Seaboard Central - August 2024 Layout Update 

Thanks for the kind words. Stay tuned!

Thanks! Yeah, that’s crazy. I wouldn’t get too close to the tracks. The engines are all equipped with cameras and a lot of the crews would contact the dispatcher if they see someone trespassing on property. Most of the time it is people walking on the tracks.

@SeaboardCentral Yep, I get to train watch from my Semi now, I deliver auto parts from Indiana down to the Toyota plant in Madison Alabama everyday and get to see a set of leased GP40-2S assemble an autorack train full of new Toyota's and swap with NS loaded autoracks for empties!!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! I have a lot more to do.

Yeah I heard they thought about rebuilding them retaining their original engine but the PSR folks killed the idea. They were the engines that convinced NS to embrace AC technology though after the Conrail acquisition. I do know this.

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Thanks! I appreciate it. I bet they were something seeing them working the coal trains.

@@SeaboardCentral They were, When Conrail was around , They would use 8 GP 38-2's, SD40-2, or SD45-2 to move the coal to the yards in Johnstown or Altoona,Then the MAC attack came and wow, Trains went down to 5 units and when they moved so did the ground, I really miss those days

Thanks! Yeah they can change hands a lot.

Thanks Nick!

Thank you!

Thanks!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! Sounds like a great reason to

Thanks! Yes, you can see my plan for the layout in my earlier videos.

The crossing will get just standard crossbucks since it is a lightly used crossing. Probably have a stop sign too. Stay tuned!

Thank you!

I really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Thanks! My advice would be to start small. You can always build it out to show its history. If I was starting from scratch I’d build a simple shelf layout that would contain a small interchange track with your favorite real railroad. I’d use a couple of four axle switchers for your freelanced railroad to get started. I would have the layout serve two or three industries and I’d make sure at least one was a simple Team track to serve as a Bulk Transload facility for off line customers. I would also figure out what time period you want to model and stick with it. For example, my layout is set in 2015 so that means I can’t include locomotives or cars built after 2015. I also don’t include cars built before 1975 either. So it keeps me contained and makes it more plausible. Good luck and be sure to tune in to the next three videos as I’ll go over my thoughts on how I came up with the SC locomotive roster.

Thanks! Yes it was a trade-off I had to deal with. I actually like the way I set it up now. It has a better flow to it. My excuse is the piping for the sand tower is underground. I plan on adding a radio tower next to the yard office and I have to make sure I have space for it. Stay tuned for the next update and you’ll see what I mean.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I recently got my hands on a Walthers Modern Diesel Pad and this totally changed my Layout. I have been using your Pad Layout as a point of reference and so I look forward to the next update. I must admit that I hadn't even considered a Tower for my own Yard. Now I am.

Thanks! Never pulled the Gen Field switch while throttling up. I’m more worried about spinning the wheels pulling high amperage in lower notches.

I’ve never heard that before. I would think that as long as the reverser was in neutral, the traction motors wouldn’t receive power. Then you could go up to notch 4 or 5 to charge the train line without worry?!

@@TPW900GP35for older second gen units you can drive the shaft on the air compressor faster while in neutral moving the throttle to notch 3. I don’t think it makes a difference in higher notches. Third gen units you can do in notch 1 but most third and fourth gen units will do it automatically.

@@SeaboardCentral OK, thanks!

@@TPW900GP35 *I would think that as long as the reverser was in neutral the traction motors wouldn’t receive power* here's the direct quote from the general order book... "stall burns are the primary cause of traction motor damage. stall burns are caused by high electrical currents passing through a traction motor while it is standing still"

Thanks! The 80MAC is an Athearn Genesis.

The GP60 was the last four axle and it was designed for lightweight intermodal trains back when there was still a lot of TOFC on spine cars. Today most of the intermodal is shipped in containers or COFC and double-stacked which in turn makes for heavier trains which the six axle units are better suited for. The reason you haven’t seen any new four axles is that the older units keep being rebuilt for local service that requires a four axle due to trackage constraints where six axle units are prohibited. However, the four axles that are in use are at the ends of their careers and I do believe you will eventually see some kind of hybrid four axle unit to hit the market to fill the void.

@@SeaboardCentral - Thank you for the reply, Tim.

Yes, I prefer ESU LokSound decoders for their Drive Hold feature and ease of programming with the LokProgrammer. I am able to reproduce what I believe are more realistic results. I have a couple of videos on the channel where I show how I do it.

@@SeaboardCentral Thanks,will check them out.

The SC is set in the spring/summer of 2015. Be sure to watch this upcoming series where I’ll go into explanation about the entire SC roster and the reason why it is made up of a diverse mix.

@@SeaboardCentral Great work as always! Looking forward to this next series.

I’ve often thought about having a visitor from the TVRM to make a special fan trip someday. If only I could get ScaleTrains to make the 4501. :-)

@@SeaboardCentral ah reachout to them they probably will ;)