Shifting Gears

Hi Folks - well I am just finishing adding somefinal details to the module and am awaiting an opportunity to attend my first UMG show with it. Dave M came by this past week and helped me install the final touches of scenery. I am looking forward to putting it on display. This also means that i have to get back working on the sub, as it has been awhile since i have had time to devote to it... Here are a couple of shots of Maine Central GP 38 #254 on the module.Till next time....

Have Module will Travel

Well I am coming down the home stretch with my new module - not much left to do except adding some details and completing one small track side building. I must say that it was a good experience , and the only disappointing issue is that unfortunately, I will be unable to get to the first show of the season next month (family commitment). I am looking forward to taking it on the road and to having it incorporated into a UMG http://theumg.wordpress.com/ set-up. Have a look at this posts pic - it is one of the two small industries on the layout ( more details to be added - eg chain link fence ,etc). Till next time...

New Structure

Hi Folks;

Well progress continues on the modules, and they should be ready for the upcoming shows this fall. My module will have a couple of industry sidings on it and at first, I wasn't sure exactly what they would be. After several hours of thumbing through the Walthers catalogue, I decided on a what I think will be a couple of interesting industries. One that I have spent the last couple of weeks building ( on and off of course - as it isn't a difficult kit) was the Sunrise Feed mill. I built it as per kit instructions. Once it was complete, I weathered it with Bragdon weathering powders and a light coat of thinned Pollyscale Earth paint. My preference is always to lightly do the weathering rather than over do it. I have also built a Rix grain bin to go along with it. Once I have it in place on the layout, it will be connected to the feed mill by piping. Have a look at this post picture of the feed mill. It is temporarily in place on a siding on the Nottingham Sub. Till next time....

A Visit to the BS&T

Hi All;

I had the pleasure -cough cough (just kidding Scott!!) this past weekend of operating on Scott's BS&T (see my links). I have known Scott for several years now, but this was the first visit to Scott's place in a couple of years, and since my last one, Scott has totally changed his layout - i.e his old one is gone, the room is greatly expanded, and progress on the BS&T is very well along. Scott teamed me up with Tom - a fairly new member of Scott's crew, and despite me not having seen the layout before, I must admit we did a decent job - and we had an enjoyable 1.5 to 2 hours of operating time. Scott also had another visitor on this evening whom I recognized from the Friday Night Group' s (Ottawa area) blog - Stan Conley. Stan was vacationing in the area. http://fridaynightgroup.blogspot.com/

It was nice to talk to Stan and all in all I had a very enjoyable evening at Scott's place. Have a peek at this posts photos. One is of Derwin and Stan teamed up for operations and the other is of Scott ( he's the guy with the all-knowing grin), Greg, and Tom apparently discussing some complex switching maneuver. Thanks again Scott - it was great. Till next time....

On the Road

Hi All;

Myself and another local modeler have started to build a couple of modules and plan on participating in the UMG group http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/s.jay/UMG/

This should be a great method to get out and enjoy another aspect of model railroading. It will also give me an opportunity to show the Maine Central flag at local shows and events. We built the modules frames and tops yesterday, and plan on tackling the legs very soon. Have a look at this posts picture to see our results. I'll post more on our progress soon. Till next time...

Operating on the WRS

Recently I had the opportunity to once again partake in an operating session. This time it was on Doug's White River Southern http://whiteriversouthern.blogspot.com/2008/07/operating-session-june-30.html, and I must say that it indeed was enjoyable. Doug has an operating system that is relatively easy to follow, and that makes for a fun time for newbies to operations like myself. Doug has a large Point to Point layout that has been designed with a lot of thought to operations in mind. I am starting to look at my own layout in a new light and maybe I will be able to plan some basic operations in the future. Thanks for the insight into this facet of the hobby Doug. Till next time...

The Right Track

As the good weather is finally upon us, work on the layout has slowed to a crawl. However I have been doing some trackwork lately and thought that I would give a brief description on my trackwork. I use the familiar cork roadbed and Atlas code 100 track. Turnouts are by Peco. Once I have the trackwork in place, I airbrush the track with a 50-50 mixture of Floquil railbrown and roof brown paint. Lately I have been using Highball cinder ballast along the very edge of the roadbed and then I use Woodland Scenics greyblend on the rest of the track. Ballast that has gotten into the web of the rail or on the ties is removed with a small dental pick. Note this is monotonous but the effort is worth it. This is all glued down by first wetting the ballast with 70% alcohol and then using Woodland Scenics scenic cement. I use eyedroppers to apply both, as you have to go slow so as not to disturb the ballast. After it dries, I remove any pieces of ballast that have gotten onto to the rails or ties. Have a look at this posts photo for a look at the finished trackwork. Till next time....

Another Layout Visit

I had the opportunity to revisit a layout in the local area that I had visited several years ago. Pierre called me last weekend and asked if I would be interested in having a visit and also with the opportunity to do some operating on his and others layouts - they have several in their group that hold round robin operating sessions. I had to admit to Pierre that I am more of a modeler than an operator, but Pierre encouraged me to give it a try. I must admit I had a great time Monday night. I was put under the watchful eye of one of the regular operators - this took alot of the pressure off for me - Thanks Doug W. I had a great time and am looking forward to getting to know the group better and to do some more operating in the future - Thanks guys.Till next time...

