Alcanman

The Bachmann model was released in November 2015. I bought one at that time.

I built a small FEC ho switching layout a few years ago - 'South Florida Reload'. It was based on Matco Reload and other industries in the Pompano Beach area served by FEC local 960. I only had one FEC loco, an Atlas GP40-2. Here is a pic of the loco on the layout.

Looks like an interesting project. Here are a few photos of North Blyth MPD where the raised coaling stage can be seen in the background. North Blyth was a round-house shed, whereas South Blyth had a straight shed similar to the one in your plan.

I was in Fenwicks on Saturday. The display case is still there. They have plenty of Hornby stock and some Bachmann. I picked up Woodland Scenics ballast, PECO rail joiners and Humbrol paints.

Just noticed that one of your F-units is numbered 4265. Here is a pic I took at North Conway NH of B&M 4266 back in 1994

Well 4 months have elapsed and it's time to 'eat my words'. I did build the UK TMD layout which helped keep me sane during lockdown. Enjoyed the build but, sadly, confirmed the doubts I had about TMD layouts. It was boring to operate, not to mention the cacophony of sound. It became clear in my mind that I had to return to US modelling and try to find some inspiration. Eventually, I found inspiration on YouTube, in John Farrington's 'RSSX Railserve' small switching layout. Yes, it's another variation of an 'inglenook' but sufficiently different to my previous efforts to create interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmcvFmdyW8&t=171s Hopefully, I'll start building later in the year.

I read on another forum that the 'humming' sounds on some ESU Loksound decoders may be caused by the BEMF circuitry. Supposedly, this has been fixed by ESU with the latest Loksound V5.0.

A couple more photos from my 1990 holiday at Interlaken.

100mm long x 35mm wide x 40mm high

That's a nice tribute to Jack. This forum just hasn't been the same since he departed. His contributions and encouragement were always an inspiration to those of us who chose to model small US switching layouts. I have my feet firmly back firmly on the 'darkside' and it's nice to see modellers like yourself still soldiering on with this forum despite the apparent reduction in interest over the last few years.

Thanks for your kind comments. I suspect you've guessed what happens to my old layouts. Yes, they end up on the council tip! Last week someone offered to buy the layout. I had to inform them that it wasn't portable. However, my rather unusual method of building baseboards makes disposing of, and , building new layouts easy. The baseboard mdf tops are screwed to a 3ins x 1ins timber frame. I simply unscrew the mdf tops leaving the timber frame re-usable for the next layout. The timber frame was built over 20 years ago and has been host to countless layouts. To be honest, I'm more interested in researching, planning and building layouts than operating them. As soon as a layout is finished, I start thinking abut the next one.

BOB shunter at Interlaken 1990

This RSSX Railserve looks good. I reckon I can reduce the dimensions of the layout from 11ft x 18ins to my usual 9ft x 15ins. I like the way the layout is switched with an 'on scene' staging/interchange track. This would be something different for me, a departure from my usual hidden or partially hidden staging.

I originally became interested in the CSAO because I was aware he railroad was operated with CSX and NS power, and I happened to have CSX and NS geeps. By co-incidence, my current inspiration comes from a New Jersey themed layout but not CSAO. With regard to sound, although the sound in my geeps lacks bass compared to my UK models, I'm no longer too bothered. I'm quite happy with 1 loco with the sound quite low. Once you become immersed in switching, you almost forget about it. I don't think I'll be buying too many more locos as sound fitted ones now cost a fortune importing from the US.

I didn't know you were building a loft layout. Looks great. Such a shame Railex NE was cancelled, I was looking forward to seeing you layout. As you know , I've decided to return to the darkside and also returning to the CSAO. I started a layout last year but it didn't work out. I was looking at an industrial park at Totowa, NJ which looked interesting. I'll be following with interest. Like these 2 guys, sat safe.

I had a great holiday at Interlaken in 1990. The variety of trains and locos was amazing. hard to believe this was 30 years ago.

Looking great. The first pic reminds me of Jon Grants 'Sweethome Alabama' and this photo I took at Newcastle. Your pics have convinced me it's time to return to the 'Darkside' and Conrail Shared Assets Operations!

Looks like an interesting project which I'll; be following I've built a few small layouts with a Florida theme. This is Deerfield Beach FL which featured 2 of the local industries, Sun Sentinel (newsprint) and Publix (plastic bottling)

A couple of pics showing the whole of the finished 'lockdown' layout.

Yes. Ian Futers inspired me to build a couple of small Austrian layouts and to visit that beautiful country on several occassions. My first visit was to the Salkammergut in 1989. A couple more pics of my version of Traunsee.

I have enjoyed your small Swiss and Austrian layouts for many years. Nice to see the 2060. I still have a Liliput model I bought 30 years ago. Here it is on an old Ian Futers inspired layout and a photo of a 2060 045 at Zell am See. The goods shed and loading dock would make a great model for a small layout.

E656 are one of my favourite FS locos. 656 591 at Vipiteno 1989.

Sorry, mate. Just remembered they are made by Unit Models. https://www.modelrailshop.co.uk/b/232/Unit-Models

They are made by Unit Models. I bought them years ago. https://www.modelrailshop.co.uk/b/232/Unit-Models

66209 heads for the servicing shed.