BIG little RAILWAY

BLR NEW BOXCAR

2012-02-02T15:25:00.000-04:00

Was visiting some friends in New Minas NS mid January. I stopped at a Dutch Chees Store and they happened to have some LGB Trains would you believe. I bought the LGB CN BOXCAR. Looking at it the name CN is in French on both sides, I thought that those cars were Enlish on one side and French on the other. I bought it anyway, for I always wanted a Canadian Road on my layout. All of my rolling stock is DRG&W.

BLR NEW LGB 2-6-0 MOGUL

2011-12-23T16:18:00.003-04:00

Went to the Darmouth (NS Canada) train show on Dec 4th. It was an excellent show, not as large as the Truro NS show in November. Met a lot of friends that I haven't seen in awhile. There was a G Scale Layout and one G Scale table. On another table a gentlemen who was selling photos of a Nova Scotia Railway had on his table a LGB 2-6-0 Mogul (Lake George & Boulder) #2119D. He had an excellent price on it and I tested it on the G Scale Layout, she ran beautiful. I bought it right away. It sure looks great running on my home layout. I would like to wish everybody a.

" MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS "

BLR New Trees

2011-11-25T21:35:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned I bought 20 fur trees ranging 10-12 inches. Well I have placed them on my layout and all I can say is that they are beautiful. So beautiful that I ordered an additional 25 fur trees ranging from 12 to 14inches in height. Since then, Scott is now making up to 16 inches high fur trees. So I ordered 10 of them. I cannot wait to get my additional 35 trees. My layout will never be the same. I guess that I am going to have to take all new photos, for these trees make a drastic change to my layout. I guess that I have created a lot of work for myself. Oh well that's life. I love it.

Gary

BLR TRURO TRAIN SHOW

2011-10-23T11:09:00.003-03:00

Visited the Truro Train Show on October 15th. This show has been running on the weekend following Thanksgiving for over 30 years. It was a great show as usual. No G Gauage, but got to see great layouts. Talked with quite a few model railroaders that I haven't seen since the last show. I bought 20 homemade fur trees (10 inches to 12 inches high). Scott did a fantastic job in making these trees and they sure look great on my layout. I bought a G Gauage Aristro-craft Reefer (Reeses-Hershey) That's it for now.

Gary

BLR NEW ARISTROCRAFT 2-8-8-2 MALLET

2011-09-17T20:56:00.000-03:00

Last weekend I ran my new Mallet at a friends outdoor layout and what a sight it was, ran beautiful right out of the box. We ran it for over 2 hours and never had a problem. I cannot wait to put sound in it.

BLR NEW LOCOMOTIVES ARRIVE

2011-09-02T12:21:00.000-03:00

Well I had on back order the LGB Mallet 2-6-6-2 Uintah #50,the Aristocraft Mallet 2-8-8-2 D&RGW and the Aristocraft Pacific 4-6-2 D&RGW. and guess what they all came in the same day. They were all worth waiting for excellant craftmen ship on all three locomotives. I will be going over to one of my friends house this weekend where we will be running the Aristocraft Mallet and Pacific for the are two large to run on my indoor layout. The LGB Mallet will run on my indoor layout and it sure looks good running through the layout. My wife says that I have got all my Birthday presents for the nex three years. I can live with that. Well take care I will let you know how things work on this weekend. I also am planning to put sound in both of the Mallets, cannot wait to have that done.

Gary

BLR CROSS CANADA BY TRAIN

2011-06-26T20:45:00.003-03:00

Well the wife and I just returned from traveling across Canada By Via from Toronto CDA to Jasper CDA and then by The Rockey Mountaineer to Vancouver CDA. All I can say about the trip was that it was excellent. The staff of the VIA were there for you at every turn and the meals were excellent. Everything on the Rockey Mountaineer was First Class and above from the Staff to all the meals served (WOW how do they do it). Really enjoy the scenery throught Northern Ontario and the flat lands of the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Love Jasper area so peaceful and the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia, what can I say but beautiful.We arrived in Vancouver just after the riots after the Stanley Cup Final. Saw some windows boarded up, but the rest of the area was cleaned up by the city and local volunteers. "GREAT JOB GUYS " . It sure was the trip of a life time, met so many fine people from all over the world, especially a couple from New Zealand, Brian and Lynn. Brian's grandson is interested in trains so I told Brian to keep in touch and I will help them out no matter what scale they choose to model. Well by for now.

Gary

LGB Uinath #50 Mallet Is being Deliver

2011-06-01T17:03:00.004-03:00

The LGB Uinath#50 Mallet is being deliverd after about two years of waiting. I am sure happy about this for I have been looking forward to this locomotive for a long time. Thank You Marklin.

