Williamsburg
In 2006 Barb undertook the conversion of a storage room, another 100 sq. ft., to create what is now "Williamsburg". Williamsburg was named after several Williams: Bill Woods, who helped me initially clear out the old storage shelves that once lived in this room; William Peterson, Kathleen Adler's husband, and Bill Weber, who with Ken Reigle, helped rearrange the Browntown track plan nand entrance to Williamsburg. Barb added more track and a much needed turntable. This space was added in order to provide more space to ease switching in Browntown and to create a hump yard.
When, the addition of Williamsburg was started, and it soon became apparent that a true hump yard would not be possible. Completed in early 2008, Williamsburg provided a modified hump yard, with many additional industries. Williamsburg helped to straighten out Browntown, by eliminating about 15 switches, and was no longer a headache.
Williamsburg was completely sceniced in time for the 2011 NMRA-MWR Regional Convention. It incorporated 3 dioramas created by Barb, and was judged for Barb's AP Master Model Railroader Scenery certificate, leaving 1 more certificate to receive her MMR.
Williamsburg is a busy yard, as it is at the west end of the layout. Since it also services Browntown, the yardmaster has to control transfers of cars to and from Williamsburg and in Browntown, while making up trains in Williamsburg for points east.
Locations in Williamsburg
East End of Williamsburg Yard
Diorama and the Missing Bridge
Diorama and the Missing Bridge
Most trains were made up in the yard and taken to the East end of the yared which was used as a staging area for eager engineers.
Diorama and the Missing Bridge
Diorama and the Missing Bridge
Diorama and the Missing Bridge
One of many dioramas incorporated into the layout. Barb made a diorama for each SCWD club meeting during the span of one year. That's 9 dioramas! The bridge was originally meant to be added to the one in Browntown - works better here. The diorama that was added near the military facility that is supported by brackets underneath, and features removable stone walls, in case there is a derailment on the hidden track.
Military Facility
Engraving and Junk Yard
Engraving and Junk Yard
The military facility was added to the layout to honor Barb's late half brother, BG John von Trott, who spent a tour as the general in charge of the UN forces in Bosnia, before retiring.
Engraving and Junk Yard
Engraving and Junk Yard
Engraving and Junk Yard
Albert's engraving is in honor of her paternal Grandfather, who was an artist and engraver by trade. Art runs in the family. Both Barb and her father were also commercial artists for a period during their lives. Crime Dog Junk Yard is named after a member of the Dane County Sheriff's Dept. The DCSO Sgt. operating on the layout, got the nickname from solving a warehouse burglary. It wasn’t a 2 legged suspect breaking in. It was the 4 legged guard dog breaking out over the weekends. Guess he didn’t like being alone Friday night through Monday mornings.
Site Content
West End of Bradley Yard
West End of Bradley Yard
West End of Bradley Yard
It's a good thing that the Williamsburg yard master was tall, as the yard had many industrial sidings against the back wall.
Removable Bridges
West End of Bradley Yard
West End of Bradley Yard
The turntable area was finished a week before the convention, and was built in order to allow the highway bridge and railroad bridge to be removed, along with the bridge support, (which is pressed fit onto the facia), when the operating session season, (September-May), is over. Once removed, the turntable can be pushed back under the hillside, to reveal counter space.
Disappearing Turntable
The Neverending Layout Repairs
The Neverending Layout Repairs
The disappearing turnable worked great, and reveled much needed counter space.
The Neverending Layout Repairs
The Neverending Layout Repairs
The Neverending Layout Repairs
In addition to the normal scenery, we made sure that there were additional railroad related animated construction going on the layout.