Year in Review

January and February, saw the completion of two major construction projects, the Staging Yard and the Paper Mill.

On the Building side, Ross constructed a copy of the Superior Paper Company in foam core. This provided a start to the White River Paper Company Complex. Since then WRPC Construction Division have added to the buildings at the Mill, with an addition to the Main Building for the second loading track. The Receiving Warehouse and the Chips Unloading have been added. The Foamcore Construction Company has also constructed buildings for T&T Warehousing, VGA Frozen Food Division and the Warehousing Division, and North Star Industries.


Management of the WRS has adjusted the Crews on the Railroad a few times this year to help improve operations. There has also been adjustments made to the Train Orders and Switch Lists to correct for a few issues the Crews were having.

This year seen the return of three of the Company's S4 from the Contractor after they received the Company colours. The Company also was able to pick up a pair of C424, a RS11 and 44 Tonner to help with the increase in traffic on the Railroad.

There were nine operating sessions this year. A couple new guest Crew members help operate the WRS. Two new Crew members have joined the WRS, Barry and Wayne.

WRS Management was also able to be a guest crew member on five other Railroads this year, which has helped improve operations on the Railroad.

Thanks to all the people that have made this another great year on the WRS.

Doug

Design Update

After some discussions with people over the first design there has been a few changes.

Most major change, is the Paper Mill has moved from the lower level to the upper level. This was required because a couple of the building were over twelve inches tall, which was the different in height between the two levels at the old location. Also, I wanted the buildings to be better seen by operators and visitors. This will require other changes, Roseton is now moved to the lower level where the Paper Mill was to be located. The town of Dogwood will have to be down graded as a switching area because of the Paper Mill being located above it. So it will have more scenery and less industries serviced by rail.

The Southern Yard has been re-arranged moving the Main Line and Arrivial/Departure tracks to the back of scene and the Classification Tracks to the front.

As per Scott's comments, a switch has been added between the Northern Yard and Meadows, which will go to a track in the Northern Interchange (hidden storage). This will allow for a loop on the upper level to break in locos. And it will also allow my great nieces and nephews to operate a train on my layout.

That is it for this update. There will be more changes as each area is developed.

Now back to working on the schedule for trains and people on the WRS.

Doug

Layout Visit

Our operating session this week was not on the WRS, but we when to visit David's layout. David has a very large layout and as you can see below many very well developed scenes.

PS this is only half the layout. The pictures from the other half did not turn out. Got to learn to hold the camera still and take more pictures.

Season Greetings

Doug

WRS -Southern Sub

The Southern Sub is the new lower level. With the Main Yard and the Paper Mill. This level will be around 44" as zero. There will a track that is 64 feet long around the wall, which will take you from the Southern Sub to the Northern Sub.




click to enlarge

later

Doug

WRS Northern Sub

Below is a drawing of the proposed Northern Sub of WRS. (Upper level)

Trains will enter the Northern Sub at Meadows from the rest of WRS. This level will be in the range of 60" from the floor, which will mean most of us will require a stool to operate this level. There will a ductunder (60" +-) just past Meadows to allow Crews to move in and out of the layout.


click to enlarge (I hope)

later

Doug

Update

WRS Maintenance Department has been working on the railroad improving some of the issues that have a surfaced during the last few operating sessions.

After the issues with the Freight Agent in the last operating session, improvements have been made in how the paperwork is generated. The computer will do more of the work and the Freight Agent will do less.

The Loco Shop is still working with WRS 134, the switcher assigned to the Paper Mill. It has had a mind of its own lately, taking off on its own and not wanting to restart after being put in reverse. Not sure if the issue is with the loco, or the NCE decoder. Since another S4 with the same NCE decoder had the same issues at the Dartmouth Show and would clear itself if one set of wheels were lifted from the tracks.

The Planning Department has been busy working on the addition to the WRS. The Northern Division is also complete, except for a couple passing sidings and if a fourth track is required at the Northern Yard. The report from the Traffic & Operations Division on the requirements for the Northern Division should be competed soon. The work on the Southern Division will continue over the next month.

later

Doug

Nov 30 Operating Session

Sunday saw another operating session on the WRS, with Bruce, Barry, Pierre and Wayne as the operating crew. So I was required to assist as brakeman. Sorry no pictures, they would not give me any time off.

