I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July Weekend, lets see how we all did. Well unfortunately, the weatherman was right, turns out more than right. Friday was beautiful, so before going to work, I lowered the top on the new Jeep for the first time and drove it to work. Later that night we took Jared out for his Birthday Meal and enjoyed a beautiful ride to and from Decatur following the current Decatur Junction RR. Saturday was supposed to be a decent day, but instead we got a gray, overcast day with temps in the low 60's. Sunday was rain and Monday was the same. The sun didn't come out until an hour before sunset and by then, most holiday festivities had been cancelled. Despite the rain, I got a fair amount done however. Saturday, I worked on all the track that had given me fits at last weekends Galesburg RR Days. It required me to readjust a turnout servo, a bit of filing on some points and some heavy cleaning. I was able to get things running smoothly without any derailment or power issues. At RR days, I also managed to pick up an Atlas Santa Fe GP35 with DCC for a great price. I spent a bit of time with it at the bench, mainly re-gauging the wheels until it ran better on the layout. I still need to reprogram the decoder as soon as I figure out the manufacturer, or I may just replace it with a TCS. The loco is the right road but the scheme is too modern for the layout, so I'll back date this loco by stripping it and repainting it in the period correct bill board scheme Santa Fe used up until the late 1960's. Sunday I worked on getting the shop cleaned up as well as getting freight cars ready for the layout. the last two shows, I have found a lot of good deals on some older used equipment and I'm slowly converting these to the Fox Valley 33' metal wheel sets. Monday I worked on the first of many buildings that make up the Butler Building Complex. About a year ago, I found a bunch of Walthers Cornerstone modulars at a shop marked half off. Apparently, these are no longer made which is a shame as these will fit in until I have enough data to scratch build many of the buildings. I bought as many of these kits as I could and I hope to go back and maybe get more. So far the foundation for the main office is done and I have the rest of the walls and roof set up as a kit. I might be able to get this done through the upcoming week. So despite the weather being awful, I still got a lot done. So how about you? Did you get everything accomplished you set out to do? Let us know. We'll all come back here on Friday the 8th. Until then, have a good week, stay safe and... High Greens!
Three day weekends rule. Built the benchwork along the coal branch and "turned the corner". Here's a before and after shot: BEFORE: AFTER: Also, managed to build the floor deck to a Central Valley 200', double track bridge. I'm going to need several bridges on this layout.
I did some tests on the trackwork of my switching layout. Found one balky turnout and was able to improve the action. I'll need to install a caboose throw on it to make sure it's well and truly fixed, otherwise I'll replace it. After that, feeder drops and painting the track.
I had a very productive modelling weekend. Built my friends O scale depot. Just need to paint it and install the doors, windows and roof. As for my layout... finished the ground cover on the front 9' X 8' section. Got some more ballasting done. Installed a fence around the gas station in my industrial complex. Worked on my turntable (Did some detail painting and installed the arch). Hope ya'll had a wonderful and safe weekend. Onward and upward, Wolf
I sent most of the weekend working outside. Did get to test and write up any missing parts or operating problems. Only about 30 more to go. Dan
