Waterville & Washington Railroad

Yes, I have yet to complete a single module and I'm embarking on building a new module that focuses on the Coon Creek bridge located just west of Waterville, Kansas. I'm going to use Scale Segmental Bridge Co. pre-cast Mopac bridge sections for the bridge. As you might note, the bridge sections match exactly with the SSBCo parts. I'm going to scratchbuild the DPG bridge. Micro Engineering bridges are close, but I want exact. I hope to have this short module complete (ready to run maybe not scenery) by the November RPM show near Wichita. Thus starts the adventure.

It's been forever since I last updated my blog. Some notes that I've learned. If you're a total novice at track laying and building, it's better to purchase pre-built components from the likes of Micro-Engineering instead of doing what I'm doing and building from scratch basically. Construction goes faster and you don't get discouraged. I have learned the proper (for now) order of laying my track. I learned the roadbed should go on the drawn out template. Next should come the ties (Central Valley branch line tie strips in my case). I've been using Modge Podge to glue everything down. Time will tell if this is a good idea or not. Next the rail (pre-drill holes for feeders and solder wires to the rails). I've been having mix results with the barge cement method of attaching the rails to the ties. After I finish the first module, I hope to have photos posted. My layout may get down in the next 10-20 years. Ha ha ha.

Today I fixed the wobble in the table legs. I used some of the scrap 1/4 Lauren that I have to brace them. Works great. I need to get one more piece for the foam cutter and then I can begin cutting out my roadbed. I built the rest of the Bullfrog turnout controls. I need to stop by the hobby shop and get airbrush supplies. I plan to spray the ties and tie plates. Can't wait until after the 15th when I can really get some work done on my modules.

My Fast Tracks order arrived. I built three of the Bullfrog turnout controls. Super easy to build and I'll give a full review once I get one installed. I installed the leg levelers on one of my modules. I'm not fully satisfied with how the legs turned out and will try to improve the wobbliness. Work has kept me from my layout. I hope once after the 15th of March, I can get some real progress done. Sorry no pictures.

I've placed an order with Fast Tracks for their Bullfrog turnout control. They look easy to install and are simple. I'm hoping my 2" foam does not interfere with the operation. I also ordered a new tip for my soldering iron and some super thin solder from Fast Tracks. I hope this solves my soldering issue. Since the order is coming from Canada, it should take about 2 weeks to get here so I'll have to find a project to work on in the meantime. Maybe I can finally install the levelers in the layout legs.

I jumped around to another project. I have started the Waterville train order signal. I really need to figure out how to properly tin my soldering iron. I'm not satisfied with my soldering on this project. The prototype signal was originally in Blue Rapids, but when the railroad closed that depot in 1977, they moved the signal to Waterville. I'm happy I have extra tubing as I'll probably try building the signal again.

I've been asked about my track plan and I'm following the prototype as closely as possible. I'm modeling the towns of Blue Rapids, Waterville, Barnes, and Greenleaf, Kansas. I'm starting with Waterville as I'm hoping to have it complete so the I am able to show it to Milford Godsey who was the Waterville station agent and it is my hometown. These are from the 1977 Mopac spotting code book.