Author Archives: Alex Bogaski

I did some operating on the layout last weekend, and it was all kinds of fun! Its amazing how much operating potential a small layout can have. Its important to slow down, and try emulating prototype practices. First the train arrived in town with “light engines” and picked up outbound cars from the Farmers Co-op.Continue reading “Switching”

I’ve finally finished equipment acquisition to model Farmrail’s former excursion train! Farmrail used to own two VIA coaches (they’ve since been sold to the Oklahoma Railway Museum) that they once used to provide excursion rides for the local community. The caboose was sometimes used on the train, and was usually powered by a GP10 onContinue reading “The Varnish”

I’ve neglected to write updates lately because I was having some technical difficulties with the WordPress site, but all seems well again! Here’s some of what has been going on on the layout: The gas station from Summit Custom Cuts is mostly finished! Although this is definitely a proto-freelance scene, I was really excited toContinue reading “And We’re Back!”

I’m not from Frederick, OK. I’m from the west side of Oklahoma City. But the rural, western part of my home state is my favorite part of the state, and holds a lot of happy memories for me. So its really nice to see the layout scenery come together and remind me of home. IContinue reading “Its Starting to Feel a Bit Like Home…”

Hi, all! Sorry for the lack of updates! I’ve been so busy working on the layout, I haven’t taken much time to document my progress. However, here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening on the South End of the Grainbelt: I’ve always wanted a wheat field scene in a layout. Nothing says Oklahoma quite likeContinue reading “For Amber Waves of Grain…”

Howdy, all! I finished filming a layout tour of and the first operating session on the “South End of the Grainbelt” and you can see it here: I’d like to thank Tom Klimoski for his recent blog post about my work, too! He was all too kind. https://www.thomasklimoski.com/post/alex-bogaski-s-farmrail-layout Tom is a great guy, and hisContinue reading “New Video is Live!”

I finished all of the track and wiring on the new “South End of the Grainbelt” layout. I now have a mechanically functioning layout to operate, and its the largest layout I’ve build to-date. Tony Koester recently wrote a column in which he praised the clean, presentable look of James McNab’s Iowa Interstate Hills LineContinue reading “Channeling David Barrow”

I realized that I’ve been sharing photos without having posted the track plan for the “South End of the Grainbelt” model railroad! I have some more to share on recent progress, but first, I give you the track plan. Please forgive my hand drawn sketch. The layout measures 11′ x 10′ 6″ and is 44″Continue reading “Track Plan”

I thought I’d share some recent construction progress on my model of Frederick, OK on the Farmrail/Grainbelt System. I’ve titled the layout “South End of the Grainbelt” which is shamelessly taken from the title of the “Railroad You Can Model” article in 1992 Model Railroader. I’m not the best a laying flex track, but IContinue reading “Under Construction!”

I recently purchased this slide on eBay recently. It depicts Farmrail (GNBC) 331 “Caddo”, a former Milwaukee GP9 tied down on a spur. I’m not exactly sure of the location or date, but I think its likely Elk City, OK in the mid 90’s. I like this photo because there’s more to it than aContinue reading “A Locomotive at Rest”