The first session had Pierre working the Mill Job and Barry doing the Mill Run. Bruce worked the Ridge Run and then the Bar Run. Wayne and I did the Dog Run with newly acquired MEC RS11. (Note: Wayne models the MEC)

Second session had Pierre doing the Ridge Run and Bar Run. Barry and Bruce took the BAR GP-38 (visiting power) to do the Dog Run. Leaving Wayne to do the Mill Job and I to do the Mill Run. By the end of the session Wayne had a better understanding of the double slip switches in the Mill Complex.

The Freight Agent is under review, since he had cars not at the correct location on the Crews paperwork. But cars got picked up and delivered as they should have been.

We all had fun, trains moved and that is all that is important.

later

Doug

Update

Another Sunday operating session is happening today. Hope everything is ready.

During the show in Dartmouth, I was able to pick up a few used Peco switches and some used track from a layout that was dismantled. I hope this will offset the requirements for the new WRS layout. Also picked up a new 44 tonner to add to the collection.

44 tonner at VGA Frozen Food Division

At the Saint John Show, I picked a MEC RS11 and a dozen more pieces of rolling stock, many in North East roadnames or cars I need for the Industries serviced by the WRS.

MEC RS11 at VGA Riverside Warehouse

Time to get back to getting ready for the Session.

later

Doug

Another weekend , another Train Show

The weekend and another train show, this time in Dartmouth. With two of WRS operators, Wayne and David, were doing their first UMG Show, and I was asked to assist. ( little do they know) So I showed up on Friday night to help setup. After getting home, I went down to the basement and dugout one of my old modules. Saturday morning, I was back at the Show, setting up my module to allow for the storage of rolling stock on the layout. Sunday, it was back to the Show again.

During the weekend many of the WRS operators came by to the visit the layout at the Show and view the handy work of David and Wayne with their new modules.

The layout provided a few interesting switching issues with three industries facing in one direction and the fourth in the other. A second switcher was put into services, since there was no run around track. At times both switchers were required to move a car from one industry to another, if a run around move was required. To improve the operation a RDC was added to the mix.

I did get to doing a little switching on the layout during the weekend.



The RDC on my module.


Shot down the length of modules. Wayne at the controls.

My fellow operators, Wayne, David, Ric and Zack discussing something.

Later

Doug

Road Trip

The past weekend Bruce and I made a Road Trip to Saint John for their Show and to visit a couple local railroads.

We left early on Friday hoping to do a little railfanning on route, but Mother Nature had other ideas.

After arriving at the Show site, we helped with setting up for the Show. After helping Steve setting up his new Carleton railway modules, we headed off to Island Central for an operating session. This is the first time I have been to the Island Central in four years. We were joined by Don and Ray from Yarmouth. I was given 102 East a hot shot general freight from MacAdam to Saint John.

102 East on the Island Central



Saturday it was off the Show. After spending the morning shopping. I joined Steve as a brakeman on his Carleton Railway's Monticello, Maine freight yard.


Steve looking over his new modules.

Another shot of Steve's modules, with an operator from the Saint John Group

During the morning one of the members of the Saint John Group handed me the controls for the Mainline. After making many trips around their layout, ( you have to follow your trains because of the reversing loops at the end of their layout), first with Island Central power, and then Carleton Railway C424, it was off to lunch.

Carleton Railway C424 at the Station at Monticello, Maine

After the Show, Bruce and I joined Doug, Don and Ray for supper before heading to Steve's for an operating session on the Carleton Railway.

Sorry, no pictures from Steve's, I have to learn to hold the camera still and take spare batteries.

My train on the Carleton Railway was #44, a General Freight from Avondale to Millville. I was wondering why I had a Trainmaster and two C424 for the seven cars in my train. By the time I arrived in Millville I understood why. My assignment was to pickup any cars for CPR Interchange at Millville and any cars to be delivered along my route on the CLR.

