The Iowa Traction Railroad is a relic from a bygone era. Common-carrier freight service is offer by the privately-owned company in Mason City; traffic is interchanged with Canadian Pacific's Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern subsidiary and Union Pacific. I went to observe the railroad in October 2008 and have uploaded a number of photos this winter:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/railohio/tags/iatr/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/railohio/tags/iatr/</a><!-- m -->

The food warehouse that I am currently working on is going to require a reefer to deliver meat and produce. I took one of my 40' box cars and added hatches on the roof for icing but my main concern are the side doors. Did steel reefers ever have sliding doors? Most of the pictures that I have seen shows doors that are two piece swing doors.
Any information and suggestions would be appreciated.
Bob

A couple of videos of N&W Y6b 2191 after lubrication and a propery breaking in. 2191 has a diecast boiler weighting 2 lbs plus traction tires for incredible tractive effort.That and beautifully weighted and free rolling cars results in a hoggers delight.
Oh' and did i mention she's a beauty to behold!

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rM6UakQuqg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rM6UakQuqg</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d43t-ms3yJI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d43t-ms3yJI</a><!-- m -->

Hey mods: according to the FAQ...

I cannot send private messages!
There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you from sending messages. Contact a board administrator for more information.


Well I'm logged on....so what gives? I think I'm still learning the techs of this board.

Thanks if ya can help!

Matt

AT&T is changing their access for dial-up. Their software is not compatible with my old operating system, but looks like it will support XP, which is on the computer my daughter passed to me when she upgraded to a better "games machine".
Just a heads up, in case it takes me a while to figure out how to get everything "up to speed" (I'll be happy to just get the basics working). Trains I can handle, computer software/hardware......that's another completely different beast.
Then, there's the "forever" task of transferring all "my stuff" to the new computer...... I'd rather hand spike a 20' X40' dual gauge layout.

For those who are close enough to St. Charles, Illinois. This weekend Feb. 6-7, there will be trains, and modular layouts on display at the Charlestown Mall, on North Avenue in St. Charles. Hours will be the normal open hours of the Mall.
I'll be there with the old (new one not done enough yet) module set, hope to see some of you there.

In the east here, forest floors, all year, usually have plenty of leaves. I am modeling spring/early summer. I would like to know what people use for forest floor cover. I suppose real dirt, or fake dirt would work, but what about leaf litter? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hope you guys don't mind but this should be the last of what I have with the exception of maybe a few cratsman kits if I can remember where i put them......
I have the following items for sale, all engines are DC and run perfectly some
items have minor cosmetic imperfections. Everything being sold as is.
If you want and item shipped I accept USPS M/O only and will ship USPS priority
flat rate you pay shipping.
Thanks for looking if interested in anything just shoot me an email and I'll answer you asap
Just added a few items, If interested send me an email telling me your a member of this site as the rices here are less then I am advertising for in other places.

AHM operating overhead Gantry Crane NIB $35

Bachmann Plus 4-8-4 Niagara with smoke $45.00 obo

IHC Burlington 0-8-0 r/n 541 $35.00

Model Power Southern Bay window Caboose $3.00

(2) Model Power BNSF Bay Window Caboose $3.00/ea

Life Like Wooden Coaling Tower kit $10.00

Bachman F7 Conrail locomotive $10.00

Bachmann Santa Fe Diesel switcher $15.00

Athearn Blue Box kit Denver Rio Grande Caboose kit (yellow) $5.00

N scale wall mounted showcase new never used $65

I have the following Life-Like Power lock track just like Bachmann EZ track

9" Straight pkg(4) (17)
Walthers Part # 433-21302, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $7.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $4.98 $84.66

18" Radius Curved pkg(4) (28)
Walthers Part # 433-21303, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $7.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $4.98 $139.44

Right Hand Remote Control Switch (3) $10.00ea
Walthers Part # 433-21305, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $15.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $9.98 $29.94

Left Hand Remote Control Switch (2) $10.00ea
Walthers Part # 433-21306, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $15.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $9.98 $19.96

