NMRA British Region

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

NMRA British Region Peter Borcherds came to visit my layout today.

He discovered why one siding is called PBscrap!

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Now travelling Eastbound with 8838 leading the train now has 18 cars after dropping off and picking up at various spurs.

There’s still 3 more stops to go.

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

CN SD70M 8810 & 8838 pull a 13 car manifest past Woolven Hill on their way to the various spurs where they will pick up and set out cars until the train terminates at Michaelsberg

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

The gap between the Drumlin Lumber buildings provides a window of opportunity to watch a pair of CN SD40’s push their train into Track 5 where they will tie down for the night.

[NMRA British Region @nmrabr]

@DriversLad Try adding some weights into the wagons.

The NMRA has recommended practices for the amounts but I’ve found that adding a bit over can sometimes help. Main thing is that all wagons in a rake should be in same weight range if possible.

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Tuesday’s running included this train being shunted into a 14 car manifest train.

FRA rules require that the bell is rung when moving slowly through inhabited areas when shunting

While horns are usual at grade crossings there are some local rules where bells are rung instead

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Thanks to friends at Seaboard Southern model railroad club I’ve updated my video screens which give me an overall view of the layout.

This shows the screens with Hillside Junction underneath, Beccaton round to Woolven Hill

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

While I normally have all my locos motorised in this multiple the middle loco is actually a dummy

The lash up consists of Santa Fe leading with CN trailing while, although the middle loco has UP colours, it’s a leased loco as indicated by the X on the livery

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

3 locos headed by SF824 sounding its horn pull 2 TOFC, container car and well car through Michaelsberg, round Cliff’s Corner and on through Williamstown.

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

A 27 car train highballs through Woolven Hill.

Alberta liveried grain cars are individually named after towns in Alberta. There are 8 in this train. I have another 8 in boxes

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Now with the centre beam and flat car at the rear the 27 cars are lead by the 2 locos working in multiple through Spectacle Curve past the sand spur and on to Hillside Junction

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

To get smooth operation loco wheels and track need to be kept clean.

I use a short piece of thin cloth soaked in Isopropyl Alcohol then run the loco at full speed while holding it on the cloth.

This shows the results. That loco runs very smoothly!

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

BC Rail 4626 heads a short freight which includes the well car delivering the fuel tank past Beccaton yards and loco shed

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

CN SD80M’s 8810 & 8838 pull a manifest train past Williamstown sand spur and onwards through Spectacle Curve.

I’m quite pleased with the way I’ve made the machinery look as though they are moving sand.

[Taxi Charity @TaxiCharity]

We are so grateful to everyone who raises funds for us - please take a look at what Afghan veteran Ben Mead is planning

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

I think I’ve discovered somewhere that I can get a quick, direct, personalised way of getting to work if I want to start at Heathrow

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Even when I take time out to visit my daughter I often find somewhere train related #Bristoldocks

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

With its warning bell sounding for the grade crossing CN GP40 #9659 spots 2 grain hoppers into Woolven Hill Grain silo.

Kaydee couplings can be preset so that they allow the operator to drop cars anywhere on the tracks.

[Mike Hughes. @taxitalkmike]

Bob Phelps fuel tank sits on the well car waiting for delivery to its new location.