Summer is golf season for me.  I play a lot of golf from May until November and during that time don't get a lot of modeling done.  Earlier this year I got some structures completed for Rocky Ridge, Thurmont and Union Bridge, but this progress slowed down.  When I wasn't golfing, I got the ballasting completed.  Ballasting is my least favorite task in building a model railroad.  I did it about 3 feet at a time using mixed N and HO ARM CSX ballast.  Did I mention that I really dislike ballasting?

With arrival of Rapido Trains LRC coaches it’s time to store some of the older VIA Rail Blue and Gold coaches. Not wanting the hassle of opening a number of jewel cases each time I run this set, I built a storage case. This is 1/4 inch foam sheets, cut to fit inside a sturdy shipping box. I was able to create two trays inside the box. With the leftover foam, I built a small workstation to hold cars/engines.

Rounding out the day with some experimenting with Tamiya Panel Line, in black.

It has taken a while, but I finally have a schematic drawn of my Trenton Subdivision that I am comfortable publishing. I drew the initial plan before building started, that plan has changed many times during construction. I used AnyRail 6 to design this schematic and is very close to what is actually on the table or will be soon.

I wanted to see how the envisioned landforms would look, so spent a couple of hours and another box on a mockup.

The 'kit' parts.

Well, an inquiry about the Hamm's Beer sign has sprouted another project. I seem to have a number of them in the works at any given time. I got a few of the LEDs I mentioned before to see how they would work out and they seem to be perfect for the project.