so I just took a trip down 70+ pages down memory lane. Wow...all of the twists and turns and layouts built & demolished - along with a few false starts quickly aborted. I was honestly amazed at some of the stuff a knucklehead like me built - seriously. It's a tough act to follow and I'm getting excited to get back to the scenery stage. What struck me the most was the enthusiasm and joy I could feel in the first 20 or 30 pages of regular progress from over 10 years (and 3 homes) ago.

I need to get that back 

Tom and SBG gang, I'll see you on the 21st.

Thanks Bob and Jerry...hopefully more to come soon...once I get some landforms established, the vision will be much clearer.

Bob, hope to see you and the SBGs soon...it's been way too long (for me). Love to have you by soon too.

So, I got some work done today...mostly invisible stuff as it's still pretty raw, in terms of scenery, but here are some pics.

The glare from the shadowbox lights is a little rough but when I get scenery to a high level of completion (particularly the higher levels  ), I plan to attach some significant upper fascia, probably as much as a foot in height, which will keep all of the light on the trains - where it belongs. Mostly just moving structures around as I have many built-ups that MUST have a place on the layout...their placement will determine the upcoming landforms.

I'll probably look to sell off quite a few kits that won't find a home (unbuilt and built), but that's another thread for another day.

Probably still hard to envision the whole layout but one of these days I'll get a track plan on here - or at least a visual explanation of the shape & mainline route. The plan is for the mountains to ultimately reach up well into the photo backdrops - above eye level.

John

Morning Gents,

Lots of train time this week. Let's see if I can get something substantial done (or started).

Hope things are warming up wherever you are.

Actually working on the layout today...

Boy it's cold, but the sun is shining in Central FL

I've done my share of plowing, shoveling, and sliding around on the ice...a little cold is refreshing.

Very Nice!

I really want to get that N scale Glacier Express...but I'm afraid of what it would lead to  

Morning All,

No need for OJ in Florida...hot coffee for 34 degree weather. I rode my bike for the first time in a while yesterday and I thought my ears would fall off. Haven't much layout progress to share from my first month of retirement as other issues have jumped the line, but I'm excited to get rolling in February.

In other train-related news, I've booked my hotel for the NNGC in Minnesota. I've been to a prior one there and remember meeting some very cordial hosts and some beautiful layouts...my wife is even threatening to join me. I spent 3 weeks in Edina years ago when my partners and I bought a DQ and I was chosen to attend DQU...beautiful city and very nice people. Looking forward to it.

Honestly, don't think I'll get to the trains today, but I'll be back with you all soon.

John

I LOVE IT! (for you  )

I consider the jump (back) to N scale at least weekly...if I didn't have so many beautiful built HO structures, I would have switched back to N scale already...I miss the panoramic views and potential to have the scenery appropriately dwarf the trains and structures...I also miss being able to sneak in an 10 or 11" radius turnaround. There are a lot more producers of quality N scale craftsman kits now too.

Honestly, if I could shrink the buildings I have now - I'd have all of my track pulled up by nightfall 

Good luck - I'll be following for sure.

John

*I love the mainline and overall track plan. You may already know more than me on this, but I had a terrible experience with Code 55 Atlas track years ago. Many of the wheel flanges were too deep and "clickety clacked" over every molded tie detail (until the inevitable derail). Might just have been my equipment and maybe you plan to standardize wheels for your roster, etc...but just wanted to share my own experience.

**my only "concern" is just my phobia of return loops...I don't care about operation - I just like to let em go round and round through the scenery. I know DCC makes return loop wiring a breeze - but can the turnouts automatically throw somehow...basically, can you put your feet up with an adult beverage or will you have to stay vigilant with your turnout controls? For me (and my phobia), I'd consider having the loops disappear into a loooong tunnel, connecting to one another to 1. avoid the wiring and "loopy" look of tight reverse loops and 2. break up the visible loop and have trains vanish for a little bit. Again - this is just my phobia but when I see such visible tight radii loops, combined with the wiring & turnout management (that I'm not familiar with) - I start shaking

I needed to memorialize this day...if the lawyers will just stop dipping their beaks and we get this done - today is my retirement day. Not technically - as I own a medical clinic and some regulatory stuff won't finalize until February...but today we sign and, starting tomorrow, I don't show up any more   ...it ain't done til it's done, but LET'S GO!!

Mid 30's here this morning, but for the sake of avoiding any jinxes, I'm sticking to routine...heading out for my 5 mile walk, brief workout followed by cold plunge. It's not often that the outside air is colder than the tub of doom.

Tonight, fam heading to the Japanese steakhouse and, I hope, a quiet (maybe even early) night celebrating our plans and hopes for the New Year.

I booked the NNGC hotel for Minnesota...my wife is possibly even coming along this time. Some really nice home layouts and exceptionally nice people in Minn. I was there for a previous NNGC and I spent 3 weeks there at "DQ U" learning how to make Blizzards when my partners and I bought a Dairy Queen a few moons ago. 

Hope everyone is getting or staying healthy and making ambitious modeling plans for 2026.

Looking forward to seeing the Judge up and around...please pass on my best wishes when you can Tom.

John

Yup...the Expo's were great. The PA one was the only one I missed - I think. They were my first encounters with some of the All-Time Mt Rushmore layouts (and people) that I studied for decades in MR...it was quite a thing for me to meet Sellios, Frary, Van Gelder, Tylick, and Dick Elwell, among others...and visit their legendary layouts in person.

Closest thing is the NNGC and I don't miss many of those.

Quote from: deemery on December 20, 2025, 06:35:00 PM

Quote from: cuse on December 20, 2025, 03:13:45 PMProbably can't tell, but the Robot Repair Shop diorama in Dr Jeff's post is all famous movie and TV robots...if you pushed the button, it would cycle through at least a dozen and the robot in question would light up and/move while their voices would play. It was incredibly creative and fun...for example, the one in front is the robot from "Lost in Space" and there were a few from Star Wars and some less well known ones as well.

Take a close look...really fun idea and great execution.

Sunny and 75 here   

"These aren't the droids you're looking for.  Move along."

dave

No Jedi featured, just droids  

Quote from: Philip on December 19, 2025, 08:07:26 AMGreat layout! Wow!

Thanks Philip...it's pretty bare bones at the moment, but the vision is becoming clearer and I'm on track to retire at the end of the year, so I should be out of excuses soon...if the lawyers don't keep d**ing around.

Probably can't tell, but the Robot Repair Shop diorama in Dr Jeff's post is all famous movie and TV robots...if you pushed the button, it would cycle through at least a dozen and the robot in question would light up and/move while their voices would play. It was incredibly creative and fun...for example, the one in front is the robot from "Lost in Space" and there were a few from Star Wars and some less well known ones as well. 

Take a close look...really fun idea and great execution.

Sunny and 75 here   

sorry to hear Judge...keep your chin up and we'll see you soon at the next bull session

John