Thanks guys, and I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back here to reply. It has been a crazy week. I've been dealing with gut troubles to the point where I made a doctor's appointment to get it checked out. The good news is a few yogurts later it may be corrected. Then last night, after the NMRA meeting, I came home and made a frozen pizza, and proceeded to burn the crap out of my right index finger. The poor thing looked pregnant. The joke was "E.T. phone home". We popped the huge blister tonight. Wish I had taken a picture. It's always something.

The toe is doing well, saw the doc on Tuesday.

I think I made a terrible mistake not dealing with my outside faucets in time. Last night it snowed a couple inches, and the temperature has stayed below freezing. I just hope the pipes don't split. I may have to go out with the torch tomorrow.

On a happier note, I redid the weathering on that Lionel Canada wheat hopper. Working from a photo, I cleaned up the rust streaks, and it did the trick. Took first with it.

Here's the prototype car I based my weathering job on.

That's both contests so far this year. Maybe the secret to my success last night had something to do with working in a scale that everyone could see. It also helped that there were only three entries, but the other two were also very nice. I hope people don't figure out that I was the one to pick the categories for the contests this year. Prior to September, I never entered one of these contests. All of a sudden I have back to back wins.

Next month passenger cars! I have a project in mind for this one.  A K-line kit bash! I need to take a combine painted Pennsy, and rework the windows into a BN (ex GN) dorm / baggage.

I actually have a book with early Amtrak floor plans, and this car was in it. That means I have all the dimensions for widow placement etc.

It means filling some windows and cutting new ones, then a total repaint. Have had all the materials for a while now, even the paint. Never really done any of this kind of stuff before, but I'm rather excited to give it a shot. It seems scary and intimidating at first, but I've come to grips with the "defacement" of perfectly good pieces. Just gotta get over it, and say "I'm making it better", and "I'm not a collector anymore". I'm a model railroader!!!

John - I wish you lived closer too. It's not easy living so far from the center of the action. Visitors are pretty infrequent. Might I suggest that you think about coming up for the Menards show in Eau Claire in early July. I'll be hosting another picnic for forum members. If you think you want to attend the show, contact me via email, and I'll give you lodging suggestions.

Paul - The eye if this hurricane seems to be a little bigger than I expected. I'm getting a little sidetracked by some modelling projects. I do need to get back to the big stuff, but I'm having fun with the small stuff right now.

Bob - Thanks, I hope you'll come up for a visit sometime soon, though the snow has come rather early, and I wouldn't blame you if you waited til spring or even the show to stop by.

Bob - Thanks, my toe is pretty tough, it can take the ribbing.

Matt - The toe is just biding its time, waiting for the day when it can be free and get wet. The day is getting close.

John - Sorry, but indirectly it was a model railroading injury.

Art - It seems that my applying indirect pressure has done some serious good for you. You've made a lot of progress, and it looks great. It looks like you're almost ready for a magazine feature.

Mike - Thanks, Patrick was going to come over later today, but I had to cancel. We'll reschedule.

Bruce - I'd say the toe is about 90% healed. You wouldn't believe the scraps I keep. Pieces have to be pretty small to go in the fire. The rule is kind of, if it can't hold a screw, it's useless.

Mark - Yeah, it's easy to forget things when I don't have any pics of whatever it is

Ray - Unfortunately, that's not going to work for this section. I can't reach underneath and get the stapler in. I can barely get it from the top side once I get those strips installed. Sorry, I don't know anything about camera 2. I didn't even know it was out again.

Mallard - My wife and I got a good laugh on that one. Thanks.

Rich - Thanks, but the shop still needs more work to be usable. The table saw needs to be cleared, and the chop saw needs to be set up, and a few things need to be moved, then I'll be back in business.

Randy - Thanks. Visitors are always welcome. Just send me an email.

RTR - Thanks, the shop is a two and a half car garage. The problem is I have five cars worth of stuff. I have had a lot of helpers over the years, but Patrick is the only one who has stayed with me for the entire length of this topic.

Congrats on the Blue Ribbon for the hopper Elliot. Good work! Now that you've gone over to the dark side of kit bashing cars no telling what you are going to come up with next!

Bob

Nice job on the win Elliot! Cant wait to see your next project!

