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

Road Trip

On the weekend Bruce, Doug and I made the Trip to PEI to meet with Convention 2009 Committee.

After arriving at Scott Jay's, our host for the weekend, we departed to Derwin's to visit and operate on his layout. (Note: I will post later in the week stories from all the operating sessions).

Then it was off to Brian's to visit his layout and another operating session. Then back to Scott's for supper and main reason for the trip, Convention 2009. After we had bored them to death on Convention 2008, Scott invited us to operate on his layout.

Sunday started with Scott and Kim preparing breakfast for us, Scott need assistance, since his thumb was in a bandage. Power tools should only be used in building Railroads.

After breakfast it was time to visit the local hobby shop. Money was departed with and our new items were packed away.

Then it was time, to return home.

Many thanks to Kim and Scott for hosting us.

later

Doug