Portland Terminal Company MRR

A peek only

2011-12-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

Flew home from Hawaii for 3 days for Christmas. Opened the door and looked in but that was it, hope to be working on it again by February.

PT Fantasy Engine

2011-01-25T16:46:00.001-08:00

After seeing so many 2 axle engines relegated to switcher status I thought I would create my modern PT used purchase switcher. An ex LV, D&H Alco C420. Patched to be a PT switcher.

I have P2K Alco S-1 and S-3 in the Black MEC scheme That I need to put decoders on, and I want to do several more in PT schemes.

Until I get those done I will operate with this Engine, the "Patched" LV C420 in the prvious post 3 MEC GP-38's a B&M GP-7 and a "Patched" MP-15AC

DCC practice?

2011-01-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

I have been reluctant to learn how to use my DCC system since the beginning. The manuals (Digitrax) and the different decoders specifics have kept me from doing much other than changing the ID on the engines. I guess I was fearful that I would permanently screw up the programming on these engines.

So for the last week I have been reading and learning how to use the system. Today was a breakthrough as I finally understood what was being displayed and how that tied into changing the CV settings. The factory setting for sound on my sound equipped engines was so loud and distracting. I resolved to fix that the other day with my Atlas engines by using the wand that comes with them, and it reset the engine to factory default including the address ( I had set all engines up for 4 digit addressing) instead of adjusting the volume. This made me read and understand that if I goofed up programming it would be easily reset. Tonight I set to lowering the volume on 2 Atlas engines and adjusting the bell rate CV on my Athearn MP-15AC. After several attempts it just clicked!

Next I will try speed matching 3 of my MEC GP-38's so they will run in a consist.

Any way, it just felt good that I made progress, I was on the verge of calling around to find a college course for DCC programing.

Paper Mill

2011-01-13T18:01:00.001-08:00

This is the paper mill, it will be a finishing type like several that were in Maine. Pulp from a full mill is shipped in by boxcar and chemicals and starch are off loaded for specialty papers. The tall silo is for starch storage, made from PVC Pipe connectors and other bits from the left overs box. This is Kit bashed using parts of a Walther's Magic Pan Bakery, a Pike Stuff Manufacturing Plant and some Evergreen Plastic. There is a whole lot more detail to add but the basic structure work is complete.

Paved

2011-01-13T17:57:00.001-08:00

The materials yard pavement is in and the road has been added. The tall gray structure is the start of the cement storage facility, the paint can is where the storage silo will be.

Entrance from staging

2010-12-27T12:08:00.000-08:00

The staging yard is located in the closet and passes through a cutout in the wall. I worked this area up to look somewhat like the old Yard 5 tracks which were on the other side of Commercial street from Yard 8 the tracks ran between the hill that Portland was built on and several industries that by the 1970's were no longer served by rail or even in business. The tracks had a walkway and pipe bridge that passed over the tracks. I chose to put a pipe bridge to hide the cut and retaining walls and buildings. The building on the right will have the yard paved over the tracks for unloading building supplies. The loads will be concrete blocks , bricks and lumber that are received here. The building is a stand in for now that was used on a previous layout.

Yard 8 gets ballast

2010-12-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

With a 4 day holiday I was able to put some time in on the layout, I ballasted Yard 8 and added a little grass in some areas.

2010-11-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

Working 12 hrs a day 6 to 7 days a week has meant little layout construction time. I did manage to get the track on the trestle and finish all wiring for track power, all that remains is connecting up the switch machines.

Power is Back

2010-09-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

I spent the day running bus wires under the bench work and then added the feeders to the Commercial Street Section.

I also built the removable section for the doorway before Vacation but never posted a picture. I will do the fianl track installation and power it next. This was my first time using the Woodland Scenics water. It took some of the paint from the base and made a very interesting murky water effect.

Electrical Hook Up

2010-08-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

I had hoped to save re running all of the bus wire from the circuit bkrs to the layout. After connecting 20 + leads to the yard tracks I turned on the DCC system to test.

