Oregon Joint Line N Scale

[coldriver]

Whoa, can it really be this long since I last posted a layout update?  In looking back through my layout thread I see that several years ago I indicated that I was about to commence construction of the loco servicing facility at Monument.  That's finally been accomplished (whew!).  Hopefully there'll be a lot more progress made in the next year as our area (DFW) will be hosting the NMRA 2023 convention which will feature the Oregon Joint Line. 

[superchief]

Congrats Colddriver/ Dean for the layout article on the Oregon Joint Line in the latest Model Railroad Hobbyist. great pictures and awesome article, been a bit quiet but I am sure Dean is getting ready for the NMRA National convention to greet the out of state and international visitors he will be getting soon. Good luck and put on a great show!!!! Gordon 

[lock4244]

Dean, I greatly enjoy the OJL operations videos you post on yt, probably my favorite aspect of the hobby. Keep'em coming!

[btrain]

I’ll second what lock4244 said. Your videos are the most entertaining when it comes from operations. I learned more about that subject from your videos, than all of the books I’ve read.

[coldriver]

The Oregon Joint Line had its last op session on December 8th and will shortly join the legions of fallen flag model railroads.  I haven't been very active on The Railwire in recent years but wanted to acknowledge how helpful this group's feedback and encouragement was during the layout's heavy construction period.  It was truly awesome seeing your reactions to my completed scenes and shocking to find that I actually had some talent in scenery construction.  I'm not sure what my modeling future will be as we're downsizing to a much smaller home with limited layout space, but I've had some interest in people wanting to save portions of the layout.  I'll likely save a few portions myself, but I've learned that building the layout is way more interesting than having the layout!

[Scottl]

It is a fantastic layout and really captures the look of the area.  Thanks for sharing with us.

[davefoxx]

I've learned that building the layout is way more interesting than having the layout!

I think a lot of people learn this lesson when the layout reaches a state of perceived completion.  This meshes well with a conversation that we were having with @Dave V about his HOn3 layout a week or so ago.

DFF

[Doug W]

The Oregon Joint Line had its last op session on December 8th and will shortly join the legions of fallen flag model railroads.

Very sad to see such a great layout go, but things change. I'm keen to see anything new that you do on the Railwire, even if it is in a more limited space.

Cheers
Doug

[nkalanaga]

I think almost anyone modeling the Northwest basalt country would love to have part of it.  You definitely got the rocks right!

[Dave V]

I think a lot of people learn this lesson when the layout reaches a state of perceived completion.  This meshes well with a conversation that we were having with @Dave V about his HOn3 layout a week or so ago.

DFF

Not to steal the thread, but I'm somewhat angry with myself about this feeling. I have a completed layout--one that's been published three times and featured in multiple webcasts--that represents nearly the exact dream I've had since I rode the Durango and Silverton at age 14. So how dare I lose interest in it? To say nothing of the time and obscene amount of money sunk into it. This is the layout my father and I discussed building but never did. Sadly he can't travel now so he'll never get to see it finished in person, but he can enjoy it through video and photographs. But still...

I'm open to any and all suggestions about how to reinvigorate my interest in my completed RGS that don't involve scrapping it. Is it as easy as a trip to the Colorado Railroad Museum up the road to visit RGS 20 in person? Or drowning myself in YouTube videos about the RGS, D&RGW, C&TS, and D&SNG? Or do I just need to JFRTM?

Meanwhile I'm devouring all things Pennsy again like an addict who'd quit for years but suddenly fell off the wagon.

[SAH]

I'll likely save a few portions myself, but I've learned that building the layout is way more interesting than having the layout!

True for so many layout owners I've known.  Sorry to see the OJL go as it is one of my all-time favorite layouts.  Smaller layouts have many virtues that I hope you will experience firsthand soon.  Good luck with the next phase.

[CRL]

Some very astute comments. I guess it boils down to whether in your heart you’re a Model Railroader (emphasis on running/operating trains) or a Railroad Modeler (emphasis on building/modeling). That’s probably why so many layouts never get truly finished & just keep getting modified/rebuilt. One of the problems with modeling a very specific section of prototype railroad & time period with its inherent end point. This would suggest taking a more freelance or fantasy approach that could keep growing & evolving if you enjoy the building aspect more, or just reconcile yourself to the inevitable end in advance. Of course, you could model the phased demolition of the RGS too.

[crrcoal]

Just walk away from it for awhile - however long that takes - and keep working on the Pennsy layout or something else that interests you. A little later on down the tracks you'll get the spark that will reignite interest in the RGS and you'll start on it again. It's really no different than burnout, getting into funks or when people take breaks from working on their layouts. Same principals apply here.

Merry Christmas!

Not to steal the thread, but I'm somewhat angry with myself about this feeling. I have a completed layout--one that's been published three times and featured in multiple webcasts--that represents nearly the exact dream I've had since I rode the Durango and Silverton at age 14. So how dare I lose interest in it? To say nothing of the time and obscene amount of money sunk into it. This is the layout my father and I discussed building but never did. Sadly he can't travel now so he'll never get to see it finished in person, but he can enjoy it through video and photographs. But still...

I'm open to any and all suggestions about how to reinvigorate my interest in my completed RGS that don't involve scrapping it. Is it as easy as a trip to the Colorado Railroad Museum up the road to visit RGS 20 in person? Or drowning myself in YouTube videos about the RGS, D&RGW, C&TS, and D&SNG? Or do I just need to JFRTM?

Meanwhile I'm devouring all things Pennsy again like an addict who'd quit for years but suddenly fell off the wagon.

[Dave V]

Just walk away from it for awhile - however long that takes - and keep working on the Pennsy layout or something else that interests you. A little later on down the tracks you'll get the spark that will reignite interest in the RGS and you'll start on it again. It's really no different than burnout, getting into funks or when people take breaks from working on their layouts. Same principals apply here.

Merry Christmas!

I appreciate the suggestion! I did some JFRTM on the RGS yesterday (us Feds got the day off from the President) and that actually helped.

[superchief]

Dean, Sorry to hear the news of tearing down the OJL, the layout was one of the best N scale layouts in the country. The scenery, helper operations, the color tab system (thanks for letting me steal that idea) and your awesome videos(make me happy now , tied everything together. Wishing you the best in the downsizing move and hope you have room for another layout, maybe smaller. Good Luck. Gordon Bliss/ Santa Fe-All the Way