Micro Model Railroad Cartel

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links Page for Inspiration...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Owensville Terminal Micro Layout Build

Introduction

Photo 1

Ian came up with an idea for the recently completed 2022 Christmas Micro Layout Challenge over on the Cartel Facebook Group. His inspiration for the challenge build was Carl Arendt's Square Foot Estate layout from many years ago. The challenge layout did not have to fit within a 12 inch footprint, but can go up to 576 square inches (4 square feet).

I originally came up with an idea, but unfortunately my design did not meet the layout requirement of two curved and one straight track off of the sector plate. I decided to go ahead and build it anyway, even though the contest is over.

My Owensville Terminal Micro comes in at 481.01 square inches. That's almost 95 inches below the limit. The sector plate and any additional staging tracks do not count toward the 4 square foot limit.

Design (see photo 1 above)

I started with an idea in mind and sketched it out on a piece of plexiglass and a dry-erase marker. This is a great way to try out ideas for baseboard and track arrangements. The contest layout had a requirement that did no allow turnout points, so a sector plate is needed to switch between the three tracks. This is located in the top right corner.

I'm using a personal favorite of mine, the tried and true baseboard method using foamcore clipboard boxes (see photos below). This method was originally developed by Chris Ellis. It is my preferred material and method for micro railway layout baseboards. This will be my third layout that uses foamcore clipboards.

Photo 2

Photo 3

The baseboard sector plate is located in the upper-right corner (photo 3), and a tail track for fiddling cars on and off the layout in the lower left corner (not pictured). Each staging section will hold a 70 ton switcher and 40' boxcar. I'm borrowing a couple of foamcore clips from my Herrin Micro to connect these clipboard boxes together.

Inspiration for the Layout

The layout theme will feature my fictional Owensville Terminal Railroad. I started this freelance railroad over 20 years ago and it still holds my interest. I have developed a history for this fictional railroad throughout the years, and this micro layout will be based on that history.

Owensville Terminal Herald

Owensville Terminal System Map

The original right-of-way was realigned in 1962 to reduce curves and grades along the line. The original right-of-way was abandoned north of the town of Oak Hill, Missouri. The track running to Oak Hill would stay in service as the Stephenson Branch due to numerous industries located at Oak Hill, including several clay pits located north of town. Unfortunately the clay pits were closed in 1967 and the tracks leading to the clay pits were abandoned. Just south of the clay pits resides an old feed mill that still receives cars by rail. Murray Christmas Feed & Seed is one of only four businesses still receiving rail service in the Oak Hill Area.

Up Next: Track installation and wiring

Tom

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Episode 32

Topics for Episode 32...

Less than 30 days to go for the 2022 Christmas Micro Layout Challenge
Ian's Train Show Reports
Upcoming Projects for the Modeling Season
Remembering Iain Rice
Hornby New Product Announcement
Content Request for the 2022 Dispatch Winter Quarterly

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e32:

Hornby TT:120

https://uk.hornby.com/hornbytt120

Small Layout Design Handbook by James Hilton:

https://wildswanbooks.co.uk/Books/Small-Layout-Design-Handbook.htm

Narrow planet/light railway stores

https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/

Titfield thunderbolt books

https://www.titfield.co.uk/

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links Page for Inspiration...

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Episode 31

Topics for e31:

Ian joins a French Modeling Group

Project Updates

2022 Micro Layout Challenge Update

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Issue 6 Discussion

French Micro Railway Modeling Sites of Interest

Small Layout Design Handbook by James Hilton

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e31:

Port Dizan

https://trains.lrpresse.com/CT-979-cles-61-port-dizan-construisez-le-reseau-anniversaire.aspx

J'aime le train miniature

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIGysOHBHl-OKlozNVqmxTg

Small Layout Design Handbook by James Hilton:

https://wildswanbooks.co.uk/Books/Small-Layout-Design-Handbook.htm

Narrow planet/light railway stores

https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/

Titfield thunderbolt books

https://www.titfield.co.uk/

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

https://micromodelrailwaydispatch.com/

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian

at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links Page for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Friday, September 2, 2022

Episode 30

Topics for e30

Ian and Tom's Project Updates/

2022 Christmas Micro Layout Challenge Update/

Researching for Layout Ideas/

January Fun Challenge Event for 2023/

Request for Micro Layout Submissions to The Dispatch/

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e30:

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links Page for Inspiration...

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Episode 28

Topics for e28

Ian and Tom discuss Issue 5 of the Dispatch/

Project Updates/

APA Box Day - June 27/

The Summer Doldrums/

Summer Break - "Best Of" Episode next month/

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e28:

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

https://protocrastinator.blogspot.com/

Friday, June 17, 2022

A Shadowbox Micro Layout

I recently participated in a layout build challenge at the Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook group. The challenge was to build an operating micro layout within 24 hours. My shadowbox HO trolley line baseboard is less than 57 square inches and is mounted to a wall in a bedroom. The layout was constructed in about 6 hours (not including drying time for paint and glue).