They've just started building houses out here with a 2-1/2 car garage as an option. Until now it was either a 2 or 3 car garage with nothing in between. We are finally catching up with the outside world! The 2-1/2 size is a really good idea, something I wish we would have been able to get. In your case it's a great workshop, looks quite large from the pictures. And with that little extra space it just makes things all the better! Room for that extra large tool(s), more lumber storage, extra workbench, etc. One can't have too much space (can they?).  And congratulations on the Blue Ribbons! Those must be pretty exciting too.

Thanks guys. Yeah, the ribbons are exciting, as it has been about 35 years since I've gotten one, prior to these two. These are just popular votes, but they are still fun to get. Even though they give the entries a number to keep them anonymous, everyone in the room knows the 3 rail O is mine. It's the elephant in the room.

The 2-1/2 car garage would be an absolute necessity if it was my only garage. It's almost impossible to get out of the car on the left if it's against the wall. My wife and I are not small people. Good thing we have a 3 stall that we keep the cars in. The car on the right still has to park so close to the wall, that a passenger has to get out before going into the garage. No fun in the winter or the rain.

Elliot, If we had a 2 1/2 garage, it would be filled with more stuff.  My wife has a lot, but we have stuff that belongs to my aunt, mother-in-law, daughter, and who knows who else!!  My wife can't say no.  God bless her, she is a wonderful woman, so I don't complain; except under my breath when I'm looking for my tools.  

Congratulations on the blue ribbons.  They are very deserved even if there were a dozen entries!  Please take care of yourself!!!!

Empty space forms a vacuum that sucks in everything that will fit within the space, until it's all full once again! Must be laws of physics, the continuum transfuctioner or something? 

good day Elliot good news forthcoming I hope?  not sure you watch online cameras at stpaul union depot but camera 2 is back online am beginning to think $ is issue with camera feed as funny how just in time for the Milwaukee 261 S-3 santa express camera 2 comes back online that or not enough viewers to offset costs?

hope all is well with you and are on the mend with toe issue totally resolved and you have regained a second wind to start anew on further layout progress.

November 2018 update

Things were going along fairly well with the K-line kitbash up through last Thursday. I was on pace to finish it for the NMRA division contest a week from Thursday. As I was calling it a day, and went to go upstairs, when "Captain Klutz" took over. I tripped over some electrical cords, which I had previously negotiated countless times. My left ankle caught a loop, while my right foot was standing on he cord securing it. One more step sent me to the concrete HARD on my left knee. The shock wave went all the way up through my hip and into my lower back, and down through my ankle. I scraped myself up slowly, and actually climbed the stairs before things tightened up.

This weekend was pretty miserable, difficult sleeping or moving. I was popping Tylenol like candy, with little relief. I just happened to have a previously scheduled doctor's appointment for this morning. So he took a set of X-rays. Haven't heard back yet, but I have my foot doctor tomorrow morning. I wouldn't want him to get bored with the toe. It's nice having all my doctors as part of one system, so I just have one giant file that they can pass notes on to each other.

The layout itself remains dormant. Depending on how the leg feels, I'm going to try getting back at it after the first of the year. I want to do another layout tour in the spring, and have things ready for operating sessions by summer. Most of my new Bluetooth engines should be in by then.

So here is what it's supposed to look like when it's done/

I even found the plan with some dimensions in a book that I've had for years.

First up, reduce the car to parts.

I applied masking tape to the top and sides, so I could make marks.

The skirts have to come off the entire car. I clamped it to a sawhorse, and used my saber saw with a metal cutting blade to start the process.

Then I finished with the belt sander and a file.

Time to fill in the old windows, by epoxying thin aluminum to the inside.

The inner layer is done on both sides.

Thick aluminum slugs are cut to fit each old opening, then epoxied to the thin backer strips.

Squadron gray putty was applied over the slugs, and sanded smooth.

this car has no vestibule, so those openings needed to be filled, and the plastic end cap modified.

I had bought a hot knife a while back. This was the first project for it. The heat warms the base of the blade much better than the tip.

Between that and the Dremel with a carbide cutter, I removed all the bits that were no longer necessary

With clean smooth sides, I put new tape on the sides, and started to do my final markings.

Now I remember why I was in a hurry to get upstairs, and tripped over the cords. The hockey game had started. In hindsight, it wasn't worth it. They lost anyway.