The unplanned meet at Wakefield made things interesting on the CLR. A total of four trains were on route to Wakefield at the same time, two in each direction. For those people who have never seen the CLR there is only a very short siding at Wakefield. The meet had to be moved to South Newbridge, which meant two of the trains had to back down the grade. After a few moments, all four trains were again on their way.

Thanks again Steve for allowing us to operate on CLR.

later

Doug

Nov 2 Operating Session

The WRS operated again on the afternoon of Sunday November the Second.
The Mill Run departed with Barry at the controls of a pair Conrail C424 with 15 cars in tow heading for Junction to deliver four cars to the Ridge Run . After the Ridge Run removed its cars from the train, Barry continued to the White River Paper Company Mill.
Pierre was busy operating the Mill Switcher, a WRS S3, preparing for the Mill Run to arrive.


Barry and Pierre at White River Paper Company.

The Dog Run with Wayne at the controls of GP9 departed with eleven cars for Roseton. Glen was the brakeman for this trip. After switching the trailing industries in Whiskey Falls and Roseton, the crew depart Roseton with the cars for Dogwood. After switching the industries in Dogwood, the crew returned to Roseton to complete the switch list in Roseton.

Glen and Wayne at Dogwood.

Glen and Wayne working Dogwood with Pierre in the back working Greenfield.

I had the job of working the Ridge Run, Yard Switcher and the Bar Run.

After completing all work assignments all crews returned to the Yard for another day on the WRS.

Then we did a second day on the WRS, with Wayne and Glen doing the Mill Job and Mill Run. Barry and Pierre did the Dog Run. Bruce had arrived to perform the Ridge Run. After completing the Yard Switcher, I joined Bruce in doing the Bar Run.

Bruce working the Ridge Run

Another operating session is now in the books.

later

Doug

First Sunday Operating Session

The Management and Staff of the WRS has been busy dealing with the issues that arose during the last operating session. Most of those on the List have been addressed.

A revised Train Orders have been completed and printed. The Track Gang have spend time visiting some of the switches on the Railroad, also have reconnected the power feeds to the Exchange Yard.

The Freight Agent has been busy getting all the Paperwork completed for the next Operating Session, which will be on Sunday November 2.

later

Doug

Oct 20 Operating Session

The WRS is moving freight again. The first train out of the Yard was the Mill Run with Wayne at the throttle. The Mill Run stopped at Junction were the Ridge Switcher operated by Dave, remove the last four cars to be delivered to Junction/Ridge Area. After Dave reinstalled the caboose on the Mill Run, Wayne departed for the Mill.Dave busy operating the Ridge Switcher

Wayne (in the centre) arriving with the Mill Run. Pierre ( on the right) and new operator Barry (on the left) operating the Mill Switcher.

The second train to depart the Yard was the Dog Run which was operated by Doug and Glen. This job now does the towns of Roseton and Dogwood.

Doug and Glen at Dogwood

The third train to depart was the Bar Run, which was operated by Wayne and me. This train services Bartown and Riverside.

There were the usual issues with operating again after being off for the Summer, but everyone had fun. The WRS maintenance crews and management will be busy in the next few weeks making improvements.

The Operating Sessions will be moving to Sunday afternoons starting in November.

Until next time

Doug

Interesting Web Site

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/mrh_theater

this is an interesting site that I have been using the last few months. It started with video reports of supplier's new products from the NMRA Convention.

Now they are showing some of the clinics that were presented at the Convention. The first was Digitrax's Users Clinic, then the Layout SIG's and now Joe Fugate's Clinic on his Siskiyou Line. The next clinic should be Decoder Pro for Begineers. Each section is about 15 minutes long and most clinics are in four sections.

Have fun watching and learning.

later

Doug

Operating Session

It is time to get back to Operating on the WRS. The next operating Session will be Monday Oct 20.

There will be a few changes since the last session. Mainly,in the Train Orders.

The DOG RUN now serves Roseton and Dogwood.

The RIDGE RUN now serves only Junction and Blue Ridge with a local based switcher.

The BAR RUN (a new train) will serve Bartown and Riverside

The MILL RUN will have the cars for the The RIDGE RUN added to its train.

