Hope its the first of many. Bill

Your weathering looks great - both the engine and especially the track.  Nicely done and congratulations on the progess.

... "operational" is certainly a key milestone; everything else is really just gravy.  Congratulations, thanks for sharing.  :)

A big step. Keep it up. I love your weathering !!

This is my 'new' install of a Tsunami FDL-16 on an Atlas U23B chassis under my P2K IC U30B 5002 

That is a real good sound coming from that loco, real nice job. Those four cycle engines produce a sound the just says power to the wheels.

Thanks for sharing.

Rob in Texas

But, finally built the first of what I call 'shell's (look up longwall coal mining terminology).   I will be building more of these to allow a free form standalone peninsula.   The inside of the peninsula will be empty space, not benchwork.   I can arrange these like a snake around basement inconveniences, like posts, etc....     The two 1x4 arms that will support only homasote spline and rosin paper scenery are 24 inches apart, and will be set 24 inches apart(at this time....spacing may change after some tests)   There will be a relatively narrow masonite fascia attached to the ends of the 1x4s to define the edge of the 'benchwork'    The upright 2x4 will hold the trim channel for 50foot long by 2foot high aluminum trim for backdrop....already comes painted white, just need to paint it all blue.

Ok, onto the pictures(mongo feedback requested.....gonna start laying roadbed/spline and track soon)....thanks in advance.

It is all built with recycled(from the old layout) wood.   I should have enough for at least a dozen of these.....that would support 48 feet of roadbed.....plus they tie into the around the walls benchwork.

Our club uses similar construction. Once the lateral joists are in, they are tied together with spline roadbed, a flat plywood skin in some places, and a double-layered hardboard fascia. The whole structure becomes pretty rigid and doesn't eat up a lot of wood. A bonus is having clear floor space that's easier to keep organized. One of our turnback "bulbs" includes a parking bay for the big shop vac. Maintenance carts hide under the peninsulas.

Before I start mass producing them(you know,....like 5 or 6 for the first peninsula...lol)

The production ones will have longer horizontal legs out the back, but short enough in front to keep people from stubbing their toes.

Is there any indication of tipping over if people hold on to the front????

thanks,