Well we start our trip across Canada on the VIA and Rockey Mountaineer next Friday. The wife and I are really looking forwarded to this trip. Should be a great time. Attended a train display at Maritime Hobbies Halifax NS Canada last night put on by Jason from Rapito Trains of their HO F9A's and the complete set of 2a and 1b unit Tuscan and Grey along with 10 passengers cars that make up the set of the Canadian that ran accross Canada from Toronto to Vancouver. There are only 2000 sets being produce. The detail, no other way to descripe it but SUPERB IN EVERY WAY. I am in G Scale and these are in HO, I am thinking of buying a set just to have them as a collectors item. I fell in love with them the moment I saw them

BLR TRAIN TRIP

2011-04-10T12:04:00.001-03:00

Well the wife and I finally did it. We booked a rail trip on VIA from Toronto to Jasper and then we will pick up the Rockey Mountaineer to Vancover in June. We were planning this for our 50th anniversary in 2013, but our children said don't wait, do it now, so we book the trip. We are really looking forward to this trip. Still no news on the LGB Uinath #50 Mallet I order in Feb. Delivery was changed to Mar and now May. It was scheduled to come out in 2009. It looks like the new Aristo-Craft Mallet with all the new updates looks really nice. I cannot run it on my layout due to the curves required, but I can run it on the patio where I lay down 36ft of track and just run it back and forth like I do my SD70mac every summer. It's due out in May also so I am going to wait until then so I can get a good look at it, before making a decision on it

BLR NEW LOCOMOTIVE

2011-01-28T21:26:00.000-04:00

Well I decided that I would clean house, I just bought before xmas 2 USA Trains locomotives and seven Aristo box cars and a lot of track. I was going to expand my layout. But I decided to stay put. I sold all of the fore mentioned and sold it off. I then decided to buy the New LGB locomotive UINTAH #50 due out in May 2011. Order placed. This locomotive looks beautiful and I really am looking forward to seeing it run on my layout. This hobby sure can drive you crazy. I was looking at the USA Trains HUDSON but cost finally won out on that. My layout is small and to pay that kind of money to just basically look at it, is to much, no matter how much I love that locomotive. Ah well maybe someday it will happen.

BLR CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T15:58:00.000-04:00

Well here we are another Xmas season. Just set up my LGB 2-4-0 Xmas Train. I put it on the layout this year, for we didn't put the large tree up this year. We only put up a small tree on one of the end tables in the living room. Spent the morning of Xmas eve at the Childrens Hospital in Halifax, NS Canada runnning trains. This layout has been there for 15 years now and it is well accepted by the community. We get lots of visitors daily. Really surprise today Xmas eve at the number of children that visited the layout. Sorry for not posting for a while, had some health problems and was not to active in my hobby. Have another MRI scheduled for the New Year, to see what if anything can be done to solve my latest problems with my back. All ready had two operations in the last year. Well so much for my problems. I would like to wish everybody a MERRY CHRISTMAS OR HAPPY HOLIDAYS which ever
applies to you. Take Care.

Sad Day

2010-10-14T13:06:00.002-03:00

One of my railway buddies passed away last Friday of a massive heart attack. He wasn't sick or had any warning. We have been meeting the third Friday of every month for lunch with our wives. That was just two weeks ago and we were looking forward to getting together at the Truro Railway Show this weekend. The group are members of the graduating class from high school and any members in the area that were available met for lunch on the third Friday, which we have been doing since graduating in 1960. He also was a member of the MFMR which I belonged and we keep in touch through model railroading. David you will be a great loss to the community and your friends from High School and fellow Model Railroaders. Sure will miss you at the Truro Show this weekend.

Gary

BLR AFTER THE HURRICANE

2010-09-06T11:35:00.000-03:00

Well everthing went fine at my apartment, Halifax itself received major damage over 100,000 home without power and lots of damage to trees, some homes. The hurricaine lasted about six hours. We were on the back side of the building and didn't get the direct force of the winds. It ended up that I didn't have to take up my track from the padio after all. It was amazing for just after the storm went through it was calm and warm just like any other summer day hard to believe a hurricane had just gone by two hours before. Mother Nature is sure something else.

Gary

BLR HURRICANE COMING

2010-09-02T19:34:00.003-03:00

Well here it is Thursday Sept 2nd and we are expecting Hurricane EARL early Saturday morning. Tomorrow I will have to take up the track on the patio, so that the high winds don't blow it off and send it flying down to the street 5 stories below. Can you imagion somebody walking along and seeing a 5 foot long section of track flying by, let alone hit them. Better to be safe then sorry. Not much happening, got to run my F7's and my SD70MAC for a few weeks this summer, we have been very busy and haven't had to much time for running trains. Well lets hope that we survive this Hurricane with very little damage. Temperatures all week have been in the high 30 degree celsius range with the humidex in the 40's.

