TRANSFLO
33, 35, 45: May be newsprint or headed for Trujillo.
34: Empty Scrap, Miami Iron & Metal
39-41: Likely to be for Miami Iron & Metal or for the recycling place No. of Hialeah
46: BAM. Coal Ash for Cemex Miami... NDYX 912052, my hope for Lehigh operations this week
47-48: Either TRANSFLO, AFEC, or Orr
52: Allsteel & Gypsum
And there you have it. Hope one day going car by car is something I won't want to do because the train would be too long. ;)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
YouTube: Review of Atlas TRAINMAN CSX 50'6" Boxcar
In this one I review the aspects of the simplistic TRAINMAN line item. I also explain why it is better to get these cars now than in the future.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Option B
I might scrap the yard-included version in favor of this double decker plan. You can see the two together roughly, in one pic, and the top deck alone, which is O717's turf. I'm only going to do the top deck first then figure out a way to do the FLL yard.
My purpose in splitting the two is, well, without either Cross Deck, the WTP, or Amerigas, you can't have O717. You can't have it without BrickAmerica, and ESPECIALLY Home Depot. I'll use hinge- and - wire "technology" to display the extensions when needed. Think of it as when you lift the hood of a car and it's manual, so you have to attach a metal rod to the front bumper area. The first section to be done will be Deerfield to Pompano, with the temporary staging along the upper two industries. The under-deck will likely be affected by the wooden supports and will be a separate budget as I hit senior year.
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| Apparently some errors made there be two decks in one in this screen, but this was not saved. You can see where the yard on the lower deck will go. I took the opportunity to bitmap this one just to show how the two can look together. |
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| The 'helix' is removable and actually will be just one steep downgrade turn. This is the upper deck, the meat of the layout. |
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Review coming soon!
Going to explain the importance of getting as many low-cost rolling stock items NOW in an impending YouTube video. This relates to basic Walthers and Atlas Trainman series. Coinciding with the importance is a nifty review of the Atlas 50'6" CSX boxcar I bought on July 6.
Miami - Cuban Coffee - Photo Essay
A bunch of us have been chatting it up on the South Florida Railfans Yahoo! Group about the various restaurants that have stands laden with Cafรฉ Cubano.
Some of these are actually hidden along rail corridors! And they are not far when scouting the local in question.
Here are three alone I've been to and how much I recommend them.
The Homestead Sub has two nearby restaurants with formica countered coffee stands, La Carreta (Bird Road) and Rinconcito Latino.
Rinconcito is a chain that is fast growing, and offers great food and though I haven't tried it, the Cuban Coffee is probably great too. Hell, almost anywhere the brew should be good.
I've been to the 105th and Bird location that spells MIAMI well. This is however, 3.3 miles from the SXH 1044.22. There is one though by Coral and Ludlam, 0.4 miles east of the SXH 1043.21. And it is a great grab-n-go when chasing O721. RL is the closest "Lance friendly" coffee stand to the Homestead Sub, which guarantees a train every day anywhere between 4:15 and 6:15 PM, and its return in a wider window between 10 PM and 1 AM. I have a pic from 104/bird and a GSV look at Ludlam/Coral. The bird road location should be essentially similar... it has formica tables and counters, and the food is one of the best deals anyone can find. Where can you get a nice made-to-order sandwich for $5? Perfect for when one is done with chasing O721 to Krome.
The only reason I never tried RL's coffee is... well... La Carreta and only the Bird Rd has THE BEST and ABSOLUTE BEST Cafe Cubano anyone can find. Their stand spells Miami all around and can actually be more personal and down home than others. This location unlike RL has lasted 25 years and counting. Coffee is a good $0.70 + tip so say, a buck total. The flavor is so rich you'll be in heaven for a little bit... and here the ambiance is "Lance Friendly" as well. People have told me stories there about the FEC, Miami history, and even one person who works by Miami Iron / FPT told me about the downtown job (Y120) and how basically it works FPT, taking its cut across N River, switching, and so on. The counter sandwich bar inside is also a nice place to have some grub as well. As for the pic of the half empty and already consumed cup, I gotta say, I was so enticed to drink the coffee that I forgot to take a pic of it. :P
Pics:
One string attached though: It's 1.4 miles away from the Homestead Sub's SXH 1044.22. Though the side trip is worth it.
