Using balsa wood and caspia, this is my first attempt at making a pine tree. Seems a bit fat, but this should improve as more are made. (Thomas thinks it is a good start)

It has been just a few months without an update. I am still working on the rural side of this 4X6 layout. This is a shot of the cliff, stream and tunnel entrance.

Here is latest update on the PC&L, work being done on the rural side of the layout. Added Upper and Lower Moose Creek, added truss Bridge and created the cliff with now includes rocks, dirt and grass. Next steps are adding some contrasting grass colors on the cliffs and attempt to make some pine trees.

I've been working with flower arrangement foam to create the hill/cliff for the rural side of the layout. The tunnel area and one end still needs foam glued together, sculptured and added on. Then the plan is to add rock castings, dirt and trees. I wonder if this foam can be painted, will try on test pice.

My wife and I have started our first layout a 4X6 HO Standard Gauge. The size and track plan was determined by various factors such as space and family members. My wife has a ten-year old special needs son who loves trains. He always has a Thomas book with him. We have taken him to several local train shows and to the annual Thomas Day at the Illinois Railroad Museum. For model railroads he likes to get down at eye level and especially loves tunnels. He simply loves seeing the trains going by, so the layout is an oval with a smaller radius oval that has a tunnel.