Mid-Week update at the New Jersey Layout

Greetings followers of the Atlantic Pacific Railroad!

Now that I'm back in New Jersey for a while getting used to this wonderful weather we're having, it was time for a layout update.

This month is a short month for gatherings due to one of the largest model train shows in the Northeast happening the end of the month. It's the Railroad Hobby Show that's held every year in W. Springfield, MA. This show gets about 20,000+ visitors every year. I'll be there the entire weekend at the East Coast Circuits Tables.

Since the show draws many of the guys who gather, we change the dates to meet. I was asked to host the mid-month since Steve, our ringleader has part of his railroad out of service. The mid-month sessions usually have some of the guys work on the layout doing some type of scenery, wiring or whatever may need to be repaired or tweaked. Others can bring their own trains to run. Today two of the guys were working on some of my tracks installing ties where needed. They were taken out when flex track was installed, and now that we're into the ballast phase, they need to be put back into place. While that was going on, a couple of guys wanted to run some trains. I had my #1 Yardmaster available, Rich T. and 3 guys ran trains. My friend NJ John wanted to test his new Amtrak train on the layout to see how it ran. As a fan of Amtrak, and NJ John being my right hand man during operating sessions or layout tours, who am I to say no to him!

Here's the train on its inaugural run on the layout.

He did have an issue with one car. Walthers passenger cars, no matter how nice they look, always have problems. His was no exception as you may have heard or seen in the video.

After everyone left, I had a package arrive from the Dedham, MA paint shops. In the package were 2 more cabooses, which will go on the layout after they receive some upgrades, and 4 tanker trailers which he offered to paint. They are made by Promotex (Herpa) and I had two in white and two in silver. Here's how they came out:

The first two silver trailers were placed by the power plant.

The second two were placed near Three Amigos Warehouse and the propane area. While these are oil tankers, they will eventually be moved to the engine terminal on the lower level. I placed them on top for a photo op for all to see.

The end of the month gathering, as of this posting is scheduled to be held at my place, and that is due to the potential snow storm we're supposed to get this weekend. Steve lives on a rural road, and they don't plow the area until last and it's a narrow road for his town to clear. The road can't handle cars due to the snow.  I will break out the snow blower Saturday night, do my best and get out early Sunday for a final clearing. Hopefully we shall gather. 

Keep checking back for more updates!