June 4th- Crews Siding

Post date: Jun 10, 2015 3:33:16 PM

Tonight we will take a look at the smallest town on the Sue Line, Crews Siding.

This town is named for, designed by and built by one of the

original members of the Sue Line Crew- Mose Crews (above).

Years ago, when we were all younger, I saw a notice in a local newspaper about

a local model railroad open house which was benefitting UNICEF.

I went to the open house and met a young, enthusiastic, and determined

model railroader- Mose Crews.

We became friends and have shared numerous happy hours together

as our families grew, as our railroad layouts changed and as we grew older.

Mose Crews has been the major motivator of the growth of the Sue Line.

Mose Crews was there when the Sue Line began in Bossier City.

Mose Crews was there when the Sue Line moved from Bossier City to Blanchard.

Mose Crews was there when a roof was placed on the building which houses the Sue Line in

freezing rain and sleet.

Mose Crews was there when the Sue Line underwent a conversion from

Railcommand to EasyDCC.

In short when ever the Sue Line Crew got together, Mose Crews was there.

Originally, Mose Crews lived in Minden, Louisiana, and

nearby there was a siding which some unique industries.

Mose Crews went out and measured these facilities and made HO scale model of the industries.

The town of Crews Siding was thus born.

Let's take a look at Crews Siding.

Leaving Maryville and heading north, we pass through EB Tower (above).

We head out along Dorcheat Bayou (above).

Dorcheat Bayou varies in width and depth.

Along the way we see an intermediate block signal installation (above).

There is obviously some scenery work still to do.

Here we see a small wooden tressel (above)

where a branch of Dorcheau Bayou

passes under the Sue Line mainline.

Further down the mainline, we see a steel girder bridge (above)

where Dorcheat Bayou again passes under the Sue Line mainline.

As we move up the Sue Line mainline, we

come across a billboard (above). This was a photograph

of a billboard in the Shreveport area which was photographed.

resized and applied to a wooden frame.

Next we see the "infamous" road construction scene (above).

This scene was first done when by youngest son was a mere child.

He is now married to a wonderful woman and has two beautiful children

of his own. The construction is highlighted by flashing construction

markers and probably will never to finished.

Finally we reach Crews Siding.

The first industry we see never existed.

It is Crews Butane (above).

It was added to give some variety to the siding.

Next we see Louisiana Sand Company (above).

This is an exact (almost) scale model of the industry which

existed on this siding when Mose Crews lived in Minden, Louisiana.

Finally, we see Winford Gravel Company (above).

This also is an exact (almost) scale model of an industry which was on this spur.

Looking north from Crews Siding (above),

we see the mainline disappear under Black Bridge

and enter the only tunnel on the Sue Line.

Join us next wee as we take a look at Leming...

SPECIAL THANKS-

At this time I want to thank by longtime friend, Keith Gutierrez

at CVP for his help during our recent electronic

"crisis". I was able to talk with Keith Gutierrez that night

and he immediately knew what had happened and how to fix it.

He is a very special person- his private phone number is---

1- XXX- XXX- XXXX

I also want to once again thank Dick and Karen Bronson at R-R CirKits

for their continued help in getting our signal system back up

and going. Dick Bronson has been very, very patient and helpful.

Finally, I want to personally thank Mose Crews for

his years on help, guidance, assistance and friendship.

It is friends like these who make life worth living.

My heart goes out to each of you and you

are one of the best parts of my life and why I

enjoy model railroading.

TO EACH OF YOU-

THANK YOU