WVR Blog

New Signals for Watertown Yard

I just built two new single head semaphore signals for the North end of Watertown yard. I have built several double head semaphores, but these were my first singles. The mast is made from 3/32" brass tubing with everything else being 3d printed, including the ladder, which I had previously…

Posted on February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 by dmashino by dmashino

A Fleet of 1925 Model T’s

I just finished assembling five 1925 Model T's for the layout. These are some of the Jordan Miniatures that I have purchased (for 10 times the original price) on Ebay. Actually, instead of me paying for them, they should pay me for taking them and building them up! Anyone who…

Posted on January 26, 2026February 22, 2026 by dmashino by dmashino

Backdrop Replacement Due to “Shrinkage”

It's not quite as embarrassing as George's encounter on Seinfeld, but I need to fix the background before finishing the rest of the scenery in front of it. It's difficult to make out in the image here, but a few of the sheets of my background seem to have shrunk…

Posted on January 14, 2026January 15, 2026 by dmashino by dmashino

Early 20th Century Vehicles for the WVR

I am modeling the 1920's - 1930's and I have found that there are few options for vehicles. Over the past few years, I have purchased some Jordan Highway Miniatures from eBay. These kits are finicky to assemble but they are about the only game in town. I just received…

Posted on January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 by dmashino by dmashino

W.W. Keel Coal a Tribute to a Good Man

The Wildcat Valley Railway has one small coal mine so far and I plan to add another. It will need a few customers for this product, so I have created a coal trestle to dump hoppers of coal and now I need a building with a scale to sell the…

Posted on December 25, 2025December 25, 2025 by dmashino by dmashino

Additional Rail for Increased Revenue

I finished the new trackage for the Watertown depot. The new depot will reside on the back side of the track just past the grade crossing about where the switch engine sits. Beyond that on the diverging track will be the coal yard. The other track will be for some…

Posted on December 20, 2025December 25, 2025 by dmashino by dmashino

Modeling Season Arrives at the Wildcat Valley RR

It's cold and there is quite a lot of snow on the ground here in central Indiana. We made it out to the store yesterday to get supplies. Thanksgiving came and went, and the Christmas decorations are all up. My wife is a stickler about this. I manage the Central…

Posted on December 2, 2025December 2, 2025 by dmashino by dmashino

Update for 2025

I thought I'd give a quick update on my activities so far this year. I have been pretty lazy about updating the blog since I created the WVR website. I have been working on the WVR although it's coming along slower than I'd like. It is amazing how much time…

Posted on May 1, 2025May 1, 2025 by dmashino by dmashino

2022 Update

Well, I have been a little remiss in keeping my blog up to date. There has been much happening since my 2021 update post. Where to begin... I have a new granddaughter since June. Very good news, she's beautiful like her mom! Well, we've pretty much put covid in the…

Posted on December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 by dmashino by dmashino

Hello world!

I have Just moved this Blog over from Wordpress.org. Working to figure out some of the new functionality. Please excuse the mess! I will be adding some new posts soon.

Building a Model Railroad