A view photographed from the flat roof on top of the flour mill at Benson showing the two UP geeps coming out of the flour mill head shunt track. Between the house next to the crossing and the large grain mill can be seen a modified Ratio provender goods store. It now has much shorter legs and is painted to blend in with the grain mill. The back scene is painted with acrylics and has pen and wash drawings of suitable structures glued to it.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 12:37 pm by Broadoak

Here we see the UP GP40-2 about to roll over Colonel’s creek before coupling onto a westbound freight. The bridge sides are hardboard covered with a thin layer of poly filler, scribed and then painted with water colours.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:09 pm by Broadoak

Rock Island U33B rolls over the grade crossing at Benson. These were the heaviest four axle switchers the Rock ever owned and were intended for pool service with the UP at North Platte. I bought this model second hand in very damaged and tatty condition and with a wide fly wheel less motor. I cleaned it up straightened the hand rails and added more details and then weathered it. I lastly fitted a conventional modern Athearn motor and it has performed perfectly ever since.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:13 pm by Broadoak

No 286 shows off its profile having spotted some cars in the flour mill head shunt. The tall cylindrical structure at the back seen behind the telegraph pole is a vertical tank store for fertiliser at RE Lee farm supplies. Another concoction from the spares box, and an excuse to spot a tank car from time to time. It is another model that takes up very little room if you are a bit pushed for space.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:14 pm by Broadoak

Thank you Michael for your kind comments. I have found as I’ve got older I enjoy the actual operation far more. It’s easier on the eyes as well.

A picture of the Atlas Lumber yard kit. It has merely had a few figures strategically placed and loads more timber added to the racks. It is a mix of balsa wood and thin card tinted to look like freshly cut lumber, mostly sourced locally.

Behind the building itself they make roof trusses and customised window frames that are shipped out in boxcars. It is assumed that locally sourced lumber is brought in by truck to make these items.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:24 pm by Broadoak

A photograph showing Andy’s Boston & Maine U-Boat on a visit in the head shunt at Colonel’s Crossing. It is another one of his all singing and dancing DCC equipped locos.

This side view is taken looking from the back of the layout towards the front.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:26 pm by Broadoak

A couple of pictures of an SW1500 no 1318 wearing the UP livery with Mopac lettering which it wore for a short time. The model is an early Athearn that has a fully detailed cab and was made by the late Mike Scott. I bought it from him some years ago at an NMRA meet. The switcher is seen working the yard at Colonel’s Crossing having brought in a train from Hope AR. I read somewhere these locomotives could be very hot to work in during the Summer due to the large area of glass, a bit like a greenhouse I should think!

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:28 pm by Broadoak

This beautiful Green Mountain Alco RS1 is another of Andy’s models this one is not DCC fitted. He bought it when on a visit to the States. I think the livery suits it very well. She runs as well as she looks. In the first picture she is seen in the yard at Benson, the scenery could be anywhere really. The second shot shows her just leaving the flour mill head shunt behind the service station. Then in the third picture she is busy making up a train of pulp wood cars at east yard in Benson.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:36 pm by Broadoak

A picture taken of an Ashsley Drew & Northern CF7 picking up a load of pulp wood flats from Benson east yard and then departing. She is now dirtier than in some earlier pictures she had taken. I often do this, a little work staining at first then after a while I add a little more weathering. It looks more natural that way I think.

Last edited on Tue Feb 10th, 2015 03:40 pm by Broadoak