The last picture was a bit of compensation for the half full to show how a fairly full size cup looks like, albeit ordered to go (para llevar), though it was taken at their Int'l Mall location. More catered to the nearby mall, the place isn't nearly as exotic, though it is only a short 5 minute walk away from the Lehigh Spur's SXL 1045.51. The Lehigh Spur at one point boasted 70 car Florida Rock trains, but I hope to god that business isn't gone forever. FRKX has recently only shipped out of Krome.
Cuban Coffee is the secret ingredient to the magic of railfanning in Miami. It is also the conduit for exchanging stories, experiences, and can be a very lasting memento when in town for a day or two. I personally recommend stopping for it fully to enjoy it, as god intended, in a ceramic cup. Definitely like Lance says, it's one thing you won't find in a Starbucks, McDonald's, or Dunkin Donuts.
Some of these are actually hidden along rail corridors! And they are not far when scouting the local in question.
Here are three alone I've been to and how much I recommend them.
The Homestead Sub has two nearby restaurants with formica countered coffee stands, La Carreta (Bird Road) and Rinconcito Latino.
Rinconcito is a chain that is fast growing, and offers great food and though I haven't tried it, the Cuban Coffee is probably great too. Hell, almost anywhere the brew should be good.
The only reason I never tried RL's coffee is... well... La Carreta and only the Bird Rd has THE BEST and ABSOLUTE BEST Cafe Cubano anyone can find. Their stand spells Miami all around and can actually be more personal and down home than others. This location unlike RL has lasted 25 years and counting. Coffee is a good $0.70 + tip so say, a buck total. The flavor is so rich you'll be in heaven for a little bit... and here the ambiance is "Lance Friendly" as well. People have told me stories there about the FEC, Miami history, and even one person who works by Miami Iron / FPT told me about the downtown job (Y120) and how basically it works FPT, taking its cut across N River, switching, and so on. The counter sandwich bar inside is also a nice place to have some grub as well. As for the pic of the half empty and already consumed cup, I gotta say, I was so enticed to drink the coffee that I forgot to take a pic of it. :P
Pics:
One string attached though: It's 1.4 miles away from the Homestead Sub's SXH 1044.22. Though the side trip is worth it.
Cuban Coffee is the secret ingredient to the magic of railfanning in Miami. It is also the conduit for exchanging stories, experiences, and can be a very lasting memento when in town for a day or two. I personally recommend stopping for it fully to enjoy it, as god intended, in a ceramic cup. Definitely like Lance says, it's one thing you won't find in a Starbucks, McDonald's, or Dunkin Donuts.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday Night Hollywood Railfanning
A fairly fruitful outing yielded a classic Miami Sub meet. O720 met Q453 in front of my eyes... I really like both trains. Q453 is the manifest carrier that sets up O717, 18, 20, 21, 22, and all the yard jobs. O720 yesterday had lots of freight for Conrad Yelvington.
Enjoy the video!
Enjoy the video!
Friday, July 22, 2011
CSX Y120
While not a figure of the Fort Lauderdale area, Y120 is really an interesting operation.
I was the first ever person to post a video of that train on YouTube which answers questions a many about ops on the exotic Downtown Spur, while still leaving several unanswered.
The job coming back is truly a hidden treasure, as it arrived in late morning hours. People are sought after daylight moves on CSX, and this is one of the five trains you can see in daylight no matter what time of year.
The train today was also a barometric measure of how well the Downtown Spur's industries are doing. 13 cars tells me they are just fine... This is certainly one of the longer switchers I've seen in South Florida.
I was the first ever person to post a video of that train on YouTube which answers questions a many about ops on the exotic Downtown Spur, while still leaving several unanswered.
The job coming back is truly a hidden treasure, as it arrived in late morning hours. People are sought after daylight moves on CSX, and this is one of the five trains you can see in daylight no matter what time of year.
The train today was also a barometric measure of how well the Downtown Spur's industries are doing. 13 cars tells me they are just fine... This is certainly one of the longer switchers I've seen in South Florida.
