The Rutland: December 2013

It's been a couple weeks since our last round robin at The Rutland. Everybody came ready to work, and work they did. I was looking forward to putting down track and envisioned miles of cold, hard steel, starting in Bennington and winding through the country sides of North Bennington, Arlington, Sunderland and into the Manchester yard. As it turned out, it became a very constructive brainstorming session, figuring out how to fit in the features that make Bennington Bennington, within my available space. So this means these features may not wind up in their prototypical footprints but will still give sufficient nod and recognition to the yard and surrounding area.

The focus this session was the Bennington Yard. The phrase "Relatively Rutland" (coined by another Rutland enthusiast and passed on to me by Jim O.) is one which I embrace fiercely.

So let's take a look at this week's round robin session, shall we?

In spite of dilated pupils from an eye doctor appointment, Ron lays down some pretty sweet track. This particular bit of track is a turnout that will take us past the water tank & coal tower and proceed to the turntable.

Visions of the future. Bennington side of the view block...

...and on the opposite side of the view block will be Manchester.

Some tools of the trade...

Facing south, the turntable will be against the far wall (not prototypical location, but that's where it fits. Nod.)

Discussing track plans laid out in Nimke's books (prototype) vs. functionality within available real estate (nod). ~Is that George in the background?~

Northern sky constellations? Treasure map? Champagne bubbles? No! Just some more radii calculations; looking for an elegant way out of the southern end of the Bennington yard.

The Mountain patiently rests and waits for civilization to arrive. It's going to be a while.

Two buildings from RailroadKIT, soon to be part a bustling town. Well, as "bustling" as Rutland towns might get.

Harley tries his chops in Management as "Acting Supervisor" while Max enjoys some much deserved vacation.

The ever-present controlled chaos...

Busy, happy hands...

...and feet...

George, (with non-dilated pupils), works on some cars...

Discussing progress

Boston and Maine box car. Nice work, George.

Checking out the track work with some rolling stock.

Discussing track location for the water tank, coal tower and proceeding to the turntable. Also discussed; the possibility for a caboose track.

A view from the future turntable location.

The tree machine is currently moonlighting as a turnout storage area. Not to be confused with the stationary bike moonlighting as a coat rack, nor the punching bag moonlighting as a towel rack.