Hi everyone,

First, I need to apologies to all of you who have been so supportive of my work. I have failed you all!  I have finished this great project without sharing a single photo with you guys. I will try and make amend of my sins by posting them here, now and I hope you will be able to forgive me.

Good day all,

I started working on another project since my HLCX 3857 is done. Some may remember the GP-35 that went into a bath of alcohol? Well, it got out all shiny and new (not!) and work has begun.  I'm modeling QGRY 2500 GP35E, an ex-SP GP35 as you can see with the light positions.

Following the prototype pictures I found, I added as much details as I could.  Again, this model is based on the proto version, but is not identical! Here is a link to a proto pic: http://www.railpictures.net/photo/166646/

And the only operational loco at the moment!  I used to have an Athearn GP35...  but it was having issues so I decided to recycle it...  to the 99% alcohol bath, to be reborn anew at some point in time! :-)

But...  let not the fate of an ill fated loco darken the coming in this world of a new loco!

I have been working on HLCX 3857 for a number of years, on and off, mostly because I needed parts to continue the work, or was afraid to install those fragile 0605 SMD LEDs (headlights), or their smaller counterpart, 0402 (ditchlights)!

This part is done, at least for now! There is still some details that will need to be added but I will move on to something else, the paper recycler behind.

the tree have just been inserted and are not glued in place, it was only to get a feel for the view.

Below are pictures of the scene complete with cars!

Hi guys,

I was able to work some more on the junk dealer area this week, I got it fenced up about 2/3 of the way.  The fence frames are 1/32" brass rod were soldered to the posts and the chain link is very fine mesh I got in a craft store for $2 way back then...  The frames are completed and I just need to add the chain link screen to them. It's not perfect, but I prefer it over the plastic chain link fence from Walthers (not bashing the product, I just saw someone try to work with it and saw first hand how difficult it is!).

Hello everyone,

I thought I would share this information to help others who might have a rough time deciding on a prototype and/or which indistry to represent for a small layout. I remember searching for this kind of information endlessly... or so it seemed at the time!

Hi guys,

After looking at the original plans from jfmcnab's IAIS Grimes Line, I realized that I needed a storage shelf behind my staging track to allow me to prepare my trains from one session to another.  So, out came the compressor, nail gun, miter saw, plastic sheet and X-acto knife. The result is in the photos below.

Hi guys,

Work continues on the West end of my layout with the main building of the paper recycling plant, which received it's sidings and roof finish. I will need to add the small roof over the doors and still have to make the frames around the door openings after the sills have been sanded. The doors will be installed after the building is painted since they will be printed from photos.

The sign is temporarily installed and I will build a frame around it.

And there is a small and easy industry to model located on the front of the layout, a scrap dealer (you get the picture by now, do you?).  I say easy cause, well, there is no building, just a dirt area with some heavy equipment going about their business.

I have applied a coat of sand for now.  I will paint it when this coat is dry and use this as a base for my second layer of sand.

As the title says, I've been coming out of my procrastination period and been working on the layout.  Last night, I turned my attention to the West side where the staging track is connected to the layout.  There will be a paper recyclers plant on the far side, built as a backdrop building to save space.  I have built the basic core with the doors opening cut out.  Next step is to spray the roof with textured paint, add the clapboard on the faces that will be apparent, make the frames for the doors and print the doors themselves.