I started work on a project that's been on the back burner for a few years. Using the Walther's Superior Paper as a starting point I am constructing a large sheet metal fabricating plant. It will hide the AC return that protrudes into the layout area. There will be a tank car unloading track at the west end with multiple tanks. The east end will have two tracks that will enter that plant for delivery of raw materials and shipping of finished products. It will be about six feet long when all done and will be the largest industry on the layout.

I have a somewhat unique predicament with my shelf layout. As you can see from the pictures below, I’m creating a shelf style layout that runs about 7 ½” below the ceiling. It’s quite basic, but also kind of large (14’ X 28’). My predicament is what to do for the backdrop. I’m pretty much sold on using a photo-type backdrop. However, the cost seems quite expensive based on the various photo-based backdrops available on the market. I could easily spend over $800 or more for my backdrop!

I recently visited Rochester, Minnesota, and traveling through the south part of town spotted one of the city’s unique landmarks – their ear of corn water tower. 

Here's the first in several posts on the research and construction of the Household Fuel coal pocket on my layout. I'm in the process of building the model now, and it will be the first signature structure completed.

http://blog.newbritainstation.com/2017/03/household-fuel-part-i-prototyp...

While I've built structures before, this is my first scratch-building effort, although I wouldn't be this far without my friend Dick's help. The first post is about the prototype itself.

Randy