Jackson & Burke Railroad

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KOPS


A long, long time ago, in a distant state (OK, it was just Pennsylvania), Ken Brunt had a ground level garden railroad.  

It had some very interesting switching challenges but time was beginning to take its toll.   So, Ken decided to build a new layout - this time it would be elevated and designed for operations.   So much so that he could now host an operations session and invite more than two people!


So, "Ken Ops" was born.  

That was as nifty as the name would be for awhile, until Ric Golding got it to just be KOPS!

2018

The first "official" KOPS began in 2017, but we didn't get there until 2018.  

There were a LOT of visitors.   Some from Canada, others from Illinois, Connecticutt, Virginia...  


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April 27. Friday: Ken, John Le Forestier, Ric Golding and Jon Radder.
April 27. Friday: Ken, John Le Forestier, Ric Golding and Jon Radder.
Ken has painted a backdrop along the back wall of the barn. The barn also serves as home for all the cars in between sessions.
Ken has painted a backdrop along the back wall of the barn. The barn also serves as home for all the cars in between sessions.
The moss has grown in nicely.
The moss has grown in nicely.
April 27. Ken, Jon and Ric.
April 27. Ken, Jon and Ric.
April 28. Saturday. Ken does some quick repairs to a troublesome switch.
April 28. Saturday. Ken does some quick repairs to a troublesome switch.
Marilyn Radder, Jan Golding, and Jean Chandler relax.
Marilyn Radder, Jan Golding, and Jean Chandler relax.
April 28. Saturday: Doug Matheson made the trip down from Canada.
April 28. Saturday: Doug Matheson made the trip down from Canada.
The trains start...
The trains start...
David (AKA "The Rooster" on LSC) and John check out the yard.
David (AKA "The Rooster" on LSC) and John check out the yard.
April 28. Saturday morning: One lonely loco in the yard...
April 28. Saturday morning: One lonely loco in the yard...
There is a bit of a grade...
There is a bit of a grade...
Lots of photo opportunities.
Lots of photo opportunities.
April 28. Saturday: All of the stations are labeled, and have a map that shows where the industries are.
April 28. Saturday: All of the stations are labeled, and have a map that shows where the industries are.
Jean operates the train.
Jean operates the train.
There are a LOT of very nice buildings...
There are a LOT of very nice buildings...
April 28. Saturday. My little box cab switcher is also operating.
April 28. Saturday. My little box cab switcher is also operating.
Doug, Ken, and John relax between trains.
Doug, Ken, and John relax between trains.
David (AKA "Rooster") has driven in from out of town.
David (AKA "Rooster") has driven in from out of town.
April 28. Doug, Ken and John haven't really moved from a few pictures back...
April 28. Doug, Ken and John haven't really moved from a few pictures back...
Doug, and our host: Ken.
Doug, and our host: Ken.
April 29, Sunday: Jon and Ken.
April 29, Sunday: Jon and Ken.
April 29. Ric.
April 29. Ric.
Trains are kept inside the shed, but brought outside for operations and stuck in the yard against the shed.
Trains are kept inside the shed, but brought outside for operations and stuck in the yard against the shed.
It's a good run from the shed.
It's a good run from the shed.
April 27. Sunday. Trains run in both directions around the layout.
April 27. Sunday. Trains run in both directions around the layout.

2019

The third year for KOPS and it has matured into a very nice operating session.


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April 26. We arrive on Friday - just before a big rainstorm forces us up onto the covered porch. I am only able to get a few pictures.
April 26. We arrive on Friday - just before a big rainstorm forces us up onto the covered porch. I am only able to get a few pictures.
Ken built this storage yard just around the corner from the previous picture. This gives all the vistors a space to set up their locomotives.
Ken built this storage yard just around the corner from the previous picture. This gives all the vistors a space to set up their locomotives.
April 27. Saturday is MUCH nicer than yesterday! It's sunny, but the wind makes it feel a lot colder. Stan and Ken check out the track, while Deb looks on.
April 27. Saturday is MUCH nicer than yesterday! It's sunny, but the wind makes it feel a lot colder. Stan and Ken check out the track, while Deb looks on.
April 27. There's a nice informal visiting area and the sun feels good.
April 27. There's a nice informal visiting area and the sun feels good.
David Marconi and Jon Radder are getting ready to take some cars out of the barn to be put on the correct sidings for the ops session.
David Marconi and Jon Radder are getting ready to take some cars out of the barn to be put on the correct sidings for the ops session.
Al Pomeroy, Stan Ames, and John Leforestier.
Al Pomeroy, Stan Ames, and John Leforestier.
April 27. John is helping Al deliver some cars.
April 27. John is helping Al deliver some cars.
Ken Brunt, Noel & John Leforestier discuss the upcoming session.
Ken Brunt, Noel & John Leforestier discuss the upcoming session.
April 27. Jon and Al. (Check out the cool apron on Jon!)
April 27. Jon and Al. (Check out the cool apron on Jon!)
Ken and Noel.
Ken and Noel.
David Marconi (AKA "Hollywood") and Jon Radder.
David Marconi (AKA "Hollywood") and Jon Radder.
April 27. Approaching the WYE - this is always a challenge for me as your locomotive gets turned around going through the WYE.
April 27. Approaching the WYE - this is always a challenge for me as your locomotive gets turned around going through the WYE.
Marilyn (with Shadow), Jean and Sue.
Marilyn (with Shadow), Jean and Sue.
Ken and John.
Ken and John.
April 27.
April 27.
Jon and David.
Jon and David.
My locomotive coming out of the set-up yard.
My locomotive coming out of the set-up yard.
April 27. Jean seems cold...and I'm fighting a cold, so I don't take a lot of pictures this year. Nor run trains. We head back home on Sunday.
April 27. Jean seems cold...and I'm fighting a cold, so I don't take a lot of pictures this year. Nor run trains. We head back home on Sunday.