Getting "Juiced" at Wally's

Well, no ice storms or blizzards befell Ottawa this past Friday evening as had been the case the previous week, so all the boys of the Friday Night Group were able to descend on Wally's place for a farewell party...and, yes...some train running!

For all you "juice" fans, aka "traction" nuts, Wally had some wonderful examples of his work to be found running on his tabletop traction layout. Some of the fellas were admiring these works of art as others were kept busy running two of Wally's other railroads, an LGB sized pike suspended from the ceiling with intricate switching manoeuvers and a...errrr...shall we say...a newer layout just completed in time before the lads arrived. More on that one later.

Let's examine more closely some of Wally's fabulous work. Most of his trolley cars are brass models that he has painted and lettered for favourite roads. Some were purchases that required stripping and repainting as well.

The orange car to the right is Interstate #150. Wally painted this car andhe tells us that it is some forty years old, a real antique. It sure looks nice under catenary on your small tabletop layout Wally!

The orange and cream Lake Shore Electric Railway car #178 has been in Wally's collection some 35 years or more and is a brass scratchbuild.

From 1901 to 1938 the Lake Shore Electric claimed to be—and was considered by many—"The Greatest Electric Railway in the United States." It paralleled the shore of Lake Erie, connecting Cleveland and Toledo with a high-speed, limited-stop service and even pioneered a form of intermodal transportation three decades before the rest of the industry.

Wally then brought out this trio to share with the lads. These models are of the Pacific Electric Company's express line painted in their familiar red colours. Wally has certainly captured their beauty and elegance to the "T". Car number 1370 holds honours in the lead this day.

The three unit train pretty much takes up the entire scene along the front of the layout. Wally ensures us that after he relocates back home in Colorado, he will create a larger traction layout, perhaps one that is sectional that can be set up at shows.

This three car orange set Wally painted and decalled for the Denver and Intermountain RR. This rail line was originally constructed in 1892 as the Denver, Lakewood & Golden, a steam powered line. By 1909,the Denver and Intermountain had taken control of the line, electrified the passenger service and purchased new rolling stock. Today, only one car remains preserved, car #25.
Wally painted and decalled these three cars adding that all windows and doorframes were meticulously completed before intense eyestrain set in!

This green car with the burgandy roof represents the Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern. Wally says that these models are over forty years old and he built and painted them all. Car #45, a wood combine, holds the point today.

Not only does the detailing impress upon first glimpse, all these cars run with their trolley poles up! What a great sight it is to see such beautiful models ply the rails even on this very small layout!

One of Wally's latest projects was finishing up this black steeple cab and caboose. Here we see it posing outside the barn before heading out to do some work.

Not only is the detail superb on this model, this image clearly illustrates the quaility of workmanship required for a traction layout.

Now we spot the steeple cab earning its keep as it trundles past the car barn. Note the freight shed in the distance! That headlight ensures that all pedestrians and motorists will steer clear and give a wide berth when this little brute appears rounding a corner!

Wally, you have proven yourself to be a master builder of anything traction! Let's look at some other things you have on the go in that soon-to-be-abandoned train room.

I mentioned earlier another layout Wally had created in the room that was operational...yes, a large scale model railroad suspended high above everyone from the rafters with metal wire and hooks. Stepstools were required by the brakeman and everyone who operated this line was suitably entertained!

Indeed, this is a steam engine and pitstops for water are in order! Why the stopwatch, you ask? Ah ha! To add to the challenge of this railroad, we were "timed" to see if we could complete a series of moves in the requisite time frame! We did just that, eh Stan!

Now...as for the third layout. Well, I must confess, it posed the greatest challenges of all for operations as you can see by my scratching of "me head". Hmmm...where do I start?

And, if you think I was having problems, get a load of Bill and Chris! Those switching moves sure can prove challenging especially on a Friday night after a long weekend!

Meet Wally Weart! Wally is a retired locomotive engineer who has driven trains on the Georgetown Loop and for a railroad called the Colorado Western hauling sugar beets near the foothills of the Rockies. Wally never got to drive trains on this line through the mountains but their peaks could always be seen on the distant horizon as he plied the rails.

Wally is a traction nut as all these images indicate and a brilliant modeller. Wally, it's been great having you in our midst over the past couple of years. We'll miss you greatly...and remember...you will always be one of the Friday Nighters!