The 13 cars were laid out like so: (Loads in green)
2 boxcars for Trujillo Foods (Trailing Westbound)
2 Tankers for Sun Gas (Trailing Westbound)
1 lone FPTX Scrap Gondola (Trailing Eastbound)
5 Miami Iron & Metal Scrap Gondolas (Trailing Eastbound)
1 Tanker for Family & Son Produce (Trailing Eastbound)
2 Boxcars for Family & Son Produce (Trailing Eastbound)
The trailing points westbound were kind of blocked in reverse order. I would've expected Trujillo to be behind Sun Gas but I guess switchwork is switchwork. Maybe CSX would've blocked a crossing w/ those TTX cars tacked on to the 11 remaining cars.
The trailing indicator refers to the switching procedure and it helped me arrive those conclusions. CSX does not do multiple run arounds on their train, only one at the end.
Hope you enjoy the brief video cramped in gritty chain link fences, rusted industrial spurs, and loud clanking of the warehouses.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Antique Prick Stone?
Someone must've had too much time in their hands and fooled around with the Antique Brick and Stone sign along the West Rail customer that Y220 now serves. lol
Monday, July 18, 2011
CSX O718 - What is O718?
The other job CSX runs is much more closely knit to Fort Lauderdale Yard. While I am doing Fort Lauderdale Yard, it is a subordinate focus to represent this train. In real life it switches Transflo as it is allowed to, after daytime hours. It also shuttles Transflo cars between Dania house tracks, the Middle and Back Track, and the mix of F05 and the Transflo yard. Transflo is a granular/bulk transloading facility, owned by CSX. In real life the 4 tracks can hold some 30 spots but in my layout, 8. But that'll do as quite so, model railroading is very expensive a hobby. As nocturnal as it is, and as hard to catch it as it is, I don't really have photos of the job, nor video.
Nonetheless you'll be seeing a new set of cars in my hands in the near future, thanks to a very dedicated contributor online here.
Nonetheless you'll be seeing a new set of cars in my hands in the near future, thanks to a very dedicated contributor online here.
[HD] CSX O721-17 through Coral Way Miami, FL 07.17.11 - Tropical Railfan...
Things like this you really won't find anywhere else... CSX runs their Homestead Sub through the tightest neighborhoods ever. You can say you're in North Cuba when you have stucco houses facing a net of trees, garbage bins, driveways, powerlines and communication cables, but the true element is the rock-train laden CSX tracks smack-dab down the median of NW 72 Ave! Enjoy this video of a train through the "runner up" for my MRR layout area, the Homestead Sub.
Friday, July 15, 2011
What is O717?
Lately I took a closer look at this train.
O717 is the Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield Beach local that works the manifest industries with the exception of Conrad Yelvington in Cypress Creek. The working order is as follows:
Types of cars (2011-)
Boxcars (of course) - 50' low cube, 50' high cube, 60' high cube
Centerbeam flats
Coil Cars
Tank cars - 25500 gal, new LPG tanks
Refrigerator cars (57')
Covered Hoppers (Plastics)
Now I put 2011 in parentheses because the past few years this train was responsible for Dania's Gerdau Ameristeel, the Plastic manufacturer in Sheridan, Cemex, and at times, Golden Glades's customers... now that work is that of O722.
The other local i am representing is O718 which will be familiarized at a later time.
O717 is the Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield Beach local that works the manifest industries with the exception of Conrad Yelvington in Cypress Creek. The working order is as follows:
- Departs at 10 AM and usually ties down at 6 PM
- May switch the north end of S Dania yard
- Switching is straightforward, trailing point NB then run-around then trailing point SB.
- Does not access Amerigas deep in the spur, which I learned a trackmobile is responsible for
- Crew ends the day at Flossie's in Dania (Thanks, Ted... ;) )
- Monday-Friday
- Sets out cars at FLL Yard at 4pm or so, on F05.
Types of cars (2011-)
Boxcars (of course) - 50' low cube, 50' high cube, 60' high cube
Centerbeam flats
Coil Cars
Tank cars - 25500 gal, new LPG tanks
Refrigerator cars (57')
Covered Hoppers (Plastics)
Now I put 2011 in parentheses because the past few years this train was responsible for Dania's Gerdau Ameristeel, the Plastic manufacturer in Sheridan, Cemex, and at times, Golden Glades's customers... now that work is that of O722.