Elliot,

I am certainly sorry you had another accident.  Yes, electric cords are as evil as serpents!!  

That is a lot of fine modifications you are doing to that car!  

Take care of yourself!

Hey Elliot- Sorry to hear about the latest ailments. Hope its nothing some R&R doesn't solve.
The car is coming along nicely.

Rest up.
Bob

Elliot, instead of aluminum, could sheet styrene be used to eliminate windows?  I ask because I have no aluminum, but plenty of sheet styrene on hand.

Thanks, as always, for the excellent descriptions and photos.

PS:  I believe I saw the car you are making in the "Buy anything Cool lately" thread, or one very similar to it.  

Elliot, you have been doing good with your toe you don't need to add something else to the fold. I think we all go through time frames where we come to a halt and sort of go into a limbo state. You got to watch where you walk. You will probably be sore and stiff for a while. Hopefully you will get your mojo back and catch up with all your projects going on. Maybe you should go back to putting in long hours again. That may keep you out of trouble. No time to get into tropuble then LOL. On your faucets I did the same last year. I shut the water off inside the house but failed to dissconnect the hose from the faucet so when I went to use the faucet in the spring the ice had split the casting and I had to call a plumber to put in a new one. Learned my lesson on that one real quick. Good to see you posting again. I need your updates for input and makes me get off my butt and start doing something again..........Paul

Elliot, I am so sorry that you took a fall! At our age it really takes it toll! Here I thought you were running upstairs to watch the Vikings! Didn't know you were into Hockey also! I am sorry they lost, maybe next time!

I really like the work your getting done on the car, I bet its going to be wonderful when your done! Please keep us updated! Don't forget next weeks game! LOL

Hi Elliot

    You are doing the same thing I do. Weathering or modifying rolling stock stops the progress on the layout. Winning the contests might halt it longtime. Be careful and have a good time doing it. Would you share your technique for rust streaks? Please don’t fall while doing it.

Ray

nice scratch building Elliot will be nice to see the final rendition of this re-purposed car. as to falling sorry to hear you had another incident hopefully the extension cord is put away now? we all do not so smart things self included we always seem to find time to make a mess but find it unnerving to clean it all up and stow things so we don't get hurt.

maybe we all need a nagging app for that LOL?  hopefully all will be better when you start back on layout after first of the year take care have a Great Holiday season with family and friends and run some trains let the mind wander some as you watch the freight/passenger train travel the miles you have created in miniature.

Awesome work.  Can't wait to see more. Hope you feel better soon. I wish I had the skills and courage to tackle a project like that. I would like to modify a K-Line PRR heavyweight RPO to an accurate mail car.  I like the use of the tape on the sides to draw out the design modifications.  What would you use to cut into ABS plastic?

Elliot hope your on the mend and enjoy this time of the year and the Holidays. Will we see a MTH/Lionel or other holiday car sprinting around your tracks?

Thanks guys for the train project and the well wishes on my latest "disaster".

The toe is doing great, to the point that it's almost a non-issue. My foot doctor looked at the X-rays, but didn't see anything obvious. Of course he doesn't really deal with anything above the ankle, so he got the sports medicine doctor to take a look. Nice guy, he takes care the Gopher hockey team. After some poking and prodding, he ordered up another more specific set of X-rays, where he looked at the area where the ham string connects to the bone behind the knee. He sent me home with a knee brace, which gave me some immediate relief, but which has also begun to shift the pain to a different spot. I'm just all out of whack. This is just going to take time.

Mark - Thanks, I was just getting excited about the project, then this happened, throwing me totally off my game. I'm almost scared to go back down there.

Bob - Well, I've already had three days off. Fortunately, most of what's left to do can be taken care of while seated at the workbench.

Carl - I suppose you could use plastic, but I chose to work with the same material that the car was made from, aluminum. This was very easy to come by, both thicknesses are readily available in the K&S metal rack, bottom section with the small sheets. I think I saw the car you were referring to, green with a white stripe. It was an Erie RPO, which at a glance looks a little like this car, but is totally different.

Paul - I wish your "more work, fewer injuries" theory was true. As for the busted pipe thing, I had that happen years ago, when I was still able to fix it myself. I got lucky this time, and the weather warmed, and I was able to blow them dry. I know they're OK, because they held the air pressure.

