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....