Thumbs up

I had the pleasure of operating the Durlin Branch for a day.  It's a fine layout and operations are well thought out.

I just finished the Read and the Video- NICE

I Found one Typo Mistake On the first page of the interview page 32 of the magazine in the paragraph just before Charlies first question to Dave It read " It's obvious from card-card boxes and paper work that Dave likes to Operate." Is card-card correct or should it be car-cards? As I'm new to the organized documented operation part of Model Railroading I didn't know if this was a typo or not.

Otherwise Charlie This was a great article! Being a Colorado Narrow gauger myself I took great interest in Dave Adams work. I also agree with him 100% about using tsunami sound decoders as the best on the market for engine sound reproduction being really second to none.

I wasn't sure if you did the film work on the Video but even though it was fairly short it was very nicely done.

Looking at his RR it's easy to see Dave has put much of his life and heart into the Durlin Branch and I hope that My RGS NGRR when it gets to the point of being considered as being finished is as nice.

I give this article 5 stars and the Brass bell of excellence.

Rio Grande Dan

Beautiful layout! That On3

Beautiful layout! That On3 equipment sure looks nice in photographs with all the detail so easy to see. Top quality stuff Dave has done there!

Durlin Branch

Awesome, just awesome modelling. An excellent job on the presentation by MRH, too!

Dave's Durlin Branch

Dave's layout is a pleasure to operate. The animated details were only briefly mentioned, but add tremendously to the atmosphere of the railroad. If you get a chance, sign up to operate this great railroad.

Gus

Durlin Branch

Nice write up and an awesome layout!

Durlin Branch

I too had the opportunity to operate on the Durlin Branch about 2 years ago. As you can see, it is a beautiful layout and a joy to operate. However, the real highlight was meeting Dave Adams. He was helpful, patient, and very willing to share his experience and knowledge...a true gentleman. He should be a role model for all of us in the hobby.

Bill Hughes 

Durlin Branch

Awsome modeling.  I really enjoyed reading the article and looking at the photos.  Thanks a bunch for the video.  I loved it.  I hope someone makes a video to sell (hint to MRH).  MRH just keeps getting better and better.   Keep up the really great work.

Jim Scofield 

Durlin Branch

Just when I think I have seen enough Colorado Narrow Gauge layouts, along comes this one.  Outstanding.  I really enjoyed this one.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Mike Van Hove

Stub switches - no pix...????

Hey, great article. You folks talked about good-working stub switches, but WHAT! No pictures? How about posting one or two?

Thanks!

Stub switches - no

Check out the video..

Stub switches

The stub switches have been going strong for close to 30 years now.  The only failure has been one switch motor and I don't think that the type of switch would have made any difference in that.   The bridle bars are Grandt Line parts designed for code 100 rail, but they they work fine for me with code 83 and code 70 rail.   The snap shots are of stub switches in Durlin, laid in place with code 83 rail.   The difference in building a stub switch vs. a points switch is you slit both the moveable rail ends and the fixed rail ends so a plate can be soldered to the fixed rails that the slit in the moveable rails engages to keep things in line.   Sliting and soldering vs. point filing and soldering point tabs. 

Above  - moveable rails of stub switch with Grandt Line bridle bars, rail spiked to ties just to the left and out of the picture.

Below - view of moveable rails and fixed rails on the three way stub switch in Durlin.  The moveable rails have a second bridle bar holding gauge a few ties out of the picture to the left, with the rails spiked to the ties starting about 5ties beyond that.

I hope this helps respond to the request for info on the stub switches.

Dave Adams

Typo - car card boxes and other

Thanks to all for the compliments on the article which should all go to Charlie, and thanks for the compliments on the Dulrin Branch.    The Durlin Branch has, and still is provinding a lot of fun and enjoyment for me, and I am glad that you were able to visit through MRH if you can't make it for an operating session.  

Rio Grande Dan wondered about the card-card boxes mentioned in the article.   That should be car-card boxes, but I may well have said card-card or mumbled something that sounded like to Charlie.   

Charlie shot and edited the video in addition to the photos and putting the article together from an interview.   I had the easy part which was building the railroad!

Dave Adams

The 3-way stub switch

For those that may not have noticed it, here is a shot of the 3-way stub switch in the Durlin yard from the video (1 minute 44 seconds in - engine 320 from Fritz Park to Durlin):

NICE work, thank you!

That is such nice work on those, thanks for posting the pictures! That 3-way is a thing of beauty.

I've been contemplating some stub switches for some rework I'm doing that will be right next to the aisle. It was my understanding that stub switches (once everything is in and aligned correctly) will continue to work for years and years. Your work is proof of that.

I want the look of an old, little-used branch that's being brought back to service, and I want something to keep the crews on their toes - I know you can put equipment on the ground quite handily with a stub switch.

Again, compliments on the work. You've inspired me to go ahead with my plans.

Durlin Articule

Charlie, this is one of the best narrow gauge layouts that I have ever seen,Thru all the years of working with HO3 Ive almost got it down..I've started and almost finished 3 layouts but because of having to move had to quit. Now that I've got a solid place to stay and build I will finish that one. This has given me a boost to start again and quit being an armchair railroader. Onward and upward with my 4by8 ,which I copied from MR a few years ago. Logging, water, ocean going log flots,two bridges and mountains all in Ho3. Thank You very much

........Fair Winds and Following Seas

niiiiicccce!!!!!

Pretty much everybody else has said it, but I had to agree. Some great shots and a nice looking layout. Inspires me to keep going with my 4X8.

High Pines Limited

What a wonderful layout, thanks for sharing. At age 62 I am starting my first layout and really appreciate artilces on top-shelf layouts, great for ideas and how to.  I tried looking up High Pines Limited through Google and was not able to find anything, is there a website?

Thanks,

John

I know this is an old thread,

I know this is an old thread, but I just finally watched the video in the article and have to reiterate what an incredible layout this is.  Dave's is one of several layouts that make me want to switch from HOn3 to On3 every time I see them.  Just beautiful work, and another fine example of a narrow gauge layout that both looks and operates like the real thing.  Always enjoy seeing the Durlin Branch featured.