Mike - I like most sports, but basketball, not so much. I just heard this morning you're getting a hockey team in a couple years. Monday night for bragging rights. Least we're both on team green for trains.

Ray M - It's micro progress vs macro progress. Been doing macro for so long on the layout, that micro feels like I'm not getting anything done. Winning ribbons is becoming addictive, but hosting operating sessions is really where I want to be. The rust streaks were simply done with a very fine brush, and regular latex wall paint. I used the same dark brown that I paint my rails with, and also a little red oxide mixed in randomly. It's nice because it stays on, but if you don't like it, you can get it off with a little elbow grease. Then redo it til you like it.

Ray (StPaul) - Technically, this project isn't scratch building, because I'm not starting from nothing but trucks and couplers. I'm modifying an existing car. No, the cords are right where I left them. I haven't returned to the scene of the crime to pick them up yet. However, it will be the first thing I do when I finally get down there. On the one hand my wife constantly teases me about all my accidents, threatening me with placement in a "bubble" for my own good. On the other hand, she does pick up the slack around the house, and helps me with stuff. Unfortunately, running trains on this layout, is anything but relaxing. They need constant monitoring and occasional rescue, not really something that my current condition easily allows. What I should really do is figure out why my challenger doesn't run. I know it's on channel 85 because I can blow the whistle, but it doesn't move. I thought it did at one time, picked it up pre -owned. Then I need to unpack my excursion train and theater car. Now that would be fun.

Pennsynut - Funny you should mention courage when it comes to this project. I stewed over this for quite some time before picking up any tools. I think I paid $200 for the baggage and combine two pack so $100 per car. I've got another $25 in materials. The hardest part was cutting off the skirts, just taking the saber saw to a virgin car body. My secret is, get over the money, but don't make a mistake. This involves never cutting up to the final mark, leaving some excess to trim, using a finer tool. After the rough cut, I took the belt sander to the bottom, and got even closer to the mark. then I finished it off with a file. For ABS, the hot knife would probably work, but it raises a bead of melted material that has to be removed. Once again, you can't cut up to your final mark. That probably needs to be done with a file. Plastic goes much quicker than metal.

George - Sorry to say, I'm not much of a holiday person, not religious or national. My kids are grown, and I have no grand children. My kids aren't even married, and have no prospects these days. When it was announced, I considered buying MTH's CP Holiday train, but I would have had to convert the engine to TMCC, and simply saved the money and skipped it. At least it's prototypical, and would have fit my railroad's motif nicely, because the real train comes through here every year. It would even have looked right at home in the winter scenes at Hastings and Cottage Grove. Holidays haven't been the same since Mom died, day after Christmas 30 years ago. Whatever holiday spirit I had remaining after that was wrung out of me exactly 16 years ago when my ex wife decided she wanted a divorce.

Happy holidays to all of you!

Sincerely,

The Grinch

Thanks Elliott, I hadn’t thought of Captain Klutz in a long time! Great car project, which I’m bookmarking. Hope you’re feeling better soon - here’s a pic of our hero  

Thanks Firewood. I'm living proof that model railroading can be hazardous to your health.

Thanks, Elliot.  I didn't realize aluminum sheet was so readily available.

You're correct about the RPO being an Erie; I saw it earlier this evening and realized my confusion.

No problem Carl. K&S does sheet stock in brass, tin, aluminum, and I think copper all in various thicknesses. I don't usually visit that topic, but you made me look, and I spotted the car right away from your description. There are enough similarities to what I'm doing, that at a glance, confusion is understandable.

Elliot, I am glad nothing is broken it sounds like! But I am sorry that your pain is moving around, I hope things get better for you soon and your able to get back to what you love to do!

Yep Sounds like we will have a Hockey Team playing in 2021, its been 16 years in the making and the finely made it happen!Monday sure sounds like its going to be a good game best of luck to both teams, but you know who I and rooting for! LOL

I know I am up late, had to stoke the fire! But man you are really up late! LOL

So should we all plan a trip to The Cities for an operating session this summer?

Not intending to add any pressure, as you don't owe anything to anyone else, but you seem to thrive under a deadline. 

Elliot, I know what you mean saying I'm almost afraid to go down there.  I have kind of found that to be true as I age, only 62 now, but still I drive slower, and do many things much more methodical now since I know I was always a bit clumsy as a kid.  I'm the only man in 3 generations of my family who isn't/wasn't an athlete.

