Back working on the train elevator after a pause. Rebuilt the connecting track to improve alignment -- the prior arrangement needed some fiddling when the layout had to be moved. This one doesn't.

The two key parts of this design are the locator pins and the vertical alignment finger on the left. These mate with the elevator side as:

I just upgraded my test / programming track on a shelf to include a Kadee 309 electromagnetic uncoupler. I wanted to test electromagnetic uncoupling on my minimum radius with my largest equpment length before laying track on the layout.

Continuing buildup of my old layout modules in a new house... 

Temporarily took down the 2 modules for easier installation of the LED lights.  Its just 2 wires to disconnect and 2 quick clamps so takedown process is about 1 minute long. Very convenient.  I went with 2 strips of LEDMO LEDs,warm and cool temp 2835's which seemed like a pretty good choice based on other MRHers experience.  I had zero interest in the doctoral thesis level of lighting research, just wanted something that would light up the layout.  

I have continued the journey of searching for natural products to use on my layout.  My last blog demonstrated the use of natural material for tree armatures and for foreground quality bare trees.  Today I was in the field and found grasses.  I cut off numerous tips and found a few uses that many might find useful.  Here is what they look like from the field

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Has anyone out there scratch built a small HO scale rail served stock pen, if so do you have plans you would be willing to share? I have built the Walthers (kit bashed) stock pen kit, but would like to build a small one for a spot on my layout. I looked all over the internet with no luck.

Richard

I am going to try and do a little step by step on some of the procedures to get the J&M up and running. My first sections of cork are glued down, sanded and ready for trackwork. I always try and start with turnouts as they have to be precise. Flextrack can move to accomadate turnouts. Trying something different this time when attaching feeder wires. Soldering them underneath the rail joiners and feeding through holes in the roadbed.

Due to the nature of my job I was unexpectedly out of work from last Christmas until te beginning of May which presented a wonderful opportunity to fill the cold winter days by working on my layout uninterrupted. In that time I feel like I achieved quite a lot on the layout construction itself as well as building structures and whatnot. Like most railroad modelers, I tend to get "on a track" of maybe wiring for a while then when I get bored I shift gears and build a structure or two or maybe work on scenery.

Bonjour Railroad modelers,

This is the ANNELIESVILLE trackplan that I posted on the 'Trackplan Database'.

It's a rural & coastal type of branchline with a rather 'narrow gauge feel' since I love this type of Railroads. Plus the fact that the late Paul Scoles inspired me with his type of 'imaginary' and overall feel. I also tried to follow guidelines & info from Lance Mindheim, to keep things simple and manageable. It's not my first build but it's always a challenge to build in this size.