A number of years ago I read how some modelers used a type of thick underlayment paper over masonite to form their backdrop. The paper was installed using wallpaper paste. 

On my previous layout I built my backdrop using that paper and it was very dimensionally stable. I’d like to use the same product again, but I can’t remember the brand name. It was gray in color, came in a large roll, had a slight toothy feel, and was about 1/32 in thickness. 

In a recent article I wrote I discussed the good and bad points of 3D printing as I had experienced them.  I had concluded that it was useful when traditional methods were difficult or impossible to employ.  In October I attended the Mideastern Region NMRA conference and visited the Koppers tie plant at Green Spring, WV.  I wanted a tie plant on my layout, but had no information on the operation.  One item I found that I needed was a lot of carts for moving the ties into the creosote chambers.

Many of you may be familiar with Lance Mindheim and his excellent modeling (www.lancemindheim.com).  He has a number of ideas to slow things down during operations on small layouts.  One of his ideas including locking covers over his turnout controls that must be unlocked in order to access the turnout controls.  The idea is that it is someone prototypical (a real RR switch must be unlocked to be thrown) and will add an additional element requiring time when operating.

My "multi-purpose" room (work office & layout) is a horrible mess!  My Richlawn Railroad layout has so much stuff jammed under it (and on top of it) that I had to do something.  Some months ago I purchased some black cloth for the fascia curtain and I decided to temporarily put it up using push pins to secure it to the layout woodwork.  Before I did that I pleated it using my hot glue gun to give it a little interest.  It's likely that I'll have some visitors to the layout during the holidays so this will help hide much of the junk.  Now I just