I didn’t really participate in this “highballing your layout” so I didn’t have any specific goals, but this is what I have accomplished in the past 6 weeks. I completed all the tracks in my yard, completed all the track wiring on the yard, I installed 14 tortoise switch machines in the yard, I started on a few buildings, including 2 service buildings for the yard. When I think of it, it’s actually quite a lot in 6 weeks. Still to be done, order another 24 tortoise machines for the yard, install control panel, wire the switch machines, and then on to the “scary“ part – scenery. Jesper
Part of my agenda in having people post what they did, and as importantly what they didn't do, is to show newbies that progress doesn't always flow on layout construction, etc as we would like. By admitting sloth and procrastination, but nibbling away at tasks on the layout that have to be done is still important work. So as I said before, did I get done what I wanted to in the 6 weeks? No! But the one piece of small work I did, was huge in my mind - and created the traffic jam in my construction agenda. Also another item that newbies can learn, is that if you are working on your first or second layout with little experience, it is sometimes hard to judge the time frame needed to complete a task. Often I would start a job, only to discover I had other tasks that had to be completed before I could fulfill the original task. Kind of like a professional renovator who runs into unanticipated problems that have to be solved before construction can proceed further. Also I have found for me there is a temptation to want to start something else, if a task is intimidating, so that I end up with five or six uncompleted tasks. When I found I was using new projects to avoid finishing old projects, I refused to start anything new until the old task was done. I think this is why some many don't have completed backdrops, long after they are deep into scenicing and adding structures to the layout. Backdrops is one of those daunting tasks that is easily avoided with consequences latter on.
Rick, it has been fun and a real challenge trying to fulfill my intention these six weeks. I must admit that I have not yet succeeded to complete all wirings to track sections and turnouts. (I have also to build a new control panel for this extension). Anyhow, I was in heaven and it is fun to see what ideas popping up while waiting for paint and glue to dry. At such moments I use to take a cup of coffee and thinking about how to make the ideas real. This week I made an simple overhead crane and a 33´ flatcar of scrap material and some styrene strips. I have managed to finish the Cold Spring station and its surroundings, and Greenville area will be ready the coming weekend. This is my last post in this thread, but I look forward to next February thread. I will show pics of the whole extension later on, but here are the latest pics. Greenville without the industry module The overhead crane in the module The 33´ flatcar
You have been busy Helge. Great to see your progress. I too look forward to February as I will get in at the begining then. During the last week I put down another six feet of cork roadbed and while watching sports on TV I have built a fish cannery and five sheds and houses to go in the fishing village at Tayside on my layout. No pictures yet as it is not complete. Thanks Rick for the initiative in creating this .
Well even though this is over I'm still going to state my progress. I now have one turnout completely built except for throw bar, one nearing compleating and 1 more that is just ties. I may be getting a digital camera soon. If I do I'll post pictures.
