I saw it end to end and it does look very nice, Don. I'm toying and looking at doing it that way but I think I don't have the space to do it. :/ or rather for it to look right and function properly if it were end to end. But I'm going to give it a whirl and see!

Thought it was time for a short update....in other words its raining SD40-2's on my layout. =) all with the Bachmann ez track controller. 2 sound units, 2 non sound units. All DCC. Progress is slowly being made.  LOVE that GE 'WHOOOP!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgg9qnddLrk&feature=share&list=UUHt0AMIYW5JAFV_Ja1wiVPg

Shaleford Rail receives some power today, IC SD40 #6005 has the duty, while IC SD40-2 #6153 waits for the move. Some of the new power will remain in it's old flag colors while others will receive the old ICG Orange and White paint scheme. During the move, IC SD40 #6004 passes by with a slow drag, and Shaleford Rail's AC6000 #2121 waits on a siding for the green light to carry visitors and locals to the Shaleford Railway Museum and Diner on the other side of town.

Here is a sample of the 'Cool' things I came up with in about an hours worth of time. If you want any variations just say, NOTE: this is NOT to scale. Just putting up a pic to show samples. Also, these can be a flag pole hanging, side building poster/painting, and regular signage. yeah, I'm having fun. =) also, don't jump the gun with these, this wont be high resolution, that will be in the file I put up for download, this is just a crummy 96dpi sample montage image.
B

ooo GG1, I will be contacting you soon! Very nice book there! 

Thanks eb, I'm well versed in copyright stuff. But thanks for the reminder. The safe thing is that it's going to be free and that wades through most of the problems. To finish off and put the rest of the problems to rest a disclaimer will be on the download sheet as well.   

Something like this, Mr. Don?

No problem, Don. I'm going to be another sheet that people who want to use decals can. You can pick up decal printer paper at the local hobby lobby or michaels its in the hobby section, and just print it off on your home color inkjet or laser jet printer, or if you want just take it down to your local print shop. I'm also going to be doing small tow and city names for this of you who want to put a decal on your water tower if your layout has one.  Bal

Hi All,
I'm thinking of doing a free download of posters and billboard signage that can be free to use for whoever wants to use them. I'm a graphics major so I thought I would contribute this for all who have helped me along the way in this great hobby. If there is anything you would like to see done please let me know via this thread. I will be doing all scales so everyone can use them.
So there is no misunderstanding these signs and stuff will be usable on your layout to go on buildings and your billboards etc if you do that sort of thing.
Best,
Bal

I like too many roads to model just one so I made up my own line so I could incorporate and have all of my old favorites running on the layout. I set my line in the San Jose mtns so it would have some sense of being there in the first place. It can connect the up line and the bnsf line when the need arises. I love the old ICG out of all of the lines so I'm heavy in those...a lot, and while I was making up this history I've decided to try and collect ICG's SD40/SD40-2's complete roster. So far I've gotten a pretty good jump on the endeavor.  The SD40-2 is my all time favorite engine. My line will also have some old green BN, and the Chessie system engine and rolling stock. Of course the loco roster of those are SD40-2.  Well, there ya go.
B

All diesels on the layout.  but thanks for the info!

Wow, that's a huge layout. Good luck with it! I also want to suggest the Anyrail program, it will save you a ton of headaches in the long run. Trust me I wish I had known about it. Lets see pics as you make progress.

Saw this and had to post a pic, if you want more pics of this car just let me know..it's about 5 blocks from me just sitting there soaking up the sunshine on a daily basis. 

Thanks, Don! Much appreciated!

Anyone have any tips, cautions, kudos about using a 3 way switch on their layout? I've done a few changes to my yard area on my layout to make it a little more functional if it were done in real life and the 3 way switch helps to do that. Matter of factly I'm going to have two of them. Ez track doesn't make one of these, so wish they did, so I'm looking at the peco one. So, go with it or avoid them like the plague. By what I've read the main problem is with the wiring from what I've read. But it seems pretty straight forward to me. If you have any experience with these please share.
Thanks,
Bal

I do have to chime in here, Casey's fireman was from my home town, McComb, MS. I want to back Don's statement about the industry of the railroad. If it weren't for the railroad my home town wouldn't exist. It was founded solely for the railroad, and it boasted the largest car repair facility between Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA. Sadly hardly anything is left of the good ole days. The trains still come through daily as they always did, but the days of seeing 20+ engines jockeying cars around and getting ready to work is a thing of the past. I'm just happy to have the memories from my childhood.