I got a bit done today...nothing glamorous but nice to make some progress and check a couple of boxes.

I thought it would be of value (to any watchers as well as myself) to try to give some context to the layout plan. I haven't drawn up a nice track plan, but that's something I'd like to get done and share soon. In the meantime, a short photo tour of the layout starting at the Wharf area.

The shelf expansion from the main 5' x 5' square is, shamelessly stolen from the many Dolly Varden layouts out there. I will not have the lower track under the ore loader, but, scenically, that's what I'm chasing. There will be an ore dock on the track extending out over the water and this will be one end of the point-to-point branch line up to the mine at the highest point of the layout. I've got the Circuitry reversing circuit dialed in so a short train can climb up and down from mine to ore loader without my intervention (which is how I like to "operate"  ). The branch curls around and over the river that leads to the wharf area, likely on a steel trestle and proceeds up an impossibly steep grade to spiral around over another high bridge and terminates at a mine scene. There are a couple of short sidings along the way and a small water stop but the goal is simple, dramatic scenery.

Here's a few pics that show the branch from wharf to mine...

Afternoon All,

finally got the reversing circuit dialed in, correct speed to not overshoot and appropriate delay before heading back the other way. I think it'll be a really nice effect when the scenery arrives and the little train winds its way up and down the mountain from the waterfront loading area to the mine at the very peak of the layout...I'm also hopeful that finally getting this little project done will spark a few more.

Have a good one.

Got back last night from Dublin, so I have some Guiness detox ahead of me  ...I took them at their word when they told us "It's meant to be gulped" at the Guiness Factory tour.

I mistakenly told my staff that I get back "Wednesday night", so I'll enjoy my day off. I've got a painful Knee injection this morning, then - If I can stand...I'm planning to do some soldering and see what the reversing circuit looks like on my branch line.

Wow...nothing like adding a large water area to bring a layout to life....that's a big area to pour at one time. Congrats. 

Nice work on the slime too...that really adds to the scene.

Morning All and Happy Saturday to my heroes on here who celebrate them all week.

Hopefully, I'll tap out of work midday if the universe allows it...I'm heading to Ireland next Thursday and have some modest modeling goals I'd like to accomplish (or surpass) before then.

I finished what I believe to be the final route for my branchline and have done all of the foreseeable messy, dusty sawing of the benchwork, so I'd like to install and test the Ciruitron reversing circuit so I can run a small mine train up and down the (future) mountain...I've also got some damaged buildings from prior layout destruction that I need to touch up-mostly just re-attaching details and straightening pilings...no major surgery.

Those are the kinds of little boxes I'd like to get checked before I turn my attention to major scenery construction. 

Sorry I can't make it down to ACL Tom's this weekend...always a good time. I DO appreciate the invite and look forward to the next one.

Morning All...beautiful FL morning. I'll get a little fitness in, then get a little business in, then some train time. I'm making some nice progress as the vision becomes clearer for the new layout.

For any of you craftsman kit nuts, The Roundhouse South, in Port Orange, FL (just south of Daytona) has dozens of FSM and other older craftsman kits. I've never seen so many yellow boxes - other than under ACL Tom's layout (and it's close). I guess they acquired an estate collection...there are also some beautiful brass HO engines (Shays, etc).

I scored a Caboose Hobbies "Silverado Mine"...I never knew they made kits but this one looks like a good fit for my new layout. I had to dig through a sea of yellow boxes to find it.

Nice people there - mostly Lionel type stuff but I was happy to support a small retailer in this tough industry. 

Morning All...headed out for an early beginning to my workday (hopefully an early end). Date night tonight but had a good day "training" yesterday. Backdrop is hung...track is primarily laid and next step would be to install and test the Circuitry AR-2 reversing circuit for my steeply graded mine branch. I also have more benchwork tuning to do and then on to my beloved scenery construction. No shortage of minor to-do's as well...all of my craftsman structures survived layout destruction intact - but nearly all have a little bit of cleanup - reattaching some details, straightening some pilings, etc.

Have a great day!

Yep...have to come see it, now that I'm just up Markham Woods Rd from you

Thanks for checking in guys...Jeff, I work fast but very infrequently 

Morning All and my (shared) sympathies to those of you to whom Mondays are still "MONDAY". 

Good layout work this weekend. Hopefully, I'll keep it going a little bit tonight. Off to get a little closer to not caring if it's Monday or Saturday like my heroes on here...Have a great day.

John

Productive Sunday for me.
-basically completed all of the benchwork for the extension along the wall
-backdrop showed up ...needs to be cut and hung. I plan to put it up a bit and build "towering"  rock walls up to meet it.
-removed the entire middle track level, which was a very toylike figure 8
-chopped the upper loop into a winding branchlike with a steep grade down to the expansion area where it will terminate onto a coal bunker to load barges. There will be a mine at the other end and some sort of development halfway down...still deciding if that will be another mine, engine service, or some kind of industry, or just a tiny outpost...fighting the urges to fill it with my existing buildings and maintain the whole "way out in the mountains" vibe of the branchline

*Reversing Circuit (for the branch) arrives today...no rush to install that, but looking forward to it once tracks are finalized

*The expansion will keep me in shape (limit my own expansion?) as the working aisle is only about 21"...so far so good. It's actually not that critical for access beyond initial construction and it's not very deep.

Great job Steve...Layout looks amazing. Such consistent coloring and weathering. Really works!

John

Very nice work Jeff!

Morning all...would have loved to catch up with Tom and Orlando gang but I'm committed to "Porchfest" in Sanford today. Great concept - They close off a few blocks of roads in the historic section of Sanford, FL and various bands play on people's porches. Hundreds of people walk around with their folding chairs, enjoy the music, food trucks, and local watering holes. Fun time and one of my buddies is playing for the third straight year.

Next time-Tom, keep me in the loop please

I'm hoping to get in a good hour on the layout plan before going...Hammer and nails tomorrow.