This morning I started work on my mountain makeover using some good ideas from the modeler community.

The first thing on the list is to get rid of the cone shape top. I pulled off the masking tape, cut and removed the cardboard strip webbing, and cut down the foam supports.

The 2nd thing was it needed to be more vertical along the tracks, more like a cut was made by the railroad to put in the tracks.  So I removed the tape and webbing from the bottom portion of the mountain as well.

I haven't been good about posting updates here but here's my latest video update I made.

I mainly looking for some feedback on what to with the "The Big Hill" on the layout, as mentioned in the video. Thanks for watching!

Here's a little rundown of some of the progress I've made on the layout.

I got the tortoise and throwbar for the turnout on the upper level just outside the helix installed.  This will be the east turnout on the siding through Elmwood.  I also installed the tortoise on the lower level helix turnout.

Richard at Custom Signal Systems finished up my cantilever signals for the lower level and sent me a little preview video.

Just some shots of the scenery work I started the other day. I've done more bracing and masking tape since I took these. I'll get a shot of that soon.

Had a busy weekend working on the railroad.  First up, the helix.  After two months of off and on work I finally got it completed and installed in it's space.  I'm working on gluing down the lower level track first.  I'm really glad I re-did it double track. I feel I like I'm using all the available space to its fullest potential.

Here's a little video I made back in May of the layout I wanted to share with you guys here. I don't know if embedding works or not, so lemme know if you can see this video (youtube is blocked at work so I can't see anything).

Getting close to finishing up the helix.  Got roughly 2 more turns to go.

For the past year and a half I've been working on my layout, a freelanced Union Pacific layout called the Elmwood Subdivision.

Being freelanced, it's not really based on any particular area. I sorta just kind go with the flow with the scenary and what not.  Let's me get a little more creative in the design.

Anyway, for my previous progress and moreinfo you can see it all at my website, http://www.upmodelrailroad.com

As I make posts there I'll copy them here as well for folks to follow along with.