Power-Link Adapter (3)
Walthers Part # 433-21314, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $4.98, currently in stock at Walthers $14.94

Illuminated Bumper (4)
Walthers Part # 433-21308, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $7.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $4.98 $4.98

3" Straight pkg(4) (3)
Walthers Part # 433-21317, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $7.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $4.98 $3.74

22" Radius Curved (9)
Walthers Part # 433-21348, p. 258 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $14.98, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 04-May-2010
$33.70

Compatible w/Conventional Track (1)
Walthers Part # 433-8203, p. 282 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $28.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $8.98

Walthers Part # 433-8214, p. 461 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference (1)
HO scale, $21.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $11.98

Dual Crossing Gate (1)
Walthers Part # 433-8309, p. 282 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $26.98, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $16.98

Straight Small Tunnel for local pick up only
Walthers Part # 433-1304, p. 312 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $11.98

If you were to purchase everything listed if you could get it from Walthers it would cost you $381.28
asking $80.00 obo plus shipping


I have the following Atlas code 100 sectional track for sale. All track is gently used and some extra has been thrown in but not listed. I have posted direct form the Atlas web site so you can see for yourself this would over $300 if purchased new asking $90 buyer pays shipping I accept USPS money orders only and ship via USPS priority mail.
Thanks for looking. Please contact me via email if interested.

Ho-Code 100 Manual Snap Switch Left
List Price: $14.25
Quantity: (5)

Ho-Code 100 Manual Snap Switch Right
List Price: $14.25 per EACH
Quantity: (3)

Ho Code 100 9" Straight Track – Bulk
List Price: $1.25 per EACH
Quantity (17)

Ho-Code 100 6" Straight Track 6/per
List Price: $4.00 per EACH
Quantity (9)

Ho Code 100 15" Radius Track – Bulk
List Price: $1.25 per EACH
Quantity (12)

Ho Code 100 22" Radius Track – Bulk
List Price: $1.25 per EACH
Quantity (44)

Ho Code 100 Rerailer – Bulk
List Price: $8.25 per EACH
Quantity (6)

Ho-Code 100 1/2 15" Radius Track 6/per
List Price: $4.00 per EACH
Quantity (13)

Ho-Code 100 1/2 18" Radius Track 4/per
List Price: $4.00 per EACH
Quantity (10)

Ho-Code 100 Bumpers
List Price: $3.95 per EACH
Quantity (1)

Ho-Code 100 Track Assortment
List Price: $5.25 per EACH
Quantity (1)

Ho Code 100 45° Crossing
List Price: $10.50 per EACH
Quantity (1) Brass

Ho Code 100 30° Crossing
List Price: $10.50 per EACH
Quantity (1)

If purchased new $306.30


$80.00

That's what the locals say when they see this consist roll thru town.
   

So, for the first time in over a month I felt like just running a train instead of working on the layout. I didn't have to clean the entire railroad, just the yard and branchline so I could run the local out and back. I thought I'd take some pics along the way and post them here. Here is # 588 pulling the string of cars bound for the Garfield branch from the yard, they will be placed on the departure track and then run around. There is no caboose on this run. The 2nd pic shows the string of cars being pushed onto one of the thru tracks.
   
   

I have been doing some work on my layout lately that involved making some changes that would increase switching possibilities.
The first picture (although not involved with any switching) shows what is left of the U&A Supply Co. after an explosion blew the place apart. The explosion was found to be of a suspicious nature and the court found the owners guilty of insurance fraud.They are now in jail.


The next two pictures are additions I made to the Pallet factory.
First is a brick storage shed that I made to hold finished pallets.
Second picture was inspired by a suggestion made by another member in the operations thread.He suggested adding restrictions to an area involving switching.
What I did was to take an abandoned building that I had on the layout and take it apart.I then made this addition.Lumber loads are put inside and unloaded directly into the plant. Now the diesel cannot go past the entrance so idler flat(s) will bve needed to pull out the flat car and wood chip car.


Lastly is my newest building.It is food distribution facility.It gets dry goods,produce and meat.I am still i the process of adding details.

Enjoy
Bob