B50 Magrath Photos - 2015

The year started with a discussion on how to incorporate the modules on hand into a layout that would efficiently use the room space.  We have the Marias pass curve module set on loan from club member Jeff Crump but could not turn the corner with the other curved modules we have because of the width of the room.  So time to build a curve module to fit the space!

Corner module

This module is a double track 90° curve with a 42" radius outside track and 40" radius inside track.  The module dimensions allowed us to avoid a large column and turn the corner so we could loop the layout around one end of the room.

Corner module

The next need was for more industries on the layout.  Stage at Joe's was no longer needed as a staging yard when David Kleme donated Wabash yard to the club.  Time to re-purpose Joe's.

Stage at Joes

The two sections were stripped of the old code 100 track and new end plates and side frames and bracing added to shore up the old modules.

Stage at Joes modified

We came up with two new industry modules for the layout.  As we had the Walthers Asphalt plant kit on hand we looked for a site in the Twin Cities with a plant near the rails.  A site just south of Hastings fit the bill. 

Hastings asphalt

Hastings asphalt


1-23-15
The Commercial Asphalt module begins to take shape

Commercial Asphalt module

Commercial Asphalt module


The second module set incorporating a Stage at Joe's section was the Nokomis mill complex at 35th and Hiawatha in Minneapolis

Nokomis mill

Nokomis mill

Nokomis mill - sanborn map

Minnesota Commercial Railway Nokomis Mill switching plans

Minnesota Commercial Railway nokomis mill switching plans

1-23-15
The mill module begins to take shape

Nokomis mill module

Nokomis mill is a four section module

Nokomis mill module

The two Joe's staging yard sections are now part of a large loop originating at Dakota junction.  The loop also incorporates two curves and a straight double track module we build when the club was in 310 Williamson.

West loop


A third industry that was built to incorporate into the setup was the InterPlastics plant in Minneapolis.  Both InterPlastics and Nokomis mill are switched by the Minnesota Commericial railroad.

Interplastics

Interplastics

Minnesota Commercial Railway switching Interplastics

Interplastics module


2-10-15
Building the mill.  
Kitbashing and adding scratch bit elements the mill starts to take shape!

Nokomis mill module buildings


2-12-15

Nokomis mill module buildings


2-27-15

Nokomis mill module buildings


3-5-15
Track starting to get layed out

Nokomis mill module - Track


3-19-15
AJ Murphy built us a curved turnout for the Nokomis mill module!

Curved turnout


3-21-15
Backing a string of hoppers into Nokomis mill to test out the new turnout

Curved turnout testing


3-26-15
UMTC and MNNR power working the mill

Working the mill

Cork roadbed going down on Commercial Asphalt

Cork roadbed going down on Commercial Asphalt

East end of layout

East end of layout


4-2-15
Interpastics module sections cut out and trying on track for size

Interplastics module

Nokomis mill - putting more of the pieces together

Nokomis mill module buildings

Unloading spot added to Hastings asphalt siding

Commercial Asphalt module

Brian working on details for Dakota Junction

Brian painting details


4-6-15 and 4-8-15
North end of Nokomis mill

Nokomis mill module buildings

Nokomis mill module buildings

Nokomis mill module buildings


4-21-15
Loading platform for InterPlastics

Loading platform for InterPlastics


4-30-15
Pizza and trains

Pizza and trains

Adding some structure to InterPlastics

Interplastics module buildings

Interplastics module buildings


5-1-15
 Building taking shape on InterPlastics

Interplastics module buildings


5-5-15
More progress on InterPlastics building

Interplastics module buildings

Interplastics module buildings


5-6-15
InterPlastics building gets a roof

Interplastics module building gets a roof


5-14-15
InterPlastics loading docks and trailers

InterPlastics loading docks and trailers


5-22-15
Roof details added to InterPlastics

Roof details added to InterPlastics


6-5-15
MNNR switching InterPlastics

MNNR switching InterPlastics


8-28-15
Foam added to 45° curve modules

Foam added to 45° curve modules


10-29-15
Adding some foam to the 22.5° curves

Adding some foam to the 22.5° curves

Grass sprouting on Dakota Junction

Grass sprouting on Dakota Junction


11-05-15
Adding some relief to 45° curves

Adding some relief to 45° curves

Nokomis mill north end. Bins and crossing posed to see how they look

Nokomis mill north end. Bins and crossing posed to see how they look


11-7-15
Modules on the road!  Wabash yard, 221 and the two 45° curves were included in a Minnesota Free-mo group setup at the Great Train Show in Shakopee MN

Modules on the road at the Great Train Show in Shakopee MN


11-20-15
Modules back in Magrath

Modules back in Magrath

One of the modules (221) went out on loan to travel to Souix Falls SD for a Free-mo setup so we needed a new module for the Wabash yard throat.  Here is one option - double track connection with three service tracks.

New Wabash yard throat option - double track connection with three service tracks.


12-3-15
Wabash yard throat.  Here is another option - four track connection with one loco service track.

New Wabash yard throat option - four track connection with one loco service track.

New Wabash yard throat option - four track connection with one loco service track.

Dakota Junction is getting greener!

Dakota Junction is getting greener!

Dakota Junction is getting greener!


12-16-15
Wabash yard throat progress.  Added cork top to match the wabash yard profile - we went with the four track connection with one loco service track.

Wabash yard throat progress.

Wabash yard throat progress.

Field grass addition.  Brian is trying out using fibers cut to approximate lenght and trimming with a small electric trimmer to get the effect he wants

Field grass addition to Dakota Junction

Field grass addition to Dakota Junction


12-18-15
Dakota junction wedge update.  The track was not level between the main module and the wedge so track was removed; thin cork glued on to level out the roadbed and once dry and sanded down to give a level profile between the main module and the wedge a PCB tie plate will be layed across the joined sections and rail soldered into place.  

Dakota junction wedge update

Dakota junction wedge update


Return to:  B50 Magrath Layout Photos