Take Care Gary

SD70MAC Visits the Wynn Castle RailRoad

2010-07-17T18:04:00.003-03:00

On July 16th my BNSF SD70MAC found its way to Jason Brown's Wynn Castle Railroad about 20 minutes drive from my house. This garden railroad is a jewel,not over powering and not understated,just right. From the time that my diesel was placed on the railroad it looked in place and made friends with his K27 that was running on the Layout when I arrived. Met Jasons father Dennis who was visiting from Chatham Ontario. Dennis and Jason had done quite a bit of work on the garden railroad this week and their efforts have sure paid off. I was very impressed with the layout. The only problem was that the time spent with Jason and Dennis went to quickly, before I new it I had to leave, for I promised my wife that I would cook supper. An Excellant price to pay for having so much fun running trains in an outdoor garden. Jason THANK YOU for iviting me to your layout. Hope to visit again soon

BLR UPDATE

2010-07-02T16:50:00.002-03:00

Well not much has happen with the Railway since the last time I reported in. The SD70MAC has been set up on the patio for its first run of 2010. Haven't run it very much due to the weather not being to good. It is either raining or when it is sunny the wind is cold mainly due because it is from the north. Crazy year for weather this year so far. My back is coming along fine, saw the Doctor on June 25th and things look good. Will see him again in Nov. Bought some LGB track from a friend that no longer runs G Scale. Been looking at the USA Trains J1 Hudson, only one word can describe it "BEAUTIFUL", now all I have to do is try and save up the money to get it.

Take Care

Gary

MORE EGGLINERS COME TO THE BLR

2010-04-30T17:06:00.007-03:00

Yesterday I picked up my other two Aristro-Craft Eggliners that I had ordered last month. Yes the Bumble Bee and the Lady Bug fit in nicely with the Monarch Butterfly Egglineer that arrived two weeks ago. I also picked up the Aristro-Craft Watch Tower and it is now on the BLR, a welcome addition. So the Egglineers have offically invaded the BLR. These Egglineers allow me to have a relaxed moment once and awhile and my grand daughter will certainly enjoy them. Because I had to place the Watch Tower in and area that I hadn't originally planned, it has change the look of the layout. I also move one of the rail huts to a different location and one of the boulders with a man video taping the action on the BLR to another location and I got rid of another boulder that was in the middle of the layout just before the yard area behind the station. Well this all for now see you later

Gary

BLR ARISTO EGGLINERS

2010-04-04T10:36:00.003-03:00

The Monarch Butterfly Eggliner has arrive and did it first run on the BLR. It was as good as I expected. My grand daughter sure is going to love the Eggliner. The Bumble Bee Eggliner and the Aristo-craft Watch tower should be here sometime next week. I was unable to get the Ladybug Eggliner. Maybe at a later date. I plan to be in Toronto Region near the end of May and I hope to visit AC Trains in Burlington and also attend the Burlington Model Railway Club Show on the 29 of May. Not to many G Gauge shows in the Maritimes. The Moncton Model Railway Group has an excellent G Gauge Module, they don't show it very much. Probably mainly due to space requirements at the shows

Take Care

Gary

BLR NEW ADDITIONS

2010-03-09T15:09:00.002-04:00

Well the Olympics are over and Canada did quite well. The Canadian Brier has just started this week in Halifax,NS. I just dropped into my local hobby shop and ordered 3 Aristo-Craft Egg Liners (Lady Bug, Bumble Bee and the Butterfly) They look really cute and should entertain my grand daughter when she comes to visit. The wife likes the Lady Bug. Cannot wait to get them in a couple of weeks and get them running around my layout. Not much else happening these days so I will say good bye for now and will let you know when the Egg Liners arrive.

Take Care

Gary

BLR Things Coming Along Slowly

2010-02-16T13:46:00.004-04:00

Its been almost two months since my last entry. I had some problems since my last operation. So I havn't done to much on my railway. Still having a lot of pain in my right leg. Will be seeing the Doc. 1st part of April to see how successfull this operation was. Now into watching the Olympics, Canada is doing okey. Sure nice to see them get there first gold metal on home soil. Really sad that the Luge racer got killed, sure put a damper on the games. Overall the games look to be very successfull.

Take Care for now

Gary

BLR BACK FROM HOSPITAL

2009-12-23T12:52:00.005-04:00

Well here it is December 23rd two days before Xmas and I got home from Hospital last Friday, I spent about 10 days there having a back operation second this year. There were some problems, nothing really serious. Some nerves were damage, had a lot pain,everything is coming together and I am getting around a lot better since I have been home. Hope that this takes care of my problems and I can get back to running trains on my layout on a regular bases. Before I went into hospital I was able to get the tree up and decorated and I even was able to get my LGB Xmas Train set up under the tree, it sure looks great as it runs through the presents. When the Xmas decorations come down is another thing. For I am not allow to lift any heavy objects. So maybe we will be ready for next Xmas or the decorations will not get taken down until early spring or summer time. They are beautiful so I don't mind looking at them, sure adds a lot of atmosphere to the living room and the rest of the house. Take care everybody and have a great Holiday.

