Layout Update

Apologies for the long time between posts, but when I have had a moment, I have been working on the layout.  Here are some wrap up photos for 2020.  

I have a few scenic industries to work on and complete, plus a tidy up of some of the structures (or new structures).  

 

Some photo updates

Not a whole lot of action this month, with a lot of time spent playing trains with the kids.  I have packed up the Aussie stuff and cracked out my US trains which are primarily Wisconsin Central focussed.  

More ballast has arrived (4kg), so I have been ballasting a bit early morning and late at night, having laid almost 2kg over the last 3 days.  


The front corner of Jonestown has progressed with some dirt and greenery.  WIth more ballast laid, some more dirt will go down this coming weekend.  


A single SD45 pulling a string of Roadrailers.  I haven't run these Bowser models for about 15 years, and they still go pretty well.  


A WC grain train departing Jonestown Yard and heading for the temporary bridge.


While not part of the layout design, a temporary bridge allows the layout to be a continuous run which is keeps trains moving while I work on various things.  It also creates a bit of a headache when you want to run trains so operations do get more interesting.  The bridge is not normally in place for proper operations.


I have installed two Taa Valley Hex Frog Juicers.  While I have used a lot of cheap switches which double as a point lever and frog powerer, I do like these for their simplicity.  I have used them on tight yard points where a switch was hard to install.   


Patched Algoma Central SD40 is now WC6004 with a short turn at Nathan's Point, about to start some switching.

Enjoy!

2019 in Review

A lot of scenery progress has happened in 2019, with the photos below a testament to the activity that has happened in the shed.  

A few notable aspects that have occurred this year:

1) Signal are installed and powered by switches.

2) All Tortoises are installed (except two that I am still thinking about) and controlled from fascia panels.

3) Fascia is installed right around and painted black.

4) Nathan's Point and Heidiville have ground throws installed and wired up for frog power plus track is fully ballasted with a lot of dirt and grass now installed as well.

5) Ballasting in recent months has consisted of 4kg of Matt's Ballast Dunmore HO.

6) Expansion joints have been cut after a rather warm start to summer and track buckles in some locations.

7) All track is now painted flat camo brown ready for ballasting

8) A lot of industries have some form of building and activity to make it look ready for business.

9) Clean up has commenced and more stuff to go onto Ebay!

Enjoy to photos!