Livin' On the LVN

Indeed, life is worth livin' on the LVN, aka...the Lyon Valley Northern. Fifteen people were treated to an entertaining and busy session of train operations at Chris's place this past Friday. Here are some pics for your perusal!

I've chosen this photograph that Chris had taken to showcase the colourful railroad he has constructed in just over one year' s time.

Let's step back in time to the weekend before, Easter. Joel and I headed over to Chris's place to assist him in creating countless lumber loads so that his Richmond Yard scene (including the lumber mill) could be finished to some degree before the session. Using Henry Ford's "assembly line" method, we constructed tons of the loads, some of which are seen in the photo to the left.

As part of that same work session, Chris asked me if I could "resurrect" the trees from the Alder Model station diorama I created for him and place the stand of foliage up against his painted backdrop. With the careful use of a putty knife, the entire ridge was removed and placed in the back of Richmond Yard blending in perfectly with Chris's newly painted backdrop.

While all the other lads were running mainline trains on the evening, Chris asked me to take Don "under wing" and work Richmond Yard. Don was excited to bring along his newly painted and lettered road switcher and we used this puppy to switch the yard. Here it is spotted working the essential runaround track on the timesaver section of the layout. We had a blast working the yard and finished early enough to run the train we made up around the layout!

Chris and Don enjoy a smile after Chris, with the help of John reacquired Don's locomotive address. Took a while, but it worked out in the end.

The boys are standing in front of the caboose tracks at Richmond Yard. This yard area includes the large engine facility as well, so whoever works here has quite a lot of things to consider.
We spot Gerry working the coal train near the cement plant. Gerry, it was great having you out for the session as we miss you when you can't make it out!

No, that's not a "fast clock" on the wall. The time reads 10:10 PM and train ops went on until about 10:30 on this evening followed by refreshments.
Because of the larger number of attendees, Chris created triple crews, a very unusual move. I'd be curious to find out the views of the lads how the communication went with three to a team.

We spot Gerry, Bill and Jim drilling the coal mine located in the corner of the room. The double mainline is spotted curving into the big classification yard where we see some intermodal traffic ready to be spotted or lifted.

Chris uses up his space in a clever manner and the large cement plant is a case in point. It is situated on an angled corner of the layout with a single spur leading into the facility.

I've created two road crossings for Chris here, one that can be seen just beyond the plant entrance and the other located on plant property. Visitors can appreciate the weathering techniques Chris employs on his factories.
Another view of the cement plant shows the angled corner of the layout in this area and the roadwork. It is here where Chris has utilized the static grass method in various layers around the plant. Running your fingers across the grass feels just like a brushcut!
Every train ops session has its "oops" moment and last Friday evening was no different. No names will be mentioned, but I believe we have a trio of offenders here! (couldn't resist)

Seems like the engineer and crew were not in full communication with each other! Yikes!


No damage done, but the road inspector had his camera man on scene and we are certain there will be a full inquiry!

Hey Chris, aren't those bumpers there to serve a purpose? (just teasin)

Just a handful representation of who attended Chris's. We see Joel, Ron, me, Don, Chris with John kneeling in the centre.

Eenie-meenie-minie-moe...who's the handsomest of them all?

Thanks, Chris, for a very rewarding evening of train ops.

Your wide aisle width certainly allows for numerous operators!