Gary

BLR MERRY XMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-05T11:41:00.004-04:00

Well here it is Dec 5Th and I just got word that they are going to operate on my back on Dec 9Th, which is good news for I will probably be home for Xmas. I just finished putting up the tree the other day just in case I got the call. The LGB 2-4-0 Xmas train has also been set up under the tree, so it will be ready for me to run when I arrive home. It sure is sad news that Marklin have done away with the LGB Magazine " LGB DEPESCHE ". This was our main source of information from LGB other than the catalogues. Sure will be missed. They are combining G Scale with their regular magazine, so we well will only get a few pages. NOT INTERESTED.

I would like to take this time to wish everybody a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR or HAPPY HOLIDAYS which ever may apply. Talk to you in the new year.

Gary

BLR Running Equipment

2009-11-08T10:38:00.004-04:00

I have been having a lot of fun running all the new Locomotives and Rolling stock that I acquire last month. Every thing runs great and with no problems. Well I had another MRI Oct 22 and got the results on Friday. I have to have another back operation for the area above where I had my last operation in May has gotten a lot worse since then and needs to be look after right away. They have me on a waiting list. My be I will get lucky and they will be able to due it before the end of the year. This last year has been he.. and I don't want to go on with this problem over and extend period of time. In one word my back is a DISASTER. It looks like there could be more things happening after this operation. Oh well I just have to hold onto the positive attitude that I have and not let it go. Bye for now

TRURO NS CDA TRAIN SHOW

2009-10-18T11:38:00.005-03:00

Well the annual Truro Model Railroad Show was held on Saturday October 17. Two of my friends and myself drove down from Halifax NS. The show as usual was a great show, lots of sellers and model train layouts, mostly HO and N and one HOn30 layout which was excellent. My two friends bought some N scale things, but I didn't spend anything for there was no G Scale that I could find. All in all it was a great day. Well on Thursday I go for another MRI on my lower spine, to see if they can finally see what is happening to my back. They first told me I would be on a waiting list for 3-4 month for the MRI, but the day after I saw the specialist, they call me and told me to be there for the 22nd of October. Lot of folks are complaining about the medical system here, but for some reason, anytime that I have had to have anything done especially test, I have gotten them rather fast. I sure have nothing to complain about. Well bye for now, will keep you posted.

Gary

More Additions to the BLR

2009-10-07T14:53:00.003-03:00

Well I went and did it I called my friend and he gave me an excellent price on 5 freight cars and a caboose(Van), I could not refuse. So now I have a CP Grey Steel Reefer, CP Chemical Single Dome Tank Car Tuscan & Grey, CP Yellow Steel Box Car, CP Red Gondola Car with ends that drop down, Ontario Northern Blue Steel Box Car and a CP Red & Yellow Steel Caboose (Van) with lights and lanterns. All the cars have Aristo Knuckle Couplers and Aristro Metal Wheels. These additions have certainly made my Small BLR layout much bigger in equipment. They don't look to bad on the layout either. Still have problems with my legs, I was to see the Doctor today and I am not progressing as well as I expected that I would and he wasn't please. So they are scheduling another MRI for the lower spine, below where they just operated in May. He thinks that S1 & S2 area my be the cause. Stay tuned for another saga of Gary and The BIG little RAILWAY.

NewAdditions to the BLR

2009-10-03T15:03:00.002-03:00

Well I got a big surprise the other day,my best friend decided to get out of G scale and was selling his equipment. I bought from him an LGB CP F7A & F7B units along with a USA Trains Alco S4 CP diesel switcher. I was really happy to get the F7's for I had a set when they first came out and I sold them when we move to this apartment. A move I have always regretted(selling the locomotives) the sound of these diesels is out of this world. He also has four box cars for sale and I am having a hard time not buying them as well. I know I shouldn't but I am going to give him a call and see what he is asking for them, maybe the Big little Railway will get even bigger,equipment that is. I will let you know what happens in my next post.

