Mat Thompson’s Oregon Coast Railroad
October 11, 2009
It’s
been almost two years since Mat sponsored a Potomac Division open
house. Revisiting the Tillamook Line of the Oregon Coast Railroad
again, has allowed this visitor an opportunity witnessing further
completion and expansion of OCRR Empire. This full basement
layout includes a late sound equipped steam locomotive fleet
transitioning into early diesel power on the west coast during the fall
of 1953. Besides the many locomotives sitting in yards waiting
for operating clearance, several ply their trackage rights delivering
freight to scheduled destinations. Locomotive sounds emanate from
numerous locomotives, further bringing life to the OCRR.
Aside
from extensive trackwork, scenery construction is the first visible
experience. At a minimum, seventy five percent is completed,
capturing the several small towns and industries along the way.
Particularly of interest are several industries depicted with majestic
large old buildings scattered here and there along the right of way as
the railroad meanders towards the port. At one mountain top, is a
marshalling yard with Shay locomotive for log train loading. This
train will carry uncut forest logs to the sawmill for machining into
lumber and other forest products. As this train might meander its
way, several small towns are passed.
Mat’s
expertise building structures is evident. Modeling buildings from
trips to Oregon and his memory from his youth, has captured the
weathered look of many a small town. Including the port scene of
Columbia River Salmon company to the Hannibal Furniture Company by the
mill stream to the kitbashed Swift meat packing factory, the
kitbasher’s eye has been exercised. The Swift meat plant includes
many DPM and Walther’s brick building panels arranged to replicate a
turn of the century old brick factory complex. Access to rail,
permits loads in and loads out when operating. Across from this
plant, an old opera window style combine car has become a storage
facility of machinery parts and such for the railroad.
Several
innovations are used allowing trackwork and operations to exist
harmoniously. One port scene in particular, allows the track to
exit or enter a large building and continue on its running in the
layout. The view block as it is, permitted our host the options
of continuous running and fitting curved trackage better fitting the
needs of his design.
Jalbum 8.2