Same procedure as last year! I like to share my free downloadable calender
available at my modellcom-blog. Sorry, but the site is only in german, but you
may use the translation function to get a little idea about what is going on
there (railroads, real and model and cardmodeling).

Just received my second test shell from Shapeways this evening...

There were two pieces in the box: the shell itself, and a replacement front pilot.  The shell fits onto the Kato donor chassis nice and tight.  The walls are a bit thicker than the first shell.  They still bow slightly inwards; but that's no a problem once the mechanism is in place (the diecast chassis buttresses the insides of the shell).

I'm adding details to the industrial area on my layout. I have two tracks leading to the power plant for coal deliveries. I am in the process of adding concrete slabs to both sides of those tracks to store material and equipment for the power plant. It dawned on me I need a way to unload the equipment hauled by rail to the plant. I built a modified version of Walthers overhead crane and installed it at the power plant but I'm not sure it fits the scene.

I am looking for your opinion as to whether it looks like it fits the application.

The last beet train before Christmas rumbles past the Birds elevator and crosses I-25 on its way to Loveland. It is a long held tradition in Loveland that bad boys and girls will get a rotten sugar beet in their Christmas stocking instead of coal. You better be good!

I was going to finish off the current board before we move and make the main board once we were in our new apartment. We have to be gone by June next year so that seemed a plan. However, I have been thinking about what the next board may be and found that I would have to change the existing boards. Thus I decided that it didn't make much difference whe I made the new board.

The next scenes on the layout are under construction.  Time to head west toward Lakeview, UT...

I need a level crossing on my layout and wanted to install a working crossing using either gates or barrier arms.  Having searched the net I couldn't find anything that met my needs so I figured I might have to design my own.

This update of the Acme Latex Co. Ind and scenery at Rock Ridge. This a continuation of the CAL COAT 127 project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwleL3yQsdo

A few more of my layout.

  Working with the paving sand I picked up today.  I sifted some and separated out the fine material, used some thinned white glue brushed over the inside of the cut and sprinkled it on, letting it stick naturally and run down into the ditches.

This is how it turned out without any fiddling or brushing.