Where did the year go? We are almost to the end of it. Thanksgiving weekend is upon us…then Christmas…then 2020. Wow. We have a lot to be thankful for this year at our home. Health, getting almost entirely debt free; and having those relationships and passions that make us go. Read more…
I passed on a trip to Trainfest this year. And, glad that I did. There was only one really huge announcement (for me) at this show. Athearn Genesis announced an International Car Caboose series. And, they announced these a week or so ahead of Trainfest. So, seeing these live on Read more…
Zeigler 4 Mine (also called the Buckhorn Mine) was a slope mine located just south of the Franklin-Williamson County line in Southern Illinois. It was off of “Old Ben Road” in the aforementioned county. The mine worked for over 30+ years under a couple of company names. First off, it Read more…
Well, I gave up the ghost (no pun intended) and turned over my layout design to a professional layout designer this month. I am intending to have this plan implemented as soon as it is ready. I am still focused on Benton Jct; West Frankfort; and Jenkins siding…along with the Read more…
October brings about changes…the weather…the layout…what? The layout? Yeah, it’s that old affliction…paralysis by analysis. I briefly have been thinking about building the southern area of the layout in the current space. It’s starting to get really annoying. I continue to get more fluent on 3rdPlanIt software; and I am Read more…
Well, we’ve made it to September. The weather will moderate and cool down a bit; the leaves will begin to turn; and we’ll start working on our layouts again…as fall tends to entice us to do so. I just returned from a Southern trip through Tennessee; Mississippi; Arkansas; Missouri; and Read more…
The Dog Days of August are upon us. Both the National Train show and the St. Louis RPM meet are in the books. Nothing really new to talk about as it relates to the layout featured here, however. The hobby continues to advance and the manufacturers are gearing up for Read more…
Summer has arrived. Likewise, I have resumed those trips down to Williamson County. I have been researching the area around the former mine locations that will be featured on the layout. It helps to have a general idea of what the grade crossings and roads looked like around the mines. Read more…
June has arrived. I have finally reached a decision on which section of the layout I will start on. In case you haven’t perused the site lately…the photos are now showcasing West Frankfort, IL, and the various places where the motive power was stored while not in use. The layout Read more…
May has arrived; and not a moment too soon, in my opinion. I got so tired of the crappy cold and rainy weather we’ve had this early Spring…that 80 degree temps in late April was just fine to me. Heck, I’ve already got the lawn mower out twice. Go figure! Read more…