The other local i am representing is O718 which will be familiarized at a later time.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
CSX O717
Courtesy Mike M., my local as seen a few months ago according to him. Well, for this here layout I call it mine. Coincidentally it had the unit I bought from Warrick's, 4305. Here O717 is at a good size with 18 cars. I don't get the two empty centerbeams at the end though... I wonder if they were on the same spur as the Cross Dock and Cold Storage (which I had referred to wrongly as CarbAmericas)
Car by Car:
Covered Hopper for Publix
First three boxcars for St. Pete Times
TTX boxcar for Home Depot
First two tankers for W.R. Grace and Co.
Remaining 6 tankers for Amerigas
Centerbeams remain a mystery since they were empty but I'm assuming Allsteel was to load them with gypsum
Reefers from Cold Storage
Car by Car:
Covered Hopper for Publix
First three boxcars for St. Pete Times
TTX boxcar for Home Depot
First two tankers for W.R. Grace and Co.
Remaining 6 tankers for Amerigas
Centerbeams remain a mystery since they were empty but I'm assuming Allsteel was to load them with gypsum
Reefers from Cold Storage
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
CSX O717
Rudy caught the CSX local barometer today...
From where it came looks like it just set out a few cars at Home Depot, who will be included on this layout at a later time. Hope one car is a centerbeam full of panels of extruded foam. ;)
O717 as seen in Pompano Beach had quite a distinguishable assortment. Though the boxcar on top is a mystery, and I believe it's for BrickAmerica on the trip home, the hopper is clearly for Publix as it's the only such recipient on this stretch of cov'd hoppers, and the 6 LPG tankers were for Amerigas. Hell, I'm modeling Amerigas on this layout. ;)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Purchase from Ready To Roll Last Wednesday
Made off with two yards of wood C83 Flex Track from Ready To Roll Trains and an Atlas CSX Trainman HO Scale boxcar.
The video I will be posting towards the end of the week explains the importance of getting what you can now as it relates to price hikes and whatnot.
Pics soon, well that'll be the video.
The video I will be posting towards the end of the week explains the importance of getting what you can now as it relates to price hikes and whatnot.
Pics soon, well that'll be the video.
Industry Update for Fort Lauderdale-Pompano
BrickAmerica and Allsteel/Gypsum were dead last week (7/4-7/8)... But it looks like Q453 is to the rescue with 6 coil cars for Allsteel/Gypsum, the only recipient of such in south Florida!
Meanwhile Home Depot had a couple of 60 footers in sight.
The above industries I mentioned are all worked by O717 and it is critical to know of activity. I am really only including Allsteel out of the three but the other may see placement in an extended layout.
Meanwhile Home Depot had a couple of 60 footers in sight.
The above industries I mentioned are all worked by O717 and it is critical to know of activity. I am really only including Allsteel out of the three but the other may see placement in an extended layout.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Tip on Layout Building
Lance Mindheim seemed to have done it and I am planning to do. When you want to build a layout it is highly recommended that the tables be pretty high up. While smaller children won't have access to it, which can be a good thing anyway, adults and teens like myself alike can maintain a better posture. A 4' high means you do not have to bend your neck or back to reach it, which can reduce the likelihood of scoliosis. It also can provide additional storage space and can allow more to be stored whereas you can still troubleshoot faults in wiring or what not.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
My Main Unit: CSX GP39-2 #4305
Managed to scope out a CSX GP39-2 on my trip last Saturday from Warrick's. It's a DCC ready but not decoded (?) model from Atlas Trainman, which is already cheap to begin with. I think DCC and sound CAN fit in it.
I got it for $81... It needs work such as ditchlights, MU Cables, MU hoses, brakeline, and maybe a horn change but otherwise it looks great!
Compared to her sister the SD70MAC, the handrails are super sturdy as well.
This unit will be the flagship switcher unit for the layout as work is often carried out by a GP39-2. I hope to have it pimped out with DCC this winter.
Compared to her sister the SD70MAC, the handrails are super sturdy as well.
This unit will be the flagship switcher unit for the layout as work is often carried out by a GP39-2. I hope to have it pimped out with DCC this winter.
