Assembly line

Assembled three sets of Tichey arch bars with larger wheels for On30. Off to the paint shop.....

One Man Op's Session

Tonight I was a bit tired so I started some cable reels that I got from BTS. I once saw a picture in the PA Logging series of a PA narrow gauge logger hauling cable reels. I was surprised they used them that early and that they would be hauled by a narrow gauge. When I saw these on the BTS site, had to give them a try.

 

Also, I put the finishing touches on my Manns Creek style water tank.

Next, I felt it was time to run some trains. I printed out a switch list and off when the local mixed, pulled by Climax No. 8.

Next, the train passes over the Poverty Creek bridge and through a large cut.

 

After switching the extract plant in Deer Creek, the train heads up to Collins

 After backing down Collins and finishing the switching at Deer Creek the train heads through the Deer Creek gorge on its was back to Laurel and Laurel Jctn.

Little Things Weekend

Managed to get a few things done this weekend. I finished up those On30 gable bottom cars. Even managed to get them painted.

Then I got some casting done for a couple of different projects.

While nothing too big, they all need to get done to complete a larger project. Beautiful weekend with sun, so a lot of time outside instead of the basement. More to come..............

On the Road: Last Week

Ok, on the road for work last week. Took some model building stuff with me. Didn't get too much done but every little bit counts. Worked on putting some resin cast cars together. An On30 distraction..... Nothing model related over the weekend. Monster truck show, sledding in the snow, etc., etc...

This weekend

One of the reasons for doing this blog is that I often feel that I get little accomplished on the layout, despite putting in many hours working at it. The problem stems from how much time it takes to start something, till it is completed. Often there are many small steps required.

For example, I worked on a bunch of stuff this weekend, none of which has resulted in a finished product but all have advanced little projects a few steps closer to completion.

The last house for Collins has been sitting there, waiting for me to finish it. So this weekend I added the tarpaper roof, porch, railings, etc. Still not done but that much closer and it does look a lot better.

I also did the first painting step for the GrandtLine battery mine locomotive and coal car. Yes, a lot of weathering steps to go but its not styrene gray either!

Then, I started the backdrop for Collins, much needed but even after two coats, it looks like two more to get it done. Again, nothing completed but progress is made.

Often its the  little things that drive you nuts. Decided to take a break and run a train. The coupler on this engine has always bothered me. So, I took out the dremel tool for a quick fix. Hmm, broke off the rear steps, had to re-do that, etc. etc, Its those small quick fixes that take a lot of time. Finally go it done and ran a switchlist operation to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Nice to add Stange Mining's manganese mine to operations. Here is an oldy but goody. I started this car back in the eighties. Still running on the layout. Added some detail last week in addition to fixing the couplers, runs much better now. There's more that was accomplished but this wraps it up for the weekend. Cheers!

New Blog

First Post on the Blog

Lets see how well it works now.

Finished a Mack Truck kit from Blackwoods Minieatures last night. Part of the manganese mine operation I want to add to the layout for more operation. I pick up the kit almost two years ago at the Narrow Gauge Convention in Hickory, NC. Needs a cab, something for later. Nice to finish something.