It is with mixed feelings that I announce the present iteration of the Paducah & Lake Erie is being sold and removed from its current location. The layout (bench work and track) is being taken by David James to Brecksville, Ohio. David, as followers of this blog will remember, has contributed greatly to the building of the railroad over two locations (Ohio and Missouri) and some almost 20 years. It is as much his railroad as it is mine. The remainder - engines, rolling stock, structures, and electronics - will, with few exceptions, be sold to anyone desiring them. A complete list is available by emailing me at linson.bill@me.com.
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS (for me at least): I intend to replace the current iteration with a small switching layout. My plan is for a 20-24 inch wide shelf layout, about 8-10 long down one wall, and then adding another 8-10 feet in an "L" configuration. The Winston-Salem "Tar Branch" (Model Railroader, Jan-Apr 2018) is the inspiration for this effort.The plan is to continue DCC control, but switch to NCE, which I have been assured that even I can install and maintain. I plan to use hand-thrown turnouts (at least at the beginning). PRIMARY CAVEAT: the railroad will not have anything that I personally cannot install and maintain. The final "given" is that it will be at a height that I can sit in a drawing table chair on wheels and roll around to operate it. I anticipate having only two engines (one steam and one RS-3). I will start on it as soon as the current layout is removed.
Three primary reasons have led to this decision. First, I will be 80 years old this year, and can no longer stand for lengthy periods, nor squat to reach the lower level; thus, I can't maintain the room-size two-level layout. Second, the electronics have surpassed any semblance of expertise I enjoy, and thus, I have to hire someone to maintain and install the electronics of the railroad. And, third, when the time comes (and I hope that's waaaaaay off), I don't want Sue faced with getting rid of all this stuff.
It has been a great twenty years, and I have learned a lot. I can't begin to list everyone who has been an integral part of this project, both in Ohio and in St. Louis, but a heartfelt thanks to all. The support of Sue has been and is exceptional. I look forward to many years of modeling to come.
This is the final post on this blog; it will be retired. I do plan on starting another blog featuring the new railroad as soon as there's something to report. Thank you all for reading, commenting, and supporting this endeavor over the years.
