I initially thought that I would prepare a layout as modules based loosely on the railroad where I grew up.  I had started to compile a decent amount of information and purchased a few structure kits and pieces of rolling stock to model.  I even assembled a 'module' to start with.  Then work got stressful and I wasn't even sure I'd still have a job at one point.  The fear of being penny-less forced me to curtail my hobby spending and start putting money aside.  Eventually things got better at work.  I even got a promotion.

The "Saucer" stops to pick up some more iced reefers on its way to NYC with perishables for the dinner tables on the East Coast.

News flash:

While I wait for some sheet cork to continue laying the yard tracks and other areas of the smelter, it was time to mock up some additional smelter buildings and see how they might work in the space.  This is the first area of the layout with any significant structures.  I hope to capture the “industrial menace” of the smelter, although the menace part of the equation may have to wait until it is more than just plain cardboard.

More sculptamold goes down

I just received an email from a Kato representative and they are able to donate a  HO scale Metra engine. Also a local club has supplies they can donate and also the donations from David Thanks to all of them.

The list of items is slowly increasing thanks to Augusta Track and a MRH local David Calhoun. Below are the images of what he sent for us and the teacher is very thankful. In roughly two weeks I will be scenicing (not sure on spelling) one of the curve modules so we will have an example next year.

The last remaining Hawaiian railway roundhouse may be demolished. The owner's want to sell the property and only see the nearly 100 year old building as a liability. What should be done? Should I put up a KickStarter program, seek a benefactor, or put together a partnership and buy it?

A big thank you to barr-ceo and his work on creating the street lights for printing by Shapeways. [See http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/22162 ].  I ordered a set in HO scale and they arrived today.  I had also ordered the 3mm LEDs for lighting the lamps.  This thread will document my experience with these items.