{"id":1017,"date":"2015-03-23T11:37:59","date_gmt":"2015-03-23T11:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emrig.co.za\/?p=1017"},"modified":"2015-03-23T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2015-03-23T11:37:59","slug":"club-layout-visit-to-erich-dokoupil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrig.co.za\/?p=1017","title":{"rendered":"Club Layout Visit To Erich Dokoupil"},"content":{"rendered":"

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholderOn Sunday March 1st, the members of Emrig were kindly invited to see another model train enthusiasts\u00a0home layout. This time it was the amazing HO Scale, Union Pacific empire of Erich Dokoupil.\u00a0Erich explained that this is his sixth or seventh layout that he is in the process of building and that the\u00a0progress he has made to the current layout so far has taken him approximately seven years to complete.<\/p>\n

The layout is on two levels connected by a helix at each end to give a continuous run on a double main line\u00a0in a train room that measures approximately ten meters by four meters.\u00a0Erich is a true fan of the Union Pacific and gave the club members a small introductory talk about the history\u00a0of the Union Pacific and in particular, the small area of the Union Pacific’s vast network that he has chosen to\u00a0replicate.\u00a0The top level is prototypical and features the Union Pacific Yard in Cheyenne Wyoming. The time period that\u00a0Erich has modelled spreads over the 1950’s and 1960’s so the transition from the Giant steam locomotives to\u00a0the first generation diesel locomotives is clearly evident.<\/p>\n

Cheyenne was a crucial hub of the Union Pacific for freight crossing the continent and in its time housed one\u00a0of Union Pacific’s largest steam locomotive repair and service facilities at the time.\u00a0While we were there, Erich had four long freight trains running at one time, and needless to say, the trains\u00a0ran flawlessly. The layout is controlled by a Digitrax system with DT400 throttles plugged in to control the\u00a0locomotives.\u00a0Equally impressive were the numerous train display cases on show in the pub adjacent to the train room that\u00a0were filled with a huge collection of Union Pacific steam and diesel locomotives, young and old.<\/p>\n

ngg_shortcode_1_placeholderErich mentioned that the equally large and impressive lower level is free lanced. It was closed in at one point\u00a0and was intended to serve as hidden staging. Erich found that the trains were therefore out of sight for too\u00a0long while on this level and in the two large radius three to four turn helices, hence the decision to open it\u00a0up and add lighting. There is still much scenery to be done on the lower level but this will come in time.\u00a0The advantage of this lower level being open and well lit is that additional trains can be parked and staged\u00a0in the open for future moves.<\/p>\n

Apart from the two big yards positioned one above the other, the trains make their way through impressive\u00a0country and mountain regions before cleverly moving out off sight as they go into the helices to make their\u00a0way to the other level.<\/p>\n

A visit to see a layout such as this one is an inspiration to start a layout of ones own, or to get back to work\u00a0on an existing layout that has been standing idle for too long.\u00a0A big thank you goes out to Erich from the members who attended the visit on the day.<\/p>\n

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