My Life as a Hobo

from a post on PCR by Bob Booth
Blog here
Pete, the author, was my best friend in High School, both of us avid HO modelers, and shared things like stealing switch lanterns from the SN RR and walking on the old NCNG Bear River trestle after hitching a ride up to Colfax.
Pete has put togeather a nostalgic recollection of riding the rails in the waining days of steam - Any of you that can getg thru it without wet eyes is NOT a railroad buff.

Riding the Skunk Train

Got to ride the Skunk train last week. IN THE CAB! Listen!

Mud Bay & Southern expands its 44 toner fleet

My friend Jim is at it again. hard to keep up with his creativity. Below are some photos of the Bachman GE 44 ton switcher as customized for his layout using MTL 905 Z scale couplers.


Here is what he said in his email to me:
" As you've seen, I finally finished the last of my three 44 tonners. Now all three are decaled and ready for service in their respective places. I'm going to use the MB&S unit for the Bordeaux Local. The Local usually only has five or six cars at the most. I made Cascade Paper Co. decals for the yellow 44 tonner. It's going to be the paper mill switcher eventually. The other red one I put the Simpson lettering on and will use it at the McCleary door plant."

Special delivery

While in Portland I discovered that the Central Brewing Company of Vanvouver, BC, had built a facility to brew a really good beer called “Steelhead Stout”. So I ordered a car load to be sent to the CEO of Younkins Paper Company.


WARNING. the CEO's keys to his Mini have been confiscated.



Please view the slide show of the deed

Railfanning the North Bank Road

While in Portland I had the chance to railfan the North Bank Road SP&S layout and Tennessee Pass (DRG&W) layout.

Photos here

Shasta Route OP session

Yesterday I had the privilege of operating on the HO scale Shasta Route. Set in 1952, it runs from Redding in Northern California up through Dunsmuir yard (photo on right). to Klamath Falls. CTC from Redding to Black Butte then runs Time Table and Train Orders (TT&TO) from Black Butte to Klamath Falls. about 15 crew members spent most of Saturday operating. I ran helper engines up and down the mainline. mostly big Cab Forward steam engines.
Here are more photos.

Just posted video of helpers on Shasta Route:

UP 844 in Feather River Canyon

Rainy day..lowsy for fans, great for steam plume. Clio trestle shot is good. So many rabid fans all over the place. hard to get good locations and keep up with it. still it was worth the chase.

UP 844 over Donner

railfanned this on Friday April 17, 2009
From Truckee to Roseville.


IF you want to look at
High Def here

UP 844 over Donner on Friday

We will be up there photographing. stay tuned
About 844
Twitter feed for UP 844 http://twitter.com/UP_Steam
Position updates to you phone!
There's also a web position map.
Also I will twitter

No More Cable Mess

Why didn't I think of this?


How To Make A CHARGER BOX Very Easy - No More Cable Mess! - video powered by Metacafe