More Industry By Industry: Sun-Sentinel
I really have not neglected the continuing series of "Industry by Industry" that only shone in early 2011. I managed to seek out a few pics around the Sun-Sentinel area, but mainly got snaps of Tri-Rail's station as it is really essential to the progress of this here route. Also I got lucky and fortunate, catching Amtrak 91 with a B32-8WH! Enjoy the photo study for my layout's critical DFB section.
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| Amtrak 91 has a surprise, B32-8WH #516 leading the train to the station. Deerfield regularly hosts four Amtrak trains. |
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| A look down the Amtrak Station. This photo can be useful to aggregate data on station infrastructure + the SFRM, which its members are closely affiliated with my group and some relate well to my efforts in this project. |
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| Sun-Sentinel had four boxcars for the weekend, which I believe is the most that can be handled. |
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| The surface for the Track 1 Platform is different. It's an asphalt platform unlike the typical concrete of others. |
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| This was a needed shot to emphasize the details of the Sentinel Spur. There is a Stop/ Dismount sign, which I duly know Lance Mindheim mentioned on his site |
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Layout Specs
Today's blog post will be a bit technical, describing the layout specs and details.
Rail: Code 83
Concrete brand: PECO, painted to light gray
Wood brand: Atlas (still unconfirmed), painted to brown
Radius: 22" to 26"
Customers:10
Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
Host Railroad: CSX
Locale: Fort Lauderdale- Deerfield Beach, FL
Local Trains Represented: O717, O718
Signaled Grade Crossings in Layout: 2
Era: 2011-2012
Distance Represented: 17 Real Miles
Rail: Code 83
Concrete brand: PECO, painted to light gray
Wood brand: Atlas (still unconfirmed), painted to brown
Radius: 22" to 26"
Customers:10
Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
Host Railroad: CSX
Locale: Fort Lauderdale- Deerfield Beach, FL
Local Trains Represented: O717, O718
Signaled Grade Crossings in Layout: 2
Era: 2011-2012
Distance Represented: 17 Real Miles
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Layout Plan
Due to being informed of limitations in the room of choice, I revamped the plan to suit a smaller footprint. More storage than was anticipated is needed and the windows in the back need access - so I redesigned the layout. It is still from Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield and the switching will be a little modified.
Unlike the other layout S Dania would need to be accessed through a removable helix and the storage track north of DFB station is eliminated, plus I opted out of including Home Depot. However with the support of Google Maps, CSX has gained / regained three customers in Pompano Beach, FL. Boise Cascade is a frequent customer now and was shown to house two boxcars and two centerbeams in the 3/21/11 O/L; Fast Dry Courts had four tank cars; and Amerigas had seven (!) LPG tanks plus three waiting on the main track. The latter two "came from the dead" while Boise is new. Grace Construction is intact and included. I had a tossup between the Water Treatment Plant off of Powerline/Prospect and the Amerigas since I wanted one that was realistically located. Sun Sentinel and Publix are included as planned. Also, I added Allsteel and Gypsum, off of Sunrise Blvd, which was not in the original plan, a frequent recipient of coil cars. TRANSFLO, who receives dry bulk, granular, and ethanol loads, and the scrap metal team track, F05, and the spur track were not forgotten as well, in accordance to the old plan.
The pictures Mike M. graciously sent me before were a great help and support in deciding this plan, and I thank him.
So here is the rundown of customers by product:
The pictures Mike M. graciously sent me before were a great help and support in deciding this plan, and I thank him.
So here is the rundown of customers by product:
- TRANSFLO: Cement, Plastics, Gravel, Ethanol, Corn Oil
- Team Track: Mainly Scrap Metal
- AllSteel: Coils of Metal *and lumber too! (Google Earth)
- Water Treatment Plant [Option A]: Chlorine and Soda Ash
- Amerigas [Option B]: LPG Gas
- Grace Construction: Um.... Oil?
- Fast-Dry Courts: Um... Chlorine? Bleach?
- Boise: Lumber and Construction Products
- Publix: Plastic Pellets
- Sun-Sentinel: Newsprint
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Updated Layout Specs
Note that this layout's design is subject to any change at any time.
Phase One
TRANSFLO
This should be done by fall of 2011 but the table should be installed by summer 2011.
It will have the ethanol house tracks and team track. I can't wait to buy the materials for the flyover!
