Another visit to Bob Hanmer’s layout

I have operated a number of times at Bob Hanmer’s very nice layout in the Chicago area, modeling the Great Northern as well as the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range railroads. A recent report about it is at this link: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2024/07/an-operating-weekend-around-chicago.html .

In that post, I mentioned my discovery that a paper manufacturer that I had chosen from Internet sources, to ship to the printing plant on my layout, Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, was an industry I’d switched at Bob’s! Naturally I gave him a copy of my waybill for this, shown below. 

Bob enjoyed this little detail, and on my most recent visit, connected with this year’s Naperville meeting (which I’ve already commented upon: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2024/07/an-operating-weekend-around-chicago.html ), I was once again invited to operate at Bob’s, and he was pleased to show me the corresponding waybill departing his industry: 

This waybill is 4.5 x 5.5 inches in size, and many experienced operators will recognize it as a product of the Steve Karas waybill system (note that at the very bottom of the bill is a copyright notice for Steve — you may click on the image to enlarge it if you wish).  

I have long admired the products of this system, but haven’t wanted to write too much about it. Since Steve’s passing, the software has not been supported, and at the moment it’s probably not a good idea to consider adopting it. However, there is talk of the software being revived and updated, so if this is of interest, keep your ears open. 

While at the layout, I operated a couple of jobs, one of which was interesting as it was the mine turn to the Canisteo Mine, picking up loads and spotting empties at the mine’s loading spot. Our crew naturally was issued a train order for this move, as seen below (with the clearance card folded back).

It’s not a difficult job, just involves some switching moves at Canisteo. Below is a photo of the assigned mine switcher, used for local work. We didn’t use this engine, as our road engines, F7 types, did the work for our job. Note the long string of empties on the back track. 

On previous visits, I have admired how Bob has handled these ore cars, recognizing that regular loading with ore, followed by gravity unloading, during which any interior paint or rust would be scraped off, means that car interiors are neither rusty nor painted, but should have a bare metal appearance. Bob used a mask to allow painting of car after car with a nearly identical look:   

I found this a nice touch, and very much typical of the overall fine quality of this layout. Thanks again, Bob, for the invites, realistic operations, and the terrific layout.

 Tony Thompson