Rush City Yard Minnesota

Discussion in 'Planks, Switching and Shelf Layouts' started by Ron, Jun 11, 2017.

  1. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Well here begins the Rock Creek plank thread. We passed through Rock Creek on a journey from Thunder Bay Ontario to Minneapolis a few years ago.
    I am going to use the old Hinchcliffe set up but with DCC point control and use my Digitrax controller.

    [​IMG]

    Quite a bit of homework to do and rolling stock to buy/build. Starting off with a switcher and some 40' reefers.
    Should keep me quiet for a bit. Sheringbourne will still be the main fixed layout but Rock Creek will be portable.
    Cheers
    Ron
     
  2. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Great start Ron, recycling at its best :thumbs:.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  3. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    That's good timing Ron as I was going to suggest a multi layout meet next year if we could get three or four together. We could maybe gate crash one of the smaller venues down south who would maybe be happy to take us all.

    Just an idea but with a bit of investigation, it could happen.

    All thoughts welcome.

    Toto
     
  4. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Sounds good, no pressure then!!?
     
  5. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Same pressure on everyone. :avatar: I'm sure we could enlist jakesdad and Keith ...... That would give us four. We would need to agree a target date and find out what venues would be available to start contacting.

    It may come to nothing but if we can do the homework with regards to a suitable venue. Why not. Not a huge venue, just something happy to have us and somewhere we can all get to. Preferably with a pub B&B nearby.

    May strikes a chord if folks can have something ready.

    Al ideas welcome and open to anyone prepared to see it through.

    Toto
     
  6. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Rock Creek Minnesota, 2012
    [​IMG]

    Not sure I can model the ironstone works but you get the general idea! ;)
     
  7. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Toto wrote:
    Hi Toto, I think we may be disappointed if we try to get an invite at such short notice mate, most organisers work 2 years in advance, and to try and get 3 or 4 layouts invited will probably be near impossible, it wouldn't hurt to put some feelers out though, if an organiser could get some new to the circuit layouts they may be more inclined to invite us, especially if the layouts are of the smaller corner filler type, that don't cost a lot of money in expense's.
    I would suggest, as I have checked the distances, that somewhere in the Newcastle/North Shields/Middlesborough area be looked at, if we have any forum members from that locale, could you suggest any venues?
    I would suggest we look at 2019, plus it will give more time to finish and or fine tune any layouts offered.

    Hope you won't be put off by my suggestions, I'm just looking at the feasibility of it.
    Definitely up for it!

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  8. danielb

    danielb Full Member

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    Wakefield would be a great venue - the show is usually pretty awesome every year. Just suggesting. :)

    If you are all wanting to do like a Platform 1 MRC micro/small layout group thing, count me in, if that's cool? :D
     
  9. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Getting back on track:
    Switcher arrived today, looks a bit of a job to add a decoder but have found some You Tube video's to help.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Just waiting for the decoder to arrive, I've also got a few wagons on order!!
    Cheers
    Ron
     
  10. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Well having watched a great set of video's I decided to have a go at fitting a Digitrax decoder to the SW1500.
    All went well, it worked on DCC and programmed OK BUT the decoder is too big for the body, it catches one of the flywheels when it is fitted!!I've got a small Hatton's decoder on order so I'll replace it later and get the body fitted!!

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    New and first box car arrived today. Proto 2000 made up kit: [​IMG]

    Also finished adding a decoder and weathering my SW 1500 switcher:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Both taken at Sheringbourne. Cheers
    Ron
     
  12. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    You'da thought the UP would have given the poor fella a wash before sending it abroad on its hols, especially to a heritage railway :avatar:

    Nicely done Ron.
     
  13. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    You would have thought so!!:avatar:
    And a video!!
     
  14. ed

    ed Full Member

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    Wot, no bell :avatar:

    Ed
     
  15. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    The good god fearing citizens of Sheringbourne, only allow a bell to ring before Sunday worship, and then quietly so as not to wake the heathens :avatar:
     
  16. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Some shinie's arrived:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    and a few more wagons that need a bit done to them, will post those later..
    Cheers
    Ron
     
  17. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Started a bit of shunting/switching and realised that the sidings have been laid with British rolling stock in mind (Inglenook) not US 40' and 50' boxcars!!
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I can only move one 40' boxcar at a time (see above) so it's thinking cap on and suggestions please??
    This is the existing track plan (Hinchcliffe)[​IMG]

    By adding a 1m board I can gain a run around as well??[​IMG]

    Cheers
    Ron
     
  18. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    :facepalm:, at least you have a solution.

    You could also just add a cassette extension to act as a fiddle yard and head shunt.

    Paul
     
  19. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Trying out some US looking ballasting,
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Bit darker than I thought it would be but quite pleased so far! :)
     
  20. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    The ballast is looking good. As is the change from UK to US rolling stock. Something different. :tophat:
     

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