This evening we will tag along as Rob Robbins (No picture taken) uses two different throttles on two different trains. WiThrottle with JMRI Train 810 is traveling through the wood on the E-Branch. The trees are from Sweetwater Trees in Casper, Wyoming. Train 810 is seen near a gravel road crossing on the E-Branch. All of the towns on the E-Branch have names that start with the letter E. Train 810 has left Eagleton and is crossing the Sue Line mainline as it enters Maryville. Maryville was named for my mother Mary Louise Kamm, who painted the backdrop for the original Sue Line railroad which is downstairs and is becoming the 3rd District. Next, Train 810 crosses Mary Anne Bridge who was built by a great friend and modeler who lived in Wichita Falls, Texas and played football for Texas A&M when they wore leather helmets, Malcolm Vordenbaum. Train 810 moves off the mainline into North Park (above, left) and is aided by the North Park Switcher (above, right). For those of you who follow closely, it should be noted that A&A TransAmerica has left North Park and that Arizona Chemical has expanded its operations. Several other changes are underway in North Park. Having completed the work at North Park, Train 810 is traveling through the woods again and headed for Dutchman Falls. In Dutchman Falls, named for Malcolm "The Dutchman" Vordenbaum of Wichita Falls, Texas, the motive power of Train 810 is assisted by the Dutchman Falls Switcher, Missouri Southern number 612. EMGE Grain is named for my youngest son's wife Rebecca Emge Kamm. As Train 810 works in Dutchman Falls, the Doran Oil and Gas (DOG) refinery can be seen in the background. The motive power from Train 810 is switching cars in Jeauxville. Jeauxville is named for my youngest son, Joseph. Again those watching closely will note that there are changes afoot in Jeauxville. Industries are leaving and other industries are moving in. Watch for more changes soon. Train 810 has a permissive to move towards NoLaCRA Yard. Train 85 is a northbound freight from Crew Change to Shreveport. Sue Line locomotive 3546 is MU'ed with another unit (Norfork and Southern number 5350). The front head light is on and the Mars light is on. The Ring Throttle by Ring Engineering is an entirely new technology in which the HC-2 (Hand Controller- 2) connectes to the LM-2 (Locomotive Module-2) by a direct radio link. Multiple HC-2's can talk to each other and to the Locomotive Modules. Accessory Modules are available as well. The HC-2 retails for $ 399, but can be found for about $ 299. The HC-2 interfaces to a computer and the Ring Engineering website has photos, light effects and sound effects whic can be downloaded for free. The LM-2S (with sound) sells for about $ 80 and the LM-2 (without sound) sells for about $ 50. For most locomotives, you will also need a 8 to 9 pin adapter as the LM-2 or LM-2s has a 9 pin output. We use the EasyDCC track as a power source only for the Ring System. This allows us to operate the Ring System Locomotives and DCC equipped locomotives at the same time. Train 85 is seen in the woods between Richardson and Jeauxville. Richardson is named for my oldest son Richard, Jr. Between Train 85 is passing through the woods between Jeauxville and Sherwood. Train 85 has not arrived in North Park and the local switcher has picked up (above, left) and added a car to the train (above, right) . The hot air balloon was added to the backdrop when a large amount of black pain was accidently applied. The depot in Eagleton appears to be busy. The name for Eagleton was supplied by a good friend and modeler Lou Adler. He has never told me why the name was chosen. The original name was to be Addlerville. The work crew appears to be busy in the A supervisor is checking on the work crew. A very special thanks to Rob Robbins for the photos from this session. NO SESSION NEXT WEEK AS IT IS THANKSGIVING AND MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY. |
History >