Added to the layout today were quite a few details, plus I extended the “mainline” to the edge of the end module so as to clear one more car with a bit of added track shown below. Other details were weeds added to the fence line along the scrapyard, plus a pipe coming out of […]

We’re back at work again , this time on third trick, with myself, Charlie as engineer, Jimmy as conductor, Dan as fireman, and Fred as second brakeman, so a full 5 man crew tonight. First up, we’re going to pull cars from the loading/unloading track out onto the main for the local to take back […]

These excellent Modelu figures expertly painted by my friend Ian in Australia finally arrived today after a roundabout trip around the western US. Photos below are minus one figure who lost a hand in transit I assume to some rough handling.

On the layout today I’ve added these hoses finally to the loading platforms at Monsanto Chemical: Coming soon to the layout are some detail parts, loading dock ramps like the ones used for forklifts are on the way, plus crossover platforms for the tops of two sets of tanks at Monsanto. Hopefully my painted railroad […]

In between coats of sealant and layers of weathering on the current project, I’ve been adding more weathering to areas on the layout to attempt to make it even more of a grimy 1970’s industrial area. Hopefully I’m succeeding so far. Today I’ve added some industrial dirt from Arizona Rock and Mineral to more areas […]

Today the local out of Riverside has brought out two inbound cars that will need to be spotted, plus there are four outbound cars that need to go out with the local. This trip it’s Fred as engineer, myself as brakeman, and Dan as we fire up 8806. The first moves are from the local […]

While waiting for a seal coat to dry on several project cars, I’ve done some work on the layout with more weathering and details. I also took the piece of code 100 track I extended the McGraw fuel and oil siding with and swapped it out for a scrap piece of Micro Engineering weathered code […]

Today our crew is myself, Charlie, and Jimmy again as we start working the local industries. Grabbing our coffees we head over to our old gal 8806 and fire her up. Today we’re working again in conjunction with the crew on 5628 as they will switch out Sullivan scrap, while we switch the team track, […]

Today’s local out of Riverside yard is here, so we’ll start working this guy. Stay tuned as Fred, Jimmy and I get to work. Here’s what the local brought in:

Coming soon to the layout are these excellent Modelu figures with a fantastic painting job by good friend Ian. Looking forward to having these on the layout!

Well, it’s back to work on the railroad. Today it’s Charlie as engineer, myself as brakeman, and Jimmy as conductor, plus we have Chris along as flagman. We have a long day today as we’re working all the local industries except for Sullivan scrap and McGraw fuel and oil. Our first order of business is […]

Arrived today, this Athearn 57′ Erie Lackawanna reefer, acquired off eBay. In all its awful glossy orange color, this guy will get either faded and/or dirtied up a bit weathering wise after I’m finished with all the commission work. This guy was purchased for use on the layout. It will also get ACI plates:

Just arrived on the layout is this scrap load from Motrak Models for the recently acquired Tangent PRR gondola. Also arrived is a bag of actual rust chips and powder I intend to use for weathering. Below is the scrap load:

Here is the new week’s layout photo from the original Hitop branch:

Looks like our next work session on the railroad has arrived with the arrival of the local from Riverside yard. We’ll soon be going to work switching these out:

Yesterday was another work day on the local, this time working several hot cars needed by Monsanto Chemical. This trip consisted of Charlie as engineer, myself as brakeman, and Jimmy as conductor. We need to switch out two empty tanks for a loaded tank car and a loaded covered hopper of chemicals. Photos below show […]

Playing with AI again the other day I came up with these photos and suggestions how to improve the weathering on the layout. A bit much in some respects, but some good suggestions in other areas to make the layout a more grungy 1970’s industrial scene:

Here’s a previous day when our crew was out on second trick working the industries along the Ohio, and ending our work after dark. Sequence of photos below:

Coming soon to the layout are several scrap loads for two gondolas, one is from Motrak Models. I’ll post photos when these arrive! I also had to temporarily postpone all the detail parts from miniprints. Sometimes life’s other issues take precedence, such as car repairs and service! I’ll be ordering these soon however….

Here is this week’s layout photo from the original Hitop branch: