So what are your goals for model railroading in 2012? In all honesty, I'm just hoping to get the main part of my benchwork built, an engine yard with the Walthers Stalls, Shops, details and transfer table. Oh and a new baby
I just hope to get the base of my layout finally started. After that it would be nice to get soe track layed.
start my layout, I currently have 5 detailed SP locos and can use about twice that. I need a ton of freight cars and 2-4 more cabeese. I have enough track to start my layout...
About 2 years ago, I had nothing but raw benchwork on Phase 2 of my layout. Now, I'm down to the 2 corners of this section. This area will be the Empire Leather Tanning Company complex: And this is the beginning of Mooseport on the other end. Mooseport will be a carfloat terminal: Really "finishing" all of this is probably an ambitious goal, but I'm making good progress on Mooseport right now. Most of the effort will be in structure-building and detailing, but I've got a lot of rolling stock kits in the basement, too.... Maybe one of my goals should be to take inventory of my kits and make a guess of how long it will take to build them all.
thx for the prompting question...I've put a fair amount of thought into this in terms of an interim milestone towards where I'd like to be for Vanrail 2013 in Sept 2013. Work and family permitting...I'd like to: 1) get bridge scenes and scenery complete - or at least progressed significantly - at 3 locations on the layout: Lemon Creek in the Slocan Valley, Troup Junction east of Nelson and the Kootenay River crossing west of Nelson. 2) finish the full complements of dispatcher-controlled train order semaphores(wiring and control are already in). 3) build the two snowsheds. I have material on order for a board by board construction but have recently considered having all the "bents" laser cut to speed things up. and If I get bored... 4) try my hand a rolling stock weathering and make some progress on weathering the fleet. a full year...if I get through 1/2 of it I will be happy (though behind)! Happy New Year everyone md
I'd love to see photos of your snow shed builds (if you do do it), being that I am trying to model Marias pass and will need some myself.
Have a 2x8 fresh layout with a provisional track plan laid and being wired. Hope to have test runs next week. Then will emplace a two track passenger station for fun running and begin detailing the station, as it can be easily removed and re-emplaced. Sometime or other I'll treat the surfaces for texture and color, emplace a small forest for sightline controls, etc. All such done, I'll add a 2x4 ell to the 2x8 (making a 10x4 L?) and work its scenery out to match. All this seems quite possible in the next 3 mos. cool: But, what follows I can't imagine. baffled:
I have two structure kits I got for Christmas I hope to build and post here. I might need help. Other than that I never make plans.
Posted my goals a few days ago... http://dmirhillcitysub.blogspot.com/2011/12/look-down-line-at-2012.html
Benchwork in place, including removable staging-yard benchwork Track down Trains running Most industries (or mockups of same) in place Resume metal-wheelset installation on rolling stock Have DCC installed by year's end 2012 Just have FUN!
Most importantly find a larger apartment. Where I can do a layout without getting in the way. I plan on doing early diesels in Wisconsin. Which in it self may be a challenge to find engines. I also want one steam engine - a 2-6-0 of specific design. I want part of the layout to be modeled after the Petticoat Junction TV show. If I can find a good engine I may start on a diorama of that while still here.
WOW!!! Some pretty compelling projects I see. Well here is mine. Here's a photo of what's on top of my list for 2012. The order is as follows: A. Six (6) BNSF C44-9Ws, three of which will be upgraded to the late style Dash 9s used by BNSF. They will be super detailed and sound will be added. The decoder of choice Tsunami. Happy to say this project is now in full swing! B. Four (4) GP60Ms, two of which will be fitted on P2K GP60 drives. They will be super detailed for now, sound will come later. (2) GP60B units. The one pictured above will be fitted on a P2K GP60 drive. The other only needs super detailing. It already has a silent decoder installed. C. Three (3) SD40-2s. Both units in the BNSF paint are Athearn shells on modified Kato drives, the other, in the SF livery, is full Kato. All will be super detailed to match a specific prototype. The unit in the front row and second to last, at right, will be an ex CN unit. I have already installed the awning, just behind the cab and over the walkway, on both sides and painted them. Ditch lights are next. Sound decoders will be added however that might be next years project. D. Santa Fe SD45 (Pictured between the SF GP60B and the SF Sd40-2 units). That unit is just the shell and chassis at the moment. I currently in need of the entire drive system (Any donors???). Then will come the super detailing and weathering. C. Six (6) SD75M/I units & Two SD70macs. They all have sound decoders so I have the super detailing and weathering left to do on these unit. Will have do some sales of other units from my collection to fund the sound upgrades. Yes I am an hoarder...I mean avid collector as well as a dedicated Model railroader. Anyway, have to get rid of some of the shelf pieces to facilitate improvements in other areas.
