A Thoroughly Modern Layout

Kadee #48 and metal wheels meet on my test track. 

    One of the goals of the Clearwater Pacific is to create what can be considered a modern, up to date layout. This is 2025 and the state of the art has moved forward. Getting back into a hobby as deep as model railroading is a fascinating process.  The last time I was seriously looking at layout building and what was out there was when this blog ended around 2011. Since then there has been travel, sailing,  and a host of other things to move my mind away from this hobby. But now I'm back and boy has it changed. 

    Well not really. But the standard for a modern operating layout are pretty well set. Groups like OpSig, the OPerating Special Interest Group of the NMRA seem to have it dialed in pretty well. And the internet expands the ability to communicate and share information and hard won knowledge. A favorite of mine at the moment is the Talking Ops with Don Irace sections of the Around the Layout Podcast. Lot of good things percolating from listening to those episodes. 

    Later posts will delve into the operation of the layout and what I have planned but now I wanted to touch on standards. If you're interested in operating it becomes very apparent very quickly that setting yourself up for success is a matter of eliminating as many variables as possible. This means your standards for track, wiring, couplers, wheels, and more have to be exact and maintained.

    So the Clearwater Pacific is now different. In a great episode of Talking Ops on Bulletproof Operations Don mentioned two things I'll touch on here. They are couplers and wheels. On the subject of wheels switching to metal wheel sets is a recommended practice for a variety of reasons. Those reasons include layout and track cleanliness and less friction. On the CP we're settled on Walthers 33" wheelsets as standard for our freight cars. Changing over the current roster is slow but once done maintenance will be more cost effective and easier. Couplers are standardized with Kadee 148. These are easy to install, have less required parts and are a great improvement over a mix of different knuckle coupler types. At the time of writing this all of our cars have Kadee 148's and the locomotive fleet is rapidly changing over as well. Eventually as we get to the wiring and control system that too will be standard. We'll most likely devote a few posts to that but it's coming.

    In conclusion we've set these standards early and hope to reap the benefits as we get closer to actually laying tracks and running trains. 

Don't Call It a Comeback

 

    Let us return to the big north woods. The story that started all those years ago has returned. Some old faces will make an appearance. The lure of tall timber and small trains is still there. But we needed an outlet for the creative side of things and this blog will become it. So join us once more as we delve deep into Montana's history in both the real world and cinema. And the depths of my own imagination. 

    I kept wanting to write about what I'm doing with this layout. And thinking I should start a blog. But then I remembered I already had one. This one. So the history from the first Big Blackfoot remains but we'll build on that foundation. This is where I'll update you on progress, sketches, harebrained half baked ideas and the joy that comes from building your own miniature world. All aboard it's going to be a great ride.  

Update

Thank you all for the nice comments. Sadly the BBRy as envisioned by me is on indefinite hold. I do have some HO rolling stock including an unlettered 3-Truck DCC and sound equipped shay available for sale. This page will remain up as a repository of knowledge. In the meantime, keep your water up!

Still Chugging!

I've been busy with other projects as of late but I'm still planing on the layout! Here is some sawmill action I took during Forestry Day this year.

Springtime!

Here is an archive shot of Big Six somewhere in the Chilcoot. Behind the locomotive the beginnings of a slide ass jammer can be seen. The date is unknown but the camera taking the photo is obviously quite old and well used.

Well it's springtime on the BBRy, and that means things are stirring once again. I afraid I may need a bigger railroad! Just acquired a bobber caboose and another loaded 40' flatcar for the railroad. The hard work will again commence this fall as other obligations and commitments are tying up my time right now. In the mean time swing by Fort Missoula and view not only some Big Blackfoot relics but view the the only public regularly scheduled, steam powered sawmill in the Big Sky State! Dates will be April 23rd and 24 and July 4th from 8am-4pm. Also I should mention plans are afoot to see if the whistle of the oldest Willamette in existence will see steam once again. No hard plans yet but I'll keep you all updated! For all you of you following this blog, thank you! If you have any questions or comments, feel free!
James Maxwell
Blog Writer

Going DCC

This layout will be my first to feature Digital Command Control. I'm happy to report I've just sent away for a MRC Prodigy Express set and I couldn't be happier. Not only because I saved money by shopping around but because it's the system I've had my eye on for quite awhile. I've looked at the system at my local hobby shop, debated on what I really want in a DCC system, compared prices and read many reviews. And in the end it was the first system I looked at that came out on top. I'm quite excited.
I've added to the roster the Bachmann 45-tonner. It's a great locomotive and I look forward to switching with it when the the time comes. It may even do some over the road service when the time comes, locals and transfer service. If you haven't picked one up, you should. The detail is wonderful and it comes with DCC on board.
Right now I'm still in Virginia City working on a steam locomotive. I'm not quite sure when I'll be done but when I am work on the BBRy will begin again in earnest. Our local home recycler has proven to be a great source of material for bench work at low, low, LOW prices. The two closet doors I need for the sides of the layout come to $8. And they get the dense foam in every now and then for around a $1 a sheet. If you have one in your neighborhood you should check it out.
Other BBRy news is that ealier this month the Mount Rainer Scenic Railroad got a 75-3 Willamette under steam. This is the same class as the BBRy's #7 but oil fired and visually smaller. MRSRR now has every major builder of loging locomotives represented alive and well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQvTuo6c9tA
And last but not least I've picked up a set of NWSL Shay gears for my 80-ton sidewinder. They are very small! It looks like with a bit of patience I should be able to put them on. Bravo to NWSL now a Montana company by the way, for doing such a great job on this. This will make using this wonderful model that much, er, more wonderful. I called Dave about an update on the Climax project and it is progressing. More good news.

The Root Beer Line

While in exile up here in Virginia City I've started work on a 2'x6' micro-layout. It's goal is to transport root beer across a raging creek to the mainline. More on this as it progresses.