Hello everyone. I had a bit of a short hiatus from the hobby because of some real world issues and a general lack of motivation and creativity for a longer than usual period but thankfully that all seems to have passed and I've been on a bit of a roll the last few days with various scenes.

Haven't posted in awhile because I've been in a creative lull even though I have loads of time on my hands right now. I had tried to get myself going again over on the WPF thread using the oil dealer scene I had left off on last I modeled. It occurred to me that I should also make note of my progress here on my blog too as I use it as my normal repository for all things "Black N' Blue".

I've hit a rater frustrating period of inactivity on my layout construction because after reaching my goal of having what I consider "base level scenery" over the entire pike, I can't seem to get going on details. I'm just not finding the inspiration I need and I don't know why. The two big areas that I want to get going on are pictured below.

For the longest time I've used  commercial DCC systems, specifically Digitrax. I might still be using them today had they not drawn my ire by refusing to sell me a rubber keypad membrane that I figure probably cost no more than a quarter but that's water under the bridge now. I was at a point on my pike where I wasn't running many trains and I have a little homebrew DC throttle for testing anyway so I sold my Zephyr and moved on.

Since getting all the base level scenery on my pike done, I've turned to a different phase of construction. I have no real plan made yet except to make "detail passes"  at certain areas. Here the detail is trees and I think the pics show what a marked difference they make.

The time has come. This is a picture of the last portion of the layout that is bare. Every other part has, at the very least, a base coat of scenery. There's one more Dragon to slay.  The area below the mine has become a catch all for all manner of stuff and it will continue to be, albeit more organized and with a fascia/cabinet door that will allow staging and storage access. It doesn't lend itself well to scenery and the closet door would open into it anyway.

Dunakin Tunnel is the last tunnel on the modeled portion of the Black N' Blue. If one were actually able to stand on the front porch of Bishop Bros. Mill or  hike even closer to the overlook on Meyer's Rock they could catch a last glimpse of the trains crossing Meeks Canyon and Niner Creek over the Clark Viaduct  before they plunge into the tunnel darkness on their way to the resort town of Fugate.

 In the tradition of Furlows Slough and Lewot Bog by Art Curren, I bring you "Bobs Bog". Why Bobs Bog? Well, my late brother was named Bob and he was an avid hunter an fisherman so I think he would have appreciated it and considered what he might find living in it. Besides, it just fits!

This whole project resulted from a small uncovered gap in the benchwork  in an otherwise relatively flat area. It was a fun little distraction from other areas and still in process is the proverbial hobo camp and fire very nearby.

Here's some shots that show the gradual evolution of "Niner Creek". Hope y'all enjoy...

I've alluded to this occasion earlier and now the time has arrived...