2025 02 03 CB&Q V5 Monthly Update #63

This is layout construction update #63, for February 3rd, 2025, on my HO Scale model railroad layout.
In this update I talk about freight cars added to the layout, completing trackwork in Powell, locomotive maintenance, adjustments to the swing gate and revealed an era change for the layout, shifting from 1930-1945 to 1940-1955. Then I talked about the first diesels I'm adding to the motive power roster.
In this month's Cronkite Segment I talk about the CB&Q in Wyoming Version 2in early 2006.
The layout represents the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the Chicago & North Western Railway in central Wyoming during the timeframe 1930-1945. The layout is (or WAS) all steam except for the Doodlebugs that were used in passenger service between Casper and Lander. Now it's mostly steam with a few early Blackbird paint scheme diesels on the Burlington line. Model locomotives include Proto 2000, Broadway Limited, Spectrum and Bachmann.
The layout features Fast Tracks turnouts and fully weathered rolling stock. All mainline curves are superelevated. The layout is multi-deck with nearly nine scale miles of mainline track. One of the key scenic features is a twenty-plus foot long representation of the Wind River Canyon near the center of the state.
The layout is run by a radio NCE Power Pro DCC system, augmented with wi-fi using a Wifitrax WFD-31 and TCS UWT-50 throttle.
Backdrops are panoramic photos of the actual locations around the state. Track arrangements in most towns on the layout are based on Sanborn maps of the towns in the 1930's and 1940's. Industries, with only one or two exceptions, are representative of actual industries that existed in each town during my modeled period.
This series of videos is published monthly on the 3rd.
My Patreon page:
www.patreon.co...
My website:
thecbandqinwyom...
Chapters:
00:00 Titles & Intro
01:05 Ebay hopper car repairs and renumbering
05:00 New boxcars on the layout
05:15 Sattler's Hobbies and the Tichy oil tank
05:50 Track buying problems
07:25 Finishing Trackwork in Powell
08:05 Doodlebug and other loco maintenance and problems
10:30 Swing Gate Adjustments
11:30 Era Change on the Layout!
17:35 New SD9 - Adding a Decoder and Preparing it for the Layout
20:45 A New SD7 as Well
21:30 Plans for More Diesels on the Layout
22:45 Outro
23:40 The Cronkite Segment

[@derekalexander4030]

The steam is worth the effort. Great update, Mark. Carving out the space in a Proto is a pain in the butt. I have a bunch of them that I’m putting off, lol.

[@mapruitt]

Hi Derek! Thanks for the comments. Yes, steam is worth the effort - generally. But...

[@andychandler153]

I stagger the rail ends of my removable gate section, so that the gap is staggered at the joints. This provides a smoother travel for equipment. Thank you for your show

[@mapruitt]

Thanks Andy! Probably too late to stagger the gaps without a total rebuild. Wish I'd thought about that earlier!

[@SimRacerSteve82]

Good update Mark. I like now having the mix of diesel and steam now. Will add more variety and additional operations.

[@mapruitt]

Thanks Steve!

[@EmilyCarl-t7x]

Always was a fan, of the early CB&Q diesel locomotive's very nice attention to detail, nicely done

[@mapruitt]

Thanks!

[@Shortline819]

Great update! Having worked in a hobby store for nearly two years, we number one thing I was taught is you always pack shipments with copious amounts of bubble wrap and tape. It was a rare day when we got shipping complaints. You'd think it'd be obvious to many!

[@mapruitt]

Thanks Shortline! I was very disappointed with how that track was packed.

[@robtman9199]

Very nice update Mark and you got a lot of work done. Looking good!!

[@mapruitt]

Thanks Rob!

[@stevechilders2425]

Great update and welcome to the Diesel Dark Side!

[@mapruitt]

Thanks Steve - I think!

[@donhanley1213]

You may want to consider getting a Northwest Short line reamer. I got one and reamed the truck frame for a test group of 20 cars. There is a noticeable improvement in the rolling quality of the cars.

[@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304]

Thanks for the update, Mark. I understand the reasoning with moving the era forward. I have boxes of my dad's brass steam locomotives on the shelves, but I went with a group of Proto 2000 C&NW diesels, as I didn't want to take on updating the brass locos to DCC and sound. And since the C&NW was completely dieselized 5 years before I was born, I relate better to the Diesels.

[@mapruitt]

Hi Paul. Diesels are much easier. I just hope I don't have to mothball my entire steam roster. When I updated that Pacific though, the amount of satisfaction I got made all the work worthwhile.

[@JM-sz4oi]

As usual, enjoyable.

[@mapruitt]

Thanks!

[@Robls501510]

Check out Ray Brown's Bessemer & Lake Erie in HO Scale 5 part series, where he converts a steam locomotive and it works flawlessly.

[@mapruitt]

Thanks! I watch Ray's channel. I haven't seen his conversion series yet, but it's on my list.

[@dmcry600]

WOW!!!! You actually did quite a bit, considering........ Glad to see you are getting into the Diesel era. Smart move, and I don't think you will regret it. Your railroads will become much more profitable now!!! haha Nice video, but it could have been longer. You COULD have done more work had you stayed home more!!! Can't wait to run trains again on the layout. CNW Local is my bid for a job. By the time I get done, it will be time to leave so I can get home BEFORE it gets dark.

[@mapruitt]

I'm already regretting it. At 25 minutes the video was too long. Sorry about the CNW local - your job is Casper yardmaster! 🤪

[@dmcry600]

@@mapruitt Oh, I'm feeling so very ill. I doubt I will be able to attend your OP Session now. That should make you happy!!!!

[@CharlieH65]

Just when you think he can't possibly add any more entertainment value to this video, he hits you with the Kronkite segment, which leaves us all having that Cheshire cat grin on our faces!

