August 2025 - June 2026


Accomplishments:
Structure Builds:
  • built LaserKits Yard Office for Butler Mine complex
  • scratchbuilt an "equipment/supply" lean-to shed for Butler Mine complex
  • built the Selley tractor that brother Steve gave me recently
  • built SS Ltd. Tool House and Pillar Crane for the Whitby siding
  • built a Walthers old time coal conveyor
  • built the Sequoia ash pit to use as a coal drop in Whitby

Rolling Stock work:

  • removed steel weights from PRR hopper 250733, added lead to NMRA 3.25 oz. standard
  • weighted (to NMRA std) and weathered Athearn Virginian Hopper # 9502 (a gift from Steve)
  • updated two Athearn Bulline stock cars with lead weight, paint, and weathering for use with Cattle Import/Export trains
  • programmed the new Athearn Mogul with JMRI, made a loco card

Scenery work:

  • finished Butler Mine module; ground cover, lighting feeds, Saturday Bath module, etc.
  • cut MDF bases for Whitby (Tool house & Skull Valley Station), added ground goop
  • cut last two sections of Devils Camp bases from plastic sign material, added foam backers
  • cut "sign plastic" bases for scenery behind the yard tracks (SE corner)
  • added foliage and static grass around the Amalgamated Switch and Signal building
  • installed the Whitby coal drop pit; used the oscillating saw to cut the sandply and foam, installed the pit, added ground cover and coal
  • added dirt, foliage, and oil drips to the Whitby yard tracks

Electrical:

  • built and wired dual-control panel for the engine terminal turnouts, made new fascia diagram
  • removed and replaced the burned-out uncoupler (Rockport #1) after the button stuck during an OP session
  • updated the Arduino uncoupler code to time out after 30 seconds; if a button is stuck, power is turned off to prevent meltdowns; also, updated Arduino uncoupler code to V3, using a loop and arrays, better comments so Nick could use it for his layout. Updated the Rockport location (dual) and the Allenton location (single)
  • added two 3000K flood lights above the valences to better light Whitby Yard and Rockdale
  • repaired frog polarity control on a terminal inbound track by paralleling the Tortoise contacts
  • repaired intermittent double crossover section "B" polarity control; it "healed" while being investigated, but it failed again; wired up an installed a "bypass" using a 12v automotive relay, wired it in, all good
  • Added a 12v lighting terminal strip on the south end, ran wires to feed the Whitby tool house
  • made a red/green dwarf signal, added it to the barge turnout to help barge operators more clearly see the turnout position and not derail by running through the turnout in the wrong position

Miscellaneous:

  • attended the October 2025 MER convention, acted as clinic tech support
  • extended the passenger yard storage tracks ~3", built/added track bumpers
  • hosted several OP sessions; participants included Nick, Don, Matt, Roger, and Val
  • Submitted my NMRA Author and Volunteer AP certificate info to Earl Paine
  • printed car cards for all newly added cars
  • added a "Train Orders" board and info sheets at the terminal, yard, and barge to assist train makeup for those jobs
Railfan Photos


Butler Mine complex


Butler Mine complex


Butler Mine complex at night


Philly Division "Around the Division" submission #1


Philly Division "Around the Division" submission #2

Structure Builds


LaserKits Yard Office and
scratchbuilt "equipment/supply" lean-to shed 


SS Ltd. Tool House and Pillar Crane, board-by-board construction of deck


SS Ltd. Tool House and Pillar Crane in it's location (ground cover unfinished)



SS Ltd. Tool House and Pillar Crane showing interior detail and lighting


Walthers old time coal conveyor and Sequoia ash pit as a coal drop



Rolling Stock


Athearn Virginian Hopper # 9502


updated Athearn Bulline stock cars with lead weight, paint, and weathering


Athearn Mogul added to the roster

Scenery Work

added foliage and static grass around the Amalgamated Switch and Signal building



added dirt, foliage, and oil drips to the Whitby yard tracks

Miscellaneous

Dual-control panel for the engine terminal turnouts




Train Order board and added lighting