The first step in getting the updated C&E built is done. The benchwork has been reconstructed with some seriously large carriage bolts. Guaranteed not to move until I am ready to move. Bus wire is run from one end to the other. Black in back makes it easy to not get them confused. The subroadbed follows next them we can really get serious.

Now that all the visitors and Christmas cookies are gone, I finally got started on the new benchwork/layout re-construction of the left side of the railroad. Having saved most all the track, switches, buildings and lumber from the previous layout, my investment so far has been eight 2x2's and a box of Tapcon Phillips head screws.

Photos of the progress in the next post.

After some initial disappointment trying to use poster board for backdrop material - it warped badly even after being sealed with solvent-based paint, I tried styrene. It is wonderful for the coved corners, but couldn't support itself well along a straight section that is twelve feet long. So that section has now been replaced with one-eighth inch luan ply. Success!  The seams are now sealed with lightweight spackle and tomorrow will be painted to hide them once and for all.