Sometimes you have to be in the mood to paint ... or do wiring, or ballasting, or whatever it is that is not a "preferred" model project. It's not that I don't like painting or soldering, etc but I like to build models or structures, trees, freight cars, - well you know. Painting a backdrop is always something that seems like it should be done before the roadbed or scenery gets started so access is easy but I don't really have a picture in my head of what the area will look like until it gets started. I plan for a living so when I get home it's anything but ...

As some of you who follow the On30 Line and Model Railroad Hobbyist discussion forums already know, I have decided to move on to another modeling challenge - after the end of 2014, the Estrella & Sonora Grande RR will be dismantled. Read more abouit this in my next post (to avoid wrapping a long entry on each page).

I needed to find a simple way to super elevate the curves on my small branch line to a scale 3 inches. Yes, that’s right, only 3 scale inches!

After researching several different options (some quite involved), I decided using poster board might be a good option. So, off to my trusty local Hobby Lobby to investigate. 

I am very pleased to announce that Verne Niner's Gazzette Award winning San Lorenzo diorama will be incorporated into the Thunder Mesa Mining Co. layout when Verne dismantles his On30 layout at the first of next year.

A whole new track plan and all the news on the diorama on the TMMC site today.

Vector cut has released version 2 of their Atlas signal tower upgrade. http://www.vectorcut.com/RR.htm They had been out of stock of version one for a while so it's nice they've released an update to it.

I had an old Diamond Scale turntable bridge and spur gear salvaged from a layout many years ago. The original hydrocal pit was long gone so I decided to make a new one from wood. I spoke to Nils at Diamond Scale and he is sending be the worm gear and a few other odds and ends. Here's a couple of progress pics: