Gandy Dancers Have Been Busy

Above is the first model building for the Cumberland Railroad. It is the Boothbay Sport Shop. The residents of Galville can get their bait and ammo at this shop. I found the model for free on the web and downloaded the layout. It was printed on construction paper and then cut out. I used balsa wood strips to add strength to the model. Its not great but I learned a lot while building it.

The gandy dancers have been busy laying road bed and track during the past week. The road bed is all laid and glued to the table top. The track is in place and will be attached to the road bed once I have figured out the wiring requirements. Holes have been drilled for the power wires to go under the table. The next step will be to run the wires to a terminal strip and then to the power source.

Still trying to decide if I should use the old analog way to wire the layout or go to DCC. Problem is DCC is expensive (at least for my wallet). Maybe I can use my tax refund to pay for it. The stimulus check will come too late. I want to be operating trains by May.

Model Railroad Update

Th above diagram is the layout for my model railroad, the Cumberland Rail Road. The RR is being build on a 4' X 8' table in the study over the garage. The layout was designed using RTS software from Atlas Trains. The track will be Code 83. I am using Woodland Scenics roadbed under the track. The layout has 2 reversing loops which will allow me to change the direction of the train as it goes around the loop. This permits the trains to be backed onto the siding for dropping off freight cars at the various industries. The left side of the layout is a town which is modelled after the town square in Gallatin, TN. The right side of the layout has a variety of industries.

I am still waiting for the remainder of the track to arrive via UPS. The train store in town did not have all the switches I needed. Once the track is here, the fun begins, wiring it all so that it works properly.

The bottom of the diagram shows the name of each structure and the roads and other features. The roads are all named after country music singers, starting with those who lived/live in Hendersonville. Notably Johnny Cash and Taylor Swift. I guess I will have to add a gazebo and park to the layout so my brother-in-law, Bill, can bring his barbershop quartet down for a concert.

I laid as much track as I had as shown above. Then I cut out sheets of paper to the proper size for each building and moved them around til I had a feasible layout. This helped verify where everything would fit. Then I went back to the layout diagram and updated it with the buildings in the proper location. Next I added the roads and parking areas. It doesn't do any good to have a building/industry if the workers can't get to it.

Patricia's 60th Birthday

Barbara's sister, Patricia, had her 60th birthday last week. Her husband, Roy, and her daughter, Jennifer, staged a surprise birthday party for Patricia. Barbara went to visit Patricia on Friday and told her she would have to return to Hendersonville on Saturday. But, first they would go shopping together in Jackson, TN. Barbara and Roy set up a ploy to get Patricia to the party at the First Baptist Church in Bells, TN. The ploy worked great and Patricia was totally surprised when she went into the church. About 40 family and friends were there to wish her a Happy Birthday. A great time was had by all.

I Have a New Hobby

I have taken up model railroading as a new hobby. Dad helped me build this 4' by 8' table for the train display. We went to the Great Train Expo in Nashville on the week-end and purchased the train and the track. The engine cost $5 and each car cost $4 so the entire train cost $21. Pretty good deal since one car cost more than the entire train set and a locomotive typically cost more than $100. We had fun looking at all the model train layouts on display and looking at all the trains and scenery item (buildings, etc.). The World's greatest Hobby train show will be in Nashville on 14-15 February so I will check that out for more "stuff" for the layout. I have been using a computer program to design the track layout and I am just about settled on the design. The next step will be buy the track and turnouts need for the layout. I will probably build a section at a time to spread costs out over time.

The Visitor from the East Continues His Westward Trip

Dad arrived from his visit with my sister's family for Christmas. His flight from Cleveland was only 25 minutes late (which is on time based on travel woes by other travelers this holiday season. Andrew and I were at the nashville Airport to pick him up and whisk him home to see the rest of the family.

Below is Dad and the Puzzle Master (aka great grandson Emerson) working on a puzzle on the kitchen floor. They had it together in no time flat.

Emerson is showing Carly his collection of Christmas DVDs before they leave to visit Santa.


A family photo of the Meadors as they prepare to leave for Adam's company Christmas party. Carly looks beautiful in a lovely red dress with white tights and black shoes with bows. Emerson is handsome in a red sweater. and his new shoes. Mom and Dad are all dressed up too. Rumor had it that Santa would visit the party. I asked Emerson to tell Santa that I wanted a red car for Christmas.

Carly's New Helmet

Carly was fitted for helmet yesterday. She has to wear the helmet 23 hours a day to help reshape her skull. She seems to have adapted to the helmet and doesn't cry while its on. The helmet is about 3/4 inch thick. As she grows they will remove layers inside it. Hopefully she will have to wear the helmet for 3 to 4 months.