HAPPY RAILROADING

BLR NW2 CN SWITCHER

2009-09-10T14:14:00.003-03:00

Well I have been running my new US TRAINS NW2 CN Switcher for about two weeks now and I am very please with it. The locomotive runs beautiful, looks great. It looks like I will be taking up the track on the patio that I run my SD70MAC on for the weather is great, but it is getting a little cool sitting out with the winds. I probably will not be making my October trip to my friends layout in New Brunswick Canada this year, for my legs are still giving me a lot of problems. It has been 4 months since the operation I had on my back to free up nerve blockage, progress has been slow and driving 5 hrs is not a good thing for my legs, also standing or sitting for long periods tends to bother them also. I was told that it could be up to a year to improve my walking. Well I guess that I will stop writing and get back to running trains on my indoor layout. Bye for now

Gary

BLR Hurricane Coming

2009-08-21T16:33:00.003-03:00

Well we have some bad weather coming this Sunday a Hurricane. The BLR is safe for it is an indoor layout. But my SD70 MAC which I run on my patio has to be moved before the storm or I may have a flying SD70MAC, winds are expected to be 120 kilometers + and 100mm 0f rain in just over a 12 hour period is expected. I just ordered an NW2 CN Switcher along with a wooden caboose from Art Knapps in British Columbia Canada. He had a special order of 100 of these switchers made in CN colors, they look beautiful , should have it within a week. Cannot wait to run it on the BLR. We have had a rotten summer so far, fog,mist,drizzle every second day, but from the first of August it has changed to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity of 70-90, cannot complain or we will probably go right into winter, haven forbid. The SD70MAC has sure got a lot of running these last few weeks. I hope after the hurricane that the weather continues to be good. Well I have gone on long enough, bye for now.

Gary

SD70MAC

2009-07-11T15:29:00.002-03:00

Well here it is July 11 2009 and I finally got my track put up on the patio, thanks to my friend Joz. I heard my SD70MAC Sound system for the first time live (only on videos before this). It sure sounds great better than I ever expected. My back is coming along fine and I now am getting around with just a cane when I am outside. I also started back running trains every Tuesday and Friday at the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax NS Canada. I have been doing this for over 14 years now. We have an O Gauge Layout, with a HO Layout under two sides of the O layout and also an N Scale layout under one of the other sides. We also have a small Z scale layout located on the O layout and it represents a ride on train at a local park. The overall size of the layout is 15'x15'x15'x15'. We have approximately 18 Buttons located on the outside of the O Gauge layout that the children can push and activate different scenes on the layout. I sure am glad to get back to the IWK Railway for I really missed those smiling faces of the children. Well I guess I should stop rambling on for now

Take Care
Gary

Back Operation

2009-05-15T13:42:00.003-03:00

Well I had my back operation on May 4Th 2009. It was a Laminectomy and Fusion. Everything went well and I am on the road to recovery. Having a lot of pain, but that's to be expected. I will be having my stitches out shortly and then it just straight recovery. I will know how things are going when I make my visit to the Dr's on JULY 31st 2009. He will advise me what the future will hold. I finally got to hear the sound system of my SD70MAC instead of on videos "FANTASTIC " better than I expected, now all I have to do is get better so I can lift the SD70C for it weighs 15lbs and I am not allow to lift anything over 5 lbs. My friends are going to lay the track on my patio for me and then I will be able to see her running with the sound.

Take Care
Gary

Moncton Show

2009-04-12T11:30:00.007-03:00

Well two friends and I went to the Moncton Train Show (Canada) on Saturday. The show was great, lots of displays and sellers, met a lot of friends that I haven't seen for months and some new ones. Not much in the way of G scale, but that was okay , had fun anyway enjoying all the other scales. Moncton has a beautiful G Scale Modular Layout, but because of space limitations, they very seldom show it. That is a BIG SHAME, for the G Scale modellers have done a marvelous job building it. Talking about G scale, I picked up my USA TRAINS SD70MAC from my friend in Fredericton, who has put a QSI Sound System and Decoder in it for me, cannot wait to here the sound. Well its Easter Sunday, I better get back to looking for the eggs. "HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY "

Gary

Not doing much these days

2009-02-16T12:26:00.004-04:00

Have not done much since my last post. I have a back problem that is causing my legs not to function properly. Some days I can get around with a cane , other days I have to use a walker, the odd day I don't have to use anything,but those are very few. I am waiting to have an operation on my back, which they hope to relieve the pressure on a group of nerves that are being squashed together by the lower area of my back bone that has collapsed and are now fused together, causing the problem. I find it difficult to stand for any length of time and I don't have a chair at present that is height enough that I can work on my layout while sitting down. Hope to get one soon and I can get back to running the trains.

USA TRAINS CONTAINER CAR (CN)

2009-01-14T11:54:00.003-04:00

I forgot to mention that I was at a Train Show in November at Dartmouth NS Canada, not much G Scale, but I was able to pick up a USA Trains CN Container car with CN containers. This is a beautiful car, excellent detail. I cannot run it on my indoor layout, but I will be running it behind my USA Trains BNSF SD70MAC, which I set up on my patio during the summer, cannot wait to see this car behind my locomotive.