Mike, Yes I didn't think Seattle would get a team since you are so close to Vancouver.  I know that has been the rub for Hamilton; it's been deemed too close to Buffalo and Toronto.  Congratulations to the city of Seattle and state of Washington!  It will be nice the few times the Penguins play against the Seattle team!

Good Morning Captian KLUTZ et all: Happy Brown Winter. Its morning here in Burnsville, Elliot, I am not sure wht time it is in your time zone... ha

I am always impressed with your attention to great detail in all you do. Ill be sure to have an entry in your next category just to lend added credibility to your WIN. Only 18 more cars to go!

Along with my admiration of your focus to detail comes your fearlessness to chop up a Brand New Pullman in order to fashion a "One of a kind-true- Elliot- creation".

P.S. Lets add a ROKU to the computer running those main screens down stairs. You can watch those WILD games...... Remotely!

Cheers my friend. Say hi to your better half

>little helper scott

Miggy, We just got Roku and are in the process of cutting the cable; literally!  

Elliot, Miggy has a great idea for the Wild games.  It's funny, I still started to write North Stars!    How long has it been since they bailed on the Twin Cities for The big D?? I hope you are getting along well with your latest health setback!!  

December 2018 update and year end review

December was nearly a total loss when it came to trains. After hurting my knee at the end of November, I only went downstairs four times all month, and one of those trips was just to get insulin from the fridge. The knee Is still sore but getting better, and I can finally get some decent sleep, which wasn't happening most of the month. I also ended up spending two nights in the hospital unexpectedly. I went in for an outpatient procedure to repair my dialysis access, which I had done twice before, but this time everything went wrong. The whole experience was more annoying than dangerous.

What looks like white space below the line, is actually white text. If you'd like to read it, just highlight it to find out about my three day ordeal. I have no secrets. Nothing nasty in it. Your choice, my friends.

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Wednesday the twelfth got off to a bad start when my previous two dialysis sessions went poorly, when I got to the hospital, my potassium was too high. People with working kidneys don't usually pay attention to potassium, no reason to. I have to watch what I eat in order to not get too high. Dialysis removes some potassium, but eating too much of things like bananas, oranges, tomatoes and potatoes between sessions can be dangerous. Potassium controls your muscles, including your heart. Too low, and you get cramps, too high and it can kill you by messing with your heart rhythm. They did an EKG, and I wasn't having any symptoms, but mine was 6, and 5.5 is top normal. They gave me some drugs to try and lower it, and it jumped to 6.3. The problem was, my access had a clot in it. They couldn't bust it because it was a potassium "bomb", so they stuck a catheter in my neck for "emergency" dialysis. That took care of the potassium problem, but they had to keep me overnight so they could actually do the procedure the next day.

I had been fasting since the night before, not even water. By the time they got me up to dialysis, it was too late to get food. It was almost 10 PM when I got to my room. My wife, the trooper, ran home and grabbed some stuff for the stay, and some ham and cheese sandwiches. She got back around 11:30, and I wolfed down the sandwiches before midnight when the whole fasting process had to begin again.

Thursday was mostly spent sitting around waiting for the second procedure til mid afternoon when they finally got me in. They always offer sedation, but I never accept, and just tough it out because it's not that bad. After a couple hours, I finally said uncle, and took a little. Still awake, but no longer caring, the clock sped up. More dialysis, but via the newly cleared access, not the neck. They put me on heparin to prevent more clotting, the goal being to send me home home with an oral blood thinner after they determined the dosage. Actually got back to the room in time to get dinner. Hospital food has come a long way, and was good after dealing with all the dietary limitations they placed on me. Three page menu with a twelve hour kitchen, pick and choose, with some actual flavor.

Friday, more heparin and sitting around. Afternoon dialysis went well, but I was expecting to have to stay at least another night. I got back to my room, and was pleasantly surprised when the doctors showed up, removed the thing from my neck, gave me my prescription, and turned me loose. It was great to get home, but I was whipped. One of my dialysis buddies said, "It takes a week to recover for every night in the hospital." She wasn't kidding. She should know, she's spent far more time there than I have. My six nights in twelve years has been more than enough for me.

