For a couple bucks out of my own pocket, these look much better then right out of the blister pack and should be fine for the city scene. Friday we take it apart and load it into the trailer and head for the convention center to set it up for the show Saturday. Looking forward to operating it there, and seeing the reactions of show regulars that have seen this layout for years.
Got the layout set up at the convention hall, and the Kato expansion track pieces really made it nice. Tested all the lines and they work fine. Got all the backdrops on and the plexiglass on the front. Several cracked pieces will need to be replaced, but they will work for now to keep fingers off the trains. Looking forward to the show tomorrow.
I inherited some of these gates. My friend did the same to the cross bucks except he glued them to a small block styrene base simulating a concrete foundation. It does make them look much better. I think I lost track of things. This is the big day today, 10Apr2010?
Do you realy need those pieces of plexiglass? We used to set up our layout with a rope and stanchions to keep people back out of arm reach. However, due to many factors we have, in the last few year, gone without the rope and stanchions. We find very few instances where people reach over a module to touch something. Parents, with children, are very mindful of their kids to the point of holding they hands or arms. Maybe they have seen some of the prices for stuff at the shows where we set up. Surprisingly it is usually the single adult female, many of whom are older, who are apt to want to touch something.
Yes, the plexi glass is a must. We may even go with the rope idea too, but the plexi glass is staying. Several kids and adults were told to please dont reach over the glass. One guy with a camera trying to get a photo over the plexi glass almost derailed a train with his camera!
The show went great overall. There were zero track issues. The only derailments were from cars with trip pins too low or wheels out of gauge. I would have gotten some photos, but my batteries were dead. A few people got video they said they were going to put on youtube, so if I find them I will post a link.
I bet it was a satisfying event for a job well done! :thumbs_up::thumbs_up: I'll be waiting for that video.
I ran three trains at different times....the El Cap, with two FP45s, , a 30 car sugar beet train with the cab forward, and a short logging train with the 2-6-2. Alot of fun!
Here is my first attempt at pianting a backdrop with scenery. It was great practice for me and a good way to see if what I want to do on my own backdrop was possible by me.
