Shelf Layout Update 7-4-2026

Not a lot of activity on the H0 layout over the last eight months, but I recently added a shelf for the Digitrax DCC system and did a little switching/shunting. I still need to add scenery details on the extensions to the layout, and paint the fascia. With hot and humid weather outside, I think I'll stay inside and work on the layout this month.

Shelf Layout Update 8-2-2025

I'm still planning to use Matt Forcum's OpsBuddy switchlist spreadsheet to create switchlists for my operating sessions. Details about this wonderful tool can be found by visiting the MFRailroad YouTube Channel. The YouTube video includes a link to access a copy of the spreadsheet. The photos below include details about my setup for the Grocery Warehouse Layout. 

The track schematic pictured below is for crews working the grocery warehouse area. The schematic denotes tracks, turnouts, and location labels to assist the crew in pulling and spotting cars at the local industries.

Grocery Warehouse Layout Schematic for Operations 

No hidden staging for this shelf layout, so I am using the right side (geographic South) section of the layout as a visible staging area. This is for trains approaching the area from Cuba, Missouri. Northbound trains begin here at the beginning of the session. For today’s session, a train has already arrived and is ready to fill out its Track Warrant for permission to move into the grocery warehouse area.

Staged and ready to begin the operating session 

The left side (geographic North) of the layout is also being used as a visible staging area for trains approaching the area from South Owensville Yard. Southbound trains begin here at the beginning of the session. For today’s session, there are no trains approaching from this visible staging area.

No trains starting from the North end of the layout for this session 

I’m using an old Android phone with a Fast Clock App. I am using a 10:1 ratio for operating the layout. The fast clock isn’t really needed, but it adds flavor to the operating session.

I have customized my version of the OpsBuddy spreadsheet to create a switchlist for operating the grocery warehouse layout.  I have also included two Track Warrant Control cards to the switchlist to enhance the operating experience. Since I operate by myself, I use the track warrants to simulate a form of track control.  The TWC forms are also not necessary, but like the fast clock, it adds a railroady flavor to the experience.

Switchlist/TWC form for today's session

My Broadway Limited Paragon 4 locomotive comes equipped with sounds. Various sound files such as radio chatter, engine acceleration/deceleration, air horns, locomotive bell, and other sounds greatly enhance the experience! The crew blasts the horn as it crosses Hwy Y near the grocery warehouse.

The crew has finished dropping off cars at the industrial lead siding and pulled/set out cars at the grocery warehouse. The local makes its way south along the siding to the south crossover tracks.  

The crew has finished its switching duties ahead of schedule, so they will contact the dispatcher and obtain updated track warrants. Once the new track warrant takes effect, the local will head back on the main track to Cuba, Missouri. At this point, the operating session is concluded.

The crew finished well ahead of the Track Warrant expiration at 1:00 PM. The crew will receive a new track warrant and make their way back to Cuba, Missouri at 1:01 PM. 

Utilizing the switchlist, fastclock, and the various locomotive sound files give the operating session a feeling of realism and is fun to boot!! A surprising amount of operating potential even with its small size!

Shelf Layout Update 7-14-25

The revised track work on the right side of the layout has been installed and is ready for ballast, but first I need to test it out by running a train over it.

With everything running well, it's time to ballast the new track and start with scenery work! 

Owensville Terminal Grocery Warehouse Layout 
8 x 120 inches (960 sq inches) 

Shelf Layout Update 7-11-2025

Scenery development on the grocery warehouse layout. I'm repurposing the old yard office from the Fourth Street Yard layout onto the shelf layout. Testing out a farm supply scene.

Updated Track Plan

I've updated the track plan for the remaining shelf layout portion of the Owensville Terminal Railroad.

I'll be gluing down the new track arrangement on the right side of the layout, and then work on ballasting the track along with scenery.

1981 System Map (Northern Section) 

Tom

Abandonment Notice

On or about July 7, 1980, Owensville Terminal Railroad Company has filed for abandonment of 3.8 miles of track in the city of Owensville, Missouri. This includes all of the track designated as Fourth Street Yard and the industrial lead track to the connection at Southeast Junction. 

The north end of Fourth Street Yard sits idle after recent abandonment by the railroad. Rail salvage crews are expected in the near future. 

The Owensville Terminal Railroad in 1980

Back in 1978, Schmidt Mfg announced the closure of its furniture manufacturing facility located along the former mainline of the Owensville Terminal Railroad. With its closing and the previous closing of the Gasconade Canning plant in 1976, the Fourth Street Yard tracks went dormant with only a few cars a week operating from the Rock Island Junction to the wye connection located a few miles south of the South Owensville Classification Yard. The Rock Island's bankruptcy on March 31, 1980 ended interchange service between the Rock Island and OTRR. The Cotton Belt/SP, which took control of the Rock Island in Owensville, didn't seek to re-establish interchange service. On July 7, 1980, the OTRR officially filed for abandonment of the 3.8 miles of track from Rock Island Junction to Southeast Junction. This abandonment included all of the Fourth Street Yard tracks. The tracks of the OASIS District were eventually removed by early December of 1985.

