Wow...

Hey everyone! I took a break during the holidays but I've started getting back into the swing of things.

So, having a railroad that hauls lumber means I need some lumber loads. I recently got some Red Caboose centerbeam cars for a good deal on the N Scale Yard Sale list on Yahoogroups. So now it's time to add some lumber...

The loads are balsa wood cut to 12, 16 & 20 foot lengths. The ends are painted and basswood 4x4 spacers are glued in. After the glue dries, the spacers are trimmed and the load is pretty much ready. Basswood could also be used, but my local shop didn't have any that would fit when I was there.

I plan to start some scenery work this weekend, so watch this space!

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Busy week!

Well, a good week for trains..

First off, I managed to get fascia up on the curve and along in front of the mill.

I need to cut in the profile of the scenery in the boards. That'll happen tomorrow with the help of a friends Rotozip. The last photo shows the cut outs for the booster and the access hatch for the curve when the hill is built. The hatch will be held in place with magnets instead of hinges. I'll update when it's done for those interested. The balance of the fascia will be installed along the front where the yard is and along the scrap yard.

With the fascia installed, scenery can begin. My first project is getting the bridge reinstalled as well as the concrete abutments. I'm also working on a master for the tunnel portals as well. More photos as I get stuff done.

Ops update......

Well, I've got three industries installed in on the layout...

This is the location of the scrap yard. Located just away from the town, it'll keep the eyesore away from the city fathers. It will also provide 1-2 car loads a session.

This is a shot of the yard in town. At some point, it will be a terminal for the local switch job and the branch line job. I'm going to start laying out the track this weekend. There is also a crossover to be installed as well on the main here so the local can switch. On the back side will be a packing house and a feed distributor. The town will also be behind the mainline.

Here is the last shot, showing the OSB mill tracks and the LPG track. The molding mill will have covered loading tracks on the right and woodchip loading on the left. The mill is going to be decent sized, since I don't like small industries! :-)

Another update will be done later this weekend.

Amtrak in town..

Amtrak's 40th special train is in town this weekend...

GEHAMS had their N scale SP layout in the depot as well...

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Layout update..

Well, the main has been in a few weeks and so far, so good. The plywood base has proved to be a good choice, with very little wood movement. I've only had one small gap open up and it was pretty small.

The next steps will be to install a backdrop, but I've been itching to add sidings to the layout as well so I can do some switching. So, this weekend is for working on a couple of spots.

This is the scrap yard on the west end of town. Just on the other side off the mainline will be the connection with the branch.

This view shows the siding for the LPG dealer and the Sierra-Pacific chipboard plant. The plant will handle 6 boxcars for loading and loaded woodchip cars inbound. It will also have a dump for woodchip trucks as well.

Further industries will include a packing house and a feed dealer. There will also be a small 4 track yard for the local switcher to work out of and handle the branch line interchange. But for now, a switch job called out of Roseville will handle switching chores for the time being.

Speaking of which, here's the local in staging next to the Amtrak Vintage excursion. The NS engine is really a DRGW engine that got tagged back east. :-) It will be repainted shortly and placed into service with UP patches.

Thanks for looking!

Railfanning...

At Cajon a few weeks ago..

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Update.. Reefer madness and cork on the mainline!!!

I know, about time I updated. Well, with my work schedule and other things going on, it's been tough to get anything done. It's also the time of the year when I start woodworking again as well. So, without further ado, on with the update...

Picked up two of BLMA's killer reefers. Train Shack in North Hollywood had several when I was in the area, so I couldn't help it. These are nice. They'll get full weathering and graffiti shortly, but I had to run them. Luckly, the GEHAMS club was having a run this weekend.

I also got the cork down on the upper deck. Next is the track and wiring. Then I'll figure out what I want to do with the industries. As it is right now, I'm leaning to maybe 4-7 various industries. After the trip up north, I'm also going to model more of the NorCal-Oregon area.

I should have it running this week, if I'm lucky.

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