Weekend Update 4/12/26

[up1950s]

https://www.rtands.com/freight/railway-track-structures-2025-top-projects/

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2025/06/16/mt-rainier-scenic-railroad-still-in-operation-after-fire-take-a-ride-and-experience-local-railway-history/

https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/09/railways-200th-anniversary-festival-weekend-gets-underway/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mapic24/video/7509845361205234966

https://www.google.com/search?q=train+emergency+stop&newwindow=1&sca_esv=4e0bfa84728bf4dd&hl=en&udm=7&biw=1920&bih=911&sxsrf=ANbL-n5lkKYGB-SCXk5H4A0cJJYvIUjIlw%3A1774574573558&ei=7dvFaf3WIb2i5NoPh7HB-AU&ved=0ahUKEwi9gda49b6TAxU9EVkFHYdYEF8Q4dUDCBE&oq=train+emergency+stop&gs_lp=EhZnd3Mtd2l6LW1vZGVsZXNzLXZpZGVvIhR0cmFpbiBlbWVyZ2VuY3kgc3RvcDILEAAYgAQYkQIYigUyBRAAGIAEMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGKIEGIkFSMvaAVDfPFiRwgFwA3gBkAEAmAFwoAGcDqoBBDIxLjO4AQzIAQD4AQGYAhigAtINwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICBRAAGO8FwgIEEAAYHsICDhAAGIAEGJECGLEDGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QABiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIHEAAYgAQYCpgDAIgGAZAGBZIHBDE5LjWgB7mNAbIHBDE2LjW4B8ANwgcGMi0yMy4xyAd7gAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-modeless-video#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:0e5fae78,vid:BxFBkyAABRI,st:0

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https://www.wcra.org/engine-374/

[C855B]

The video... the flashing "X" signals everywhere... never seen them before. What are they for?

[CR4100]

The video... the flashing "X" signals everywhere... never seen them before. What are they for?

I was wondering the same thing. Buried down in the comments section I found:

The flashing X’s are alerts for the train crew at railroad crossings that have quiet zones. There is an automatic horn at these crossings which is a lower decibel and directed at the crossing itself. The flashing alerts the crew that the horns are working properly. If they don’t flash, the train crew will sound the horn on the locomotive.

There are two horns visible above the stop sign at the beginning of the video.

[u18b]

Question:

The first full turnout from the bottom.

Which way are the points set?   

[C855B]

I was wondering the same thing. Buried down in the comments section I found:

The flashing X’s are alerts for the train crew at railroad crossings that have quiet zones. There is an automatic horn at these crossings which is a lower decibel and directed at the crossing itself. The flashing alerts the crew that the horns are working properly. If they don’t flash, the train crew will sound the horn on the locomotive.

There are two horns visible above the stop sign at the beginning of the video.

Thank you.

Ugh. I ran across these stationary horns at a busy crossing on UP's triple-track main in Nebraska, but they didn't have the 'X' thing. Dreadful. I'd be more annoyed by the unvarying drone of the lower-dB ersatz annunciator than I would for locomotive-mounted horns. When the horn is moving, you at least have a sense of distance and speed.

[nkalanaga]

Ron:  Good question.  Either something is broken or the photographer caught it just as it was being thrown.

[BCR 570]

I am starting to re-populate the layout with freight cars in preparation for an operating session on May 1.  It is nice to see my models again after eight months in storage!  These cars will also be used for test runs with full trains in advance of the session:




Engs 812 and 804 on a full train test run bring 12 cars into Septimus:




The layout also received a new master fast clock from my friend Victor yesterday.  Since moving the dispatcher into a dedicated office, it has become desirable to provide that person with a clock display.  The new master fast clock fits into the central hutch on the desk and replicates the large LED clock display seen in the BCR Dispatch Office during the 1970s.  It also provides controls for Real/Fast, Run/Pause, Start Time, Set Clock and Ratio seen at right:




The new master clock replaces the clock software on a laptop, and communicates wirelessly with the router above the layout.  The four clock repeaters stationed around the layout communicate with the router via MQTT.  The master clock even controls the repeater at Septimus in the adjacent room!




