Last post for June 2013...

I looked up today and noticed that June is almost over! Holy crap! At least I've got a decent garden in and growing.

I've finished building my new desk that I should have in my office today. That will clear off my workbench for model stuff. The house were in doesn't have a basement in it, cause it's a split level house. However, I do have a room that I can built a good sized switching layout in. So that's the plan right now. And luckly, I've got time in the winter to work on the layout cause the yard will not need my attention. More details to come.

Moved....

Well, we're settling in our new place in Iowa. Yep, a big jump from California but it's a different world and pace. Not too shabby. Got a few warms days but I've found it's not much different than living on the coast.

We're in Adel, Iowa (pronounced A-del). For those railroad folks out there, the former Milw Road line is easily seen from our upstair windows and is used as a hiking/bike trail now. A couple of industries still stand here in town, one still working.

This was probably an iron/metal dealer that got shipments via rail. Not sure on the name, but when I track down my 1958 shippers guide I will look. The ties and roadbed leading up to it are still in place. I'll take a walk before too long for more photos. It would make a great trackside industry. There's a larger one in Des Moines that receives sheet steel and shapes via rail everyday. I'll get some shots of that as well.

The other industry is a brick manufacturer. The photo shows where the siding went downgrade so they could load the cars. The loading platform is bricks stacked up and them concrete on top. I'll also post up photos of this industry as well. The now ship brick via truck and is very active.

There's also many bridges and what not in town. The former Milw depot is just down the road and used by a law firm. There are also several grain elevators in Waukee that are on the old line. We're going to start biking the line, so more photos of the area will be coming. Lots of good ideas for a shortline!

Kinda back at it...

Dusted off the airbrush and did some weathering on a future shortline engine. This will be a used loco purchased from the BNSF deadline. Nothing like cheap power. I've got a GP35 that will also wind up being repainted into the shortlines scheme. Now the question is to model a shortline or a regional railroad. Or a freelanced Class 1. Got alot of big 6 axle power that could be morphed into an awesome roster.

The new paint booth

Well, for a project that wasn't going to take me long, it was just over a week to get it done..

It's probably the best one I've built yet. The beauty of this on is there is no need to vent outside. There is a filter on the end to catch any over spray the inside filter misses. I also added switches for the fan and lights/compressor as well.

Right now I'm putting together all the instructions for it.

More on it later! I got some models to paint!

A little modeling..

I added some details on a couple of HO models for a friend here in town over the week. After the silly season is over, I'm going to get back to the N scale stuff. But, the HO was a nice diversion..

Just a note...

Hey guys,

I'm in the middle of the holiday rush (gotta love retail work) but I have been thinking about my new paint booth. So look for something about that shortly.

The design I'm considering is something that will fit on my bench that I can use indoors. I've got some ideas penciled in, I just need to add some details on my next trip to Home Depot.

I'm also still thinking about the new layout, I'm just not sure on how big cause we still haven't figured out the house thing yet. I may do a HCD layout for the heck of it.

Addition to the bench..

Well, I'm getting back to working on things. But, I got tired of the clutter all over my bench. So, out to garage to build something that will take care of this..

A few boards later, I've got this...

It's 5.5 feet wide, 2.5 feet tall and gets alot of stuff off my bench...