The Carolina Sandhills Lines (HO)

[davefoxx]

Hi, Mom! 😃

I’ve been building this layout that I call The Carolina Sandhills Lines for almost six years. I was an N scaler for fifteen years prior, but I decided to return to HO scale and completely started over in 2017. My layout’s track plan started from Gordon Odegard’s Bedford Valley RR plan in the November 1986 issue of Model Railroader. I’ve modified the plan and extended two lines from the layout for interchanging railroads. Those two roads each have a three-track staging yard. The core of my layout is the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) route in and around the Aberdeen, North Carolina area, where the SAL interchanges with the Aberdeen & Rockfish RR and the original Norfolk Southern Ry. The SAL is a roundy-round with a yard in Aberdeen, a wye, and a small two-track staging yard on a folding drop-shelf that represents Hamlet Yard.

I can also remove all of the rolling stock and automobiles and run different eras, e.g., Seaboard Coast Line/Southern/A&R in 1976, Seaboard System/Aberdeen, Carolina & Western (ACWR)/A&R in 1986, and CSXT/ACWR/A&R in 1992. For example:

Spring 1976:



Spring 1986:



I’ll try to add photos and a more-detailed description for a layout tour in the near future.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Oh, and here’s a photo from the 1976 era. Southern Ry. GP38-2 No. 5025 is one of my favorite model locomotives and absolutely sounds fantastic in full dynamics coming down this hill into Aberdeen.



DFF

[Allen]

I'm hoping to see the the return of the Kudzu Jesus.

[davefoxx]

I’d like to see Kudzu Jesus arise once again, too, but I would have to string those line poles first. That trestle scene is almost finished, but halfway down the hill is a furniture warehouse that is incomplete. Those lines would be in the way, as it’s hard enough to get back into that 36” deep scene as it is. But, someday.

[Alan B]

A Southern tux running LH forward as a locomotive should! The scene is very nice!

[davefoxx]

For posterity, here’s an overview picture of the layout to give you an idea of how it’s laid out. At the far left (rear) is the small staging yard for the NS line that crosses over the Seaboard on the trestle and comes down the hill (along the ridge that runs down the center of the layout) into Aberdeen, tying into the Seaboard right where that caboose is sitting near the station in the middle of the wye. At the far right (and still lacking even a base coat of ground cover) is the A&R’s line and three-track staging yard on the shelf. On the main part of the layout (roughly 6’ x 10’, not counting the yard coming off at the bottom right) is the roundy-round Seaboard. Out of the picture at the bottom right is a folding shelf with two tracks and a crossover for the Seaboard’s staging. All roads interchange in the Aberdeen yard at the bottom right. Please ignore the passenger train spotted in the Aberdeen yard; that got stuck there when I staged the layout for a picture earlier today. 🤫. At left in the photo is Southern Pines, North Carolina- complete with a snippet of the 490-yard Par 5 Hole No. 2 on the Southern Pines Golf Course. More on that later.



DFF

[davefoxx]

As promised, here’s a shot of SDP35 No. 1114 and the Seaboard’s Silver Star, running alongside Hole No. 2 at the Southern Pines Golf Course. Known as the S-Line by CSXT today, the tracks do this on the prototype, too. There’s a little more space between the tracks and the golf hole on the prototype, but Seaboard/CSXT doesn’t have an aisle just out of the picture to the left. This scene actually came about when I didn’t know what to do with this long, skinny space along the aisle. The golf hole was perfect to help with the layout’s setting, since golfing is an attraction to the area. Pinehurst is also nearby.



Oh, and that pile of kudzu at the far left is a story for another day. For now, I’ll just say blame Allen. 😛

DFF

[Eric - Housatonic RR]

Dave, I have always enjoyed following your progress.

Welcome.