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There was one bright spot this month. My helper Scott (Miggy), brought his two grandsons (3 and 6 years old) over to see the layout. They were running all over chasing the train, and looking for the cameras. Good thing it made it around flawlessly, because my knee is in no condition to get down on the floor if anything happens in the hidden yard or helix.

I tried a couple times to work on my combine kitbash, which I had hoped to have done for the NMRA meeting back on the thirteenth. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, because I was stuck in the hospital that night. I drilled out one window last Saturday, but as I tried drilling the second one, the epoxy gave way and my old window plug fell out. I know what I did wrong, I'll cut a piece of wood to support the inside as I drill next time. Should have thought of that in the first place. Minor setback. For the first time in six years, there are no photos, cause nothing really happened. Understandably, I've been a little depressed, and not feeling like working on the layout, only makes it worse. I never realized how important good knees are, until I hurt one of mine.

It hasn't been an easy year to say the least. The convention that I had been looking forward to, and working toward for three and a half years, was a real let down when only thirteen people visited in sixteen hours over four days. Of course narrow gauge enthusiasts aren't really my best audience. Then there were all of my physical problems, like stepping on a nail back in May, and nearly losing my toe, or burning my finger badly on a frozen pizza in November or tripping over a pile of electrical cords and hurting my knee later that month. All of these injuries are nearly fully healed. I was finally able to get the toe wet in the shower today for the first time since May.

In spite of all that, it was still a pretty good year for he layout. Most of the work was done from January through August. Here's a look back at 2018.

January

Patrick finishes painting the last section of backdrop.

The start of scenery building the hump.

Plaster cloth covered.

The curve at the end of the first peninsula.

Continuing into Newport.

Paving at BNSF intermodal.

Patrick fills in holes in the benchwork with plywood.

More benchwork holes filled.

Scenic materials are brought out from under the layout.

February

Scenery at Hastings.

Time to build a bridge.

Scenery starts at Cottage Grove.

Patrick fills more benchwork holes at Chemolite.

Roadbed is carved at Northtown.

Time for ballast.

Plaster cloth continues at Newport.

Benchwork is filled in at Division Street.

Screwing down the pavement sections.

Ballasting at Hiawatha.

March

Building the bluff at Hoffman.

Ballasting at Division Street.

Ballasting at Hoffman.

Roadbed carving at East Minneapolis.

Chicken grit ballast at Western Avenue.

Back to the bluff, ceiling tile strips are stacked to form the lower rock face.

The foam upper section is complete.

The ceiling tiles are carved with a utility knife and a wire brush.

The ceiling tiles are carved with a utility knife and a wire brush.

A little paint brings it to life.

This shows the structure of bluff.

Working from photos, the foam is carved using a hot knife.

Time for some trees.

April

More greenery on the bluff.

Back to the bridge at Hastings.

I drilled down through the pier to hide the wires.

I added lettering to the fascia in aisle 2.

The girders are attached and weathered.

I did a little work on some signal bridges.

This was the picture that appeared in my listing for the convention.

May

A Plasticville signal bridge with my custom signals and weathered.

There was some thought given to trying to light some of the signals, so I built this panel. Of course, it never happened.

A brown base coat covers the plaster cloth at Newport.

My homemade static grass applicator made from an electric fly swatter. I still haven't tried it. Probably next week when I have to give a clinic.

My stash of scenic supplies. Some have said their LHS isn't as well stocked. I have a lot of ground to cover.

Gluing my grain elevators together.

My workshop is a total mess.

I tried a new technique, building my mill walls using a Masonite mosaic.

Here's the result.

While waiting for Menards to deliver some materials, I decided to burn some scraps I had laying around. I regretted that decision, when I nearly lost my toe after stepping on a nail.

I made a trip to the quarry and picked up 300 pounds of ballast.

June

Even with my bad toe, work didn't stop. I ballasted the upper deck in aisle 2 working both ends to the middle.

Many years ago, I saved this old Tide jug with the goal of using it to dispense ballast glue. My son painted it when he was about ten. He's 26 now.

More ballast.

I picked up some building flats on eBay, and with a little trimming was able to camouflage this opening in the backdrop.

July

Time to unpack some trains and add some color to the layout.

I kind of have a thing for intermodal equipment. Atlas containers!

The turntable is now connected to the rest of the layout.

August

Containers make good scenery.

