Since I'm about to start assembling structures for my layout, I was wondering about techniques for making broken windows?

http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/detail.asp?id=2576&n=California-Zephyr-Trainset

So I started researching vendors for Banana trees for the  plantation on my layout and found only two manufacturers. Pegasus Hobbies and MP scenery products. I ordered one kit of the Pegasus and 2 packs MP scenery for comparison. I was only able to find one hobby vendor that carried the MP trees in the U.S.A., and I bought the only two packs they had.

The Pegasus trees are a plastic model Kit that you assemble and the MP scenery are premade trees handmade in Vietnam. 

Pics of the Pegasus kit.

Started the turf and trees on the left side of  the layout.

Well here's an update to my layout construction. This is series of pics of the foam and plaster work.

I used everything I could to save on cost from floral foam, left over foam insulation from the base work, to packing paper and foam peanuts. I started painting the base color a dark green. I used large bottles of Christmas green craft acrylic mixed with a bit of burnt umber.

Next update will be the start of landscaping.

Started investigating wood Howe Truss bridge kit options for my layout. I looked at kits on the internet and searched the forums, and then I came across Black Bear Scale Models. They offer a template system and then kit packs of wood and other bits to build them. So I figured out cost wise you make an initial template buy then all you had to buy was more wood bundles.

I had heard that the Kansas City Southern, Christmas Train was making its rounds  and pulled up their schedule. They were scheduled to be n Newton Mississippi today, starting at 4 this afternoon. They had a note on their site their executive train would be transporting it. This is the F7 series of Streamliner locomotives. 

Here's a link to the schedule http://www.kcsouthern.com/en-us/pdf/2016-kcs-holiday-express-schedule.pdf

Completed track laying and I used Atlas flex track with brown ties. I find the Atlas track easy to work with. As you can see I also simplified the layout from the original in the book. I'm glad I built the base light weight, as it makes it easy to move around.

So here's a few pics of the progress. Next update will be building bridges.

Here's some background info and pics on the era I'm working on my layout. Ownership of the rails changed several times from the United Fruit Co. to Northern, and then eventually the local government control. The United Fruit Co. also owned it's own fleet of steam ships known as the Great White Fleet.

http://www.unitedfruit.org/chron.htm