Recently from friend Scott Perry was interviewed on the Model Railroad Show about small railroads and he shared about the Heart Of Georgia (HOG) layout he designed. I got to see (and run trains) on that layout as the owner Steve was a member of our operating group, the North County Interchange Operating Group (NCIOG).

This first thing I wanted to do in my new layout / office room is to install good lighting.  After a bit of research I decided on using track lighting because of the flexibility in aiming the lights.  I received all of my track lighting items a few days ago and was faced with a problem: how to install this by myself?  I felt much like a "one-handed paper hanger"!

 I had originally planned to mount my benchwork to the wall using similar methods to what Scott Perry did.

( http://modelrailroadersnotebook.blogspot.com/ ) 

Let there be light! While my track plan is being finalized I wanted to make some type of progress on the railroad room. I considered a number of methods to light the room / layout and decided to use track lighting with PAR20 heads (50 watt maximum) so yesterday I ordered the items I need for my 10ft by 12ft room. Why track lighting you ask? Well, my friend Kevin (Wnrr.net) used it to light his excellent railroad. I like the ability to be able to move the lights around and aim them to my liking.

{Note to Lance}:  I hope that's it's O.K. to show this plan here.  If not, please post letting me know and I'll remove the picture - Thank you.

Well, we're actually moved to Apopka, Fl. Which is just outside Orlando. Although our new home is crammed full of unopened boxes it doesn't mean that the planning process can't begin on my new railroad. I've asked my good friend and expert designer Scott Perry to do the design which will be loosely based on my good friend Kevin Klettke's wonderful Washington Northern RR.http://wnrr.net/ . I have the same size space as Kevin and since he won't ship me his layout (12ft X 10ft) I guess I'll just have to build my own.

When referring to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad I often see the saying "Gone, but not forgotten"  And so it is with the Richlawn Railroad as today after three days of work all of the railroad has been removed and is piled out back of my house.  Next up will be removing the glass above the door and removing all of the lettering before securing it back in place, painting, and patching the floor.  Happy Labor Day!

I won't be able to complete my mountain section by the deadline. Many of you know that we're trying to sell our home and move to Florida. We've had 39 showings, dropped the price twice (total $7,500), and had zero offers. Our "Phase 2" of or plan is comprised of two items: 1.) completely empty the unfinished part of the basement so that potential buyers won't see all of that junk and can better visualize the space (18 ft X 50ft); and 2.) clear and fence a 30f ft X 40 ft heavily wooded area in our back yard to make an area for pets.

Work continues on the mountain section - specifically the retention pond.  It's amazing how much time this is taking! In my last post I had completed the water pour for the pond and here's what it looked like: