Friday evening (Oct 3) as the sun went down, Roger Cutter and some of his friends were still ballasting track and putting the final touches on the new section of his fantastic RGS East layout in Central Maryland, just north of Baltimore. He had been working on it since April - trucking in 165 tons of dirt and rocks, building bulkheads to contain it, landscaping, and laying track. Gone is the old "live steam loop" and in its place is an extension of the mainline that crosses over itself and adds a new level of interest in operations. I think you'll agree that the results were worth all the sweat and toil.
Saturday dawned crisp and clear - a beautiful early autumn day, perfect for the annual "Fall Run" on the revamped RGS East. Coffee and donuts were ready for the operators and spectators who began to arrive before 8:00 AM. Around noon, a professionally-prepared "pit-beef" lunch was served (as has become customary.) Wow! Great weather, great food, great friends, great models and a great layout. What a day!
Here's Clem O'Jevich (proprietor of Warrior Run Locomotive Works,) on the far right, running his new box cab through the yard at Rico.
A view of part of the new section. That's Bill Miller (of Miller Models) there on the extreme right. Rog had asked us to bring structures as well as trains for the day on the layout. Bill Schoch contributed Wicked Wanda's - a "sportin' house" that welcomes railroad men - seen just behind Bill.
Ken Molchanow and Allen Landis, watching a train going through the "diamond."
A shot of the same spot, from the other direction.
That's Roger talking to Mary Miller (Bill's wife.) Eventually, tall timber trestles will carry the track where the temporary structures, behind them, are now.
Bobby Hunter running the K-27 that he weathered so beautifully for Roger.
Just to show the beautiful setting where this beautiful layout is situated. I'd like to hang out there even without the trains.
This was the "debut" for my Bachmann Mogul bash (see New "Old No. 12" in the Model Making Forum) Here it is, pulling into the engine facility. My Accucraft C-21, running along the back side of the new mainline loop... ... and about to cross the trestle on the original part of the layout. My B'mann Connie bash, crossing the same trestle in the opposite direction.
A stop at the water tank... ... before heading through the rock cut on Mount Jordan (named for Roger's grandson, who built it.)
Roger says that structures and landscaping will become the focus of future work on the layout. Judging from the results so far, that effort ought to be equally impressive. Stay tuned for shots from "runs" this winter and then in the spring. BTW, you're all welcome to attend and bring something to run (as long as it's self-powered and narrow gauge) or just to watch. You'll be glad you did.
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