The Whiskey River Railway

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Hi Tyler,

Thanks for all you are doing serving our country in far off Afghanistan. We are all praying for your safe return.

Bummer, you do not have room to build a few models while deployed

Bill and I will keep you up to date on what is going here with the local RR club.

We will keep the lights on and steam raised in the boiler.
Doc Tom
 

Bill Nelson

Well-Known Member
Time for carfull planning

with little room, It is time to have graph paper, a good metal straight edge, some sharp pencils and a compass, you have time to do careful planning, including elevations. even with an essentially flat section of track, having the main elevated a couple scale feet above the sidings makes a huge difference in escaping the flat table it is a model not the real thing look.


You can work out plans not only for your quarry, but for other areas of interest. sure, you don't know what you future space limitations will , but when you know later on, it will be handy to have a manila envelope full of careful drawings of .

Keep in mind your envisioned ideal train size. That may change, that is what messed up my RR conceptually. I had always had 6- 8 car trains. When I built the current Crooked creek I wanted a double band saw mill for aesthetic reasons. It required large sidings, which then required large passing sidings. That left me with one area that can handle 12- 16 car trains, but nowhere else on the RR is suited to them. When I set up operations on the Valley division, I will just have to run trains that the Harlow facilities can handle, and run more of them as the traffic dictates,

Careful planning takes time, it doesn't take much space.


Bill Nelson
 
Just found this thread, this is going to be very interesting to watch. I look forward to seeing progress on your railroad, but more importantly I look forward to your safe return.

I would be very interested in seeing more about those lokies in your first posts. What is that Malley, a 4-4-4-0? And the 4-4-0 and 4-6-0, are those Bachmann?
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
The Lokie family

Just found this thread, this is going to be very interesting to watch. I look forward to seeing progress on your railroad, but more importantly I look forward to your safe return.

I would be very interested in seeing more about those lokies in your first posts. What is that Malley, a 4-4-4-0? And the 4-4-0 and 4-6-0, are those Bachmann?

Puddlejumper,

Thank you for the interest in my railroad. Like most soldiers, I don't think that we do much as a individual, we do most of our work as a team. But I do thank you for the support.

The Super American, as I dubbed it, is indeed a 4-4-4-0. It uses two underframes from a Rivarossi 0-4-0, the boiler shell and some details from a Mantua/Tyco 0-8-0, the spare lead truck from my brass Milwaukee Road S3 4-8-4, a spare Bachmann Spectrum USRA long tender, and many other parts from everywhere else. After seeing Bill Nelson's Y6b being torn apart I like how the motor sits (like a diesel lokie) and I'll try to replicate that mechanism. I plan to take NWSL gearboxes and add them to the 0-4-0 underframes to give them equal weight distribution and good pulling power. Like prototype Mallet practices, the rear set of drivers will be stationary too, as it should manage smaller radius curves as it is and to minimize moving parts should I need to work out issues with it. When it is all said and done, DCC with sound will be added.

As for the 4-4-0 and the 4-6-0, the American is a new MDC with sound and DCC. The sound is pretty pathetic, but for right now it'll do the job. The 4-6-0 is a Bachmann high boiler with 63" drivers and runs great, although I need to work with the sound decoder a little more to get the drivers in sync with the chuff. After taking a two year break from playing with trains (not my choice, but the Army's) I forgot how to do all the programming with DCC decoders and do it proficiently.

Someday I plan to add more motive power to the roster but not much. I'm considering either a pair of 2-8-0's or a new pair of 4-6-0's, but either way a pair of new lokies. If I did go for Consols, I like how the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0's look but I'd like to have a reliable mechanism like Bowser/Varney's 2-8-0's. Something about that band drive makes me feel uncomfortable. But then again, my Bachmann 4-6-0 has one... so we'll see how she holds up over time.

Tyler
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
Module Designing

Physical work has seized on the WRRy, but not designing my railroad. I've managed to draw up two of my next modules to scale, the railroad's namesake town of Whiskey River and the (surprisingly massive) Badger Imperial Mine. I didn't have a pre-planned idea on how Whiskey River was going to look and it still may change, as do many layouts. All that Whiskey River will contain is a depot on the main and the lead smelter for the lead mines down the line. The smelter will be right next to the river to use it's water for cooling and power. This module's size is 18" by 4'.

For the Badger Imperial Mine I've decided to make the curve going down into the pit 15" radius, as the extra inch I first planned would have crowded things even more than it already is. In the pit will be a truly unique item for my railroad, a stub switch. A more recent scale house will be on the outgoing track for accurate weighing of outbound material. So far the only two locomotives that should be able to make it down in the mine and pull the cut of 3-4 cars are #10 (Doc Tom's old Heisler) and #12 (a rebuilt Athearn Lil' Monster). Module size is 4'x3 1/2'.

