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A particularly clever idea is staging track labels. Gary cut plastic
from the packaging batteries come in. Cutting curved portions
from the corner allows a track number label to be affixed to
the plastic, creating a visible and durable identification of spe-
cific staging tracks (3).
In another location, the tracks pass through the backdrop.
There is a highway bridge right up against the backdrop above
the tracks, perfectly masking the hole in the backdrop. Further
camouflaging the trick is a rail bridge on the nearer track pass-
ing over the same stream. Combined with the scenery and
paint on the backdrop, it makes an effective scene.
4
4. Careful use of bridges disguises the portal where
trains pass through the backdrop.
Group Operating Sessions - 3
Utah Colorado Western
Lee Nicholas’ Utah Colorado Western Railroad Company con-
nects Denver, Colorado, to Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.
The 30 x 33 layout provides a bridge route between the cit-
ies and also includes additional trackage within Colorado and
Wyoming. The railroad operates using a centralized dispatcher
and a spectacular CTC control board.
The railroad offers a variety of crew assignments, from through
freights (some of which drop and pick up cars on the way), unit
coal trains, yard jobs, and dispatching using the control board.
While we were waiting for crew assignments, Lee showed us a
small battery-powered soldering iron and noted that it is great
for fast repairs during a session. The small iron is perfect for re-
soldering a frog or track feeder. Gets hot quickly and cools off
fast enough to keep in your pocket.
While running a unit train up to the flood loader, I noticed
some small blue plastic rectangles scattered along the tracks at
several industries. Upon closer inspection, I found they were
labeled “brake” and had a rail-sized groove cut into the bot-
tom. One came in useful when I spotted my caboose on a slight
grade in order to run around the train. They are unobtrusive,
especially because of the blue color, and work anywhere (5).
At the end of the day, I had a chance to act as "assistant (west)
dispatcher" under the close supervision of one of the regular
crew. This was a great way to get a feel for this challenging and
interesting job. This is something I’ll have to do once my PRR
becomes fully operational.
Santa Fe
Ted York’s Santa Fe represents the Santa Fe and Union Pacific
Railroads in Cajon Pass between Los Angeles and Barstow in
MRH-Apr 2013
