July 28th has come and gone

Still no word from Walthers about the Pere Marquette EMD E7A Units I ordered. I checked the Walthers web site and aside from raising the prices on the passenger cars. the changed the due date from Expected 28-July-2013 to Just Expected. I don't know what to think now. My gut tells me they will be in soon but if past history is any indication it's anyones guess. I hope I see something soon it's been a long wait with one delay after another.

When they do come in I will be running an E7A-E7A configuration. 

I will have to build another layout table for the Pere Marquette passenger train. It is currently in the design phase of development. My hope is to display multiple Passenger trains designed around Chicago's Union Station. I chose Chicago because it has always been a major hub of train traffic.

Constant use Requires Periodic Repair

I run my layout just about every day. This results in a lot of wear and tear on my locomotives. My Ann Arbor GP38 road number 7791 stopped running so I took it into Brasseur Electric Trains in Saginaw Michigan for repair.

The picture above shows the Locomotive manufactured by Atlas where a different road number is shown it is the same as you see pictured here.

At first it was thought that there were carpet fibres caught in the works so it would require a cleaning and then would be just fine. After taking it apart and beginning the cleaning it was discovered that the motor was just about worn out and may need to be replaced. The technician working on the locomotive left for vacation during the 4th of July and would not be able to complete the job for a few weeks. Once the job is completed I will be running 2 Ann Arbor EMD GP38s  Numbers 7791 and 7802 to pull my freight train on the layout. I will let you know my satisfaction level of the repair service as soon as the work is complete.

Above is a photo of the actual EMD GP38 #7791

EMD GP38 #7802 Photo of model

Above is a photo of the actual EMD GP38 #7802

Another Delay

On a whim I checked the Walthers site to see if there were any changes in the many times revised delivery date for the EMD E7A locomotives for the Pere Marquette passenger train. I was expecting to have the two I ordered at the end of last month. Once again the expected date had been revised. The date is now shown to be 28-July-2013.

There is nothing I can do about this delay except sit by and wait. Walthers has had one delay after another on this name train. I must admit I am not disappointed with the passenger cars I have received so far. One more month is a small price to pay in order to own such a nicely crafted passenger train.

Indoor Layout Installment 2

Near the farm a coal mine is in operation to supply the few steam locomotives left in service.

The Tuscola and Saginaw Bay freight train is waiting in line to fill its centerflow hoppers at the nearby grain elevator.

At the tennis court I have included a new picture to show the towns people who came out to watch the match.

Just the other side of the parking lot is the community church where a wedding is in progress. We all wish the happy couple a long life filled with happiness and joy.

Behind the church is the small lake which is part of the campground that services the community. A few campers are enjoying a weekend of fun as they escape from the hussle bussle of the city.

Every city has an industrial park where business sets up shop here is a picture of Back Street the area set aside for this on my layout. As you can see I still have a lot more work to do to develop this area.

Front Street is busy with local traffic, there are a few shops that have just opened for business for the day.

Part of Front Street is the Depot Project developed by the local Chamber of Commerce where older locomotives and cabooses have found a new home to be viewed by the community.

Also on Front Street is the Passenger Depot where passengers are waiting for the commuter train to take them to work.

Just behind the passenger station you can see the local movie theatre and the firehouse.

Every town has a Main Street. It's the main hub of activity for the town. This town is no exception with the bookstore on the corner, a synagogue, a coffee house, a pizzeria, a boarding house just to name a few.

The other side of Main Street we find the local hospital, a city park, a construction site and the side of the firehouse.

Just beyond the city center is an area that has not as yet been planned out. there is only one small corner of that area that anything has been developed. This area is the prison area where the inmates are exercising in the yard.

There you have it, my indoor layout as it stands so far. As I'm sure you can see, there is a lot more work yet to be done on this layout I will update my blog as new areas become developed.