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We rang in the new year on the Bear Creek & Marathon by adding some new switches, some improved trackwork, and some new buildings. The weather really cooperated in this high desert winter, so we had many days of clear, cool train operations.

We also did some trackwork. First, the troublesome turnout onto the Red River siding was replaced with a #6 Aristo SS turnout, and the longest of trains now enters the siding effortlessly:

Last month we replaced the turnout leading to the storage barn with a #6 turnout we bought on e-bay…BAD DECISION. The turnout had problems from the beginning because the exit had been shortened by the previous owner, and the rails were also out of alignment. No amount of adjustment would make it work, so we bought a new one directly from Aristo and installed it. Problems solved!

Finally, we continue to expand the street system in our town. After many failed attempts at a suitable material for roadways, the best seems to be Sacrete mix. Here is how far we got on this trip:

Of course, once dry it matches the color of the other streets and has the look of pavement.

The CD&StL RY took delivery of Bachmann’s new Log Skidder with Crates mounted on 1:20.3 scale 20 foot flat car.

Engineer/Operator’s side of the skidder.

View of side opposite the engineer side.

Closer view of drums, gears, and capstan.

DATA:

The skidder comes mounted on Bachmann’s 1:20.3 twenty foot flat car. The flat car is the painted unlettered version item #95670. The flat car is 11 3/4″ over the end beams. Width is 3 9/16″ measured at the end beams.

This is a very small flat car. In fact, it is shorter and narrower than a HLW 1:24 scale flat car.

Skidder measurements:
Lenght of frame 7 1/2″
Width of frame 2 3/4″
Steam engine and drums 4 7/16″
Width of engine and drums 2 3/32″
Boiler Height 5 13/16″
Boiler Diameter 1.49″
Height, base of skidder to top of stack 6 7/8″

A better choice would have been the skidder not mounted on this extra small flat car. This car is just too small, at least for me, to run with 1:20.3 equipment.

I’ll try to remove the skidder so it can be mounted on a scratch built 1:20.3 twenty-two foot flat car.

Who knows the scale of the skidder? There is no builder plate or name on the skidder. Since skidders came in many sizes this skidder will work with 1:24, 1:22.5, and 1:20.3 scale equipment.

It should be pointed out that none of the skidder’s parts move. There will be no way to make this a working, powered model.

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The CD&StL received its new Forney. The locomotive arrived at the dealer’s on December 21. Just so happens that was the day we departed for Canada to spend time with the family. So the Forney was picked up on the 29th when we returned.

These are two pictures taken late in the day after the Forney had arrived at Delphos tank.

The Forney arrived in good condition with no damage. Disappointed that the usual DVD that comes with Bachmann locomotives is not included with the Forney. The Owner’s Manual is very complete but it sure would have been nice to receive a DVD.

1-4-10 BIG MISTAKE:
This has already been pointed out on the Bachmann site. The cylinders are mounted too high. Center line of the cylinders is at least 1/4″ higher than the center line of the driver axles. What were the designers thinking? The center line of the cylinders should be on the same plain as that of the axles. This major design error should not impact on engine performance but a little attention to detail would have caught this major mistake. Now to bring cylinders in line with axle center line will take some major modification. Most folks won’t bother to make this correction but it sure is a shame to have such a nice locomotive with this major design mistake.

TABULATED DATA:
Length: Coupler to coupler is 20 inches
Footboard to footboard is 18 inches
Width: Measured at cylinders is 4 3/8 inches
Height: Top of spark arrester is 6 5/8 inches
Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz.
Wheels Back to Back:
Pony Truck 1.571 inches
Drivers 1.579 & 1.569 inches
Trailing Truck 1.565 & 1.569

The locomotive was given a short test run using track power. This initial run, while short, gives every indication that this will be a smooth runner.

Wheels and counter weights were tight.

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Sometimes, it’s just plain fun to go watch the big boys in action, so I was up at the crack of dawn to see the Union Pacific highballing westbound through Marathon, just a few blocks from the house. Jump on board and let’s go trainin!!!

Last month, our little fox came around to watch the freights go by…this month the quail lined up in the bleachers to wave to the engineers:

This month, we concentrated on buildings: a new hotel, and foundations for the buildings. We added new lights for new buildings, and next it’s finishing the roads throughout the town:

Our new hotel was an E-bay score, and there’s no doubt we could not have built it as well as this wonderful craftsman. Very nice addition. Travelers can grab a trolley from the station to the hotel, and then use the trolley to get to shopping in town:

And so, it’s time to go run some trains!!!

We found perfect weather during our November operations on the BC&M this month. We added a new siding to the Santa Fe main line, and completed a spur that allows us to move entire trains into the storage shed to be put away for the night, unlike the previous days of picking them up and carrying them inside the den for storage on the floor. I know, why would you EVER DO THAT! Well, we’re just moving into the 21st. century, OK? So ride along on a highballing Union Pacific freight as he makes the run from Marathon to Bear Creek:

The new siding on the Santa Fe main line:

The new storage spur to the storage shed:

And then we had the unexpected foxy lady drop by for a visit:

Our little fox came back for an encore the next evening, and seemed interested in joining the party.

It’s so unusual to get this nice warm, dry weather at this time of the year, and we took advantage of the “Indian Summer” to get some fun evenings under a full moon.