A group of experienced model railroad operators and fine gentlemen were on board as The Eagle River Division hosted our annual December operating session and Christmas lunch on December 7th. Thanks to all who joined us. Special thanks to BNSFguy617 and to Mr. Ron Williams, both for participating in the…
In 1814 we took a little trip.. No wait – it was May 2019. In the midst of endless thunderstorms and flash flooding, we visited the Illinois Railway Museum, the Railroad Park at Rochelle, Illinois, and a couple of sites in Galesburg, Illinois. For a collection of images we captured…
On every Great Northern Railway brochure and billboard were three words: “See America First.” The slogan was part of a promotional campaign The Great Northern used to promoted Glacier National Park as “America’s Switzerland.” I missed the original campaign (beginning around 1914) by more than a few decades, and Kathy and…
Originally, the Eagle River Division was a two-level layout. Two levels allows for double the operations in the same amount of space – or so it does in theory. In actual practice, I learned that two people cannot occupy the same floor space, with one working the upper level and…
When Polaroid first introduced their Cube Lifestyle Action Video camera, I couldn’t help but notice its suitability and easy adaptability for use on an HO-scale railroad. Its light weight (49 grams), cubical shape, and small dimensions of only 1.4 inches allow it to fit on most any HO-scale flat car. …
We enjoyed a pleasant, laid-back ops session on the Eagle River Division this morning. With only three operators in attendance, there was less train traffic to worry about and more time to visit with and assist the operators who were here. A significant amount of work was still accomplished, with…
Here are 3 very short clips from the HO-scale model railroad layouts of Ron Williams and Ron White. Scene 1: Bridge crossing from the final operating session on Ron William’s former Springfield Terminal layout. Scene 2: Coal drag meet on Ron White’s Kansas City Sub layout. Scene 3: Fleeting glimpse…
The slow economic climate of this decade (1970s) continues to plague local industry and the Eagle River Division. Today, more upper level jobs were cut as the Rock Bottom Brewery was removed. Railfan Henry Fomer recalls busier, happier times. “I was just here yesterday chasing trains with my dog –…
On Wednesday evening, crews began removing track at Waldo Yard, after track abandonment approval was granted to the railroad. All track between Waldo and Riverside Junction is slated for abandonment and removal. This makes up the entire upper deck of the Eagle River Division, resulting in the loss of several…
Setting the clocks forward recently for daylight savings time wasn’t the only change on the Eagle River Division. The ERD changes have more to do with operations than with time, but hey, I needed a catchy title for this blog! What’s the big change? So glad you asked. Eagle River…
