I created a summary of main track authorities on my website:

Main Track Authority Overview

https://wnbranch.com/home/operations/mai...-overview/

Enjoy!

6/14/2007 these guys post on here too. Verona, Pa.      Charlie

I'm sure you've noticed that sometime between 12 am and 8 this morning, the site went down. I've finally recovered but I had to restore from a backup from last night. So if you posted after midnight this morning, and it's missing, that's why.

The next version of Freelance is underway. I ordered eight Peco Code 83 #5 switches.

The theme will stay in the south east and be more close to Freelance 2018-1. That layout was the first time I reserved 4 - 8 inch depth for the buildings and I liked it very much. It became a victim of the short lived streetcar excursion.
The current Freelance 2019-1 layout is fine but the "backdrop buildings" of less than one inch depth are optimized for tracks but it is out of balance. I will correct that over the next time.

Actual start will be in about three weeks due to another long time planned vacation.

2019 auction #2: HO scale Snow Plow and Tender----

Here's the surprise of a lifetime, remember the thread where our good friend Doctorwayne was showing us how he built these cars? Well, you didn't know at the time that he was doing it to present them at one of our Big Blue auctions. You can view the build right here, and we're posting a few pictures in this thread to keep you reminded of the awesome work that Wayne produces. We are pleased that he offered to do this for us and will certainly help to keep Big Blue running. This is a rare opportunity to own a treasured item built by one of the best modelers we have run across.
 
Now, let’s get started. We are offering an HO snow plow and tender as shown in the build thread and in the photos below, to the highest bidder. Here are the bidding rules:

1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the car.
   
2. Please keep you bid raises in increments of at least a dollar or more.
   
3. You can bid publicly by posting it in this thread. This thread is for bidding only; any comments or questions should be made in this thread or by PM to either ezdays or ngauger. Non-bid posts will be deleted from this thread.
   
4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf, (we will post the bid amount, but keep your name confidential, just like at those big auction houses). You may also want to give us the maximum you would want to go and we’ll bid for you by adding one dollar above the last bid, up the maximum that you have set, again, just like Christie’s does for the big boys.
   
5. The auction will run until Saturday, June 22nd at which time we will announce the winner and ship the car to them.
   
6. The successful bidder will pay all shipping costs. That cost is estimated to be in the $10 to 15 range, but will depend on the destination. It is shipping from Canada.
   
7. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.
   
   

Was hoping to get some shots of Conrails GP10 and slug unit at the Mannheim Yard, but it never moved the entire time I was there.

Bruce

   

I have added another project to the pile to be completed. I hope I don't run out of time, but I am optimistic. The Aerotrain was slightly past my time frame, but always wanted one so when I saw this on ebay I bid a reasonable price and won it. It needs to be lettered for the PRR and will need interiors as well as a power unit. I will also keep looking for 6 or 7 more coaches because when it ran on the PRR the consist was 10 coaches from what I have read. 
The Aerotrain had some problems with the ride, but IMHO this technology should have been developed and the problems with ride overcome. It had a 1200 HP 567-C engine (12 cylinder) and was basically built on an SW 1200 chassis. It was capable of 102 MPH, and had a low center of gravity so it could do these speeds on the existing track. 

Can you imagine what this would do for Amtrak?  

Rock Island used them in commuter service for 5 or 6 years but nothing was ever done to improve the ride.      Charlie

I want to pass this along. It looks like a limited catalog but also looks like great prices and some hard to find things. https://www.goldrushbay.com/
Check out the youtube video of the wild west saloon. I was overwhelmed even though I don't need it for my layout, but some of the Victorian homes would be a plus. 
Charlie

The local is stalled on the grade into town. The engineer told the trainmaster there were too any cars so now they are waiting for help. The conductor had to walk a mile to the nearest phone. By the time the helper arrives they will be needing a dog catcher too.     Charlie

I am making using a small NWSL gearbox to power an HOn3 steamer.  Does the gearbox need to be attached to the frame in any way, or can it jut "float"?  The reason I ask is that the gearbox has no places to attach it - anywhere, and no place where you can drill the housing for an attachment screw.