Making Progress on the WWI Layout

I am just less than halfway done with the WWI project layout.  This has been an interesting and fun diversion. I have enjoyed this opportunity to paint figures in colors other than Federal  and Kersey Blues. Added bonus, the biplanes in WWI were very cool.

I am looking forward to getting back to Aquia Landing soon.

USMRR Engine Roster

I recently received a question about the roster for the USMRR locomotives. I don't have a compete roster. The closest item I have was a list of engines that the USMRR auctioned off at the end of the war. See the file at the left.

WWI Project

Work on the Aquia Line is on hold this fall while I work on my next book. Part of the book will be about a WWI trench layout. I am building a small project layout for the book with this theme.  Here is a quick look at how it is coming along.

The layout depicts the railroad activity leading up to the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. It was the first massive
 tank battle in history, but also saw the first American WWI soldiers in combat along with the first American casualties.

This side of the layout depicts a standard to narrow gauge railway  interchange in north west France.

The other side of the layout shows a section of the front line trenches. The figure provides a size reference.

If you are unfamilar with WWI trench railways, this movie will give you an introduction to this fascinating subject.

Mid-Atlantic RPM

On September 13 at 8:00PM, I will be presenting at talk at the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Meet on Modeling the USMRR Aquia Line. This will be an in-depth look at the history,  design, evolution, and  construction of my home model railroad. The talk will take place about 2 miles from the actual prototype location, so it will be easy for attendees to visit the nearby state park to see where the Landing used to be located if they wish. For more information see http://www.marpm.org/   If the weather cooperates, maybe General Haupt will show up.  For folks heading north on Sunday from the MARPM , I will have the layout open for visit. Please reserve a spot with me ahead of time if you want to visit.



On a slightly related note, I recently learned that a movie will be coming out in the fall about the story of Solomon Northrup.  I mentioned his story in an earlier post as he rode the RF&P Aquia Line south as a kidnapped man being sold into slavery.  The trailer to the movie (see below) looks intense and judging by the youtube comments, controversial. I plan to watch it and review it when it comes out.

McCook's Landing in Charlottesville

I hauled my portion of McCook's Landing to Charlottesville, VA for a layout open house.

We set up the layout in Gerry and Gabriela's home for  a one day open house for the NMRA James River Division. About 22 people stopped by to see the layout and sample some of the treats that Gabriela prepared. Most visitors had a chance to run the layout informally. We did not have official operation sessions.

Ken Monetro, Phillip Taylor and Rick Lull from the JRD NMRA helped during the event with greeter, photo and take down duties.   All in all it was a fun day.

Me, Gerry, Gabriela, Rick Lull, Phillip Taylor and Ken Montero pose after loading the truck for the return trip to Alexandria. The cookies were a take-home package for AW,