Sunday, May 29, 2011

Dresser Trap Rock

I'm not a purist, in my world the tracks still run from Hugo, MN through to North Branch, MN. The bike trail was torn up and tracks were laid down. As I plan and build and change plans and rebuild I keep making small changes to "my line". The Skally will eventually have a few larger customers. Horizon Milling and Zinpro provide some fun switching, but I'm looking for more. As the fleet of ILSX six axle locomotives on the line grows I need things for them to do. Eventually I would like to add a grain shuttle loading facility (Peterson's Mill in North Branch will be expanding out). Traincat is getting ready to release some Aggregate unloaders and conveyors and it got me thinking about one of my favorite industries, Dresser Trap Rock Inc. Should I slide this quarry to the "other" side of the river and add it to the Skally Line, or am I talking the crazy talk? I'm open to your thoughts as I head back into layout construction season...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Ghosts of Grain Rushes Past

The storage line at Northtown Yard now includes several SD60Ms wrapped for long term storage. These beasts were once the pride of the BN. Now they sit wrapped while the Z trains roll by.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Mainstreeter

Some of you may be members of the Northern Pacific Historical Society or may purchase The Mainstreeter at your LHS. There is a nice article by Gary Tarbox about the Skally Line in the Spring 2011 issue. It also happens to include a photograph that I shot late last year (now I can claim to be a published photographer, sweet!). Pick up a copy or check out the info at NPHSA.org