Slowly but surely I am continuing to work on my updated layout. I have all the track in the turntable area, and it is all wired now. I repurposed one of control panels from the original DC layout to put a bunch of toggles in for the turntable area. I have ordered a DCC auto reverser for the turntable since I have not figured an intelligent way to remember which way to throw the double throw toggle to reverse the power when a loci goes on and off.  I put in part of the engine servicing area, and managed to get my old engine house to fit the space I wanted it on. Eventually I want a 3 bay round house to hide a few more engines in.

I built a small fleet of short, 20 yard and 30 yard side dump cars from the difco models. I had some custom decals made for the Western 20 and 30 yard side dumps I have made, and used some parts of them to put a bit of data and numbers on the cars. The 20 yards are 100 series, and the 30 yards are 300 series. This is the way HBM&S numbered them. This layout is very much an operating layout compared to anything I have had in the past. I figure I can keep 3 people busy operating with out any problems.

I have some buildings on order, and a couple of 3D prints to clean, detail and paint over the next while. Although there is still 3ft of snow in my yard, I am hopeful it will melt so I can get out and collect a bunch of dirt and rock for scenery that I plan on starting next fall.

In the mean time I am not short of things to do so I will keep on working.

Until Next Time.

Tim