[@John-m6m]

Thanks for the video, Mark! I always enjoy seeing your layout, even with the new diesels!

[@mapruitt]

LOL! Thanks John!

[@ACRR46]

Mark you won’t regret running diesels. Right out of the box they run great. I model 1955 -1965 GP7/9 and a few Alco RS3s. My one Hudson pilot wheel set sometimes derails like you mentioned with your multiple steamers. Keep up the good work.

[@mapruitt]

Thanks! Still not sure about the diesels though...

[@FredE528]

Good update. 👍👍👍. You described the exact reason I don’t run steamers. Look and sound great but too many derails on my less than perfect track work.

[@mapruitt]

Hi Fred. Steamers sure can be difficult to get to run well.

[@jeffjones4135]

I know what you mean about the steamers. I have several here that need work. The diesels are much more dependable.

[@mapruitt]

Hi Jeff. I'm getting old, I guess - I don't want to spend so much time on motive power.

[@kahunatiki6498]

Hi Mark! Much to my chagrin, I somehow missed, overlooked, forgot to watch your February update! I knew something just didn’t feel right about this month!!😊 A fairly chock full of month of “stuff” you had to address… I hate those “treadmill” twists of fate to detract from fulfilling progress. But as you said, you really did get a lot done. I think your decision to move forward slightly for the reasons you mentioned are a good one and you just can’t beat those Burlington blackbirds! Hope you have a good month! Scott

[@mapruitt]

Scott, Clearly you should put my updates on your calendar! 😁

[@Perfusionist01]

Neat update. As a fellow Q modeler I appreciate the advantages of diesels. Yes, steam is way cool, but for operations, diesels are the way to go. I model 1969 becaise 1) it was the last full year for the CB&Q and 2) it was the year I graduated high school. The P2K SD's are generall good - not many of the have the cracked gear problem that is endemic in the four-axle motors (Athearn geared wheels are a drop-in fit to cure that). Walthers has upgraded the former P2K SD7 & 9 with sound and some Q-specific details. I LOVE the sound of a non-turbo 567 engine. Broadway Limited did Q SD7s and 9s also, and my set run MUCH better after switching the decoders to Tsunami2's. Scale Trains has just announced SD7 and SD9 models and in the first release is a CB&Q SD7! Scale Trains make some really nice diesels with prototype-specific detailing. There are, of course, multiple suppliers of Q E-7/8/9's out there, and I know some locals used GP7s or SD7s (they had steam generators in most). I don't know what CNW ran in that era, but you might be able to use some ALCOs or Baldwins as the CB&Q was an EMD railraod until the early 60's. Doodlebugs served in Nebraska into the 1950s, so I imagine that was the same for Wyoming. The diesels will also add a little extra color. I hope you enjoy!

[@mapruitt]

Lots to digest there! CNW ran R-1 10-wheelers to Lander into the mid-50's, then I think there was a Baldwin or two for a few years, then GP7s and 9s for years after that. Not too enamored with the Q's E series, so likely won't have any of them for the foreseeable future. I pre-ordered a couple of the SD7s from Scale Trains as soon as they were announced.

[@SteveEwing-r3w]

Will be there for the op session 3/25. See you then.

[@mapruitt]

Looking forward to it, Steve!

[@tczephyr3665]

I changed my era immediately after running my first steam engine 😁

[@johnnyeveritt5695]

Hi Mark : I have to say that the cross-dressing from dedicated Steam to Disease-als is a tad unexpected as the Steamers I controlled were smooth and performed fault-free; this reflecting your servicing efforts and attention to detail. However; I do understand your * 10 Years Into The Future * time-shift ( Eric Brooman : Utah Belt has had a few such updates ) that allows for the introduction of Diesels to the CB&Q / CNW. As much time has been spent by you on trackwork resulting in minimal derailments ( This also being MY soap-box issue ! ); may I venture that your HELIX comments kinddov / sorttov reveal the primary consideration in having * Opened The City Gates To The Invading Barbarian Horde * ! As a Transition Period modeller myself; Steam and Diesels ( First Generation : ALCO RS-1's + RS-2's ) will surely complement each other in your now expanded OpS options ! Thanx for yet another great update. Regards / Johnny [ PS : I know that * Dave The Slave * identified The Way / The Truth / The Life aeons ago as he dedicated himself to the exclusive; relaxing use of Disease-als ] ! 🤙😁

[@mapruitt]

Hi Johnny! Thanks for the thoughts. Adding a few diesels was not an easy decision, How's your progress coming, by the way?

[@johnnyeveritt5695]

​@@mapruittMy Prog-Gress : Regretfully and as THEY say .... Bloody awfully; mate ! Just as matters were improving to allow for some initial Benchwork to be installed; my Pick-Up recently blew a main water-hose at the base of the engine; this event taking place during a long-distance journey that was literally in the middle of nowhere ! It took me 5 days to get back home; my vehicle being stranded ( undriveable ) some 400 miles away ! Incurred costs to date @ $ 1620; with estimated damage @ $ 3250 - $ 4320 .... Youse get the picture ! In moving; I dismantled both the GFR and N+SG RR : Layouts 3 years ago this month; so this is indeed the longest period of no MR-ing / OpS since I was 4 Years old ! Otherwise; thanks for asking the question; with life being PEACHY; Bro ! 🤙😡💩🪰☠️

[@mapruitt]

@@johnnyeveritt5695 If you didn't have bad luck you'd have no luck at all! Hopefully things will improve soon.

[@johnnyeveritt5695]

@mapruitt Born Under A Bad Sign ( Albert King ) ... A BLUES favourite ! 🎸🎵🎶