Well, it’s been a while since I’ve worked on this. My modeling generally jumps between various projects and the time I put in, is inconsistent to say the least. The work featured in this post was done 2 years ago, last fall I painted, decaled and weathered the shell, so it’s progressing. Let’s see if I took enough photos to remember how I constructed this model. This part will focus on building the Cannon & Co cab.

Part 1 https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/30210 

Our club does switchlist and car cards operations sessions. In this video, I spent a couple of hours with the switchlist crew and watched switching in action.

I recently stumbled on a prototype photo in my late 1980s era that inspired a slightly new direction for the layout, while keeping the physical layout itself the same: Rail Car America C415 #423:

I see many great looking diesels painted black.  My question is...what black paint do many use and how do you fade and weather it down to be more realistic?  I have used an air brush a lot but not to paint black diesels.  My SW1500 is detailed and sound added so before I add the shell to the frame I don't want to mess it up.

Thank you

Tom Carroll, W9CSX

Whiteland, Indians

I am a retired electronics engineer with a big interest in DCC and model trains.

Lots of blog updates, finally - it's been quite a while. Lots of photos inside the blog posts.

RGS Ridgway depot build, updates, structure lighting - https://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2019/05/ridgway-depot-construction-begins.html

Layout improvements, including new flooring and a phone system - https://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2019/05/layout-improvements-flooring-and-phon...

Layout improvements, trying some theatrical-style lighting, and op session photos - https://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2019/05/layout-night-lighting-and-op-sessions...

I have just got back from vacation on the west coast. Went to meet up with friends and family. Visited with long time friend, fellow geologist and model railroad enthusiast Marc Simpson. Marc was able to get me down to meet Mark Dance and see his world class layout, The Columbia and Western Railway.

i took my HBMS #2 to Marc’s layout for a few photo ops. Marc models HBMS and the CN line. 

As my Instagram and YouTube activity goes up I've been ignoring my blogging a bit. What I am not ignoring however is my layout room. Construction continues even as the weather gets nicer and the great outdoors calls to me. I'm going a bit slow, a bit deliberately, but I am happy with the progress I've made thus far.

I find there is a certain degree of magic in this point of the model railroad construction process. It is the beginning of a long journey. It is no longer just an idea in my mind. It is a sketch, a skeleton about to come to life.

(Pictures after the jump)