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December 2005 News and Notes
Sorry for the late (and brief) newsletter update. It's been a very busy
few weeks, so this month's edition will be quick. I'll provide updates on the latest design and operations projects underway
next month.
Owing to the backlog, I've temporarily extended the lead time for new projects
to 3-4 months. But if you have something in the queue already, I'm working as fast as I can to deliver your project. Thanks
for bearing with me.
By the way, my postal mailing address has changed slightly because my mailbox provider moved across the shopping center.
Click image for layout details
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Big prototype, little layout
Visitors to the Van Nuys area of southern California may have noticed a
distinctive yeasty odor in the area near where the San Diego Freeway crosses over the railroad tracks. That would be the Budweiser
brewery, a massive rail-served facility on the former Southern Pacific (now UP). And even though one of my clients lives a
few miles away, I'm sure it was the last thing on his mind when he asked me to design a couple of N scale T-TRAK modules for
home and show use. As I have written elsewhere, I think combining a small yard with an industrial switching area is a great idea for a compact layout, and in this case
I think it turned out really well.
These modules are stored on shelves in the garage and can be set up for
operation when the car is removed. The two modules may be connected end-to-end or combined with some existing T-TRAK corner
curves he had "inherited". T-TRAK is not often regarded as a useful foundation for an operating layout, but by using the longer
"quad-length" module form factor, there is space for some interesting track configurations. A lot of operation in about eight
square feet -- read more here.
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Bay Area Meeting in February
If you are in the Bay Area or can plan a trip there, I hope you'll consider
the combined Layout Design SIG / Operations SIG / PCR NMRA meeting on the weekend of February 11 and 12, 2006. Saturday will include a full day of clinics and evening layout tours.
Sunday features op sessions on a number of area layouts, including some sessions oriented toward beginning operators. While
not absolutely required, membership in one of the three sponsoring organizations is strongly suggested. More info here …
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I've made a small update to the web pages on my own Oakland Harbor Belt layout project, including some of the imagineered details on the proto-freelanced Webster Street Lead segment as well as an older plan for the area. Track components have arrived for the rebuilding of the staging shelf, so
I'm trying to make a little progress even in this busy season.
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Best wishes to all for the holiday season. As always, your comments and
ideas are appreciated. Please contact me if I may answer any questions about layout design or operations projects.
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Copyright © 2005 by Byron Henderson
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