The other day I spent with several friends, just chit-chatting, watching some train videos, and checking out recent work on my friends layout. While there I was able to use Dave Frary’s YouTube tip on how to straighten the branches on Scenic Express Super Trees.

So home I came with a box of trees to finish adding foliage before planting, plus an extra package of Bachmann pull-apart static grass that I needed for some areas. The trees were finished yesterday, and will probably be planted today. 

Recent action finds Alco 9106 switching Allied Chemical and Holsum Baking:

Recent scenes on the Hitop:

Finally, more trees are going in on the Hitop, most being from Scenic Express. A few are Grand Central trees:

Several messages were received about operating my Hitop branch, so I’ll give a rundown of operations. Everything as on the prototype comes out of the main Dickinson yard. There are several mine runs. One goes to the mine at Hitop through Spring Street yard where the actual branch starts, while one bypasses Hitop and goes to the end of the branch at Morris Fork.

Here are photos of the current state of the layout. Only thing to be added are trees from Scenic Express 

The latest updates on the website: www.hitopbranchmodelrr.com

More expansion updates with photos here: www.hitopbranchmodelrr.com

Getting ready for the first official operating session on April 20th

Latest updates on the website here: www.hitopbranchmodelrr.com

latest photo: