ETMRC HO Scale Layout

At the Gym — Location Number 5
Evolution of Chyrokes Yard

Rob D's Blog 02 February 2018

The cars have been removed from the yard and tracks cleaned. Wheels were cleaned as well.

Below we discovered a kink that will need some attention. It does not look as severe in the photo as it does in reality. Also we had a high switch throw rod to deal with. Now while working on it with my helpers the throw rod was broken. So a new pc board tie strip needed to be made and retrofitted to the turn out. It did give me a chance to show a couple of the new guys how to make a throw bar and install it and then hook up the Tortoise machine.

This is the one we were working on when it was broken. It was fixed rather quickly.

Rob D's Blog 29 July 2017

The caboose leading the way into the yard, It has just rolled through a curved crossover while the train is bent over two 180 degree curves and taking the diverging route on one turnout and the through leg of another.

Locomotives in the distance, Paul and Ron, more of the coal train, Tom B's hand and tool tote, then the caboose going through the yard throat. Great throttle work by the engineer backing the monster through the yard tracks. Not everyone gets this right the first time. Webmaster comment — The train is wrapped around in excess of 360 degrees of curvature AND is backing. A tribute to the trackwork.

Rob D's Blog 04 February 2017

The yard as trains are about to leave.

Rob D's Blog 12 June 2016

The train is back into the yard and it does fill the yard tracks up.

The train consisted of everything connected to the locomotives and the caboose and everything to the left of the caboose. It also set a new milestone for length of train to be backed into a yard for me. I will likely be doing trains less than half the length of the one I just ran and may have some through trains of about 100 cars that will run from staging to staging so it is nice to know my proof of concept trains should run with out a hitch.

That is all for now I have to get going on my chores. I hope everyone enjoyed the posts and the belated updates. I will try and get back in the swing of things.

Newsletter April 2019

Little things make a difference – Look at the improvements in the Williamsburgh engine terminal. The ash pit and ash removal crane shares the lower left with the diesel fueling and sanding facility. On the other side, the water tank and steam locomotive sanding facility huddle together with the coaling tower to create a very nice mini scene that enhances the whole Chyrokes yard.

Rob D's Blog 21 November 2015

Here we see what constitutes good use of a freight yard six tracks full of revenue producing rolling stock and motive power. Leroy in the second photo is going after a tool something that makes everyone nervous..

Newsletter September 2013

Dead Spot Eradication – Ron Means examines a dead spot uncovered by the track cleaning train on one of the engine service tracks. It may have been caused by dirt between the stock rail and the points of the lead to the service area sub yard, or maybe not. It isn’t really a problem, since this lead is seldom used. The yard tracks are uncommonly clear, but the mains are full of parked trains.

August 2013

Chyrokes yard mostly completed. Allenport station at upper right. Tracks from right to left: main tracks 1 & 2 – inbound; main track 3 – primary outbound; body tracks 1 to 8 – drill tracks; track 9 – caboose track; track 10 – weigh track. Left most track is yard lead with passenger station ladder at top end and engine service at bottom left.

Newsletter July 2013

The south sky is clear — The beginnings of rolling hills are starting to appear at the horizon as Bob E continues his rework of the skyboards. At his current rate, he may finish, but may never stand straight again..

Newsletter October 2011

Almost ready – The bits of blue tape on most of these cars signify that they have been serviced and are ready for operation. Bob T almost singlehandedly weighed, reworked trucks and couplers more than 100 cars on the layout. The work train cars were not done since they aren’t used in 'revenue' service.

Sometime between 2007–2009

Looking track North from behind Allenport Station at stub end passenger tracks and Chyrokes Yard.

Circa July 2007

Looking North. Guy A and Paul F discussing the yard layout with basic switches and track laying in place.

Circa May 2007

Sam W and first three yard tracks. Cork strips in place for yard body tracks.

Bob T used a No. 6 Fast Tracks fixture to "hand lay" all except one of the turnouts in Chyrokes Yard. View left of passenger terminal stub tracks. View right of yard leads.