Eric

[davefoxx]

I finally got this old Proto2000 U30B back together and it’s running. So far, I have:

1) Gutted the antiquated QSI DCC guts out.
2) Installed an ESU LokSound 5DCC decoder. I read that these locomotives would take an 8-pin decoder, but, upon popping off the shell, I learned that, apparently, this only applied to the DCC-ready engines. So, I had to cut the 8-pin connector off and hard-wire this U-boat. However, this is probably the only way that I could have decoderized this loco anyway, due to a shortage and some quality control issues of LokSound 5DCC decoders at this time.
3) Replaced the yellowish LEDs with new LEDs. I also cut the numberboards and front headlights’ light tube apart, because lighting the headlight made the numberboards partially illuminate, which, not only looked poor, but the numberboards would dim with the headlights. No. No. So, I used a razor saw to separate and isolate the headlights. The numberboards were glued back in individually. You can see the results in the picture. I’d rather have unlit numberboards than numberboards that are unevenly lit and dimmable with the headlights.
4) Remapped the decoder to work to my layout’s standards and for use with the ProtoThrottle.
5) Installed sunshades. Unlike Atlas that has pins, these Proto2000 sunshades have nothing to secure them to the shell. So, I tried Woodland Scenics’ Scenic Accent Glue, which allows repositioning. That’ll be useful the first time that I pick up the locomotive or lay it down on its side, smashing a sunshade.
6) Installed Sargent Engineering couplers.
7) Replaced front pilot footboards with a snowplow, which is prototypical for SAL U30Bs.

There’s still some detailing, paint correction, and weathering to do, but I lack the proper color paint to continue this project today. I will speedmatch it to the fleet, once it’s broken in. But, it’s complete looking, lit, running, and sounds awesome- a good place to take a hiatus.



As promised, a video will come soon, if I can figure out how to post videos here.

DFF

[Russ C]

You're built a standout, superior locomotive Dave!!

[Paul S.]

I also cut the numberboards and front headlights’ light tube apart, because lighting the headlight made the numberboards partially illuminate, which, not only looked poor, but the numberboards would dim with the headlights. No. No. So, I used a razor saw to separate and isolate the headlights. The numberboards were glued back in individually. You can see the results in the picture. I’d rather have unlit numberboards than numberboards that are unevenly lit and dimmable with the headlights.

As promised, a video will come soon, if I can figure out how to post videos here.

Cool, Dave! Lots of worthwhile effort went into this model.

You just gave me a great solution for the numberboards in my locomotives. I have minimized light leakage as much as possible, but never considered separating the numberboards from the headlights. I will now. Canopy cement should do nicely to reattach the numberboards to the inside of the shells.

I'll also paint the backside of the translucent piece where the cut was made with black paint.

As for posting a video, the easiest way is to just copy the link address from your YouTube or other video site and paste the link in as part of your post.

[davefoxx]

Paul, that’s exactly what I did. I carefully cut the clear headlights/numberboards casting apart with a razor saw, making sure that I didn’t damage the headlight lenses or the front of the numberboards. I used a fine-toothed Atlas track saw. 🤣 I was lazy and just grabbed a black Sharpie to darken the backside of the numberboards. But, it worked. I glued the separated pieces back into the shell with canopy glue. I love that stuff. I’ll probably do the rear headlights/numberboards at some point, too.

DFF

[Paul S.]

Dave, I used canopy glue, of all things, to attach the sun visors onto my latest SD-9. I waited to attach these until the last step, because I didn't want them inadvertently knocked off during weathering, or especially during the reinstallation of the headlight lenses, which in Atlas N scale locomotives can be challenging.

I did attempt to use MEK, but surmised correctly that it would not penetrate the Alclad topcoat. So a thin bead of canopy cement on the underside edge of the visors and, viola, a secure attachment with no fuss.

[davefoxx]

The U-boat is speed-matched and looks good with a Jolly Green Giant (Seaboard Air Line GP40). This SAL paint scheme with the lighter shade of green debuted less than two years before the SAL’s merger with the Atlantic Coast Line, so it wasn’t around long. The new Seaboard Coast Line would go with the ACL’s black and yellow scheme for motive power.



DFF

[Allen]

Excellent Dave!

[Guest]

I grew up alongside the SCL in Florida, so it's always neat to see someone modeling the Seaboard (in an era before I was born). Really good work.
The kudzu looks excellent for the real thing.
I never saw one of these pre merger Seaboard painted units, so I guess the SCL really made sure to blacken them all, early on?

[davefoxx]

Yes, the Seaboard Coast Line merger occurred in the summer of 1967, and they had all former SAL and ACL locomotives patched with SCL lettering by the end of the year. This green scheme (with SCL lettering) became known as the “split image scheme.” There may have been a few stragglers, but most units still in this paint scheme were repainted within a few years.