The drawings should be up soon, everything takes a little time over here to do.

Tyler
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Hi Tyler,

Looking forward to seeing the plans of the new layout when available.

That ole Heisler should be able to handle the 15" radius curves. It is real well"broken in", "loosened up" and "relaxed" and should be able to handle the load. Bachmann's HO Climaxes can handle that radius too but are not as robust (little gear pieces tend to break) as the Rivarossi Heislers. That little DZUL should also work just fine too.

How much longer before you get home???
Doc Tom
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
DZULS? Not here!

Hi Tyler,

Looking forward to seeing the plans of the new layout when available.

That ole Heisler should be able to handle the 15" radius curves. It is real well"broken in", "loosened up" and "relaxed" and should be able to handle the load. Bachmann's HO Climaxes can handle that radius too but are not as robust (little gear pieces tend to break) as the Rivarossi Heislers. That little DZUL should also work just fine too.

How much longer before you get home???
Doc Tom

Doc Tom,

The Athearn Lil' Monster is actually a 0-4-2T that was offered in the late 50's early 60's... Diseasels? Really Doc? :p

After you told me about how fragile the mechanisms are in the Bachmann Climaxes and Shays that definitely made me stray away from them. I'd rather have a lokie that was crude in details but ran like a top than a beauty queen that needed constant maintenance or replacement parts (like my old AHM 4-6-0's that I'm parting out). Also you have a tried and true lokie that's been around and proven it's weight in HO scale gold, which is why I was very thankful you donated it to the WRRy. The only modifications I plan to do to your old Heisler is add DCC, replace the rear headlight (since it's melted and droopy), and work on better contacts for it to maybe lose the currently permanently attached caboose.

As for coming home, I have nine-ish more months. It's really too far in the future to tell but it should be about 11-12 months from when I left, so expect anywhere from mid-October to mid-November. I'll be happy to have choo choo time again!

Tyler
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Doc Tom,

The Athearn Lil' Monster is actually a 0-4-2T that was offered in the late 50's early 60's... Diseasels? Really Doc? :p

As for coming home, I have nine-ish more months. It's really too far in the future to tell but it should be about 11-12 months from when I left, so expect anywhere from mid-October to mid-November. I'll be happy to have choo choo time again!

Tyler

Yeah, Ishould have known you are a steam man through and through. Sorry about that goof!!!

Lets hope these months go by quickly and without incident!!!

Write again with more updates when the mood strikes.

doc Tom
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
Doodles

Hello everyone,

After finding out that we don't have a scanner that works on our network I had to take pictures of my doodles with my cell phone. The first picture is of the town of Whiskey River. I have a #8 or #10 (forgot which) curved turnout that'll be used right after the bridge. That industry is the lead and zinc smelter, the spur closest to the river is the inbound cars (hoppers coming from the mines) and the other is the team track/outbound (boxcars shipping out products and shipping and receiving off the team track). Both tracks should handle two or three 40' cars. Bill has molds from his ore smelter that looks very similar to ones found in southern WI, so hopefully they'll fit good. The other picture is of the quarry which I had to draw the track plan first to make sure it'd fit on a decent sized piece of real estate. This plan is a combination of a quarry I found with the prototype in (I think) Conneticut and Bernard Junk's Junk Sand and Gravel micro layout (http://www.carendt.com/microplans/pages/industrial/mining/junk1.gif). In my original concept which I drew up on Microsoft Paint the lead track didn't go over the track going down into the quarry, but I had to readjust it for the length of the longest loco that could access the quarry (#10, a two truck Heisler plus a permanently coupled caboose) and four hoppers. In the bottom of the quarry I plan to use a stub switch to service both the loading track and the empty track, and the loading track might have a scale house (not sure if I want that in the bottom of the quarry or somewhere else near the quarry, I'll have to do more research to see if that'd be a logical idea). The quarry should be interesting to build and operate as you have to run backwards into the siding, down a 4 or 6% grade and around a 15" radius curve, switch cars from there, return to the top track and either the quarry switcher will take the cars to the next town or have the local pick them up.


Other module plans are brewing, but after I get another module built I plan to make a "jumper" section to create distance. The jumper is just a two by four with track on it that can run between the modules, no scenery but maybe painted in natural colors. For now I'm trying to keep things portable and for now will have to set up the modules either in my living room or the backyard until I have a home for the modules.


In other news, I want to buy decals for my rolling stock. What company does good work for a good price? I'm looking to decal about 40 or so cars, about 2/3 of them need the railroad's herald.


