"Friends Corner"

Like a lot of towns, my version of Paducah has an informal area that is known by a
identifying name recognized by the residents but not shown on any map. It can sometimes be a street, or a block, or even several blocks. Here, it's known as "friends corner", and will have several businesses named after friends. The first to take shape is Nancy's Diner (shown here).

The story behind Nancy's is that shortly after we moved to St. Louis in 2008, Nancy and her husband Bob stopped by on their way home to Ashland, OH from a western trip, and brought to me an HO scale vintage baggage car. In recognition, I wanted to make a diner and name it for Nancy. But, it didn't look right (not enough windows); thus, I got a diner, repainted and changed the signs, and here it is. There is still some detail work and window treatment to go, but it looks good. The baggage car will become a tool shed at CP Tipton (Nancy's maiden name), and other buildings are in the process of being finished for "friends corner."

IntuiSwitch controls

I am changing to IntuiSwitch controls for my turnouts, and am in the process of installing them. This is a product of ESELCO, from Lenexa, KS, (info@intuiswitch) and developed by Sheldon Levy. As you can see from the photos, they are push button operated, and flush mounted directly to the fascia, a primary reason I am making the change. In addition, they come with the route marked, red and green lights indicating the divergent and main routes respectively. They have been relatively easy to install, and early on, I am most happy with them.

In addition to the individual switches as shown above, the company makes custom panels to handle yards or multiple tracks, with the route lighted, once set.

I am using the IntuiSwitch connected both to Tortoise and SwitchMaster turnout motors. Since on the P&LE, I originally had installed toggle switches as controls, the change over was simple, changing just four wires from the original setup. One note of caution, these switches require more power than my original toggles, and I am installing additional power sources (wall transformers) and removing the switches from the Digitrax track buss.