F05 should come out interesting as well. Look for the industrial buildings to be rendered as a backdrop.
Instead of Homasote which is hard to get I feel Plywood is a viable material as there are no noticable rivers that will interfere with this design. The new river is not to be rendered yet until I maybe find more space.
Phase One
TRANSFLO
This should be done by fall of 2011 but the table should be installed by summer 2011.
It will have the ethanol house tracks and team track. I can't wait to buy the materials for the flyover!
F05 should come out interesting as well. Look for the industrial buildings to be rendered as a backdrop.
Instead of Homasote which is hard to get I feel Plywood is a viable material as there are no noticable rivers that will interfere with this design. The new river is not to be rendered yet until I maybe find more space.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Atlas Trinity Well Cars
I have to admit I am impressed with this new item Atlas MRR Co. is producing. Even though the announcement is a month old, it's news to me. The well cars add a variety to my prospective recreations of Q172, Q174, et al for the coming SFRM Deerfield Swap meet shows.
http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/ho53wellcar/20001266_BeautyShot.jpg
http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/ho53wellcar/20001266_BeautyShot.jpg
Layout Progress Finally Coming Soon
Now that the stage is set I can practically work on my layout now. Watch for some homasote based benchwork progress in the coming months.
Monday, June 20, 2011
One of the Greatest Quirks about the Homestead Sub
You can see the good old CSX O721 while watching planes go by - A380s and Air Force One to name a few!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Homestead Sub Subject to Growth
I was talking it over with another railfan and came to realize that, despite the slowdown the Homestead Sub (HS) hit over the years, there is some growth potential left.
- Stock Building Supply in Homestead closed down in 2009. However, since 2010, that spur has seen the light of crushed stone gondolas, and even more recently, a covered hopper over several times. There is a spur track that runs parallel to a road that can serve as a team track.
- FPL's Turkey Point plant received a transformer last week through Homestead. In any event FPL does need something, they can turn to CSX.
- Florida Rock ran a rarity, a rock train from Krome Quarry. This shows that more rock is likely to be mined from there to add fuel to the Homestead Sub.
- Developments along the Lehigh Spur and Homestead Sub show a lot of railroad-ready buildings. Plus there are possibilities that warehouse tracks can be rebuilt at the neck of the Homestead wye.
- Coal ash output from Cemex grew in the past months.
- Orr W.T.P. carloads grew.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
This Saturday
My intent this weekend is to do a classic "South Florida Four Pack" Outing. I will and boy do I mean will post my findings and likely copy a trip report to this fine blog for the enjoyment of the community. This includes a classic trip to the Hobby Store, IKEA Fort Lauderdale, Aventura Mall, and more. This as a fun fact will be my first visit to Ready to Roll Trains AND Warrick's since January. Hope they have Miami Sub layout friendly assets. This layout is still on for a go!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lufthansa 462-10
On June 10th and from there LH's flight 462 from Frankfurt, Germany to Miami, FL will be chartered by an A380. Of course, this enhances filming ops along the Homestead Subdivision and is definitely encouraging for the Trainz creation thereof. Here is a what-if look from Flight Simulator X of an A380 tapping Runway 9, the presumably choice runway for the big monster jet.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Rail Line Informational Videos
Look for a series of kinda Danny Harmon style, narrated, videos of the Miami and Homestead Subdivisions to surface on my YouTube this summer. Except, though that it is more of a general overview and not a "current events trackside" video. My main summer project is to embark on these runs and combine footage attained this summer with previous High Definition footage.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Airports
The Miami Sub passes by KFLL off the west tip and the Homestead Sub, which is also part of this blog, the east. To a layout builder this can be a challenge well taken as these jumbos are huge in 1:87. I have a selection of videos from KFLL and one more in the making from KMIA (Miami International) which will be a look back at Lufthansa's Boeing 747 service before the conversion to A380-800 which is impending.
My layout in the making has parts of South Dania. I guess what I can do is have a plane model "landing" but more significantly I would need to pull a photoshop on the airport as the table will not have a back drop from what I have arranged.
My layout in the making has parts of South Dania. I guess what I can do is have a plane model "landing" but more significantly I would need to pull a photoshop on the airport as the table will not have a back drop from what I have arranged.
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