Roadbed

 

Did some test fitting of track today.  Then started putting down the roadbed for the main.

 



Track plan

 

This is the basic track plan that I will be building.  I have gone with a narrower shelf than I had originally planned to allow the center of the room to remain open for flying micro helicopters and racing mini R/C cars this winter.  This plan still gives me plenty of switching but, still leaves the rest of the room open for me to enjoy my other hobbies during the cold weather.

 



Benchwork again!

 

The new benchwork is going up.  The new HO layout will be a shelf around the room, varying from 12-24" at 50" off the floor.  This leaves room for future On30 construction as a lower level at 30".

 



Benchwork

 

The room has finally progressed to the point where I can start to put brackets for benchwork.  The lower deck will contain my On30 module and will eventually expand around the room.  It is just right to be operated from my rolling desk chair.

 

 

The upper deck will be HO and I am tentatively building from this plan.

 

I also spent a bit of time at the bench doing some more detailing, including eye bolts on my GP7s and GP7rs.

 

 



Locomotive weathering

 

Here are some in-progress shots of a few locomotives that I am currently weathering using matte and gloss medium mixed with weathering powders in various viscosities.

 

These are all Atlas units with DCC, sound and keep alive circuits.

 



 

The photos were taken on my On30 module.  Work on the new HO layout should start soon.



Locomotive details and weathering

 

I spent some time installing a proper horn, adding lift rings, and starting some weathering on one of the BAR GP7s, #62

 

Still have a few things to do, winterization hatch, weathering, but it's looking good.