Steve, Been a while, good to see you back! I seem to remember a few customs you requested (back in the N scale days)...
@James Fitch Yes, it is expensive compared to my borough of Boston and spread out. Step-daughter picks up the rent. My train space is about 10% of the apartment. I should have trains running point to point in a day or two and a loop in a week or so.
@HemiAdda2d Yes, sadly they were destroyed by water in the fire. I almost cried when i saw them sitting in that puddle. I did find one untouched GP60 with Great Northern on it. ☻
@James Fitch and everyone If you ever want to stop by please send a note: sfg.good.friends at gmail.com ----------- I should have a complete loop of track by this time next week. Next steps: Paint the base Build a low relief stretch of mountains / hills to prevent gravity from claiming my cars. Lay track / post pictures Run trains / post videos. Build moderate mountains / post videos and pictures.
Loop of track was finished Wednesday, (Nov. 7th, 2023). Ran into major problem with New Kato #4 Turnouts. Here is the thread and the fix: https://www.trainboard.com/highball...manual-4-turnout-part-2-852-and-2-853.153003/ Here is some humor: My Crawl Space:
Derailed by tea? Your setup is coming along quite nicely! It reminds me that half the fun is building the layout (of course there are those cussing moments, all for a good cause).
@BigJake Suggested a RIP track and asked if I'll be operating from the inside the pit. I will be 'operating' from the pit accessed vai a crawl under. The main will have it's own power supply for visitors to run trains. The engine house and RIP track are over near Oblivian, (off table). Still, yes, that was a great idea. I don't want to crowd the yard area. There is a chance of a 'facility' near 'The Grandure Car Works'. Small Simple Yard, (for budget and spatial reasons) Operations will be point to point mainly from the yard to the industries and the interchange track. Trains will only be at most 8 cars and usually with some on each end of the loco. I will only have 3 locos and a max of 30 short (30' to 40'), cars. Currently I have 10 cars and 5 kits. After the kits are built I'll 'bash' a transfer caboose and an excursion train.
"I Ain't Stayin Home"In another thread i was asked 'how much do I see'. Note: I am *not* seeking sympathy. I am very happy with my life and proud of my achievements. Briefly Diagnoses: Retinitis Pigmentosa AKA: 'Tunnel Vision' Prognoses: Eventually, (if I live long enough), I'll go completely blind. My younger brother already is. Diagnosed at Age: 14, (just before high school) Progression: At 8 I could find and make out the constellations of Orion, Ursa Major / Minor, North Star and others. I have not spotted those in 20 years. These days I can find the moon most of the time. Central vision: 3 Degrees, (1' across at 5' under optimal conditions) Color: Limited / depnds on light / contrast and other factors Night: I can 'detect' light sources and see the moon. Acuity: Sucks - Depends on object, (and my familiarly with it), contrast, size / shape distance and other factors. Despite this: Hobbies Hiking - The mountains and city streets Photography - Almost everything but I concentrate on landscape, Positive / Negative space such as shadows, textures and man made geometric objects. Cooking - I do most of the cooking in the family. My focus on 'CEQH', (Cheap, Easy, Quick and Healthy) Many of the symptoms are similar to macular degeneration but it is a separate disease. I have had it all my life but it is progressive. I got lucky and the progression was very slow. 'I Ain't Stayin Home' When my folks were able to wrap their head around my diagnoses / prognoses they sat me down and we went over a 'list' of what I could and/or could not do. I listened respectfully. When they were done I responded: > "I ain't stayin home'. My mother, sighed, looked at my father and said: "I told ya so". My father rather enthusiastically responded: "Yes!" It has become my personal metaphor referring to and accepting that, > "Yes, that is going to be challenging but I'm doing it anyway". Note: Some of this is bragging. Most of it is statements of fact to help folks comprehend my capabilities and why I model the way I do. There is more but I'll spare you.
That's an attitude I have (got me through a couple of health scares) and one my Mom had to the day she passed away. Though her version was "As long as I can drag myself around, I'll take my walks!". God bless her soul. Keep it up.
Quick Status Update: North EAst Corner with 'Moster Mountain' and 'Kid Mt' Kudos to my Wife who helped me get the colors I wanted. I will be painting the supports for 'Simple Bridge' the same grey rock color. Focus on this area serves two purposes: Paint is a lot easier than building structures the other areas are ready for This is the first view folks have when enteriing the train room. Hope the next update includes structures. ☻
@Mike VE2TRV Just noticed your posting. Since that posting I have been out in snow storms and the morning after 20 degrees taking pictures. McLean does not have much in the way of wooded area but under the right conditions it can be quite pretty.
