» E-Passes

E-Pass #7 – Amber, Shea & Western

sajay — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:17:26 +0000

Well, since mangling my thumb with a table saw I haven’t been able to do much, model railroad or otherwise. So the only “new” thing I am able to share is an “old” E-Pass.

The Amber, Shea & Western E-Pass was sent to me on April 12, 2000. It was an “N” scale layout (not another one!) built by John J. Quinn of Northridge, CA. I use the past tense because after some searching on the internet I finally found a site that directed me to John’s new layout web site. The AS&W was dismantled due to relocation. The Berryville and Summit Point Railway is John’s newest creation.

John has lots of construction photos and some pictures of scenery on the site. You should check it out!

Scott

E-Pass #6 – The Elizabeth and Austin Divisions

sajay — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:51:55 +0000

It has been a while since I’ve posted an old e-pass. Since I didn’t do anything on the BS&T this weekend I don’t have anything to report in that regard, so I thought it was high-time I posted a E-Pass.

This one is for the Jim Cullen’s Elizabeth and Austin Divisions of the Pennsylvania Railroad. When I went hunting for his web site I discovered that he has built a new layout called the Chartiers Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The Chartiers Branch is an N-Scale layout (we won’t hold that against him) built on a 36″ x 80″ door. I am always amazed at the level of detail and amount of scenic elements that can be put into a small space with N-scale. Jim has done a fine job with both his layout and his web site. He has lots of progress pictures so you can see before and after views, and a few little tips and tricks scattered here and there through his photos.

Jim Cullen’s Chartiers Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad Is worth a visit!

Scott

E-Pass #5 – The Northern Pacific N-Scale Railroad

sajay — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:27 +0000

In May of 2000 Robert Ray sent me this E-Pass for what was then known as the NP & UP N-Scale Railroad. He has since changed the name to The Northern Pacific N-Scale Railroad.

I have been accused of being hard on N-Scalers, but it’s just healthy banter among friends (really Allan – I am only kidding. Well, most of the time anyway. HA!). Robert Ray’s N-scale layout is a wonderfully detailed model railroad! I’m am continually amazed at the tiny details that are available in such a small scale.

Now, after saying that, Robert is also working on some Z-Bend Track Modules. N-Scale is one thing, but to be able to work in Z scale is totally incredible! I used to think N-Scalers were crazy, but Z scale takes the term to a whole other level (remember – healthy banter). The level of detail that Robert has put into his module is unbelievable! Yes, the items in that picture are Z scale (click the picture for a larger version)!

His “Projects” page includes a lot of loco and freight car builds and modifications. It even includes upgrading the details on Z-scale locos! The highlight on that page for me is the construction of his Drive-In theater that plays real movies on an LCD screen. Very cool!

I now have a new respect for Z-Scalers (not that I had little respect for them before)!

You should stop by Robert’s site. It is certainly worth a visit! (click the E-Pass to go to Robert’s web site)

Scott

E-Pass #4 – Westport Terminal

sajay — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:09:10 +0000

Wolfgang Dudler sent me this e-pass for his Westport Terminal layout in June of 2000. His site and his layout have developed quite a bit since then. One of the most interesting things he’s added are videos of his layout in operation. The “Switching Third Street District” video (about 3/4 down his video page) is my favorite. Listen close at the end of the video for a little surprise sound from the little 44 ton switcher. I’m still amazed he managed to get a sound decoder in that little switcher! Apparently it is a Loksound decoder.

Looking at his work you’d never know that he has never been to North America. He must have a ton of reference books loaded with photographs!

Wolgang has several pages of photos of the layout on his site that are worth taking a look at. His attention to detail is incredible. He also has several “how-tos” on his site from making turnouts to making movable switch stands. His method of adding power pickup to coal tenders is one I’m going to try on my Proto 0-8-0.

The pass I sent to Wolfgang was my #22, sent a few days before he issued mine.

Visit the Westport Terminal Railroad today.

Scott

E-Pass #4 – Paliz Bay

sajay — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:04:35 +0000

Peter Borcherd’s Paliz Bay layout is a 2′x10′ HO scale switching layout that appeared in the August 1997 issue of Model Railroader. The layout was progressing well a few years ago, but Peter says he hasn’t worked on it for about 2 years. It did make at least one appearance at a public show though, according to the “Latest Updates” page on the Paliz Bay site which hasn’t been updated in quite a while.

Most recently Peter has been working on a set of BendTrak modules (N-scale) called the Rochelle Intermodal, depicting a fictional BNSF Intermodal facility near Rochelle, Illinois. Peter has some great videos showing the modules and a signal system that he is testing.

So, hop aboard for a tour of Peter Borcherd’s Paliz Bay Railway and Navigation Company and the Rochelle Intermodal.

Peter’s Summer Valley Rail Pass was # 13, issued on May 19, 2000.

Scott

E-Passes # 2

sajay — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:00:00 +0000

So far I’m 4 for 2. Out of 4 old e-passes I found 2 with active web sites.

Here’s one I received from Roger P. Hensley of the East Central Indiana HO scale RR. Roger has a very comprehensive web site with lots of progress shots and descriptions. The layout is fictional but Roger has built quite a history for the railroad over the years.

The pass that I sent to Roger is his number 50, my number 17, on this page.

Scott

Model Railway E-Passes

sajay — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:00:10 +0000

My old Summer Valley Railway web site had a links page made up of model railway e-passes. I collected e-passes for 3 years from 2000 to 2003. In that time I gave out 58 passes and received 39.

These are a great way to include links. Rather than just plain text, there is an image that can sometimes portray the layout theme or style. Plus, lthey are really cool to collect.

My intention with this series of posts is to present my collection of E-Passes, or at least those that still have active web sites to link to.

The first e-pass that still had a working link is to Dan Crowley’s web site for his Yellowhead Railway Company Ltd. The e-pass pictured above is the one I sent to him in exchange – the 6th one I gave out.

He has some great tips in his “Helpful Hints” section and his “Projects” page (accessed from the “Weekly Picture” link) has a few pictures of structures on his layout.

So, here’s the pass to Dan Crowley’s model railway, Yellowhead Railway Company Ltd (click the pass to visit his site)….

Scott