One final detail I added to the layout this evening was the addition to the guy wire for the pole line. You see these everywhere where there are what I call guy wires or support wires for a pole line of wires, I assume as a warning to pedestrians or whoever might get tangled up […]

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 […]

I have to post another huge thank you to the current modelers who have all recently sent me more models to weather. These three current projects are all from repeat modelers who have entrusted me once again to weather their property. Notice I don’t say “clients” as I consider all who entrust me to weather […]

Here’s one Southern boxcar that looks pretty ragged per request! I have five of ten cars now in various degrees of completion. More photos coming as other cars are complete:

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 […]

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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:

On the prototype Indiana and Ohio railroad one day the engineer and I were running our old geep long hood forward and coming up on the US Rt. 63 crossing just off I-75 when a loaded gasoline tanker crossed right in front of us. I instinctively grabbed the arm rest on the cab seat as […]

So, here I’m going to perhaps clear things up as far as what I consider the various degrees of weathering I base my prices on. The following are examples, and of course, these examples shown are just the weathering, not any decal applications or change of wheels or couplers.

Next up on the weathering calendar is this first of ten assorted cars to complete. Stay tuned as these progress!

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!

Another story from my days on the Indiana and Ohio railroad. Railroading gets in one’s blood, and I miss the railroad, but it’s a demanding and potentially dangerous job. This more so when you come in contact with impatient drivers of vehicles who try to beat you across a crossing and wind up losing. Same […]

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 […]

This new acquisition is now finished and in service on the layout. I used washes on this guy, several colors of acrylic paints on the underside plus several pigment colors for the built up grime, and used three different rust mediums on the roof to achieve this effect. The darker areas between the panel ribs […]