Take care for now Gary

BLR Not Much Happening

2008-12-27T14:22:00.004-04:00

Since I got home from visiting my Daughters in Toronto Canada, not much has happen with the BLR. I got sick and ended up in the hospital and got home the day before Christmas. Still unable to stand for any amount of time. Seeing the specialist on Dec 30th, hopefully they can figure out what is going on.Been watching a lot of trains running on YOUTUBE, not the same as running your own.Well lets hope that 2009 will be a better year health wise and I can get back to running trains on my layout

Take Care

Gary

Returned from Trip

2008-11-23T12:02:00.003-04:00

Well I am back from my trip to see my grand daughter and I had a wonderful time. My friend in Fredricton has installed the decorder and sound system in my SD70 Mac and does it ever sound great. The weekend after I got back I attended a train show in Dartmouth NS. Not much G scale, but I was able to pick up a USA Trains container car with two containers. This car will run behind my SD70Mac when I set it up again in the spring on my patio.We just had two snow storms within 3 day, looks nice out there,but that enough for now. Have decorations up on the patio. Glad I did this about a week before the snows came. Sure save a lot of misery. Well take care for now .

SD70MAC-BNSF Running on layout

2008-10-13T15:45:00.003-03:00

Well I just got back from spending three day with a friend in NB Canada. He has a large G scale indoor layout with 10ft radius curves, so I was finally able to run my USA Trains SD70MAC. Man did it ever look great teamed up with a Geep 38 and Geep 30 pulling a large amount of freight cars. I took some pictures with my diesel teamed up with his two dash 9's also. I left the SD70MAC with him to install a decoder and also sound. I cannot wait to get it back to hear the sound it will produce. Well I am off to Ontario Canada to visit my granddaughter for two weeks and I am taking the train, my last trip by train was in 2000. Bye for now
.

BLR Taking up track on Patio

2008-09-06T12:02:00.002-03:00

Well we have tropical storm Hanna approaching this evening, so I went out and removed the track that I have laid down on the patio to run my SD70MAC. I was afraid that the wind would lift the track and send it flying into outer space and hitting someone down below. I will not be putting the track back after the storm because this summer has been wet and rainy. Now we are into September and the temperatures will be dropping and it will not be very pleasant sitting out on the patio. Lets hope that we have better weather next summer. I still have my indoor layout to have fun with. So take care for now.

Running of SD 70MAC

2008-08-29T15:56:00.005-03:00

I got to run my SD70MAC yesterday at my friends cottage. He is about two hours away from where I live. When I let home it was raining cats & dogs. I though for sure that we would be spending the whole time in his cottage just talking about trains. When I got about 40 kilometers out of Halifax the rain began to stop and by the time that I got to Truro NS it was clear and by the time I got to his cottage at Parrsbor NS an hour later it was sunny. It stayed sunny all day while back in Halifax where I left they had rain most of the day until late afternoon. We got the SD70MAC up and running but it would not take the first curve for he has R1 curves so I asked him if he had any R2 curves and he got some and we made some changes to the curve with the new sections. They were still tight but the locomotive took them. These changes to his track allow us to run this big diesel. We could not attach any cars to it for when it took the curves the body swung out so far that it caused the attached cars to be pulled right of the tracks. The diesel was able with a bit of effort to get through the curves and we were able to run her the rest of the day. It sure was nice to see it run for I have not been able to run it on my home layout because I have all R1 curves at home. It sure made for a great day even though we only watched the diesel run by itself all day. Who cares it was the fun and enjoyment that we got watching it run. Take Care.

BLR SLIDE SHOW

2008-08-13T12:46:00.003-03:00

BIG little RAILWAY Slow going

2008-08-13T12:14:00.005-03:00

Well things have been slow on the BLR over the summer, where this is a Indoor layout and with the beautiful weather we are having I am spending a lot of time outdoors. I do run my SD70MAC on the straight track that I have set up on my patio, when I am sitting back enjoying the sunshine. However probably in a week or so I will get the chance to run my MAC on one of my friends layout outdoors. He is at his cottage and has track set up there that can probably handle the large curves that are need to make this sucker turn. I am really looking forward to see the MAC run on a full layout. Man I cannot wait. This locomotive is so beautiful just sitting there, however running is going to be a total new experience. Lets get rolling

Movie Picture Videos

2008-08-02T11:58:00.004-03:00

I just recently made two Picture Videos of my layout. One video has 58 pictures of scenes on my train layout with Willie Nelson singing On The Road Again,no matter if you pay it on the computer,small TV or large screen the pictures fill the whole screen and fade in and out to the music. It sure beats handing 58 pictures to someone and asking them to take a look at then and as you know by half way through they are just flipping them over. The Picture video keeps them interested. I have also made my second Picture Video (60 Pictures) with KC and The Sunshine Band singing That's The Way I Like It, it also turned out great. This has opened up a whole new way of presenting you Model Train Layout. I Love it.