I did not test each section as I connected to the tracks and obviously there is something seriously wrong as all 4 block circuit brkrs tripped!

I should have tested each section as I connected them to the bus wires.

Sooooo, I guess the new plan is to pull all the bus wires completely out and run new wires to each circuit breaker protected block and connect 1 section at a time, test for problems and then correct if needed and move to the next section.

Did I mention this is the part of the hobby that I do not enjoy.

Additional Pics from the Trip

2010-08-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

The 216 was power for the Notch trip a five hour trip, 2 hours up, an hour at Crawford station and 2 hrs back down. Commentary was provided on history and railroad history through out the journey. The 573 was powering the valley trains it is in a MEC / B&M Maroon scheme from the early diesel years when MEC and B&M were operated jointly. This locomotive is the engine operated under the MEC and Guilford before being sold to Conway Scenic. The bottom photo is our train at the Crawford Notch station ready to head back down to North Conway.

Visit to Maine and stop at Steamtown

2010-08-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Liz and I took a vacation to Maine to visit family and do some sight seeing. Took many photos along commercial street of the remaining buildings, I visited a hobby shop where I picked up a MEC S-3 and an HH600. We rode the Conway Scenic up to Crawford's Notch and had a nice lunch in the dining car.

Of note was the 252 in a MEC inspired paint scheme, only the wording on the logo changed. The Logo was "CONWAY SCENIC The Notch Train Route". The engine that pulled the Notch Train was a high nose GP-35 #216 also in the MEC inspired Harvest Gold Scheme.

On the way home we stopped in Scranton at the National Historic Site Steamtown. I enjoyed that also, but it was too much walking for Liz and here sister. I ran around every where but will have to make another trip and go by myself to really explore.

We rode in Lackawanna passenger cars behind a ex-CN 2-8-2 #3254.

I was very impressed with both operations.

New Title

2010-07-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

I decided to change the Blog title to more accurately reflect what I am modeling.

Staging

2010-07-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pellet Plant Area

2010-07-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

Commercial Street from the other end

2010-07-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Construction Update

2010-07-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Completion of the Commercial Street modules and track can be checked off the construction list. The harbor deck for building the wharfs is in and the module across the opening to the closet and staging is in. Only 3 more pieces left to complete bench work.

Work Progress Update

2010-06-01T08:34:00.001-07:00

Over the holiday I managed to install the staging yard bench work and track. Built the lift bridge module and installed it (Yes I want the lift bridge more than additional commercial street trackage).

Sometimes you have information under your nose and never realize it. In order to install the bench work staging I had to clear out all the suitcases and other RR items stored in the closet. Included were several tubes with blueprints and charts from the Maine Central and a Map/Chart of all the PT trackage around Portland. WOW I had forgotten I had it. What is even more of note was that the chart lists every industrial customer that was served by the PT circa 1970! Each customer name is listed in association with the yard nearest the customer. I was explaining this little gem to my wife and how I had forgotten I had it when she made a great suggestion, have it framed and hang it in the room! I will do that and some of the other track charts would make great wall hangings if framed.

Yard 8 tracks laid

2010-05-20T14:59:00.001-07:00

My version of "Yard 8" is completed. Still much to do. Solder all joints, install tortoise switch machines on the main tracks, install ground throws on the yard tracks and wire all of it up.

I need to work on staging bench work the bridge and mill modules before laying any more track. With a whole weekend off I may be able to get that done and the other home projects on the honey do list.

Work Update

2010-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Mounted the yard modules on benchwork, painted the surface and laid out track centerlines. Need to complete 2 more modules for the visble sections to be complete. Staging benchwork is next though before installing the module that runs across the front of the closet door. Last item to tackle is the bench work for harbor piers.

Work Progress

2010-05-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have been assembling the sections over the last week, only a couple of more to do. Keep vacillating about the lift bridge area and whether or not to keep it or make it more of Commercial Street. I will have to decide before I make that module as the bridge scene will require a cutout for the water section.