Tyler
 

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Doctor G

Well-Known Member
hi Tyler,

Thanks for sending out the pictures. I think modules are a great idea. If I were starting over in HO or an On30 layout I would go the modular route. You can get each module completed to a high degree of finish and feel like you are getting somewhere. And as you mention they allow tremendous flexibility with moves and changes in homes.

Stan Cedarleaf is a really nice guy that can help you with custom decals. Here is his site http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html

He did all my decals for the Little River Shay and they turned out nice. He also pesonalized the work by getting very exacting measurements from me and looking at prototype pictures. I will be probably talking with him again soon about making some decals for teh logging flat cars Iam working on for the LRRR.

Stay safe and warm there in crazy ole Afghanistan. We are all looking forward to your return!!

Doc Tom
 

Bill Nelson

Well-Known Member
Modules make a lot of sense without a permanent home. I started with the notorious Bumpass modules, and then built the Gizzard as a module, when I got my current attic, I built permanent, but Crooked creek, Ridgemont, Stateline, and Harlow were all built in sections, and could theoretically be re used , although Crooked Creek is the only section I am 100% happy with.


Bill
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
Much to my financial manager's distaste, I finally got the full eight car Fox Valley Models 1935 Hiawatha set. That will fit nicely with the WRRy's timeline as I model 1935-early WW2 timeline. The Hi will be run as if the Milwaukee main line was going under repair and detours on the WRRy. Now to work on the modules when I get home to run all my toys...

Tyler
 

Bill Nelson

Well-Known Member
excellent.

good job. with stuff like that you pretty much need to get it when it is available, or you may never have a chance. Bill Nelson
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Much to my financial manager's distaste, I finally got the full eight car Fox Valley Models 1935 Hiawatha set. That will fit nicely with the WRRy's timeline as I model 1935-early WW2 timeline. The Hi will be run as if the Milwaukee main line was going under repair and detours on the WRRy. Now to work on the modules when I get home to run all my toys...

Tyler

Very good Tyler. Do you know of any pictures????
Doc Tom
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
Getting a Hi... the legal way

Bill and Tom,

I had a hell of a time explaining to my wife of why I needed to pick this up ASAP. About a month ago a guy on eBay was selling a whole set that he bought but got into a money bind and had to sell it. He also had a extra locomotive that had a electrical issue and instead of them asking to send in the loco they just sent him another. Either way I tried to win the auction but I got outbid at the last minute, it would have been a steal for the $430 it went for. But nonetheless, I now have it and can't wait for it to run at the club. I want to mock up a photo of both my 1935 and 1955 Hiawatha side by side with my 261 leading the 1955 Hi. Now I'll have to wait for the 1948 Hi in plastic with the stylized beaver tail observation...

Tyler
 

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Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Bill and Tom,

I had a hell of a time explaining to my wife of why I needed to pick this up ASAP. About a month ago a guy on eBay was selling a whole set that he bought but got into a money bind and had to sell it. He also had a extra locomotive that had a electrical issue and instead of them asking to send in the loco they just sent him another. Either way I tried to win the auction but I got outbid at the last minute, it would have been a steal for the $430 it went for. But nonetheless, I now have it and can't wait for it to run at the club. I want to mock up a photo of both my 1935 and 1955 Hiawatha side by side with my 261 leading the 1955 Hi. Now I'll have to wait for the 1948 Hi in plastic with the stylized beaver tail observation...

Tyler

WOW those are beautiful. Your wife will understand soon I am sure.

I agree I would love to see this train at the club soon. A big long passenger train would be a nice sight.

Doc Tom
 

Bill Nelson

Well-Known Member
Those streamlined locomotives are really fine. when you build a home RR you should have a section of the RR where the Whiskey River has trackage rights over the M R, so you can see that train go by every day.


Bill Nelson
 

gbwdude

General Manager, W.R.Ry.
Those streamlined locomotives are really fine. when you build a home RR you should have a section of the RR where the Whiskey River has trackage rights over the M R, so you can see that train go by every day.


Bill Nelson

Bill,

Part of the idea is to have interchanges with both the Soo Line and the Milwaukee Road, and their mainlines will fold back and go into staging. That way I can simulate Soo or Milwaukee trains that their mainline is out of commission and have temporary trackage rights on the WRRy. Since the WRRy is a north-south line, that would work for both roads. For whatever reason I'm not a Chicago Northwestern fan, and yes that'd make sense too, but I have no CNW interchange (once I think about it I don't have any CNW rolling stock). Since the layout's still in planning I have time to make the plan all come together, who knows I might have trackage rights on the Milwaukee... maybe I'll just have parallel main lines.

Tyler
 

Bill Nelson

Well-Known Member
If you had a crossing with the Milwaukee road, a singnature of each operating session could be waiting at the diamond for the Hiawatha to go by.


Bill Nelson
 
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