The Future of the Owensville Terminal Layout 

The shelf layout featuring the grocery warehouse will continue for the foreseeable future! 

Due to life changes and a potential move in the future, I have decided to downsize my model railroad layout. The original 1' x 8' Fourth Street Yard portion of the layout is in the process of being dismantled. The grocery warehouse extension will be kept in operation and moved when I relocate in the future. I'm planning to finish scenery work in the near future which will allow me to focus on running trains on the layout today and in the future after the move. I'm also going to be scaling back my model railroad hobby activities and projects as I concentrate on my growing art business. I no longer have the time, space, or funds for model train layouts or equipment.

I plan to maintain this blog for the foreseeable future with updates about the grocery warehouse shelf layout as they become available.

To all who have followed the blog, thank you for your support! 

Tom

Scenes on the Extension

I had the opportunity to run a couple of trains on the new extension the other day.  

I will be adding additional scenery materials to the original baseboard of the WFS Micro layout along with an additional structure representing a business not served by the railroad.  I will also be replacing the original tail track on the WFS with something different.  More on that in the near future.

 

original tail track section underlined in red

Backdrop Painting on the Shelf Extension

I finally got around to painting the backdrop on the OASIS District extension.  I used oil paints on the hardboard backdrop panels.  The oils will take a couple of weeks to dry, and then I might tweak the painting a little, but for the most part it is completed.  I will add tree armatures from Scenic Express (SuperTrees) in front of the backdrop to create additional depth in the scene.  Scenery work will go quickly since most of the Wetterau Food Services micro layout already has scenery.  I am also thinking about adding an additional structure to the left of the grocery warehouse to round out the scene.  

Backdrop Painting Photos

Shelf Extension Update

 

South end of layout extension

Finally got around to installing the backdrop and fascia boards on the OASIS District extension.  Picked up some hardboard from my local building supply store, and after a couple of hours I had the backdrop and fascia boards installed.  Time to break out the paints and start creating some sky and background scenes.

Grocery warehouse and staging area 

Finishing up the extension shouldn't take too long, and I hope to be operating the layout again real soon.

Tom

New Motive Power on the OASIS

 

I recently purchased a Broadway Limited Paragon 4 switcher for use on the OASIS District layout as well as my other model railway layouts.  I am really excited about this loco, and I'm impressed with its performance.  The capacitor-equipped loco works great on the layout and helps to navigate those glitchy track sections that creep up from time to time.  I tested out the loco without cleaning the track and it worked amazingly well, although a couple of stalls occurred where the dirt buildup was a bit to large for the capacitor to carry the locomotive through the dirty section.  A quick polish of the rails with a Brightboy did the trick and the loco runs beautifully on the entire layout, including the new shelf extension.  This is definitely a game-changer for operating the layout.  I will be acquiring more capacitor-equipped locos in the future.  

I look forward to working on the new extension coming up in September with a new backdrop and fascia board panels on the "to-do" list first.  

Until next time,

Tom

WFS Connected

I have completed construction of the new lift-out section and have connected the WFS with the OASIS District layout. Everything tested out perfectly.

I have decided to leave the tail track in place on the left side of the WFS instead of building a longer section. The extra 8 inches available doesn't help much, so no need to change things here.

The new staging area does not require scenery, but I will probably paint this a dark gray or black. It will also be hidden behind a low-level fascia board as well. Here's a video of the first test run of the connecting section.

I'm setting up a new tool to assist with operating the layout. More on that in the near future! 

Tom 

Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout : WFS Layout Update

I am expanding the layout by combining the OASIS District with my Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout.  Here is a link with all of the details.  Below the link is the new track plan featuring the new set up for the combined layouts.

Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout : WFS Layout Update

Owensville Terminal Micro Layout

I started building a micro layout based on my Owensville Terminal Railroad theme last year. I finished it this past week.

The layout is H0 scale and measures roughly 16" x 30", not counting the hidden staging track and sector plate. There are no turnouts on this layout, and the hidden sector plate is used to move cars between the three tracks.

Sector plate prior to being painted 

The baseboard was made with foamcore, and the backdrop panels are hardboard painted with oil paints to create the autumn landscape. Staging and the sector plate are only long enough to accommodate a single loco and car, so switching cars must be done in a particular sequence. First, an arriving car is left on the main track. The loco then proceeds to the feed mill track to pull the car sitting there. Next, this departing car is off-spotted at the middle track, then the loco goes back and recouples to the arriving car so it can be dropped off at the feed mill. Now the loco picks up the departing car from the middle track, heads for the sector plate that is rotated back to the main track. The car and local can now head back down the main track and proceed to exit the layout at the staging track on the left-side of the layout.

 

Here are some photos of the completed layout... 

I had a lot of fun building this micro layout. This is the first time I attempted to create an autumn scene, and I am really pleased with how it all turned out in the end. 

Tom