Boston & Maine Central
Franklin Lang
The B&MC is a freelance single track (250') mainline that runs east - west from Boston (staging) to Portland, Penobscot Bay, Waterville with branch to Carrabassett, North Maine Junction, Farmington, Bangor and Points East (staging). Full walk around with plug in NCE control, 5' aisles, manual turnouts. Max speed 35mph. Diesel and steam Soundtraxx sound. City scenes, mountains, fishing port, farm, bridges and tunnels. Code 83 track with Arizona Mineral Yard Mix ballast. Started in 2006 and completed in 2009.
Objective: good operation in a relaxed manner on a Class 2 railroad with slow speed and many small industries served.
Layout at a glance
Name: Boston & Maine Central
Scale: HO
Size: 30'x 45'
Prototype: Freelance
Locale: Boston to Bangor
Era: Mid 50's
Style: Walk around
Mainline run: 250'
Minimum radius: 30"
Minimum turnout: #5 & #6
Maximum grade: 0%main, 2% branch
Benchwork: open grid
Height: 50"
Roadbed: Homosote over ½ ply
Track: code 83
Scenery: Cardboard strips, plaster gauze, sculptamold
Backdrop: commercial 8' photos
Control: DCC/NCE
Operating positions:
Yardmasters (2) at each of 3 main yards (Portland, Waterville, Bangor)
Rotating 2 man train crews - wayfreights, thru freights and passenger and branch line
10-12 operators
Dispatcher - superintendent
Comments:
Typical session 2 ½ - 3 hours. No duckunders. Wide 5' aisles.
Paperwork: cc&wb
99% of turnouts are manual ground throws
Dispatching - voice
100% sceniced
Max reach: 30"
Handicap access
Entrance: back of house thru garage
Most recent update: 2008 December 21
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