CPR Mountain Division “Kicking Yahk Pass”(April 29 2020)

Much better!!  

Sorry about that one Folks! I had not gone to bed yet when I posted. It was one of those nights working on the layout instead of tossing and turning in bed lol

Al

That's quite alright, Al!  All of us who have posted very much have goofed up at least once.  I have goofed up many posts!  

 I haven’t done much lately besides installing kadees on my new Lionel 21” cars and test running them on the layout.

  I had a few locations where re-alignment was required to avoid derailing on reverse curves.

  The only problem is the FP7s cannot pull 4 cars up the grades. They are heavier than the 18” heavyweights of course..but.

  So this brings me to the most fun I’ve had in a long time was finally double heading 2 Steam locomotives around all the grades.

  Both Hudson’s have Kadees installed so I programmed a “lash up” on my MTH handheld and you can see the results on the vids posted.

  Also a vid of the FP7s on the top loop. I guess I will need a powered B unit to do the job.

  Enjoy the Hobby and each Day!

Remember to have some FUN!

Al

While those are beautiful FP7s I'll take the Royal Hudsons any day they look spectacular pulling that train.

Years ago rode behind one in tourist service out of Vancouver and I've admired them since.

Just started looking at your build thread (it was the "double-headed..." that cauaght my eye. Very impressive work although for the complete look I think you'll need more than another 1000 trees.

Looks great Al. I guess the # 2 Hudson was running cold? No smoke?

Al, The double headed Hudsons are great!  Beautiful paint scheme.  It looks like you have a third one sitting on the track on the lower level. They look just right running through your mountainous northern scenery!  

Very nice Al, but where is the cat? 

   Good Morning All

  I had a lot of fun running this particular train around the layout. I really enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Doubleheader working up and down the grades.

  RSJB18, good eye seeing the 2860 was not working hard. It is on its way back to the shops in Ogden to have work done to its smoke unit fan motor, as it stopped puffing recently. 
  Scotie, I never had a chance to ride behind the 2860 when it was in steam. I wish had but did see it come thru Calgary back in 1978. Trees? Oh yeah, I need a bunch more lol.   Mark, glad you noticed the other locomotive. While similar looking to the Hudson’s it is really a 2-10-4(Selkirk as CPR types call them).

  Paul, I’m not sure where the support crew were lol. Perhaps it was too noisy with all the stack talk happening!

Keep the Trains Rollin!

Al

 I have managed to get some things done that were nagging at me( not the Wife lol)

 The little project that made a big difference was adding another 120v light box location in front of the layout, that illuminates the Roundhouse and Tunnel portals locations

  I also filled most of the cracks and things with a can of spray foam. After curing I trimmed and painted patches locations with drab green paint.

  Here are a few pics showing my mess. Next will be adding the gravel roadway to the Station and detailing abit around the coaling tower

Hope You an Your Loved ones are safe and healthy during this time

Al

Al, Looks great!!  I sure like the mountain and the CN locomotives!!  I think I said the same a few days ago.  I guess I must mean it!  

I like the stool right under the access opening!

Nice progress, Al! Beautiful double-header too.

Here are a couple of other vids taken recently on the Layout just for the pure enjoyment of running some trains! Hope you enjoy

 A little update.....  My oldest Son has come home from Orlando last week, after working at Disney World the past year.

 With the current health protocols regarding quarantining a family member in the same house is rather daunting. 
  My wife is staying at my Daughters apartment for two weeks due to health issues and I am looking after the home front.

  All Good so far

  Still managing to get at things but at a little slower pace....lol

  Be Safe and look after Yourself and Loved ones!

Al

It's all looking good Al; great to see it coming together.
Can't wait to get some run time with my stuff

Al, Great videos of the trains on your layout.  

I decided to use foam for my grades also.  I used cookie cutter in the past, but am just not up for it now.  I don't have a table saw so I bought Woodland scenics since I only have two grades of about 10 feet in length each.

Great videos Al. Your cat doesn't seem to be bothered by the horn blasts at all.

 I have been running a few trains and painting a K line 2 storey country house that will become a small Hotel, located across from the Station.

   CPR Brad - I hope you have been able to start building your layout. You will have to come by again and bring some trains to run, once things settle down

 Mark- Glad to see you moving forward on your layout with the grade work! I realize a table saw can be handy if you have one but the Woodlands Scenic grades will work perfect. Looking forward to seeing WM coal trains running on them.

RSJB18 - the cats are used to the noise and disruption during operating sessions lol

  I am hoping to continue with some more wiring, scenery, Kadee coupler conversions and painting a set of 18” Heavyweights in CNR green/black/yellow scheme of the mid 1950s.

  These will match the MTH 6060 that I have already completed.

  I will also need to Inquire about replacement traction tires for 63” 75” drivers and the FP7s from Scott Mann at 3rd Rail. 

Happy Railroading!

Al

@albertstrains posted:

 

 Mark- Glad to see you moving forward on your layout with the grade work! I realize a table saw can be handy if you have one but the Woodlands Scenic grades will work perfect. Looking forward to seeing WM coal trains running on them.

 

 

Al, I should be getting some photographs up this week to show progress on the layout and one of the two grades has already been glued in place.  I plan to at least get track and basic wiring in on a section at a time, so I hope to be able to try out a coal train soon.

Al, you did a nice job on the FP unit with the ice breakers on the roof. Throwing in a picture of my cat.                                                

   Looking forward to the updates Mark! Can’t wait to see you running trains. 
Paul that’s quite the Mouser you have there. Do you have only one to patrol the layout? Lol

  Here is a pic of the structure in question. Still a work in progress

Al