Your a Strange Animal

Well - I just returned from a very enjoyable trip to Orlando. Did the usual Disney Park, Seaworld, Cape Kennedy tourist thingy. Had a great time and the weather was fantastic. Did some fancy talking (read - pleading) with the boss and was able to squeeze in a side trip to two stores in Orlando - Colonial Photo and Hobby and The Train Depot. Didnt purchase alot ( had eyes watching me - aka the bosses again.) Included in what I picked up were some Woodland Scenic figures some of which I have already place on the layout - which brings me to the point of this post - its great to include lots of people figures on layouts, but its nice to see some animals present as well. Some of the figures I purchased on my trip included a set of deer by Woodland Scenics. I split the package up and have put a couple in various locations on the layout, and have made it as it would be in reality - you have to really be looking to notice them as they can blend in with their surrondings. I have also added a couple of figures to Lake Sewlongtodoo ( decided to keep the name - at Scotts suggestion) including a couple canoeing and some folks fishing. On a final note, I am off to the MFMR annual convention this coming weekend - sounds like it should be a good time. Till next time....

Lake Sewlongtodoo

Just kidding about the name - it really hasn't been named yet, but because I have been mentioning it for so long now, I though it appropriate. Finally finished up the basic scenery in the lake area and poured the resin. I was a little concerned about the resin staying in the lake and not ending up on the carpeted floor, however I must have had a good seal, as that didn't occur. There is still a few details to add - people in canoe, etc. Next on to a industrial area-minimal scenery requirements, but need to build a couple of structures. There will be two industries - a fuel depot and a grain elevator/ agri supply business. Till next time.......

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin

Good day folks;

Know I havent posted lately, but not much new - just about ready to wrap up the pond project. Pictures should be ready to post within a few days. All I have left is to pour the resin. On another note, I stopped in to my local hobby shop to pick up a new Kadee car that I had ordered. Its the new 40' Maine Central box and all I can say is its a beauty. They are a little more expensive than the average plastic car, but when you see the level of detail, I feel they are pretty much at the top of their class. Till next time....

On The Road

Last weekend, I had the chance to visit a local modelers layout. I had visited in the past, but its a nice big layout, and the return visit was very pleasant with lots to see. Dave has done a great job on his layout and the layout room itself offers lots of memorabilia and aircraft models ( Dave's other hobby) to look at. I took along my two D&H RS36's to give them a run ( see photos this post) - we attached a train and let them run around the layout for a good hour or more. All in all a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Thanks Dave.Till next time....

Wheels, Wheels, Wheels

Well there sure is a vast array of scale vehicles available for HO scale models these days, with many of them very well done. I like to keep the vehicles on my layout, believeable. Becaue I model late 60/early 70's, it would not be out of the question to see a 50's pickup in that time frame. That being said, it would certainly be more beliveable if it had a tired worn-out look to it. One or two of these on a layout set in my era woud be acceptable, but the majority of vehicles should reflect the period. I have an Accurail open type auto carrier that I someday hope to build, and I envision it being loaded with nice new vehicles of that time period. A quick look through the vehicles section of the latest Walthers catalogue, shows that this can easily be achieved. However vehicles are not limited to cars or trucks, and now agriculture equipment and construction equipment is available in that time period. Example would be the flatcar I have that came with two John Deere 4020 tractors. These tractors were built between 1963 - 72, and as such fit perfectly in my era. When I finshed my coal mine, I wanted to put a wheel loader in the scene, but the only one I had was the newer Caterpillar model that Norscot sells. I added it, but it looked just too modern. This leads me up to my latest vehicle acqusition which is the newly released (by First Gear) International Harvestor 560 Payloader model. I remember seeing these when I was a youngester and I must say this model is impressive, but not cheap. Have a look at this postings picture as the loader gets ready to move a pile of coal. Till next time.......

New Grade Crossing

Well now that my coal mine has recently been completed, I had to install an access road to the mine. The only place that I could easily install a road, was over a curved section of track. Blair Line recently released a series of laser cut grade crossing for curves. They come in several different radi. I installed one of their 24" models to allow access to the mine. The road is dirt, so it was easy to build up to allow a smooth transition over the crossing. I weathered the crossing with A West "Weather It" aging solution, which gives the crossing a nice aged look. The picture shows Maine Central GP38 #258 about to go over the crossing. Till next time....

Progress

Well - progress is still ongoing on the Nottingham Subdivision albeit at a reduced pace. Managed to get a few nights in the layout room layout. Still working on the pond area... in the meantime thought I would post a picture of the newest motive power on the sub. The picture is of the Maine Central's only two RS-11's. #601 and 602 round a bend as the engineer gets ready to lay on the horns - the poor guy working on his pickup better have his heart medicine ready. Till next time....