The Essex Train Show 2005
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Here are some pictures of the work we’ve done to get the modules ready for the 2008 Essex Train Show.
Pictures by Fred Jr.:
- This is the crossover module at Ridgeway. The mainline ballast was touched up and the ballast of the siding tracks was completely re-done. The front edge has had new ground cover added, but the back of the module has yet to be finished. This module will have a grain elevator and Superior Propane transfer facility.
- This is the east end of the former Burden modules. The old flour mill has been replaced by a potash processing facility.
- This is the center section of the old Burden modules. We are borrowing the power plant from the cement plant on the new layout until we decide on a different building for this location.
- The stamping plant from Ian’s old modules was extensively re-built and painted. A second rail car door was added and an interior crane is being built for the building.
- The furniture plant is being replaced by the stamping plant from Ian’s old modules. Here we see how the tracks were moved to fit into the stamping plant. The ballast on the industrial tracks has been re-done as well as some of the road and parking lot.
Friday, February 22nd, 2008, Setting up at the Essex Train Show.
Pictures by Ron P. (last picture by Fred Jr.).
- Most of the modules are on their legs in this picture. Carl, Fred Sr and Jeff lift the Harron Tunnel module into place.
- All the modules are in place and clamped together. Now come the fun part, leveling them all and putting the 2″ connecting rails between each module.
- Paul Mi. working on the rail connections for the Jackson modules.
- Curt, Ian, Carl and Ron, discussing the finer points of putting this thing back together. Get back to work you lazy bums!
- The Freds getting the Oak Yard car shop back together. Can you guess which is Junior and which is Senior?
- John laughing at the rest of us.
- Ian and Chris getting ready to hook the Digitrax system up.
Saturday, February 23rd and Sunday, February 24th, 2008, The Essex Train Show.
A trip around the layout…
Pictures by Fred Jr.
- This module is club owned and built. Geoff and Chris did the majority of the scenery on it. It also serves as the entry into our stagging yard and could be used to connect to a free-mo standard layout.
- This corner, like all the others, is club owned. The scenery was done mainly by Bob B and Curt.
- Jackson consists of four 4′ modules. Jackson West was built by Curt and Jackson East was built be Paul Mi. Jackson West has lots of industrial switching, a passenger station and part of an interchange yard.
- Jackson East was built by Paul Mi. and has the rest of the interchange yard, some switching and a diesel shop facility.
- The Stamping plant sits at the west end of Burden. These modules were originally built by Bob B and donated to the club. The scenery was redone for the Essex show by club members, including Ian and Fred Jr with buildings donated by Ian and Ted.
- The potash plant is a metal kit assembled by Ted.
- The Ridgeway cross over module is owned by the club. Carl and Fred Jr fixed up the scenery on it.
- Hillside is the other club owned cross over module. It has cross overs opposite to Ridgeway. Fred Sr touched up the scenery on this module.
- The gravel mine has been shut down since the module was first built by Fred Jr. This club owned module may be getting a curved switch in the near future to reopen the mine.
- Oak Yard is another 4 module set. This one owned and built by the Freds. At the west end is a small car shop and auto loading ramp.
- Most of Oak Yard is reserved for intermodal cars. The large container ship serving as a back drop is christened the C.G. Maycock in rememberance of Fred Jr’s Grand Father.
- The UGG elevator is at the western end of Springfield. This module was built by Dave H and is part of a three module set.
- The center module in Springfield is the Co-op, built by Geoff. There is a small fuel depot and team track at the back with a lumber distributor at the eastern end of Springfield.
- Springfield Junction is a club owned filler module. It is used to in case an odd number of modules are on hand to even things out. This module was done by Dave H and usually goes next to the other Springfield modules.
- Vic did the original scenery on the farm corner. The barn and farm house were replaced this year by Curt and Ian. Several other members also helped get this module fixed up for the show.
Saturday, February 23rd and Sunday, February 24th, 2008, The Essex Train Show.
Some other pictures from the weekend…
Pictures by Fred Jr.
- Geoff, Paul Mi., John and Chris man the sales and clinc tables. Thanks to Carl and Mike who also spent many hours over here instead of having fun running trains.
- Curt’s CN train heading east on track two past the old Mine.
- Fred Jr’s CP train going west past the auto ramp at Oak Yard.
- HO Tower with the track gang sheds behind it.
- Geoff’s open autorack loading with vans from the Windsor assembly plant.
- The only picture I got of the Springfield lumber yard this year. Sorry Ted.
- Fred Jr’s CP AC4400 posed on the crossing track at Springfield Junction.
- The fuel depot on the back track in Springfield.
- Mike’s CP train going west past Oak Yard on track three.
- The potash plant Ted built.
- The Canadian Confederation train parked on the Oak Yard Siding. Modelled by Fred Jr.
- Fred Jr’s CP train passing under the road bridge heading east.
It takes us about 4 hours to set things up for a show, and about 1 hour to take it all down, but it takes us weeks to set things back up at the club! Why is that?
Photos by Fred Jr.
- The big empty space where the layout will go. At least we swept the floor.
- Maybe this is why it takes so long to set back up.
- The modules are now all in place, we just have to clamp, level and joint them all.
- The next week, all the modules are leveled and joined together. It takes another week before the Digitrax system is hooked back up, but things are running again. Now to put the buildings back out. And get back to work on the new layout again.
That’s the adventure that is the Essex Train Show. Hope to see you at the show next year!