The MILL JOB is unchanged.

later

Doug

New Industry added at Riverside

WRS is pleased to announce a long time customer, Valley Growers Assocation, has a new siding in Riverside to allow for the loading and unloading of Covered Hoppers to service their local members. This required the WRS crews to install a new switch and trackwork.

Pictured below is WRS S4 130 switching the VGA's Bulk Terminal.

later

Doug

WRS Switchers return Home

The WRS Switchers have returned home. Many thanks to Ric for all the hard work he put into them.

Here is the pair of S4, WRS 130 and 132 on their way to the Mill.

Another shot of them. Someday I will be able to take a good picture.

This is the third unit, WRS 134, which is a S2. Shown here at the Power Plant at the Mill. This is going to be it new home.

To better show the detail, here is a picture from Ric.

thanks

Doug

July Update

July has been a quiet month on the WRS. The only major action was the addition of some new rolling stock. During the month eleven hi cube paper box cars have arrived on the WRS. The railroad is looking at purchasing, some the paint shop may have a little painting and numbering to do.

Yesterday was in the local hobby shop and came across three of these jems. Beside the Rio Grande, in the picture, there were two data only grey cars. They are McKean models.

Was hoping to a have Saturday operating session in July, but it did not happen.

later

Doug

Operating Session June 30

With the warmer weather, the switching crew was smaller then usual. We had a new operator , Wayne, joining us.

To start the session, Pierre took the Mill Job and Wayne was assigned the Mill Run. After arriving at the Mill, Wayne assisted Pierre with the Mill switching.

Wayne (in blue) and Pierre (in white) busy switching the Mill.

Glen head out with the Dog Run. And after a little work in the Yard, I headed out with the Ridge Run. After Pierre and Wayne were finished with their jobs, they helped Glen and I finish our jobs.

Glen working Dogwood.

For the second shift, Wayne and Pierre took the Dog Run and Glen and I took the Ridge Run.

Wayne and Pierre working Dogwood

Glen wondering why I am not doing my brakeman job instead of taking pictures.

It was another fun night on the WRS.

later

Doug

Operating Session

The WRS will be moving freight again on June 30. I am hoping to have the new paper work done before the session. After visiting the operations on PEI, I have finally added another column to the Switch List, which will now list the cars which are to remain at the Industry. In many cases, most of the cars have to be moved during the session, because the car which you have to pick up is behind the car that has to remain. The new addition will allow the crew to check to see if all the cars were returned to their proper location at the end of the day.

Speaking of Paper Work, it was interesting to see how the same basic paper work, (all from the same computer program) was used on the three different layouts that I visited on the Island. As the requirements of the layout change, so does the supporting paper work.

later

Doug

Decoder Pro

After having Decoder Pro for a couple of years, I finally set down and started working with it. After a few days I was able to get my main computer working. I forgot that I had replaced my computer since I had installed the drivers that came with LocoBuffer USB. So the hunt for the CD started. A few boxes later, it was found and I had the program working.

Then I got brave and installed it on my laptop. After a little help from Scott, I got it working too. Now I will be able to work on my locos without having to move the Chief from the basement to the computer room and back.

Will update as I have more time to work on improving the locomotive's performance.

later

Doug

BS&T

The third stop on the Road Trip was Scott's BS&T . Sorry no crew pictures again, left the camera in the car and had to take the pictures Sunday morning.


This is the ferry at Chappellton

This is one end of Chappellton, with Chappellton Seafoods in the background , ferry tracks in the front and the yard in the middle.

This is the middle of Chappellton, Derwin Oil bottom left, Naylor's Nails top right and Fred-Ex in the middle.

This is the other end of Chappellton, with Fixum Car Repairs.

This is Chappellton from the road next to Fixum

This one end of Kenville, with Jay Forest Product

This middle section of Kenville, with FoodTrust

This is the other end of Kenville, with Union Ice on on the left and small yard on the right.

