6 trains in North Fork bridge before the storm

Went to Feather River Canyon yesterday in between storms and saw 6 trains Here are some photos. Will also post movies on my youtube site later on

Operations on the OWNRY October 27

Had a lot of fun. 11 crew and 23 trains.
more photos here

Winter slow down

Haven't been doing much in layout room. Had a business trip to India in December then holidays, then sick..yada yada. Then snow and too cold so stayed by warm fire in living room. Photo at right was taken at pond below our house.

but I am getting back into groove. Jim Younkins is visiting in 2 weeks to help kick start my scenery so I am going out to work on the Eugene staging lead track and fix the switch power in Pasco Yard prior to his arrival.

Stay tuned

West Coast Grain on Mud Bay & Southern

Happy Holidays everyone. Just returned from my trip to India and still feeling jetlagged a bit so nothing new on OWNRY.

My friend Jim Younkins is at it again on his Mub Bay & Southern N Scale Layout.

He sent over these photos of new custom painted engines to be used in his operations

From the email:

"just completed painting a couple of locos. The experimental BN scheme was applied to a GP-40 by the CB&Q. There are some good pictures of CB&Q 629 in "the BN in Color" volume 2. The VO 1000 is for the grain company in Elma. I've decided to have the company switcher do the duties at the grain silo and flour mill. This will be a separate job from the BN Elma switcher. The operator who does the West Coast Grain job will also do the Simpson, McCleary switcher and he Mud Bay Lumber, log train from Camp 6 out to the woods. This should be pretty much a full time position for one operator. "

Live Japanese train video stream

Relaxation now: If you're exhausted and longing for a getaway, here's a quick Internet fix to help get your meditation on. Railway TV (ustream.tv/channel/railway-tv) broadcasts video from the front of a Japanese train. With pretty scenery and the train's quiet, rhythmic noises, the effect is surprisingly hypnotic and relaxing.

Blue Mountain Union Pacific

N Scale Mountain railroad layout Located in Portland Oregon. Blue Mountains are in Northeastern Oregon where Union Pacific RR runs over from Southern Idaho to Pendleton then on westward on Columbia River to Portland.



Owned by Keith Schaber, it is very much a club type layout. Has full CTC signal system. Video taken September 2007

Rock Quarry on the Mud Bay & Southern

Jim Younkins has been hard at work on his N Scale empire. Having recently been driving dupm truck he frequented a large rock quarry and decided to model it. Where at on his already completed layout? Why not remodel? He has been sending me photos so I am now sharing them. (They are different sizes though). Below is a little slide show but you can see the slide show on my Picasa photo website where you can also download any of the photos

OWNRy Operating session October 27

Ran 23 trains. 9 crew members, rookie dispatcher (me).

Here are some photos. Just updated 11.8.07 with new photos from Stephen WIlliams



For larger version of photos or to download - click here

Donner Pass September 2007

Wednesday Sept 5, I went hiking up in Donner Pass area of Sierra Mountains in California. Went up in Coldwater canyon near Donner lake then headed back home and stopped at Yuba Gap. Here are some trains I saw including the special "Railventures" passenger train (not Amtrak) 8 minutes.
Video

Mishap at Black River

Last night as a BLS crew was running on the Mud Bay & Southern Ry near Black River there was a near fatal crash. Evidently the bridge over the Black River was out. BLS #10 hit the ground and skidded several feet before coming to rest hanging precariously over the Black River. When questioned, the engineer said the first he knew there was a problem was when he felt the engine lurch to the ground. The conductor said he didn't know anything about it and wouldn't comment further. The MB&S general manager had no comment. So, the question is, who was running the train? No one seems to know for sure. A full investigation is pending. (Photos and text courtesy of Jim Younkins)