This progress report from the K&BH summarizes work that was completed on February 29, 2004. I believe that the layout structural phase is now complete, and scenery and the installation of mainline rail is the challenge ahead of me now. What you view here is the result of only 17 days of construction by Art Jones and myself (since October 17, 2003). It has been an amazing ride for me, and I have only the highest respect and appreciation for Art's many skills. He has been the key to my dreams put on display in this series of photos — and all the reports that have preceded this edition. I hope you will enjoy these scenes and share your questions or comments with me in the days ahead.
It is a pleasure to introduce Stan Bristol to you. He is the official (real) Conductor-Supervisor-Quality Control Manager — and friend — for the K&BH. He has set the track and signal standards for the K&BH from the beginning. He demanded easements and super-elevation on the curves and he is always checking to see that the mains are straight. Those four gold service bars represent 20-plus years as a Conductor at the Fox River Trolley Museum at Elgin. I hope you are lucky enough to have a real-life Conductor for your railroad, too.
This photo covers two topics at once. The horizon haze has been added to the sky in this photo and I think you will agree that is is very subtle there in the background. Now, the valance is being installed — all 80 feet of it. You'll see how it changes the appearance of the layout in other photos in this report. The valance and fascia will be painted "Harbor Mist Gray" when time permits.
The valance is complete and the lights are out in this view showing Kearney's (EAR) location. From some positions, the viewer will see the lighting but you can also see how it is blocked to the left in this photo. As soon as I complete the wiring back in staging, I'll move out here to begin gluing the foamboard to the plywood base. Roadbed and rail will follow soon after that.
This available-light photo, taken from curve two, shows the Kearney Juntion (KYJ) area (the large grain elevator will be located here) looking toward Curve 3. The opening in the backdrop is where the K&BH exits the layout en route to the "high line" and Rapid City SD. Note how the valance blocks the lights from this viewing position.
This flash shot provides an overview, looking toward Curve 2. EAR is on the right and KYJ is on the left. Note how skillfully Art has cut the hardboard valance to fit about the overhead steel beam. A reminder; the fascia is temporary. Once the gently rolling topography of beautiful Nebraska has been shaped (including dips below the surface of the 2" foam seen here), a finished fascia will be cut to the land contour and installed — a task that is months away!
Until that time, the edge of the foam seen here will be painted gray to blend in with this fascia. Part of the layout design experiment will show me if the layout ceiling helps protect the layout from dust that will drop from the unfinished basement ceiling you view here. We shall see if this has been successful.
This photo gives you the view seen by a flash with the overhead lights off. Now, for a view of this scene as it will be experienced during an operating session with only the can lights providing layout illumination, move on to the next photo. In this one, you'll see the effect we will enjoy when the trains are rolling.
This shot, taken with available light, captures the "theatrical" effect that I have wanted to achieve. It is a real kick to see this and dream of scenery and track and long trains passing through on the 66-foot double-track main. The K&BH is alive and well in my mind as I relish this view! It is fun right now to sit in the basement and savor this scene just as it is in this photo.
On a far more practical matter, here is how I've tried to answer the operator back in staging who asks, "What track is my train on? Which staging track should I go to when I come off the main? Which track is which?" The two mains are on the right in this view looking toward the westbound (WB) ladder. There is a duplicate of this sign on the other side of this big curve, looking toward the EB ladder. The letters/numbers are duplicated on both sides of the "billboard" so that someone down at the ladder can easily see this same information.
The "girder" itself is edge molding for glass brick. It is three inches wide and the letters are two inches high. It is hard to believe that I found the girder in a waste barrel at Home Depot ("We don't stock that any more") so they gave it to me without cost. Something free? That was a first for me at Home Depot!
Now, we need to see if something like this is helpful for those who operate in this part of the layout. In adding this particular feature, I was influenced by the writing of David Popp at Model Railroader. He has prepared an excellent introduction for a first-time operator/visitor to his layout — complete with maps of his industrial sidings — so this is my first step taken to follow his example.
The major layout structure construction is now complete as you view these photos taken on Leap Day 2004. Once the wiring is completed in staging, I will begin to lay the main lines in the viewing section. That day is coming closer and closer and I thank you once again for following along as we keep the Kearney & Black Hills Railroad alive in the 21st century. I hope you'll want to come back to see future progress reports. — Bill