Rebuilding layout progress 2-26-24 final phase

Thanks @mike g., the clean part is my extreme OCD at work! Unfortunately, being this way doesn’t allow for a natural, realistic layout but it’s the only way I see it with the neatly edged lines.

Gene

I’m a bit OCD too, Gene; but my layout doesn’t really show it yet.  After being married 39 years and having 2 daughters, I had to put the OCD in check to keep a happy home.  😃

Just a little project I did this week. I replaced the somewhat out of scale number blocks with posts at the whisker tracks, switches and siding blocks. I think it looks much better.

Gene

That does look better.  With that many tracks you still needed something to keep “track” 😊

@Mark Boyce posted:

That does look better.  With that many tracks you still needed something to keep “track” 😊

Thanks Mark. When you need to flip a switch, it takes the guesswork out of which one to throw at a glance.

Gene

The smaller number blocks look better Gene, nice job.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

The smaller number blocks look better Gene, nice job.

Andy

Thanks Andy, just a little detail I’ve been wanting to do.

Gene

A small project I’ve been working on for a couple days. I mixed 2 Hunterline stains with alcohol to get the best match of pressure treated wood. As you can see, I made a jig to keep the posts plumb. I put a dab of hot glue on the bottom of the posts using the jig then reinforced the area with Mod Podge. In the corner will be a perfect spot for the Base 3 when it arrives next year( I made a box of the rough dimensions). The tunnel has an unusual height because it’s built over an elevated track. When the Base 3 is in place I’ll decide what to put in the surrounding area. I have no idea 🤔, it’s such an odd shaped area.

Gene

The posts look great Gene, well done. I look forward to seeing the area progress.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

The posts look great Gene, well done. I look forward to seeing the area progress.

Andy

Thanks Andy

Interesting that you are going to put the Base 3 on top of the layout. Any particular reason?

Nice work on the posts. The jig was a great idea.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Interesting that you are going to put the Base 3 on top of the layout. Any particular reason?

Nice work on the posts. The jig was a great idea.

Bob

Sorry for the delay Bob. I just noticed your question as I’m adding to my topic. I’m not 100% sure if it’s going there. I would like to put a special scene there. I enjoy building wood structures so I’m tossing around some kind of static caboose landmark scene with laser kits.🤔

Gene

I finally put up the backdrop that I’ve had since April and added a border. With the backdrop up, I’m continuing on the finished edge to cover the wires underneath the track base.
I had to make a couple foundations for my barn scene because of the uneven base it sits on. Because I made the panel side level, the base had to follow the grade of the track.

Gene

@Genemed posted:

I finally put up the backdrop that I’ve had since April and added a border. With the backdrop up, I’m continuing on the finished edge to cover the wires underneath the track base.
I had to make a couple foundations for my barn scene because of the uneven base it sits on. Because I made the panel side level, the base had to follow the grade of the track.

Gene

Who makes the backdrop?  The one behind the box cars and JD equipment. It's really nice.

Thanks Rob. It’s a custom backdrop by TrainJunkies. William blended two of his backdrops to my dimensions and where I wanted the blend. He was excellent to work with and his customer service is A+.

Gene

@Sparky74 posted:

Who makes the backdrop?  The one behind the box cars and JD equipment. It's really nice.

Thank you Rob, answer above.

Gene, you are a man after my own heart!  Put up the backdrop after the layout is well on it's way to being built!    The backdrop looks great!  I haven't heard of TrainJunkies before.  William did a great job!!!!

Morning Gene or I should probably say Afternoon, I haven't commented on your progress for a while and I am sorry of that. I really like the guard rail you installed!

Now about the track side trim, you are going way above and beyond what is really needed. Don't take me wrong I think it looks AMAZING! it's just that you are raising the bar on the rest of us ! LOL

I think every look's perfect and love the newly installed backdrop! Everything about your layout is wonderful!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gene, you are a man after my own heart!  Put up the backdrop after the layout is well on it's way to being built!    The backdrop looks great!  I haven't heard of TrainJunkies before.  William did a great job!!!!

Thanks Mark. I watched a video on Chris’s trains and things about his experience with William on his backdrop, that’s how I heard of TrainJunkies.

Gene

@mike g. posted:

Morning Gene or I should probably say Afternoon, I haven't commented on your progress for a while and I am sorry of that. I really like the guard rail you installed!

Now about the track side trim, you are going way above and beyond what is really needed. Don't take me wrong I think it looks AMAZING! it's just that you are raising the bar on the rest of us ! LOL

I think every look's perfect and love the newly installed backdrop! Everything about your layout is wonderful!

Thank you very much Mike. I enjoy working with wood and finish carpentry. So I guess I’ve added an ‘over the edge’ touch to the layout.

