Mark, the Christmas diorama on the upper level looks great... Love the back drop ! Glad the knee is coming along. We don't heal like we use to.
Paul 2: Thanks for posting the photos of the table top in disarray.... I am glad I am not the only one whose layout area looks like Ground Zero after the explosion when I am working. I'm amazed how much stuff I can get out and create a disaster in just a day or two ! I never had the nerve to take and post a photo "before clean up".....
That "trench loco" is really cool. I visited some narrow gauge RR's in Maine, but never saw an engine like that very unique.... Great idea with the gloss. I was thinking about doing something similar in my engine yard with semi gloss black to represent oil spills.
I ran trains last night, got so involved I never saw the ball drop. Today I finished fine tuning the tracks leading into the turntable, ran the TT empty and then test ran my Berkshire on and off from both ends to ensure everything was lined up and running... Just glued down a bunch of low loft batting in the engine yard, so once the glue dries i can start laying down dirt, cinders, coal & ballast in the wet latex paint.