**********From the AP Newswire********** The Ty Bry Railroad Development Co. is pleased to announce the new name of their currently under construction shortline. The new name for the railroad will be the Evergreen and Sooner Railroad. While the Board of Directors for Ty Bry would never admit this publicly, it is rumored that the name comes from the town of Evergreen, Colorado where the company wished it was located and the Oklahoma Sooners (National Champs Baby!!!) whom the Company has supported since before conception. Publicly the Board has said they draw their name from the fact that the company will be Evergreen or everlasting and green as in profitable and will deliver 'Sooner' than its competitors. The Board has yet to finalize on the line's color scheme, but it is sure to involve the crimson color of the OU Sooners and a shade of forest green. The Ty Bry Railroad Development Co. also anounced that the Railroad Logo will be the letters "ES" and look much like the Canadian National "CN" Noodle. Other details have yet to be worked out. Stay Tuned for further details. **********End 1-8-01********** Other details about the Evergreen and Sooner Ry. <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI>HO in a modified 4x8 layout. I found the track plan in the Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby book. It was shown in an article by Andy Sperandeo about Operations. I'll get it scanned and show it one of these days. I liked it because it wasn't a simple loop with a couple of sidings on a typical 4x8. <LI>There will be a Trackage rights agreement put together with Canadian National to provide enhanced interchange capabilities for the customers. <LI>The Setting is generally modeled around the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area (because that's where I live and I like what rail activity and industries I see here). We will have a heavy concentration on grain hauling, grain and corn syrup processing, a little coal activity, some through traffic, and some other various shortline stuff. <LI>The Ty Bry Railroad Development Co. are generally cheap bast***s. However on occasion, they have been known to give in to their impulses. Therefore, don't be surprised to see a SW7 or a F7a doing some mainline work next to a SD70 or something like that. The management does have a liking for some of those big road engines. And in their preparations to turn their currently planned shortline into a full national rail system, they will make a variety of strategic purchases of large equipment. <LI>Because I also like a little steam action, a wealthy local with a love for railroads has purchased and restored a USRA Light Mikdao 2-8-2. The Evergreen and Sooner will operate the passenger line for him and provide daily passenger service from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City and then offer special weekend outings to tour the Mississippi Valley. <LI>Because one partner of Ty Bry Railroad Development Co. is still only 2 years old, the Evergreen and Sooner will acquire the Sodor Island Train Line and bring Thomas the Tank engine and friends to town. <LI>Everything else is up for grabs, because I want it that way. <LI>Construction pictures will be coming soon. [/list] Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album [This message has been edited by BryGy (edited 08 January 2001).]
Ok I finally got the track plan scanned. The plan comes from the book Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby where Andy Sperandeo writes an article entitled "Give Operations a Try." Like I mentioned above, I wanted more than a simple loop for my first 4x8 layout. This seems to provide that. Besides I also wanted to challenge myself with the construction of the benchwork. I will make a couple of initial modifications at the outset and see where things go from here. There ends up being a Wye section around the wated tower. I have decided for the immediate future not to mess with setting up any auto-reversing sections for it. Since it is basically a double loop, I will just use a simple powerpack that I picked up on sale, until I get ready to set it up with DCC (probably Digitrax). Other than that, I have the benchwork completed. I now have to map out where exactly the track and roadbed will go and get it laid. The layout calls for 18" minimum radius curves and #4 turnouts. I know they are really too tight to look prototypical, but for the first one I wanted more action for my space. I will also probably try to put in different industries than what the picture calls for Anyone have any thoughts or comments about the layout design? Thanks for your input and hopefully I will have some photos up soon. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album [This message has been edited by BryGy (edited 08 January 2001).]
Bry, Looks great! I like the story too !! Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
I like the looks of the plan. Simple is often better. Keep us posted on the work. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://acrr.rrdepot.com
Here is a picture of a Christmas gift my wife gave me. It was an undecorated Athearn SW7 that was custom painted to the CRANDIC scheme. The CRANDIC has several lines that interchange with the Evergreen and Sooner. So one would be quite likely to see the CRANDIC motive power exchanging traffice with the E&S. I personally can't wait until I can custom paint a few E&S engines to look this good. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album
The switcher looks great!! Who did the painting?? Is the CRANDIC logo painted or decal?? Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
I am not sure who did it. My wife bought it for me and when she was in their, the hobby shop owner had mentioned that the modeller is from Cedar Rapids. Beyond that, I don't know who it is. I am planning to go back soon and ask more questions and try to call him sometime. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album
Sure looks good Bry. As far as Thomas goes, my little boy loves him! He has the Ertl diecast with plastic track and recently got a turntable and roundhouse. Man can he play for hours on end! As a side note, the Strasburg railroad in Strasburg Pa (just outside Lancaster) runs a Thomas excursion in the spring and fall. The kids are in heaven! Of course right across the street is the PRR railroad museum and makes me drool
I recall seeing that track plan a few years back in Model Railroader, too. Any idea what issue it came from, guys? ------------------ Brian Schmidt railohio@hotmail.com ICQ #21630753 AIM - railohio
