"Update 1998"

In January 1998 we became interested in DCC control for our Garden Railway and after spending three months of checking out the various makes we decided to go with Digitrax for the following reasons. We wanted radio control due to the size of the layout 125 ft by 60 ft and Digitrax seemed closest to completing that goal. We also felt they were reasonably prices and had a complete system, as I have found from past experience it is better to go with one manufacture and if you have any problems you know where to go. They also seemed to have more powerful decoders that would we necessary for G scale and new ones on the way with even more functions. (just my opinion and I have no stake in Digitrax other than they have been very helpful). As of September we have completed converting the following locomotives. Two LGB White Passes with full control of the PH sound system. One LGB Forney with full control of the PH sound system. Two Aristocraft U25 with full control of the PH sound system. One Aristocraft RS 3 with full control of the Dalee sound system. One Aristocraft Critter with no sound. One Bachmann Shay with full control of the PH sound system (see below for details). One Bachmann ten wheeler with full control of the PH sound system. During 1998 we also built and installed a manual turntable to be motorized with DCC and a Polar three stall roundhouse. For the future I would like to finish up a few remaining locomotives and uses DCC to control my Del-air switches. Our first 1999 project was to add DCC to the Bachmann Climax which is now complete and a detailed description appears below.

"Update 2005" WE MOVED AND HAVE CEASED OPERATION OF THIS LINE In 2001 it was found that I had colon cancer. The tumor was successfully removed, but to be sure I had chemotherapy for 6 months. During this time due to problems with a weakness in my leg it was found I had a tumor on the top of my brain. They removed the tumor on May 13 2004. The recovery was supposed to take 5 days. After the operation, one of the nurses in intensive care removed the drain tube, used to drain excessive fluids, before I was sent to my ward room. Then when I was walking I collapsed due to a fluid build up and fell hitting my head on a metal pipe on the operation opening it up and causing a bad internal bleed. Nine months later I got out of the hospital in a wheel chair. Since Bernice and I were unable to look after the property we sold it and moved into Georgetown and a smaller place. Due to a lot of therapy, and it is still continuing I am able to walk short distances with a cane, but I still have no use of my right hand or arm. We now live in the South End of Georgetown, in a nice 2 story house about 15 years old. It has a nice small lot which we can manage just fine. I hope to start building a layout for my trains in the basement this winter and maybe one in the yard this summer. If you are down this way please drop in.

"Update 2008"

We are now building an ON30 layout since I could no longer lift the G scale locomotives. Unlike garden railways, you need to make the scenery. Fortunately my wife is quite talented in painting scenery and making mountains,rivers,lakes, and people etc.

Since our old layout was DCC, we decided to use it in our new layout. We then found that on some units you could add sound which of course makes it more interesting. I have since learned how to solder with one hand and have found there are many tools available or can be utilized to work with for people with one hand. I am using them to build most of my buildings and modify engines on my layout. More to follow...

Ross