Up Close at the Station

Two New Videos

New Pics

The Town and Station

Building More Road and Close-Ups

Road construction using the Woodland Scenics Smooth-it product.

On the MJT forum somebody mentioned seeing some close-ups.  I've only taken a few overall so far so I very quickly took a couple this evening just to do it.  They aren't very good because I didn't take the time necessary, but it's got me thinking more about it.

Trains Come in the Station

No real progress made, so here are a few recent shots of the main three trains that run on the layout: C&O Steamer #489 (trad size); UP Passenger Streamliners (trad size); and MKT FA2 #326A,B,C (standard size).



Filling The Gap

The most significant progress in July was development of the access hatch covering.   I cut a basically square piece of 2” pink insulation to fit in the gap.  But first I closed the gap by about 8 inches or so with the same insulation braced into place permanently.  I then poured the road of the insulation so it is in place now forever.  I covered the edges of the removable piece with some pieces of plaster cloth and then painted the whole thing brown.  You can see it in place here in the middle of the layout.  I’ll get to the scenery on it later, the main thing is that I was really not sure how I would go about doing the actual covering.

Some shots of the station:



Ballasting and Road Work

The new road and parking lot in the background.

Another view of the parking lot.

Almost all of the track is ballasted now....

Some Shots of the New Lake

A New Gondola and a Few Other Things

Here is a 2011 Lionel Boston and Maine gondola with coke containers that I just got.



 MTH Passenger Station.

Both trains moving.

Here you can see the lake where I was able to pour some water but found out I need a lot more.  That is a mix of two blue acrylic paints, and then some fine grain turf (burnt grass(2) , earth(2), and soil(1)) glued on top.  Hopefully it will look good when I pout the "water".

More Trees and the Beginning of a Lake

The next step for the lake will be getting the color right, then pouring the resin for the "water".  Then some more trees, rocks, bushes, etc.

Attempt at a Stream and Waterfall

The Forest

Lots of trees here in the most "forested" part of the layout.

The Yard and Industrial Lines at the End of the Day

Cornered Cat



The dogs, cat, and trash can are made by Woodland Scenics.



Smoke

I wish my steamer smoked as good as the diesels pumping it out here.
 
The log loader is modern Lionel and is TMCC-capable, however I just run it the old way - levers are more fun than remote control.  The coal tower is made by Bachmann, and I think is one of the best inexpensive structures I've seen.  I lightly weathered it with charcoal, but you can't really see that in this picture.

A New Angle

The MKT comin' round the bend, with half of a backdrop behind it.  I have every track in the yard on a separate toggle switch so I can cut the power to any track.  I can see where the power is on or off by the light on the track end bumper.  Unfortunately the one in the foreground is out, even though the track has power.  The crossing shanty is made by Lionel. 

Spruce Trees

I like the pine trees that Grand Central Gems produces, so I bought some spruces which seem to be coming off a lot bluer than I expected. 


Lionel Log Dump Car #3461

MODEL INFORMATION
Company: Lionel
Item #: 6-36739
Gauge: Traditional O
Catalog: 2003
Trucks: Die-cast, Sprung
Couplers: Die-cast, Operating
Length: 8 5/8”
Notes: Based on Postwar classic of the late 1940s. Die-cast metal frame. Log load and dumping trackside tray.

Lionel Depressed-Center Flat Car #6461 with Case 4WD Tractor

MODEL INFORMATION
Company: Lionel
Item #: 6-16957
Gauge: Traditional O
Catalog: 1996
Trucks: Die-cast, Sprung
Couplers: Die-cast, Operating