Rebuilding layout progress 2-26-24 final phase

I started the caboose visitors scene. I recessed a piece of track, braced it with styrofoam so the rails are just a tad above street level and brought power to it on its own toggle switch. Glued a layer of fine cinder ballast and painted a coat of matte black to look like asphalt. Today I glued a mixed ballast for sidewalks which will get painted a concrete gray.

Gene

I’ve been slowly working on the layers of ground cover for the static caboose scene. There’s a bit more to do but I figured I’d share where I’m at today.

Gene

The caboose scene look great, Gene!  The lot it is on looks well maintained, as it should.  That was smart to include some parking spaces!

Awesome!

Bob

First class work.

I love how it blends in with the background!

Thank you Mark, Bob, Darrell, 42trainman for the much appreciated kind words. It means a lot coming from the well experienced.

Gene

@Genemed posted:

I’ve been slowly working on the layers of ground cover for the static caboose scene. There’s a bit more to do but I figured I’d share where I’m at today.

Gen

Well done!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Well done!

Peter

Thanks Peter, my next step is building 2 sets of stairs/landings with railings.

Gene

Morning Gene, I know its been a while since I checked in. But man I am glad I did your caboose scenery is just amazing! It really helps give your layout an outstanding depth feel!

Great work and I cant wait to see the next step!

@mike g. posted:

Morning Gene, I know its been a while since I checked in. But man I am glad I did your caboose scenery is just amazing! It really helps give your layout an outstanding depth feel!

Great work and I cant wait to see the next step!

Thank you Mike, here’s the next step.

Gene

I started working on the stair/landing for the caboose. I purchased the scale lumber from Northeastern Scale Lumber in MA except for the stair kit.

Gene

@Genemed posted:

I started working on the stair/landing for the caboose. I purchased the scale lumber from Northeastern Scale Lumber in MA except for the stair kit.

Gene

I was just swearing while gluing some parts together for my Morris Park Switcher.

I'm sure the expletives would be flying if I was building those stairs......

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I was just swearing while gluing some parts together for my Morris Park Switcher.

I'm sure the expletives would be flying if I was building those stairs......

Bob

Bob, the stairs are the easiest part with the stringers and treads precut. The rest required lots of patience!

Gene

Gene

Great job on those stairs made the old way.  Soon someone will tell you that you should have 3D printed them!

no 3D printer Charlie

Those stairs really ties the scene together

Actually, if you know how to cut stairs it’s easy, just use a 1/4” scale and it’s all the same.

Nice work!

Looks great, Gene!

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

Gene

Great job on those stairs made the old way.  Soon someone will tell you that you should have 3D printed them!

no 3D printer Charlie

Thanks Charlie, it wasn’t my profession but I have experience in carpentry. I’m making these stair/landings like they were full scale, l certainly wouldn’t 3D print a deck on my house.

Gene

@Mark Boyce posted:

Looks great, Gene!

Thanks again Mark.

Finishing the final (caboose) scene.

I finished the steps, painted and added yellow safety paint. Also made and painted a set of laser cut benches.

I purchased some sitting figures at the Amherst show in January for added detail.

I had to tone down the manufacturing glue of the flower plants with a touch of earth then a layer of green/yellow fine turf.

Other than minor periodic scene changes necessary for posting, the layout rebuild is complete.

I’m planning on making an open air passenger car out of some type of flat car which I’ll post in an appropriate thread.

Now my train fund can be used for locomotives and rolling stock!!

Thank you for all the likes and comments!

Gene

Great work Gene. The caboose scene fits right in.

Now the real fun begins, buying more trains!

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Great work Gene. The caboose scene fits right in.

Now the real fun begins, buying more trains!

Bob

Thanks Bob, I already have one of the newly updated Lionel A5 0-4-0 on preorder.

Gene

Gene the caboose scene looks Amazing! I really like the night scene with all the autos in the pictures!

But now if your train fund can now turn to rolling stock and engines, your going to go broke quick! LOL

@mike g. posted:

Gene the caboose scene looks Amazing! I really like the night scene with all the autos in the pictures!

But now if your train fund can now turn to rolling stock and engines, your going to go broke quick! LOL

Thanks Mike, I found purchases for rebuilding the layout was a need more than a want to complete a scene and continue. Where I’m not planning on starting a “collection”, I’m hoping to be frugally subjective in my purchases and maintain my budget.

Gene

@Genemed posted:

Thanks Mike, I found purchases for rebuilding the layout was a need more than a want to complete a scene and continue. Where I’m not planning on starting a “collection”, I’m hoping to be frugally subjective in my purchases and maintain my budget.

Gene

Gene sounds like you have a great plan in mind! I cant wait to see your rolling stock grow!

The caboose park scene really looks great, Gene!  I really like how the steps and platforms turned out!!

@Mark Boyce posted:

The caboose park scene really looks great, Gene!  I really like how the steps and platforms turned out!!

Thank you Mark.

Gene