Commercial Street

2010-04-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

The upper photo is midway down Commercial Street (East), the lower photo is where the street running began (West End).

Track Plan

2010-04-22T15:33:00.001-07:00

The tentative track plan. I will adjust the whole street running area as I layout the tracks. Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.

2010-04-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

The other side of the room, what is left of the benchwork where the peninsula was, soon to be 2 piers. The tracks will run along the wall and be street running modeled to have the feel of Commercial Street from when I used to roam it in the 70's. I will take specific details from that area and era and put them into the scene. More details to follow on that. Including my photos from the 1970's of Commercial Street.

2010-04-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

The yard as seen from the door way.

P&R Redux

2010-04-19T17:23:00.001-07:00

The new yard being laid out. I still need to cut the Homasote and mount it.There will be three through tracks on the left a 4 track yard, which you are looking down the ladder a through fare next to the edge and an engine facility off the through fare at the lower right. Three 4' x 18" Modules.

Disassembly Complete

2010-04-09T16:31:00.001-07:00

All of the previous layout has been removed down to the benchwork! I have left all of the wiring intact and should be able to reconnect the leads to the new track when installed. The new layout will be built on 18" wide by 48" modules that will be mounted to the existing benchwork. The only other sections different from these will be the wharf module, staging module and the module across the front of the closet. Still need to scan the track plan for posting. Not traveling for work but that does not mean the hours are any shorter.

Lessons learned

2010-03-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

If you are like me and change your concept or idea often, never glue the track to the roadbed. I will always spike it from now on. Used liquid nails to apply the track to the corak roadbed, next to impossible to remove with out damaging track. I am glad I spiked all of the switches as they are easily removed for reuse.

Foam core scenery support is great until you tear it out, what a mess. Cardboard strips and plaster cloth only from now on.

Less is better, less area to scenic especially. I had only partially sceniced the peninsula and it was a real time consumer and material consumer. This next design will have the shelves as narrow as possible to fit the track work flats against the back drop and smaller structures if any between the bench edge.

Using linoleum for the back drop is great if it is not to high. I had used 2-1/2 foot high sections of linoleum for my back drop. It was hard to install and keep flat against the back board. As time went by its weight started to pull away from the back board. I would only use it up to 1 ft high if I ever use it again.

Layout is 50% dismantled as of today.

Uh Oh things are going to change

2010-03-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yep, I have determined I am not happy with what I designed (AGAIN). So have been sketching and have come up with a new plan. I hate the hidden staging and kinda of knew I would at the start but went ahead with the design.

New design will use existing benchwork but will be based on a Portland Harbor/Commercial Street theme. I am not building to the actual layout of the real life area but am using different scene themes based on the prototype area.

Will start dismantling the existing layout track work and upper bench work over the next weeks.

Up The Creek

2009-08-29T16:31:00.001-07:00

The creek that runs across the end of the peninsula is getting more vegetation. this area will also have a dense forest cover between the creek and the tracks. It just takes so much time to make trees.

Bridge Installed

2009-08-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

The bridge across the Saco river is finally installed, I cleaned all the track in the areas I have done scenery this last couple of weeks and then ran a train through to make sure all is still working. The train ran fine but my radio throttle seemed to be not functioning, changed battery and checked all the connections but it still would not transmit (or maybe the receiver does not receive)something to figure out next time I am home.

Rock Cut with Vegetation

2009-08-29T16:06:00.001-07:00

The same rock cut as before, I have now added weeds, bushes and there is the start of the forest on the hillside to the left. The lichen on the left has not been coated with "leaves" like those on the right. Spray it with wet water, soak it with glue and add the color of your choice. I sprinkle from the top and then blow the ground foam onto the sides using a folded 3 x 5 card and a straw to blow it off the card onto the sides of the lichen.

