So this started as a very exciting thing I got two new Athearn Genesis engines in the ATSF freight scheme (A-B set) from a friend of Charlie Getz's since they were DC though I need to get some decoders for them. But for some reason no store near me has decoders in stock so I have to order them online and wait. I may be able to make it to a store nearby but with the 30 minute each direction it may not happen. I just don't get why they wouldn't even stock the basic ones apparently the reasoning is they say every decoder is different for a specific engine.

A promising Start

I have been experimenting with printing a On30 flat car on my home 3D Printer. This is a small simple FDM printer, nothing fancy. Like many beginners I have been using PLA filament. Its is very easy to print with and a very forgiving for 3D printing. My first pass at the car had made it to the spray booth and was looking very promising. However, the model would never make it to the layout.

The images and discussion of what happened follows in the first comment, below.

Back about 15 years, Atlas introduced models of Hart ballast hoppers in HO.  I got all excited and bought a bunch.  My enthusiasm waned when I read postings on Yahoo's Steam Era Freight Car group (STMFC) describing design and manufacturing flaws that detracted from the appearance of the model.  

Hi! This week I´ve been making a tool for massproduction of planks and also die (color-dip) the planks to get either a fresh/new look and that aged/weathered look.

I have finally gotten around to priming some of my long abuilding resin freight cars.  Some have been "finished" for a decade or more in some cases. Work, moves, family commitments and the like had these projects put into boxes to be painted "later".  

It is now later and I spent the past couple of evenings gassing myself with Tamiya spray primer in my garage.  Definitely do not spray this stuff in a poorly ventilated space.  You'll see pink elephants and dragons if you do.  

Hi All

some links to construction of my new layout

day three I build the frames (no base support) see if they all fit together on the decking.

http://barcoola.blogspot.sg/2017/04/third-day-new-layout-progress.html

day five My "bathtub" boards are taking shape, the bottom of the boards are 3mm MDF, this creates a smooth surface for moving the boards and protects the wiring, finally gives some torsional strength.  

http://barcoola.blogspot.sg/2017/04/the-fifth-day-of-new-layout-progress...

In my travels, I find the most interesting tips and techniques I pick up are found in the hobbies that closely resemble our own. Really, even within Model Railroading the range of interests are so wide and varied that it is almost a crime to overlook a similar hobby, just because it lacks a train model.

In today's interview, we travel to Turkey to meet a miniature toolsmith. I introduce to you Ibrahim Kacar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJdt82TlJfM

So I have gave myself a challenge, can I build a layout in 6 months?

the layout size is 11ft by 24ft.  It basically consists of a very long bridge, file footage of it in final construction.

i documented each day from day 10 onwards on YouTube.

Given that I have a full time job and a family I started this layout on the 18th of April 2017.

I am helping out with a garage sale this weekend at my grandmothers and was thinking I would set up a display of a train running and work on weathering cars throughout the day. I was thinking I would sell the cars for 15-10 dollars each and buy 2 get 1 free. These would only be old tyco cars without kadees or metal wheelsets but would you pay the higher price for the weathering? I may also put out a jar saying tips for model railroad fund.

Hot weather this past weekend prevented work on the layout, so being stuck inside I decided to cross off one of the scratch building projects that's on the to-do list. 

The prototype is a Fry's Electronics store in Burbank, California, visible right from the main line.  Here are some reference shots: