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

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

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