I also continued to make good progress on my official car for the museum train, including backing the etched sides with styrene and preparing the Micro-Trains shell for the new sides:






Dedicated thread here:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=60937.0


Tim

[delamaize]

This weeks progress has been mostly custom painting.
Back at the Monroe train show, I picked up a custom painted Ontario Northland F40PH. Of course this is a foob, because, to my knowledge, this paint scheme didn't exist. But it's believable, and it's well done. This means I needed some passenger stock to go with it.
Again, I went to the Foob well, and decided to paint up some stuff I had around. I've done an old ConCor Observation, an old Bachmann full dome, and a Rapido Dayniter coach. In addition, I have an old ConCor Diner that is in Illinois Central right now I'm going to repaint, and I have 2 Rapido Horizon Phase IV coaches that are going to get re-done also. I am at work right now, so no pictures, But I will try to get some tomorrow.

EDIT: its "Tomorrow," so pictures, as promised
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To be honest, not my best paint and decal work, but overall I'm happy with the outcome.

As for the stuff that I still need to paint, I know that the IC stuff is getting kinda hard to find these days. So If someone needs a IC smooth-side diner, I'm willing to trade. The other project I am currently working on is the 1948 IC "City of New Orleans,: and I still need 4 coaches, an RPO, and 2 72' Baggage cars to finish that consist. If you have any of those and want to trade, I'm game.

As for the Horizons coaches, Again, I'm willing to trade, if someone needs them. Just let me know what you got. ON didn't have Horizons coaches, But then did have Comets. So, I'd be willing to make that trade. I'd also trade dayniter coaches for the Horizons.   

[btrain]

Here’s a scene that will make every New York Central fan’s heart flutter a bit. Much thanks to @thbguy for petitioning the owner of Fine N Scale products to make another batch of Empire State Express locomotive shells. Also shoutout to @spookshow for giving me insight on which Con-Cor/Kato Hudson to get. Apparently the engines with Japan marked below the drivers with plastic valve gear run well and run forever.

I didn’t get the 3D prints of the ESE coaches on ebay a while back, but I’ll be working on Con-Cor Budds. The parlor car of their production actually matches those used by the Central for the train. If all goes well, I should have everything looking proper for Ohio N Scale Weekend next month.

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[mu26aeh]

Grabbed a new 5660 PD hopper and it immediately got tagged upon arrival at the yard

[Jesse6669]

I want to model a memorable gas station that is near the Midland Sub on my layout.   Here's the prototype:


I did a bit of compression.  I *might* revise it with the service bay.. we'll see.  Here's the rendering--the 3D printed test model is drying now. 

[John]

I want to model a memorable gas station that is near the Midland Sub on my layout.   Here's the prototype:


I did a bit of compression.  I *might* revise it with the service bay.. we'll see.  Here's the rendering--the 3D printed test model is drying now. 

Nice work . I would definately add the service bay option -- even if they don't use it anymore, it could be a "beer, chips, coffee, and lottery machine area"

[chuck geiger]

Loader installed at Coop.

[davefoxx]

It’s cab unit Sunday! 🙂. Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) E8A No. 593 with a southbound mail and express train meets SCL F7A No. 405 on the point of a local northbound out of Hamlet yard.



DFF

[ATSF_Ron]

I intended to chase UP 4014 over part of Donner Pass today.  Good thing I checked the Steam Site update while having an early morning coffee!  Storms cancelled the run over Donner and it got rerouted to return via Feather River Route.  Here she is approaching Lincoln, CA (about 15 mins north of Roseville).


I've heard plenty of steam whistles over the years, but DAMN!  This one is LOUD!!! 

Enjoy!

ATSF_Ron