Author Archives: csmeclub1959

10/27/20 Progress on the CSME layout re-build is moving  right along. The planning phase is coming to a close and real construction has begun. This Monday and today the crew ran amuck with L girders as actual  cutting and assembly began.   A small crew met at Gene’s shop and ripped and assembled new L girders to be used for the  criticalContinue reading “L-Girder Thievery!”

10/21/20 Several folks showed up to talk about re-assembly of the layout on Wednesday  evening including: Cody, Grinnell, Lonnie,  George, Larry, Gene, and Jerry. After reviewing the 1:1 drawings we talked about  the railroad track plan both from an operational and open house perspective.  These discussions yielded several modifications and clarifications that will make this club layout fit the needs of members. It wasContinue reading “Re-Assembly”

10/20/20 After so much destruction we have finally started to put stuff together. Randy and Doug are  busy applying a film to windows in the new club room that allows us to see out but makes it  difficult to see in. It will also cut down on heat infiltration during hot afternoons. In addition toContinue reading “L-Girders and Window Film”

10/8/20 During the business meeting of 10/7/20 I advised club members of a meeting today at 10 AM  with fire officials regarding our layout footprint. Gene responded and we met with  Jonathan, Deputy State Fire Marshal and Chuck, Adair Fire Captain. The meeting  was very positive and they seemed happy that we came to themContinue reading “A Safe Layout”

10/5/20 A work session was called  for Monday 10/5/20 and we had a crew of 5 – Gene, Larry, Vic, Randy, and Jerry.  Doug was out on injured reserve status – NOT from model trains but from another hobby he has that deals with very sharp propellers.  We wish him well.  Big layout  chunks surroundContinue reading “In the Spirit of Meaningful Discussion”

9/22/20 We are pleased to report that the final big pieces of the CSME layout were moved over to the  new building today. Some were humdingers including a 17’ X 7’ (Toledo yard and turntable) monster. How did you fit something like that through the doors? With great difficulty, superior  engineering, team effort, and grease!!Continue reading “Final Big Pieces Moved”

9/21/20 Today was a serious moving day.  All of our efforts for the last several weeks came together as we totally wrecked the old layout.  Vast emptiness shrouds the old haunts of CSME.  After a herculean effort on the part of members, huge chunks of the old layout were carefully managed thru doors, loaded onContinue reading “We Got’er”

9/15/20 At the end of work of work today we can report that 9 chunks of the layout have been moved.  The next pieces are the ends of the “blobs” and Albany and Toledo yards.  These are large and heavy and we can use all the help available.  This move is scheduled for our nextContinue reading ”  If we get back far enough and get going fast enough it will fit.”

9/14/20 Today was a very productive day at CSME.  The crew, about 9 strong, continued with sectioning the layout.  Selecting points to cut the layout can be a complex concept.  For example, we have to watch out for stringers, try to make cuts on straight track providing for easier alignment of rails when reassembling layout,Continue reading “The Real Cut-Ups”

9/7/20 Quite a few guys showed up today and everyone had a job.  We had a wiring crew going – actually de-wiring – with some pulling wire, some dropping wire, some winding up wire and some putting it in containers.  Also power supplies, power stations, and loconet were removed from the layout, dismantled and packagedContinue reading “The First Cut is the Deepest”