Spent a little money over the last couple of days on some building supplies - styrene, card, glue. I'm going to start building my mine buildings. My little pike is going to be centred around it, so it is my logical first step.

I'm using the plans the Jack Work published in a three part series in October, November and December 1959.

My layout is very likely going to change a little according to these mine buildings, but I expected that.

As some of you are aware I enlisted the help of Byron Henderson of Layout Vision to critique my track plan before I begin building. Having no former experience building a model railroad I wanted a well trained eye to look over what I had designed in hopes that serious design blunders would be found before track hits roadbed.

I have several Budd Business Passenger Cars and have researched their history and use. I am unable, however, to find any information of "where" they would normally be placed within a passenger train consist. Since they have an "observation" style back, I would think their placement would be in utilizing such as would have them be the last car of the consist. But what then about the standard observation car that is also part of the consist? Any insight and information will be very welcomed and appreciated.

March 2010 - The platform - recycled from my S scale layout.  Graphic on wall is panorama from S scale - not suitable for N scale.

Sept 2010 - lower level complete - 2% grade started