I used them to hide another opening in the backdrop. When viewing from a natural angle you can't see it.

Another hole mostly hidden.

Paul2 turned me onto Menards well cars. Turns out they are the old Right of Way body. I put some Atlas containers in one. Not Bad.

More containers as scenery.

The smile on my face is because all track is officially done.

The Mississippi River scene is the first thing you see when you enter the train room.

Patrick and I filled in the rest of the plywood, so I could begin scenicking.

While I was working on that, Patrick finished painting the fascia.

I added labels to all the locations in aisle 1.

I gave Cottage grove a quick coat of white, since it's going to be a winter scene.

September

There are no photos from September. The convention was the 5th - 8th and I was burnt out, taking the rest of the month off.

October

Still suffering from burnout, I switched gears a bit and weathered this hopper. Won first place at the NMRA division meeting.

November

The NMRA contest for December was passenger cars. Long ago, I had decided to modify this K-line combine into an ex-GN dorm/baggage for my early Amtrak Empire Builder.

I had a book of Amtrak floor plans, and the car I wanted was actually in it.

This car has no skirts, so they were the first thing to go.

Then the old windows had to be filled in.

This car has no vestibule, so the plastic end piece had to be modified...

and the door openings filled in.

That's where the project stood, when I tripped over an electrical cord and hurt my knee at the end of November.

Review of goals set for 2018

Host layout tour as part of a national convention (done)
Complete basic scenery (20%)
Host an operating session (fail)
Clean up the final bits of track, fascia, switches and wiring (track, fascia and backdrop done)
Finish the uncouplers (fail)
Finish building and begin installing signals (fail)
Get C/MRI and JMRI up and running using Panel Pro (fail)
Start building structures (5%)
Work on backdrop images (3%)

Other things done in 2018

Roadbed carving
Rail painting
Ballasting
Unpacking trains

Goals for 2019

STOP HURTING MYSELF

Host an operating session
Finish the uncouplers
Finish the last few switches and make repairs to existing
Finish the last bit of wiring
Get turntables operational
Get hump yard operational
Complete upper deck scenery and backdrops
Hang valance
Add skirting
Activate C/MRI
Build control panel with JMRI Panel Pro

Happy New Year gang!

Half of your photos dont show up

I was afraid of that. It seems that if a post is open too long, the photos get dropped. I'll fix it. It took over 4 hours to put this together, and I had even preselected the photos and written the main text. It was all the captioning that killed me. This will take about a half hour or so.

It sucks with its more work to give the update than it is to do the work. Just thought I'd let you know. Happy New Year!!!

Thanks Matt. Yeah well, this is my fifth time doing it, so I'm used to it. Beside I have four hours to kill at dialysis. Little hard to work on the layout from there. January is fixed, I'm doing one month at a time.

I have never stepped on a nail but that had to be very painful.You take it easy one day at a time.The trains will still be there.The important thing is to get better.And happy new year to ya.

Thanks. No, actually the nail didn't hurt at all. I didn't discover that I had done it for almost 48 hours. I have neuropathy in my feet and hands. It makes life interesting. It also contributed to my tripping over the electrical cord.

Photos are repaired through May, still working.

I haven’t responded much lately but I’ve always read the reviews every month. The effort in the posts is just as amazing as the layout work. Well done Elliot.

Elliot, Sorry for your stay in the hospital. I wish you the best on your health and your layout! What a wonderful year in review. If you think about it, you still have got a lot more done then most of us! You Da Man! Just keep chugging away at it!

P.S. Sorry about the Vikings!

Just awesome 

Elliot a Happy New Year to you and your family.  am sure with your list of to do's for 2019 you will accomplish them you seem to thrive under pressure as well as pain to various body parts hopefully your better half can design a outfit that will thwart all injuries for 2019.

you have accomplished a lot this past year so 6 atta boys for you hopefully you have patrick and others help out again this year. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed passenger car conversion as well.

as to the building out of masonite board are all the wood strips separate cuts or? thanks for that idea by the way it very well might be something I can use on my layout verses using building fronts as I need about 15 of them and your idea might be a better way to accomplish it.

Ray&Tammie

Happy AND HEALTHY New Year Elliot!

I think most would agree that you have accomplished more on your layout in a year than most of us would in a lifetime. Your layout and upbeat outlook on life is an inspiration to us all.

Bob