ETMRC HO Scale Layout

At the Gym — Location Number 5
Evolution of Wilson Yard

Bob T Photos February 2020

Rob D's Blog 22 April 2018

The area with the crane has been given some more work and is looking much better than I have seen it ever. One thing to keep in mind these fragile details really need to back from the edge just a bit as a stiff breeze seems to derail the crane.

Here is one from the other side. Webmaster comment — Mathis Mine # 5 in photo upper right.

Rob D's Blog 08 January 2018

Another meet and pass with one of mine and one of Dave's in the area of Wilson Yard. Wilson Yard has some interesting features in that it is an interchange yard that has dual gauge track and narrow gage leaving the area as well as the two standard gauge lines. The push pins mark a section we were having some power issues last week. Things seem to be better today but we are keeping an eye on things for a while.

Rob D's Blog 07 January 2018

Here we have a section of dual gauge track that splits into narrow and standard gauge. Paul was able to track an electrical issue to this section that has been annoying the crap out of us for a while. While he was diligently working on this I got myself and my camera in the way as much as possible.

Now I have been trying to tell him you can not fix anything with a hammer that small but he seems determined. That section seems to have been successfully repaired. We also have found a couple more spots with voltage or amperage issues or maybe both and they still need some attention.

Extract from Rob D's Blog 02 April 2017

Bob T and Ron are hard at work trying to replace a drive that relies on a rubber band with one that uses gears. So far they are unsuccessful in getting function back to the unit but they did find some things that will not work.

Now here is a shot of the narrow gauge turntable Bob and Ron were working on earlier. Still not working but I have a suspicion that these two will get it working before they give up. Webmaster comment — Narrow gauge (3 ft) coming off of two dual gauge turnouts.

Webmaster comment — Passenger station and freight house in Wilson Yard.

Extract from Rob D's Blog 06 March 2017

We had several trains running today 4 trains on two seperate mainlines. Here it is possible to see three traveling by Wilson Yard. A complicated junction that also involves narrow gauge and dual gauge track. Webmaster note — Hickeyville in foreground. Narrow gauge junction just above rightmost house in Hickeyville next to tall signal.

Extract from Rob D's Blog 28 January 2017

In fact thanks to the beauty of DCC we had three trains running on two tracks. Here is a three train meet taking place in the area of Wilson Yard.

Rob D's Blog 22 January 2017

Here we see the stock train blasting up grade behind articulated steam and the coal train being pulled toward malfunction junction.

Trains are moving today, coal coming down the hill, merchandise on the way to Dexter, and Future barbeque on the way to the city. There was lots of action at the junction today. The other thing contrasted in the photo is how nice the layout looks with the curtains ve with out. Webmaster has no idea what "ve with out" means. We have only wanted to get these things done for the last two years!

Rob D's Blog 21 November 2015

Tom M's Passenger train run by. Here is a short video that was shot during the work session.

Rob D's Blog 26 January 2015

Coal train at Wilson Yard.

August 2013

Wilson yard south. Narrow gauge transfer and engine service facilities. Tracks on a mid–picture diagonal from left to right: PF&O mainline northbound down, EM&I mainline with EPC spur northbound down, 3 narrow gauge tracks, dual gauge track, EM&I mainline northbound up, PF&O northbound up. Wilson yard with crossover between EM&I and PF&O inside yard limits (i.e. not controlled by dispatcher).

February 2012

Wilson Yard fan trip. Southbound on the PF&O. Bob T controlling train.

Newsletter February 2012

Danger: Monsters ahead — the railfans riding in Bob T's gondola prepare to meet giant-sized Bob E (right) and LeRoy H (left) as they ride north along the east wall of the layout.

August 2009

Wilson yard narrow gauge turntable and engine house. HOn3 track left. Dual gauge track center. Standard gauge track right.

July 2007

Wilson yard.

Wilson yard.

Wilson yard.

May 2007

Wilson yard.