BLR - Accessories

2008-06-27T16:15:00.008-03:00

Well since it looks like LGB will not be selling anything new in the USA or Canada for possiably another four years or more. Also LGB parts are running out (if not already) I went to my local Hobby shop today and bought LGB bulbs for my locomotives, gear lubricant, wire connectors from transformer to track, insulator joiners and a track cleaning block. Got a great deal on these LGB products. I am now running my USA Trains SD 70Mac with the Sclair centre flow hopper and a Santa Fe Tank car on the 32 ft of straight track that I have set up on my patio. Train cannot run on my indoor (apartment) layout because I only have 2 ft radius curves and the MAC takes at least a 5ft radius curves. But at least I get to run it back and forth. Ran it the other night in the dark WOW the LED lights were fantastic. Take care for now

BLR new Equipment

2008-06-20T10:08:00.003-03:00

Well since New LGB products are no longer being sold in North America, I decided to pick up a few things before everything was gone. I picked up the Sclair centre flow hopper, Santa Fe Tank car. I cannot run these on my indoor layout,but I have a USA Trains SD70Mac BNSF (WOW). I run them on my 50 ft patio back and forth sure looks beautiful. I also picked up a WP&YR Combine car. I am thinking about making it into a Railbus if I can find the right front for it. That will be a project for the fall and winter. I sure hope that Marklin don't wait to long to get back into the North American market or they will lose most of the loyal LGB fans to other manufactures. I guess its a decision that they will have to live with. With that note take care

LGB Forney & USA Trains Speeder

2008-05-25T10:30:00.004-03:00

MFMR Convention - Amherst NS Canada

2008-05-23T15:44:00.002-03:00

Just got time to say that myself and two friends went to the Train show in Amherst NS, Canada on the 17 th of May. I wasn't expecting to much due to this show being held in a motel. But I must say that it turned out to be a great show, lots of dealers and train layouts were present. Mostly N.HO and O scale. I am in G scale nothing there for me. But I had a great time talking to all my train buddies that I haven't seen for a least a year. All in all a great show and the organizers get thumbs up from me. THANK GUYS AND GALS.

BIG little RAILWAY VIDEO 1

2008-04-28T12:22:00.003-03:00

BLR SPEEDER

2008-04-27T13:30:00.005-03:00

Ran my USA Trains speeder on my layout to day, it looks great. It sits just to the left of the Workman's hut on its own track when not in use. USA Trains sure did a great job on this one, I really like it.

New Speeder

2008-03-20T09:46:00.003-03:00

Well just arrive back from a trip from Toronto and I bought a new USA Trains Speeder for my layout. It sure looks great. On the way back in Fredericton NB I picked up three locomotives that were having DMS (LGB) decoders being put into them by a fellow G Scale friend. Cannot wait to get things running again. Trains not running for a month. How could I. Well I better get unpacking so that I can get those trains running.

Forneys & Diesel Switcher get MTS

2008-02-17T09:55:00.002-04:00

Well today my layout has all of its LGB locomotives converted to MTS, I had the decorders put into the locomotives by a very close friend, and I thank him very much for doing this. The decorder that was put into the Diesel switcher was quite easy. But putting the decorders into the Forneys was a major job. He sent me pictures and they looked like jig saw puzzels. I will have them shortly and am looking forward to running them. Down the road I plan on putting a decorder with sound in my USA Trains SD70MAC. I cannot wait to hear it run. Well its -11 degrees here in Halifax, NS and clear, with a forecast of snow for this evening. Not to worry I can still run my train no matter what the weather ( Indoor Layout )

Ground Hog Day

2008-02-04T16:23:00.000-04:00

Well here it was overcast and cloudy and the ground hog didn't see his shadow. So I guess that we are in for another six weeks of winter. This winter has been the worst in ten years here in Nova Scotia, about every second day we have had snow. But because I have an indoor G scale layout , it is no problem, I am able to run my trains daily no matter what the weather is and that is a great advantage over having a G Scale layout out doors. I guess I will go and run some trains, talk with you later.

Friday visit to the BLR

2008-01-28T00:03:00.000-04:00

Matt and I were down by the rail yard this morning , while we were standing by the yard crew station house. You guessed it D&RGW locomotive # 251 a Forney arrived at the station with the morning passenger service to Kensville. We watched the passengers get off the train and a new group of passengers get on. The train was only there for about 5 minutes and it was off to it destination. We walk up to the Big little Railway locomotive # 257 that was sitting on a siding getting up steam, getting ready to go and pick up three empty log cars and six full ones to be taken to Billsville. The engineer started the engine moving,we stood there watching the train being made up. Shortly thereafter the engine gradually pulled away with its load. As the engine passed us we waved to the engineer,then we made our way across the tracks to the station. We went to the snack bar and settled down for coffee and donuts and waited to see what else would be happening around the station that morning.