Rock Cut

2009-08-22T15:14:00.001-07:00

This is the cut through the ridge line with rock out cropping. Hydro Cal rocks from rock molds were used then attached to the foundation with spackling compound. Blended with more spackling compound which was used with a lot of water on a brush to blend the rocks into the foundation. Last a series of washes with my dirty paint brush rinsing cup.

The Saco River is taking shape.

2009-08-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

I am almost ready to pour the water here. Will finish the scenery and stuff around the bridge abutements and then install the bridge....then pour the river.

Trees are growing!

2009-08-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

In my continuing effort to have the scene as you enter the room semi done, I have started populating the area with trees. Still need to make various conifers but will wait until the next time I am home.

Basic Ground Cover

2009-08-16T05:28:00.003-07:00

A view of the peninsula from the entry way. I couldn't stand the bare earth look and spent some time the last day before leaving to Georgia this spring adding basic ground cover. I ballasted the track since returning.

Basic ground cover

2009-08-16T05:28:00.001-07:00

The bridge painted and set in place, I will not attach it to the track until the scenery in this area is completed to the basic ground cover level.

Home Again

2009-08-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

I have returned from my job in Georgia. I was excited about making a trip to operate Mike's layout but the traffic got me. Trying to get up 64 from Chesapeake on Saturdays is a no win situation. Spent the rest of the day adding more scenery base to the peninsula, and worked on the truss bridge abutments. Pictures to follow.

Deck Truss Bridge Work Complete

2009-04-08T18:12:00.001-07:00

I whipped up this deck truss bridge over the last few days. Tonight I cut out the spline roadbed where it is going in, I will build and install the bridge abutements and have it permanently installed by the end of the weekend.......I hope.

2009-03-31T14:01:00.000-07:00

Next bridge on the construction schedule is to span this large gap where a river will be. It is fairly high and I am holding up a warren truss section from a central valley kit I built some years ago that was destroyed during my last move. I will use these same components to scratch build the mid section here. the track has a curve at each end as it crosses the river so I will have to build some plate girder deck sections on each end.

Cement Plant

2009-03-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

The cement plant with the main large structures in position. I still need to scratch build the kiln, machinery tower for the other end of the kiln, storage building, coal unloading shed and all those conveyors running here and there. The grain elevator is being used for this cement plant since the building architecture is similar for both industries.

Talc Plant Mockup

2009-02-02T05:28:00.001-08:00

I have placed the structures I am planning on using for the Talc Plant. However I think they are overpowering the area. It is the height that is bothering me. I was planning on kitbashing/scratchbuilding this industry anyway so a complete build from scratch may be what I have to do.

I would appreciate some observations from those who view the blog.

Bridge Installation Update

2009-01-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

Here the deck bridge has been installed and the scenery base has been added around the bridge abutements. I used the scenery base formula that Joe Fugate developed on his Siskiyou layout and explains in his modeling video set. Again this is a first with me. I have used the more traditional hardshell over the years. This technique takes some getting used to, but it does make a good solid base and it covers quickly. The link to the video series site is on my favorites list if you are interested.

Redesign of B&M Junction

2009-01-25T08:31:00.001-08:00

I took out the B&M junction that consisted of a switches hidden in the back left corner of the closet, a crossing and inverted wye that I fit in when I laid the track hoping to have a dynamic junction in which a B&M train came out of staging to swap cars in the interchange and then would head back to staging. I have operated trains over the Junction and felt that once scenery was installed and the switches where out of reach, except for ducking under the layout, that it was going to be less than reliable. Although I had only had an isolated derailment in the area, as many of you know once access was limited Mr. Murphy would rear his head. The hidden switches were removed and a simpler junction was put back in close to the original plan it will be used to move cars on and off the layout between sessions. New cars coming onto the layout will be spotted before an operating session and cars headed off will be removed after the session.

The left track is a pulp wood yard, had to add this since I have so many scratch built pulpwood cars I spent time building.

The center track is the mainline heading into Portland staging.