Gene

Nice work Gene. The backdrop really sets off the whole scene, looks great. I like the structures and side panels too, it gives it a more finished look, well done.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

Nice work Gene. The backdrop really sets off the whole scene, looks great. I like the structures and side panels too, it gives it a more finished look, well done.

Andy

Thanks Andy.

A couple of my latest projects I’ve been working on.

Had to make a couple foundations because of the slope of the base.
Added lights to the barn and barn cabin. Some of the buildings on my layout are used for purposes different than what they were sold as.
My way of layering ground cover starting with base layer to final as per pics.

Gene

Nice work on the backdrop, Gene! I purchased from TrainJunkies, too. William is great to work with, and he got me my backdrop quickly. I'll be installing it sometime soon (no idea when, exactly). I ordered the Arizona Desert backdrop with a custom additions, a small, modern diesel facility based on the UP Yard Backdrop, but with BNSF diesels (since I'll be modeling the southwest desert with BNSF power, and probably UP as well, on my new layout). It looks great from the proof that I got. I've posted a picture below.

Hi Gene, it's been a while. I have to say your layout is just wonderful to look at and l love the photos step by step! I am glad I have been fallowing your thread, so I have something to look forward to going back to when it's time to rebuild my layout!

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Nice work on the backdrop, Gene! I purchased from TrainJunkies, too. William is great to work with, and he got me my backdrop quickly. I'll be installing it sometime soon (no idea when, exactly). I ordered the Arizona Desert backdrop with a custom additions, a small, modern diesel facility based on the UP Yard Backdrop, but with BNSF diesels (since I'll be modeling the southwest desert with BNSF power, and probably UP as well, on my new layout). It looks great from the proof that I got. I've posted a picture below.

It looks perfect for your modeling theme. For a few months I had the printed proof on the wall until I got around to installing the original. You can see in this pic (top left corner). I didn’t have any theme to follow other than it looked and is very relaxing to look at, especially when the trains pass by.

Gene

@mike g. posted:

Hi Gene, it's been a while. I have to say your layout is just wonderful to look at and l love the photos step by step! I am glad I have been fallowing your thread, so I have something to look forward to going back to when it's time to rebuild my layout!

Mike, thank you very much! Coming from an experienced model railroader, that means a lot to me. There are so many model craftsmen on this forum, I couldn’t begin to do what I’ve seen here.

Gene

Gene, the new scene looks great!  Thank you for giving step by step photographic documentation.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gene, the new scene looks great!  Thank you for giving step by step photographic documentation.

Thank you Mark.

I finished the barn and cabin scene. I may add a few cows to blend with the background. Also finished one side of the track to blend with the backdrop and the base layer of ground cover on the opposite end.

Gene

I’ve been slowly working on my ground cover layering process on the edges of the tracks.
Made a trim finish around the switch light base to match.
Started the road for a new scene above the tunnel.

Gene

WOW Gene, things maybe going slow, but they sure are looking OUTSTANDING! It is always nice to see your layout and your progress as it show that if you put your mind to it almost anything can be accomplished! Keep up the wonderful work!

@mike g. posted:

WOW Gene, things maybe going slow, but they sure are looking OUTSTANDING! It is always nice to see your layout and your progress as it show that if you put your mind to it almost anything can be accomplished! Keep up the wonderful work!

Thank you Mike, I sincerely appreciate all your kind words.

Gene

The layout rebuild is slowly coming to an end. I finished the layered turfs along the track edge and added some lichen with a few rocks. I cleaned all the track yesterday and had a nice run session today. The final project I’ve started is the caboose static display. Now I can purchase  locomotives and rolling stock that catches my attention instead of the endless spending to rebuild!

Gene

You have done a really fine job, Gen!!  That scenic backdrop really works well to 'expand' the layout!

@Mark Boyce posted:

You have done a really fine job, Gen!!  That scenic backdrop really works well to 'expand' the layout!

Thank you Mark. I have a few ideas on the caboose scene I’ll be working on this week.

Wow Gene your ground cover and scenery is so amazing you can't much more lifelike! I just love the work you are doing!

Final touches look good Gene. I'm sure you will be tweaking it for a while.

I did a caboose yard office on my layout. It was a fun project.

@mike g. posted:

Wow Gene your ground cover and scenery is so amazing you can't much more lifelike! I just love the work you are doing!

Thank you Mike for the kind words.

Gene

@RSJB18 posted:

Final touches look good Gene. I'm sure you will be tweaking it for a while.

I did a caboose yard office on my layout. It was a fun project.

Thanks Bob, your caboose scene I noticed in your videos is what got me thinking.

Gene