I have been slowly working on my modular layout. It is made up of 4 modules. Two 2 foot by 5 foot modules, 1 corner 4 x 4 foot module and one 2 foot by 6 foot module. They are arranged in an L shape. The switches and track are going to be all hand laid with the use of Fast Tracks jigs in Sn3 (S scale 3 foot narrow gauge). The theme is going to be a West Side Lumber switching layout so I can run my PBL Shays. I am going to have a lumber mill on the 6 foot module that will cut the logs into boards.

Some photos recently on the Hitop:

Is the sb5 even meant to be used this way?

I decided to put this in a blog - 3rd plan (Plan check& plan check 2.2) are the earlier versions.

Thank you for the feedback! After mulling over your ideas I decided to get rid of the return loops and go twice around the room. So here are more details

HO scale std gauge California/Nevada desert / mountain mining shortline, late 1950's steam

Continuous running - Single operator

2%-2.5% grade Short trains 6-8(10?) cars

Original idea for branch( based on Tecopa Railroad). 4%+ grade-push empties up, back loads down

I'm a 1970's/1980's era grain truck junkie. I'd love to see folks' models or prototype pics, as they are always an inspiration.

Here are my two kitbashed trucks used at a fertilizer transload operation. The first is an Athearn Ford 850, to which I grafted a tandem-axle Kenworth chassis for a heavier duty straight-truck.  

In today’s episode we are going to say goodbye to my old logo and officially announce the rollout of my new logo.

Having run a train through the garage scene I find that I have second thoughts on if I can do anything respectful of the Spiral Tunnels as diagrammed below.  My goal is do some some dramatic scenery attempts and the NS Loops fits better in the ST space.  That makes the garage scene an unremarked back woods loop seldom visited.  Thanks for listening.

This layout is a huge complex and ambitious project (at least for me). The way to undertake large projects is to break them into smaller steps. I've debated the best way to break things up to be more manageable. The traditional approach is one type of construction at a time: (e.g. bench work, track / electronics, backdrop). The one module at a time approach, turns this around: build one section (module) until mostly complete before moving to the next section.

I've landed on a approach somewhere between those: phasing.