The two tracks on the right are the B&M interchange tracks.

Bridge Installation

2009-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

I started the installation of the first bridge on the layout. After removing the existing track by cutting the rail to length, I sawed out the section of laminated roadbed where the bridge will go. After making two abutement backs, I installed the deck bridge structure. It is a simple Atlas deck bridge section with a microengineering bridge tie section installed on top ILO the Atlas snap track that comes with it. I then made the gaurd rails from code 70 rail and supper glued them in place. I will work on blending the scenery base into the bridge abutement. I will post again when that is complete. I am waiting on some material to complete the abutments.

Additional Cars

2009-01-01T19:02:00.000-08:00

This car was done using my own custom decals created for this scheme. The weathering is from a photo out of the MEC in Color book Volume II.

This is an old MDC car, after researching I determined the car and paint scheme are totally inaccurate for the cars number, still it looks good and after all it is my railroad.

Additional Cars - MEC Cement Hopper

2009-01-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

Weathering Break

2009-01-01T18:39:00.001-08:00

All of the covered hoppers in this image were weathered over the last day or so, I use washes, direct application of paint and pastels to create the weathering. I used to use an airbrush but have come to find I like the pastels better and feel I can create an appearance much closer to the actual look of the weathering in the photos of equipment. If I can find photos of the actual car type and paint scheme of the railroad I will use that to do the car. If I can only find the car type I will pick a photo that I like the weathering I see on the car and use it on the model.

Back Drop Painting

2008-11-21T15:01:00.001-08:00

The back drop was painted using a basic green to start the shape and profile. After that the trees and foilage was added using various shades of green. I added tree trunks in areas I plan on having the forground trees thin. I used both brushes and sponges torn into random shaped to get the desired affect.

Update

2008-11-21T14:50:00.000-08:00

I am ashamed to say I have not updated for months, however job related travel has kept me on the road for most of the year. When I have been home I completed laying the rest of the trackage, installed the DCC wiring, installed ground throws on all the switches and have painted the back drop. On my last week at home I put the basic scenery form in the blob area using a combination of foam and cardboard strips and then covered it with masking tape and gray paint from a previous room painting. The panoramic image above shows most of these items.

Construction Update

2008-02-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

It has been a month since my last post, much has happened. All of the spline roadbed is in with cork roadbed glued to the top. All of the mainline from the ,east heading west, from Portland staging through Sanford and almost to the B&M interchange is in. In the photo you see the mainline to the left and the cement plant siding to the right with a cut of cars on one track. I need to lay the track from Rochester staging out to the B&M interchange so that the rest of the cement plant subroad bed can be installed. The Cement plant tracks deviate from the trackplan at the bottom of the blog page. I would have had to make the grade too steep to get intro staging with a switch at the location closest tom the B&M interchange. The cement plant will now have a two track yard for drop offs and pick ups and fopr the plant switcher to use for shuffling cars. The mainline now has a 2.5% grade down from Sanford to the B&M interchange and then 2.5% from there down into staging.

The B&M interchange is also evolving and will be quite different from the intial drawing. The short length of of the sidings and trying to get a run around at the end would have made the maximum train length 3 cars plus caboose and engine. The new design will allow the B&M trains to access the P&R main and the run around switches have been deleted. this arrangement makes a convoluted wye. I am waiting for a 60 degree crossing and tracks to start working this area.

Spline Roadbed Review

2008-01-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

This is a cutaway view of my spline roadbed. I used 8 pieces of 1/4" x 3/4" hardboard. Others cut the ballast profile into the hardboard, I chose to lay cork roadbed on top which will keep a uniform surface for track laying from the spline to plywood surfaces. The cork is attached with liquid nails to the splines.This technique is new to me and after getting used to it I found it makes the curves transition nicely and is very solid after all the sections are glued together. Once the first two sections on a curve are glued together it holds the curve! The only issue you would have with it is small radius curves. Mine are 24" throughout and I have one section that will not be scene that is 20" for a short section. The strips will break if not adequately supported or held to the radius on these small curves.

