Jack Merkel's HO scale railroad

On January 11, 2003, Jack hosted an operating session on his railroad, located near Marble Falls. The layout is based on the Santa Fe Railroad, from Galveston/Houston running to Temple. And includes the Southern Pacific branch line from Caldwell to Marble Falls. This layout uses NCE DCC and car-card operations. Five crews were working during this session.

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An_Overview1.jpg

The layout features a smooth flowing track plan, trains always running East or West

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Aisles are comfortable as you follow your train. Plus you can see over the backdrop, across the room

Brenham1.JPG

Brenham has plenty of switching, to keep a crew busy while working here

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Visitors always ask, "where is the Blue Bell Ice Cream plant?" Maybe there is no rail service to it yet?

Caldwell1.JPG

In Caldwell, the SP branch line to Marble Falls connects. Interchange yard is right side.

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Caldwell in the early days, maybe before CTC? There is plenty of switching here.

GalTemple_Staging.JPG

This is the Staging Yard of Galveston / Temple

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Giddings, on the branch line to Marble Falls, trains pass through here twice a day

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Houston has several industries and a Car Float

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The Houston diesel loco services area, in action

HouStation1.JPG

Houston's Grand Central Station, but what year?

MainlineQuarry1.JPG

The Quarry, a lime industry along the main, with a local

MarbleFalls1.JPG

Marble Falls, the end of the SP branch line from Caldwell

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A local crew runs two trains on this branch each day

Sealy1.JPG

Sealy is a busy switching area on the main, right Paul?

Waybills.JPG

Waybills and Car-Cards are used for operations

 

Page created on  1/2003