Farm Concert

2008-01-16T10:41:00.000-04:00

I was walking down by the rail yard this morning and it was a bright and sunny day. In the distance you could here music playing , so I wonder off in the direction of the music to see what was going on. As I approached the little farm house by the tracks you could see a group of people sitting on benches and in front of them playing was a three piece band. The people sitting were shouting and singing along with them. Everybody seamed to be having a great time. Behind the band sat two older gentlemen playing checkers while their dog slept at there feet. A little girl was just coming down the steps of the house, while her mother was working in the garden. Along side of the house were an old 57 Chev car and a old pickup truck and in front of the pick up truck was a vintage fire truck.

Over in the far corner of the yard were two bulls watching the goings on, in the distance you could here the 3:15 passenger train approaching, I ran down to the fence at the side of the railroad tracks and sat on a large boulder and waited for the train to approach, It didn't disappoint me,for it was a big steam locomotive pulling a baggage car, passenger car and a combine car, as the train passed bye, I waved at the passengers on the train and some waved back to me. Well the train has gone off into the distance and I could here the engine blow for the crossing at Melville. Looking at my watch and realized that it was getting late and I'd better get home for supper, jumping up and beginning to hum " I've been working on the railroad ".I began skipping along the path by the tracks and headed home. Take care see you later.

BIG little RAILWAY - LAYOUT

2008-01-09T13:17:00.000-04:00

Layout Change

2008-01-09T12:26:00.000-04:00

I have removed the wye from the layout today. The main reason was that I was not using it very much, so by removing it, it has allowed me to have two more siding for rolling stock. One of the sidings can hold up to five cars and the other will hold two. Oh Boy where is the nearest Hobby Shop. It also allows me to display my BNSF SD70MAC a lot better, because I can now display it on the front siding so you can see it as you come into the train room. Where it was before was on a siding behind the station and in order to see it you had to remove all the passenger cars and freight car from there sidings. A real good change for the better. A new layout diagram while be published shortly.

DOWN BY THE TRACKS

2008-01-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

Hi:
My name is Gary and I am taking a walk down by the tracks on the BIG little Railway. Here it is Sunday morning and it is cloudy . Things are being to happen, people are waiting to board the 11:00am local passenger train due in shortly. I can see a young mother with two children, a workman carrying his tool box and several other workmen going about their duties prior to the train arriving . I can now here the train blowing for the station, the children are getting excited as the train approaches. The train has arrived and everybody boards its. The engineer gives two blasts of the whistle and the train begins to put away slowly and disappears in the distance taking passengers to far away destinations. Maybe I will come down to the station tomorrow and I will get to see more things going on as it will be a normal workday.

Equipment on the BLR

2008-01-06T01:39:00.000-04:00

The BIG little Railway consists of 6 locomotives (1) D&RGW 2-6-0 Mogul, (2) D&RGW Forney's, 1 D&RGW Diesel Switcher. Rolling stock consists of a D&RGW Combine car, Baggage car and passenger car. Freight cars consists of a Box, Refrigerator, Gondola, 6 loaded Log Cars, three empty Log cars and small caboose. All of the above are LGB Products. I also have added the Beckmann (Spectrum) Rail Truck and a USA Trains SD70MAC BNSF 9838 (for show only-obviously to large to run)

Ground Cover & Scenery

2008-01-05T18:37:00.000-04:00

The ground cover of the layout is loose kitty litter (unscented) with Woodland Scenic materials used to complement the ground scenery. Having the scenery this way, allows me to just sweep everything up and put it into bags, if I have to move the layout. Tree are artificial. Fir trees bought from craft stores, real boulders were used where possible. Nothing on the layout is glued or nailed down except for the track.. By using trees and rocks I was able to block some of the view plains and give the illusion that the trains was not just running around circles.

Layout

2008-01-05T18:21:00.000-04:00

With several design changes and countless hours of tearing my hair out, I was able to come up with a suitable and acceptable layout. The layout is basically an oval with eight small spurs. One at the first curve leading to the coaling station and water tower, another to the locomotive shed that houses two locomotives. One off the main line leading to two holding tracks for passenger cars and continuing on to two other sidings to handle extra rolling stock. Three new spurs (Second Yard ) have been added just in front of the sation to handle rolling stock Three switches were added to creat a wye on the right side of the layout to allow locomotives to turn around.

Name

2008-01-05T14:10:00.001-04:00

The name of the Railway comes from the size of the Trains (122.5 G Scale)being used and the size of the room ( 11ft x 17ft ) in which they are in.