Here are some pictures I took at North Platte's Rail Fest (in 2006, according to the photos.)

This is their E9, still in active service, being used for special excursions, etc.
   

This is their 4-8-4 Northern class. This one, No. 844, is also still in active service, being used for special excursions, etc. I once had the experience of seeing No. 844 'in the wild', so to speak, passing through Paxton, NE. Unforgettable!
           
   

Also (no pictures - where'd they go?) North Platte has on permanent display a EMD DDA40X, reportedly the largest (in length) diesel ever put into service, and a 4-8-8-4 Challenger class steam locomotive.

Here are some pix I took from the observation tower (The Golden Spike) of Union Pacific's Bailey Yard in North Platte NE. It is supposedly the largest yard in the world (or at least it was 6 years ago when I took these). It's kind of cool to pull up North Platte in Google maps to see just how large it is.
                   

Yesterday, a new foam insulation plant (polyisocyanurate for roofing) was inaugurated in Drummondville, QC. I had the occasion to visit this brand-new rail-served plant which was quite interesting. The director – a chemist in his mid-thirties – was kind enough to explain several processes and logistics regarding the plant. Later, I had the occasion to discuss rail operation with him and found out it could be extremely interesting to model for fans of tank cars.

Polyisocyanurate is a two components foam. The first component is called MDI and the second is called polyol. When you had a blowing agent, namely pentane, you get a yellowish foam in a matter of a few seconds. Up to 7-8 other additives are added in very little quantities to control several characteristics.
From a rail operation perspective, the plant is served by a brand new spur on CN Drummond subdivision. When I visited the plant, the rail were newly manufactured and barely rusted. You could still see the bluish hues marred by tiny spots of fresh rust. I’ve never seen that modelled but it could be very interesting for a modern switching layout.
Track layout at the plant is simple: one turnout and two sidings. One siding is used to sort the cars while the other one, is equipped with 3 attractive color-coded overhead transfer terminals that can unload 3 different car loads at once. It means the plant get three tank cars at once, each with a different commodity (MDI, polyol and pentane). Storage tanks are located within the plant building to have a better control over temperature.

According to the director, the plant receives new tank cars thrice per week. All manufactured goods are trucked locally. Other intrants such as fiberglass and paper liners, packaging and additives are trucked in.

The building itself is brand new and quite attractive by modern industrial standards. One could get away with a regular warehouse building, but a modeller could try to replicate this modern plant to reflect a new customer on the line. A part of the plant is covered in full glass curtain walls which could be interesting to model.

Unfortunately, the plant is so brand new it isn’t visible on Google Earth or Bing Maps right now. I wish I had taken pictures but I didn't have the occasion as the sun set early in winter and we arrived in late afternoon.

The fact each type of load has its own terminal makes it an interesting industry and the amount of car handled means it doesn’t take that much real estate.

Matt

Seems my interest in the hobby chilled for awhile but, now its back to normal. I had a good summer of railfaning my usual haunts and ended up with several dozen photos.

I'm still pondering about backdating Slate Creek to 1955/56 and using a steam engine.. A United Class B2 2 truck Shay perhaps a 0-6-0T switching the veneer and planning mills? The crew would be kept busy switching out loaded cars for empties. Maybe a sawdust load out would be needed for additional switching? The rough lumber arrives from the unmodeled saw mill on the backside of the mills- maybe by conveyor belt?

I would need to buy some 50 era cars and my thoughts is Accurail kits.

Slate Creek Lumber Company-a division of Diamond Forrest Products. Sounds good enough.

Hi,

I was hoping somebody could help me. I am based in the UK, and I am looking for rail stops/ blocks. I have tried scratch building them but I am really not happy with the results. I have included some pics of what I am looking for. Any help would be really appreciated, thank you.

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AGWAY is still receiving shipments of grain from the local farms as WPMA-17 pulls into the siding. 17 will set out 3 empty grain cars and pickup 11 cars.

Bruce

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Greetings, everyone. This is my obligatory first posting on the Big Blue forum. Many years ago I was a denizen of the old Gauge forum, I remember very well the many wonderful layouts created by Shamus. I don't remember my user name on the Gauge, but some of you may remember "The Box" thread(s), which I started.

Having said that, I still consider myself pretty much a newbie. Until now, I have always lacking in one or more of the following: time, money, space or permission. Now that I've retired, divorces, and have moved into a condo in Kearney, NE, with a humongous family room in the basement, I think I've about run out of excuses.

I think it is time to wish everyone around the world a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to come. May your troubles melt away with the love and harmony that we share on this wonderful forum. May you be blessed with family and friends. Enjoy the season.
   

Cheers
:angel:
Charlie

Anyone who knows what's going on with his website lancemindheim.com? I haven't been able to access it for several days now.