The trolley has no motor, so fishing line is used for locomotion. Basically, this shadowbox micro is an operating diorama, but its purpose is to represent a streetcar picking up passengers at a trolley stop near the storefronts (street lamp on the right side), reversing direction, then returning back from where it came (hidden staging on the left side).

This was a fun project. Very satisfying!

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Episode 27

Topics for e27:

Ian and Tom's Project Updates/

Build a Micro in 24 Hours Wrap-up/

Backscenes for Micro Layouts/

Christmas Micro Layout Challenge Update/

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e27:

The Protocrastinator Blog

Backdrop Resources

realisticbackgrounds.com

Trackside Flats

https://www.tracksideflats.com/

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

........................................................

Links Page for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

https://youtu.be/y0lt5rak8Xk

Monday, May 23, 2022

Shunting at Herrin

I dusted off the Herrin Micro Layout to do some shunting. The layout has been sitting dormant for about 10 months. My BLI Trackmobile has not been working very well for me lately, so I dug out an old Athearn Blue Box locomotive I purchased back in the 1990s. It still runs like a champ!

I originally custom painted it for a freelance paint scheme I was developing for my Owensville Terminal Railroad, but never finished it. The blue and white scheme matches the old logo colors of the Maytag Corporation, so I may finish the locomotive to look like Maytag had its own locomotive to shunt cars at the plant. As far as I can tell, Maytag did not have any locomotives painted with a Maytag logo.

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Episode 26

Topics for e26:

Ian and Tom's Project Updates/

Heaton Lodge Junction Model Railway/

Podcast Second Anniversary Thoughts/

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e26:

Heaton Lodge Junction Model Railway Links

https://youtu.be/zFhRcHBs4sc

https://www.flickr.com/photos/salisburyasc/albums/72157684864502870/page5

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Links Page for Inspiration...

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

www.facebook.com/microcartel

Friday, April 1, 2022

Episode 25

Topics for e25:

A Christmas Micro Layout Challenge Update/
A Sector Plate Refresher/
Ian and Tom's Project Updates/
A New Website for the Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine/

Click here for the listen link (podcast player will open in a new tab).

Episode Links for e25:

Cartel Conversations Facebook Page

Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine

Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Links Page for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

https://micromodelrailwaydispatch.com

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch Website

Ian has set up a new website for the Micro Model Railway Dispatch e-zine. You can now download the current issue (Spring 2022) along with back issues by simply clicking on the particular issue image. The new website address is...

Saturday, March 19, 2022

A Traveling 3-2-2 Inglenook

This is the H0 Greensboro York & Meridian Rwy (GY&M)

I made this portable 3-2-2 Inglenook to fit within a canvas gym bag. This micro Inglenook is 48 inches long (9 inches at its widest point). It's designed to fit on a typical table located in hotel rooms throughout the United States. This layout will be traveling with me on a railfanning/trainspotting trip I'm taking in May.

Unpacked and ready to assemble.

All packed and ready to travel!

Tom

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Episode 24

New Micro Layout Challenge on Facebook

Click on link below (Episode 24) to listen.

Show Links for Episode 24

Cartel Conversations Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/microcartel

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch

Issue 3 (A Dropbox account is not needed to view and download the issue.)

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Links Page for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-inglenook.html

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Episode 23

Inglenook Layouts

Click on link below (Episode 23) to listen.

Show Links for Episode 23

Inglenook Sidings Shunting Puzzle Website:

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch

Issue 3. (A Dropbox account is not needed to view and download the issue.)

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor E-Mail (Click image or link below)

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Links Page for Inspiration...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...

Small Model Railways Blog...

Shortline Modelers...

https://www.facebook.com/Shortline-Modelers-120032784689242/

Deep River Railroad...

The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog Page...

Micro Model Railroad Cartel Facebook Group...

https://microcartel.blogspot.com/p/links-for-inspiration.html

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Episode 22

Click the link below (Episode 22) to listen.

Show Links for Episode 22

http://iholmes.com/pages/nlr/northernlines_al3.html

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/FS640

Music for Cartel Conversations...

"Newer Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Space Fighter Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch

Issue 3. (A Dropbox account is not needed to view and download the issue.)

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch Editor E-Mail (Click image or link below)

Send comments, questions, and/or article submissions to Ian at mmrdeditor@gmail.com

Links Page for Inspiration...

......................................................

Your Hosts' Model Railroad Links

Herrin Micro Layout...