News Flash - Work Crews Near Completion

2008-01-12T04:31:00.000-08:00

Portland Press Herald, January 12, 2008 -

Work crews have completed the sub road bed for all Portland and Rochester trackage and have completed most of the roadbed grading in preparation of laying track. With only a small amount of work left on the B&M interchange track, crews should be completed by the end of the day.

Portland and Rochester Chief Operating Officer, Cameron Green, stated; "The speed of the crew has taken management by surprise and the delivery of rail and ties is not scheduled until mid spring. We are working with our bank to release funds to purchase at least some of the material to begin mainline track installation."

DCC and Spline Roadbed

2007-12-16T04:47:00.000-08:00

I purchased a Digitrax DCC system from Tony's Train Exchange for this layout. I also ordered 4 circuit breakers to allow me to have 4 power blocks. I have been operating on others layouts for several years now and you really enjoy the realism of operations that DCC allows. Then you add sound powered locomotives and the model starts being the real world in your mind.

I finally completed laying the staging yard trackage and dropped all the staging track feeders to the staging district power bus 2 weeks ago. Then I opened all the boxes for the DCC system and started reading. After getting the basics of the connections I hooked up the system and powered it up. Sound came up on the Loco and I started blowing the horn and used the bell. Now I need to sit down and figure out how to work with the CV's to properly address the Loco's I have. 3 have been purchased with DCC and sound. I have a bunch that will need DCC added and sound to some.

With the DCC system set up and tested it is time to continue with roadbed installation. I will use spline roadbed for most of the layout and plywood sheet for the town of Sanford and the other large industries. The first spline were installed last night coing out of staging heading towards the Talc plant west of Sanford. Some call it easy spline but I am already thinking that is a stretch of the imagination. I may change my opinion once I have more time working with it.

Current construction status

2007-11-11T04:56:00.000-08:00

The staging yard is in, I am going to wire in all the track leads and the main bus today.

From staging to Sanford will be spline roadbed construction. Last weekend I cut a good quantity of splines from 1/4" hardboard. This is a new technique for me but it is used by many people these days. IF I get that far today then I will post a picture next week.

Short entry today, the morning construction start time has arrived.

E-Mail subscription service added

2007-11-11T04:54:00.000-08:00

Added a subscription service today. If you would like e-mail notification when I post you can sign up.

The Railroads Operations

2007-11-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

Operations based on the current layout design will center on operations around Sanford, Me.
Portland, Me. and Rochester, NH. are represented by a three track staging yard. There will be an Eastbound and Westbound way freight staged here along with a B&M interchange train.

Sanford will host a local that will be powered by the only Portland and Rochester wholly owned locomotive (this will be either an Atlas MP15 or Athearn MP15 switcher) which will be painted for the P&R. The road will also rent power from other regional railroads such as the B&M, D&H, MEC (This will allow my current fleet of locomotives to be used) for the through freights.

Thomas Cement has it's own switcher an ex-Pennsy SW-7, which will bring an additional operator position to the layout.

So now we have 5 possible operator positions for a session:

RP-1 the Rochester to Portland Job
PR-2 the Portland to Rochester Job
BI-1/2 the B&M interchange turn
Sanford Local
Thomas Cement Switcher

I think this would keep 3-6 people busy during an operating session.

Basic Schedule:

Sanford local starts session by collecting outbound cars and spotting any left over inbound cars at the local Sanford industries.

At the same time the B&M interchange Train is arriving at the interchange and swaps it's cars with any interchange cars.

The cement switcher is collecting outbound cars for pick up, sorting them into and eastbound and westbound blocks.

West bound way freight arrives at interchange and picks up cars bound for Sanford and western points. Westbound continues to cement siding and picks up all outbound cars, drops cars for plant. Westbound continues to Sanford and drops local cars, eastbound cement cars, picks up west bound cars. Westbound proceeds to Rochester.

