I recently completed some revised track work and had the opportunity to operate my layout for the first time in months.  Since the track for this section is essentially complete I began to think about operations.  I've written complex paperwork programs in Excel, including a complete communication program that does everything from simulating switch operation paperwork to starting a diesel (by throwing every proper switch) to performing random inspections and other functions.  I wrote a phone app to simulate connecting an air hose and opening angle-cocks and one calle

I'd like to update people on where we're at with building the new throttles, and also get some input. Above is a rendering of a design for the "basic" throttle. More information in the next post.

Since my last post I had glued hydrocal rock castings to the mountains on the newer section and colored them after having glued the tunnel portals and retaining walls in place. The next set of photos shows the progress.

This is the newest section I mentioned in a previous post with the mountains and portals in place.

This blog is aimed at providing a place to discuss methods and material use for improving the realism of our models, structures rolling stock/locomotives and overall layouts.

I hope to discuss anything and everything that can improve realism. 

So my buddy left me a canon vixia hrf 800 video camera and a tripod and a bag of stuff? Oh, and a quick start guide. Just enough to make me to turn a few more grey hairs to silver.

I finally got to the point of installing the photo backdrops I purchased from Trackside Scenery last year. I went with their Valley Flats series to provide a generic wooded backdrop to the paper mill.

I recently added to my home road rolling stock. A couple 40’ Accurail gondolas were completed after being set aside for some reason and then forgotten about until I ran across them looking for something else. Intermountain wheels and Kadee Whisker couplers replace the stock items. Homeroad decals are from Bill Brillinger, fellow member here: http://pdc.ca/rr/

I started doing some short and not so short videos of operations on the Somewhere Southwest switching layout - which I will present in this blog.

A very good first train test run around the entire layout including the lift out bridge.

http://youtu.be/GDq2_LKOWYI