We were joined at Scott's, by Derwin, Greg and Ken. Bruce took the look switching job at Stevenville and Derwin Drop, Doug did railfanning and I took the switching job at Chappelton and Kenville. Scott had Ken join me to keep me out of trouble. Greg took the East Bound Wayfreight and Derwin had the West Bound Wayfreight. Scott ran what ever trains that need to ran.

Ken and I start at Chappellton, by picking up the cars for the East Bound Wayfreight. If I would have spend a few minutes looking at the pickup list, things would have been quicker. The job got done. After doing the pickups, Ken and I headed to Kenville to pickup the cars for today's trains.

Then it was back to Chappellton as Greg was about to arrive with the East Bound Wayfreight, after he dropped off the cars for Chappellton, Ken and I when back to Kenville to switch the cars with the East Bound Wayfreight. I blocked the cars wrong, and a few extra moves were required. Now I see why Scott send Ken to oversee me.

Now with the East Bound out of the way, it was time to deliver the cars it dropped off. After both towns were done, it was time to get ready for Derwin and the West Bound. Derwin arrived at Kenville and the Cars were exchanged and then on to Chappellton to repeat the action. Now it was time to deliver the West Bound cars to their industries.

Thanks Ken for the crewing with me.

And thanks Scott for hosting us.

later

Doug

The Never Done Railway

The second stop on the Road Trip, was at Brian's the Never Done Railway. Sorry for no crew picutes, was to busy trying to get my work done.

This is one end of Farside, the area which I was switching. The Power Plant is the Blue building, the Grain elevator is the tan building, and the small yellow building is Scott's Fertilizer.

This is the middle of Farside with the Fish Plant in the front and Sue's Oil behind it.

This is the Nyalls Livestock, just off the left side of the picture is the location of the Mine. This the other end of Farside.

After a quick tour of the layout and a few pictures being taken, Brian put us to work. Derwin and Doug to the Island Job. The Island is a separate part of the layout build on the oil tank. The cars are transferred to the Island by barge. Bruce got busy in MacGregor Yard. Scott took the Headache Corner Job and I when to Farside to start my job. The first part of the Job is to do the pickups in Farside. There were many extra moves since I did not completely read my pick up list. Brian's paperwork is arranged by where the car is bound for and not by industry, as my paperwork is. So I had to make a few extra trips back to some industries topick up more cars. After I finished all my pick ups it was time to depart for Headache Corner to drop off a few cars and then off to the Yard. Once in the Yard, I dropped the cars off and then picked up the out bound cars for Farside. I had a couple extra cars for Headache Corner. Not 100% of the story why I had the extra cars, but Iwhat can you do. After stopping at Headache Corner to drop off the cars, then it was time to return to Farside to complete my job. After some time the cars were spoted as requested. Why a Fertilizer plant got reefers, I did not ask. But it was an interesting time.

Thanks Brian for opening your layout to us.

Doug

Canadisle Rail

The first layout what we visited on the PEI road trip was Derwin's Canadisle Rail.





Our host is the man in Red, with Scott and Bruce in the back ground discussing Derwin's collection of locomotive power.


This is Main Street in Ashtown. One of the two major towns on the layout, the other is Shellville.


Doug is checking out the RDC, which he was operating, that as stopped at the Farm. The Yard is in front with the Engine servicing area to bottom right.

This is a shot from the top of the layout with Ashtown on the left and Shellville on the right.

After a quick viewing of the layout, Bruce, as usual, headed for the Yard to do a little switching. Doug spotted a RDC parked on a siding and had Derwin clear off the cob webs and put it into service. Scott and I took the two Locals. I headed for Shellville and Scott left for Ashtown. After doing my switching duties in Shellville and keeping the mainline cleared for the RDC, I headed to the sidings at Ashtown. After Scott finished his work in Ashtown and headed to Shellville and the RDC cleared the mainline again, I started my duties in Ashtown. Both of Derwin's towns/areas, have many industries/locations for spotting cars, which will keep the crews very busy.

Once I finished my switching duties in Ashtown, it was time to return to the Yard. After dropping my cars on the siding, Bruce placed the cars in the Yard Tracks to be sorted later.

Then it was time for a few photos of the layout and head out.

Thanks Derwin for the Operating Session.

Doug