Sanford local makes a run to Talc plant to swicth out cars, while eastbound way freight passes.

Eastbound way freight proceeds from Rochester to Sanford and drops off local cars and picks up eastbound cars. Eastbound proceeds to interchange and drops, picks up cars. Eastbound proceeds to Portland.

Sanford local follows eastbound way freight to Sanford from Talc plant and drops talc loads, picks up any cement plant loads and runs them to cement plant siding by a backing move.

The cement plant switcher would be busy throughout session positioning cars and shuffling inbounds and outbounds from cement siding.

Having fun yet? I am...

The Portland and Rochester Shortline

2007-10-28T04:55:00.000-07:00

The imagineering behind the layout.

The time frame is 1961, when the Boston and Maine filed to abandone the line, officials in Sanford and the Maine capitol searched for an operator to take the line. In order to make this sweeter generous tax breaks and incentives were being offered to the operator and any new business or industry that would locate along the line.

Three major industries took the offer and established operations in or near Sanford/Springvale Maine.

Thomas Cement - Established a cement plant between Rochester and Sanford.

Maine Wood and Paper Products - When the Goodall Mills (textile manufacturing) shut down, MWPP renovated the structures in Springvale and expanded to manufacture various paper based products and eventually added additional capacity to include a recycled wood/paper product called Tough Panel (TM) used in the construction of interior walls for stores and businesses in malls and shopping centers.

Eastern Talc The mine was opened due to a rich vein of the material found North of Sanford. It's output was specifically for the paper industry in Maine and Eastern Canada.

Various other existing business took the advatages of breaks to expand including:

LaValley Lumber - Having a Mill north of town they took a step into the building materials supply business and opened a new recieving and distribution facility for brick, block and specialty lumbers. Located in the new Sanford Industrial Park in 1974.

Simpson Fuels - A bulk fuel (Gas, Oil, Propane and Coal) dealer.

Purina - Feed mill for chicken feed.

Alexander Foods - Opened a consolidated bakery food manufacturing plant that produced Potato chips, cookies and other bakery products for new england chain store operator Hannaford Bros. Located in the newly established Sanford Industrial Park in 1974.

Sanford Recycling - Scrap metal recycler.

New England Appliance Mfg - Maker of energy efficient wood stoves, fireplaces and out door grills.

Next time I will discuss the Portland and Rochester Railroad as it developed from 1961 onward to the mid 1970's.

Researching and decision

2007-09-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

To start with I am a huge fan of the Maine Central Rail Road (MEC). I have developed and built 3 previous HO scale layouts based on MEC trackage and have been building MEC models since my school years. The most recent layout was based on operations of Brunswick Yard and was in the room that I am building the current layout. Due to compromises I made in the design and several reconstructs I became unhappy with the layout and it came down. I then started analyzing what I really wanted in a layout.

Desires: Interesting scenery, switching with some mainline running, operations based on prototype practices, DCC and sound powered locomotives.

I also looked at doing other rail roads I had always been interested in and a possible change in scale to get longer mainline runs in the space I had for the layout.

Rio Grande - would require N-scale to get the look I wanted -discarded.
Lehigh Valley - Loved the paint schemes - Discarded.

While digging on the Net about Maine Rail Lines I found the Portland and Rochester RR. It ran from Portland ME to Rochester NH. B&M absorbed it in the early 1900's and it was a branch until abandoned in 1961.

What if it was taken over as a shortline instead?

More on that next time.

Added Track Plan

2007-09-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

I added the trackplan to the page.

A new start

2007-09-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I am going to try a new way of keeping anyone up to date on what is going on in my model railroad empire.

If you have known me over the years I have always been focused on the MEC. I have decided to go with a different approach this time.

The Portland and Rochester RR was a real line running from Rochester NH to Portland ME. It was taken in as a B&M branch and lasted until the early 1960's before being abandoned.

In my world it became a shortline and will survive through today.

More to come on the back ground story.

TTFN