A bit more work ; now Rev 3. Moved the yard to the east wall since it is a key scene and made it virtually exact to the prototype. Move G&M Milling to the south wall. Only size industries but more than enough to keep me busy for 3 years. Each scene is sectional and can be moved when needed with only minor rework at the ends of each scene to blend into larger layout. I think this is getting there. The new siding at the top doesn't really existing and is continuous run, but the small siding north of it does, but is abandoned. A key scene for sure.

Did a bit more CAD work last night and modified the layout to better reflect what the prototype has. Starting with Paragon Films I simply couldn't fit the number of spots the prototype has due to space limitations as well as orientation of the facility in relation to the main line. The real facility swings northeast of the main for several hundred yards which is simply not feasible on a shelf type layout. I modified it to about have the capacity and put it along the backdrop which give a large structure but as a flat and much more easily constructed.

A little time over lunch netted me this initial draft of a plan. Still very much a work in progress but I can get a good number of the industries on the line minus those in Statesville so I'm happy. I'll flesh it out a bit more and identify which industries are adjacent to each other and which would require a full lap around to get to since they are farther down the line than the plan shows at a future point this week or weekend. A quick calc indicates that using the lapping method for each town nets just over 4 scale miles of mainline. Not to shabby and quite a nice run for operations.

Well construction will begin on my Fairview Industrial District this weekend on another FB page. I posted a track plan about it some time ago but life has kept me busy. For those that don't remember this layout will be my foray into HO switching layouts and will go along a wall behind me desk at work. Whilst I am building that, I have begun planning for my home layout. I have finally decided on a prototype that allows me to run operations solo while giving me a relatively decent sized railroad (7' x 20'). I have chosen the Alexander Railroad in NC.

The first components of the benchwork for The Hills Line has arrived in our basement. I decided to go with IKEA's Ivar cabinets to provide a functional but fashionable base for the railroad. This system should allow our basement to be better used for other purposes, along with model railroading.

I started to get my wiring done for staging but having trouble with a Walthers Double Crossover. I've not wired frogs before, got lucky I guess, but starting to think I may add just for security, any thoughts?

Wayne Snyder

Gainesville, TX

...do some prototype research.

A work trip has taken me to Thompson Manitoba, which just so happens to be part of the Hudson Bay Railway route.  While I won't be modelling Thompson directly, it does offer me the chance to do some research on my prototype area. 

thought you guys would enjoy sadly a lot of trees by me on the line.

Life is pretty tough right now. Between the honey-do list, the pt job and the other pt job, I have come to the point where I am actually escaping to build these projects. Fret not though, I believe my best work always comes under duress and this sure feels like duress.

I've got an electrical problem with a Bachmann Spectrum I picked up a while ago (I know, crazy, right?). I tested the engine and tender out on other Bachmann Spectrum engines and cars (4-8-2 to 4-4-0 tender, 4-4-0 to 4-8-2 tender), and found electrical shortages in both the tender and loco. While I was disassembling the loco, I figured I'd take pictures during the steps, so I can remember where things are when I'm rebuilding it. Hopefully these pictures will be able to assist anyone else in their rebuilds.