Under Construction

These two buildings are my "winter project".

The shed to the left is a freight shed. Left to do:.. another coat of paint, weathering, then final "details".

The shed to the right is advertised as a "hand car shed". In myopinion, it's to large for that use.
Left to do: final assembly, painting, weathering and finally, detailing.

At least one of these sheds will wind up at the Schuykill Lumber Mill. The other?....I'm thinking about it.

Both kits are basswood. They required tedious cutting, but the final result was worthwhile.

G Scale Breakdown

 

This is the underside of my g scale 2-4-2 steamer. Yesterday, while running (fine) for my grandkids it

started acting up. It sounded like a tranny slip in a car might. Anyway, I opened it up today, and while it's not a complicated setup, I was unable to find the cause of the slippage noise. So for now, we're dead in the water. Jake had no interest in the train anyway, and Ryan was right behind him. I suspect when they come next time, neither one will have enough interest to warrant setting up the trains in the first place!.

Let The Ageing Begin!

This is what I'll need for my winter project........a container of India Ink, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, some mixing jars, and (not shown) some brushes.

A few years back I bought a collection of new railroad cars for my N scale layout.

But being brand new, they just don't look right. So I'll try weathering them. I usually use powdered chalks, and will again, but I've read often in Model Railroader that India Ink cut with rubbing alcohol is another good way to age rolling stock. I'll post pictures of the cars as I go along.

Mini Layout in Operation

This shot my son took. It's flash is visible in the background mirror.

Standing with me is my wife and she's holding our grandson Ryan.

My other grandson, Jake, is here too. Look closely in the reflection in the mirror. His head is just above the layout's edge.

This is the first time either child has seen the layout. They're really to young to appreciate model trains such as this, but Jake was especially smitten by it all. Barely 3 years old, Jake has a big passion for trains.

New Kits Built

This is my "winter project"......half way done (or so).

Obviously that's an old fashioned windmill to the left. And next to it is an old shanty. both were kits that came in a flat as a pancake package.

The windmill, to be placed on my farm scene, was realitively easy to put together.

The shanty, which will probably go by my lumber mill, was more tedious to put together.

Soon I'll place both on my layout and will post photos when that is completed. See ya next month.....

Close Enough

Well my "winter" project is good enough for now. The photo shows the tracks exposed that were previously covered over.

The rock wall follows the contour of the track.

That road in the forground is temporary, as is the small bridge. This was done to allow continuity with the existing road, partially seen in front of the tudor home .

Next years project will have that track to the right partially tunneled over, and the road "merging" into the backdrop.
The temporary road will then be covered over with rocks, trees, and ground cover. See ya next winter!.

Winter Project Continues

Well it's been a month or so since I began this project, and you can see the changes since the previous (below) entry.

A new road is being put in, and a small bridge is pending on one of the tracks it's crossing. I may yet, re-engineer that part. Those upright toothpicks simply identify where the holes are drilled for the trees to be "planted"!.

lots of detail work remains, but hopefully I'll have the project done within the next couple of weeks.

Winter Project Started

What you're looking at is the "large" layout's north east corner.

Two years ago I made a trap door (sorta) to access the two tracks you see. Originally covered by hills, this was always a trouble spot.......giving me derailments and stall outs. Hence the trap door.

Trouble was, "opening" the door was always a hassel, and I could never get it to fit right.

So this year I've decided to create a cavern of sorts here. I'll be able to continue that rock wall theme you see in the top right of the photo, and have all the access I need for maintenance.

More photos will follow as I continue along with the project.