Declaring Victory!

I have finished construction work on the PoLA layout for now. I plan to go back and work on the Borax factory and a possible extension later. But for now, we are declaring victory on this project.

Final Photos Test

Chase Marine Terminal - this is the free lanced part of the layout. It is the third layout I have built named
after my son Chase. The ship is named after my daughter. 

I took some shots tonight to test the final scenes.

It's almost ready for prime time. Just some minor details left.

The finished barge named after CINCHOUSE.

Updated PoLA track plan

Here is a drawing showing the updated track plan to the PoLA layout.

I would like to have more spots to set out tank cars. Right now the Vopak spur has three loading positions. So I am thinking about expanding the layout after the book is done.  it might look something like this. The expansion would be removable and perhaps as a  FREMO module.

Bespoke bunker barge build

Bing Birds Eye view showing bunker barges at Pier 181

Damen Bunker Barge

Most of the satellite and aerial views of Pier 181 in PoLA show bunker barges tied up to the wharf. Bunker barges are oil barges that refuel large ships. I decided to build one for the layout as it was a easy model to scratch build.

The model before detailing and weathering

I found a set of plans on line for a Damen Bunker Barge. These barges can be over 300 feet long. The Damen barge was too large for my space, so I shortened and modified it somewhat. I also incorporated some features I saw in other barges, for example the stairs over the central pipes. They were left over from the Walthers Oil tanks kits. 

A prototype oil barge with tug

The barge model is almost done except for some minor details and weathering.

USMRR Rules on Signals on Trains

First page - there is no title page

A question on the Yahoo AWCRRHS Yahoo Group list recently came up on signal flags used on trains in the ACW. I have a copy of the USMRR rule book courtesy of D.C. Cebula. It has a section that cover signals. The excerpts below are the pertinent sections.  Note that this is exactly opposite of later TT&TO Rule, where an engine displaying red flags or signals meant that no section followed that train.

There is no mention in the USMRR Rule Book on the use of white flags. 

Page 6

Page 5

Extract from USMRR Rules and Regulations (presumably for railroads in Virginia.)

15. Two red lanterns must placed
at the rear of every train that is on the
road after dark.
16. Two red flags by day, and two red
lanterns by night, shall be placed on,
front of an engine to indicate that the
engine is to be followed by another. In
case, by accident, two red flags or lanterns
cannot be obtained, one flag or
lantern shall indicate the same thing.

The difficulties with this system is that at night red signals would be used on front and rear of the train. That had to cause confusion, though the front would also have a head light.

B&O 1864 Rule Book

For comparison, here is a copy of a page from the 1864 Baltimore and Ohio Book of Rules. This rule adds the white signal on the front of  train when none is following. As with the USMRR, a red signal means that a section is following the train. They also use the term "convoy" of trains.

Again, this is opposite color system of the "modern" practice that started sometime after 1877.


These next two pages are from the B&O Book of Rules from 1852. Note that the rules are very basic and don't address following sections.

B&O 1852 Rule book