[Paul S.]

I've heard the merger was somewhat contentious between the SAL and ACL union employees, Dave. But I may have not heard correctly. Were there some ruffled feather to smooth?

[davefoxx]

Not sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me. This merger definitely has nothing on the NYC versus PRR employees/management being a part of the many reasons for the Penn Central failure.

I would consider the SCL a successful merger, despite the SAL and ACL being practically parallel roads that should have raised antitrust concerns. I doubt this merger would be permitted in today’s environment.

DFF

[Paul S.]

Thanks, Dave. Regardless, the U-boat sounds awesome! 👍👍👍👍

[davefoxx]

I got published with an online article on Trains.com:

https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/mo...-lines-layout/

DFF

[Allen]

Excellent Dave.
I tip my hat sir!

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Paul! Heh, you’ve only got a couple of years on me. I was a junior in high school.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Allen!

[Guest]

Great write up!

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Lee!

[davefoxx]

So, puttering around the toolbox this afternoon after repairing a shower valve, I came across the mechanism from an HO scale Athearn Genesis GP38-2 that had been orphaned from a shell after a project went awry. Its electronics (decoder and motherboard) had been pirated for other projects. I scavenged through the junk pile and came across an Athearn motherboard that snapped right on to the motor mount. Yippee! It was a 21-pin board, which is perfect for an old ESU LokSound Select decoder that I have that needs a good home. I spent a little bit of time soldering the track power leads from the trucks and the motor leads to the motherboard, bringing this mechanism back to life. I had a new ESU sugar cube speaker kit, so I built the new speaker enclosure and installed that on a scrap of 0.060” styrene that I fit in place over the rear truck.

The only reason that I put any effort into this was because I went online and found a (supposedly) complete Athearn Genesis GP38-2 shell decorated for Lehigh Valley No. 320. Now, of course that doesn’t exactly match the theme of my layout, but it’s a cheap way (only $19.95 + shipping!) to complete a locomotive in the fleet. I’ve always like the LV paint scheme, so I may play it off as a purchase by the A&R that hasn’t been repainted yet. Heck, absolute worst case scenario- I could probably sell a complete loco with DCC and sound for $175 or more and use that as hobby funds for something else.

Here’s the after picture- ready and waiting for its new shell. The proper GP38-2 sound file has been downloaded and remapped. Otherwise, the only thing this mechanism needs is speed-matching, couplers, and the proper size fuel tank.



I really enjoy adding DCC and sound to locomotives, so this was fun and very inexpensive. Hopefully, I won’t have any issues with that purchase, and the shell will be as complete as it appeared in the retailer’s photos and really in stock.

DFF

[Allen]

Way to go Dave. Now you can start a new trend in the hobby, "Flippin Locos" or "This Old Loco"
And who's to say that the Seaboard was power short for a while? Great job...

[davefoxx]

This is coming from the guy who was my N scale used loco pusher. 🤣

[Allen]

What can I say Dave!

[davefoxx]

I figured out why only the Lehigh Valley GP38-2 shells are available. Apparently, eight or nine years ago, Athearn released these locomotive models, and the color red was so wrong that there were outcries from modelers. Athearn released a batch of replacement shells with the correct red, which were provided to customers for free, if they returned their “defective” shell. There must have been some leftovers, which also explains the low price. After this many years, the retailer needs to clear old inventory. Win for me!

DFF

[Paul S.]

I figured out why only the Lehigh Valley GP38-2 shells are available. Apparently, eight or nine years ago, Athearn released these locomotive models, and the color red was so wrong that there were outcries from modelers.

Railroad historians 500 years from now will note several unresolved and contentious arguments from the 20th century and early 21st century, among them being, "What hue is correct for Lehigh Valley Cornell Red?"

According to what Jim Hediger at MR told me back in 2002, bitter feelings simmered for many years among LV fans over this very question. Friendships were torn asunder and feuds erupted.

Even manufacturers were baffled: https://m.facebook.com/rapidotrains/...963298/?type=3

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[davefoxx]

Oh, my!

[craigtownsend]

Add to the list of color debates of BN green.

I have a photo somewhere of a half dozen or more locomotives in a shop and not a single one has the same color paint.

[Allen]

And lets not forget the feud and constant complaints over the shades of UP Armour Yellow!