All posts by bsullivan

The Wm. Duvall Collection

History, Prototype

I recently was lucky enough to scan the negatives of Wm. Duvall, a Chevy Chase local. He allowed me to post them to my site. They are absolutely fantastic photos and give one a really fantastic glimpse back to when trains once ran on the Georgetown Branch. His photos cover from the late 1950s through the 1970s, with a few 1940s (and earlier!) shots thrown in. They are in the Gallery.

I also completed installation of the fluorescent lights in the layout room. I have also been doing tests and planning on the helix which will go under the stairs to connect the two levels. I have tentatively decided on the heights for the two layout shelf levels as 36″ and 57″. I am 5’6″ tall. I continue to refine the track plan and hope to have an updated copy up soon. Pics are in the Gallery.

It’s a BOY! (oh boy)

Georgetown Branch related links, News

Well, to whoever reads this, you may be wondering where I’ve been. Last update was back in April and a lot has happened since then. First of all, I’m a DADDY! His name is Kyle Thomas and he weighed in at 8lbs 5oz, 21″ long and was born on 6/23/04. Mom & Baby are both currently doing fine. We’ve been spending all our time with baby so no time for layout work, really. We also just got back from an annual trip up North to Cape Cod and are just now getting back into the swing of things.Which means, I will finally have a little time for the layout. So, progress report: I have updated some of my trackp plan, a new version coming soon online. I’m desperately searching for a Precision Scale brass model of a B&O Q-1c 2-8-2 which is the class of #4320 which ran the GB local often email me if you have one for sale! I explored deeply the possibly of using an Athearn USRA Light Mikado as a starting point for a Q-1c, and thanks to many on the Yahoo B&O list, I’ve decided not to do it. Just too much work for me at this point. The model and the prototype are so different in several key areas, most notably the boiler jacket which has 5 courses on the Q-1c and 6 on the Q-4 (which the Athearn is most like). I’m tidying up a few things here and there around the site, like adding some more sources to the History page, etc. I’m saving up to purchase the DCC system and preparing to get down to the basement to get that benchwork going! Check back soon for more updates.

History & Gallery updates

History, Prototype

I picked up a “Car Service Circular No. 4” at the last B&ORRHS Sorting Session. There is a small mention of the GB in it, so I scanned and posted it in the History section. Matthew G. Vurek was generous enough to lend me 3 more photos of his! They are really great, so check them out in the Gallery. Work in the layout room is on hiatus right now as I am building a brick walkway in the front yard, a retaing wall in the back yard and a walkway ’round the side of the house.

Ceiling goes up & some additions to the site!

Georgetown Branch related links, Prototype

The drop ceiling installation has begun, pics are in the Gallery. I added a long list of articles from the Washington Post newspaper in the “Sources” section on the History section. I added a few photos from the collection of Matthew G. Vurek who was generous in allowing me to share the photos here on my site. In the Gallery! I also made some spelling/textual changes here and there to the site. Enjoy!