Just finished extending the benchwork for module 01 and will do the same with overhead valence later this evening. It's raining right now so building the valence is on hold. There is one other overhead valence to build for module 08. Will do it when I build the one for module 01. Set module 01 in place, still need to match drill and bolt together with module 02. My next major benchwork project is module 08, have to rework it for the tall steel trestle. Joe
It's a Micro Engineering 320 foot (24 inches) steel trestle and about 50 feet tall (3.5 inches). Frisco's Central Division had three trestles between Ft Smith and Winslow but I only have room for one. Need to extend the layout into our bedroom. Cynthia would love that. Haha The layout is in the largest bedroom with a walk in closet that is about 4 feet wide and 6 feet deep. There will be a module 12 that connects to 01 and will go into the closet for more staging, thinking about 4 tracks.tracks. Joe
I finished the overhead valence for module 01 and 12, match drilled and bolted both to their respective assemblies. Need to add a face plate to the side of module 01 where module 11 connects, side closet to camera. Cynthia and I are going to test fit three more panels of background this evening for modules 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 and 07 Have one more valence to build for module 08 this weekend. Hopefully I can modify module 08 benchwork for the trestle tomorrow afternoon, that should be all of the carpenter projects. Have been a carpenter madman lately. LOL. Edit: spelling. Joe
Yesterday evening Nick, a good friend, and I test fit four background panels for modules 01 thru 04 and 06 and 07. This morning finished the overhead valence for module 08, have to move the work table so I can work on the benchwork for 08. That's going to be a chore, there's a lot of stuff on it. After moving the table will hang up the valence for module 08 and this weekend test fit the background. Most of the backgrounds just have one screw holding it because need to map scenery details. Will remove to paint the sky outside and when dry give them to Cynthia for painting the clouds, mountains, trees and other details. Cynthia will probably start Sunday or Monday and do them in the living room where there's plenty of room. Joe
Cynthia and I test fit two more panels of background for modules 06, 07 and 08. Then I sealed the river banks and front fascia with clear caulking, will do the back when the background is installed after painting. Module 05 will be the first background to install so I can pour water sometime next week. Joe
I'm with MK! Mine humors me but has no interest. Well she does occasionally go by the layout when I'm not there and move autos around or turn one upside down just to see f I notice. That doesn't count as interest in my book.
My wife actually got me started with N Scale in 1992 with a gift to help me rehab a 3x bypass surgery. February 15, 2021 = 58 years
Congratulations for all those years of marriage. Between the three of us that's 135 years total. WOW. Cynthia purchased my first N scale train for my birthday in 1984 with her last maternity check. It's a Model Power Santa Fe passenger with four heavyweight cars and a red and silver U30CG. Since then I purchased a 4-6-2 Pacific to head up the train. I will dig them out and post a photo in a couple hours. Need to go to the grocery store in about ten minutes. Joe
I didn't get to work on the layout very much Friday, only thing that I did was mark a few scenery details on background panels. Will mark mountains and buildings when they can be moved to the living room. We will place them across two TV trays and we can sit in our recliners to do most of the work and watch TV. Don't know if that is lazy or smart. Haha Joe
I'm going to cut another base for the old coal mine so I will have two options for coal mines in addition to the saw mill. That will give me three various industries on the module 08 spur. Cynthia and I are running errands and we have one more stop then it's time to purchase LED lights, paint and a sheet of Masonite. I'm getting excited, can't wait to see lights on the layout. Hopefully my next post will have photos of the layout shining brite. Joe
Walla we have light, sort of, one light strand doesn't work. Will return it Sunday afternoon. Here's modules 04 thru 07 all brite and shiny. Joe When looking though a box to find an extension cord and found an telegraph insulater also. It came from the west end