Quote from: Rick on July 16, 2026, 08:35:03 AMNice progress and thanks for the update.

Thanks Rick...I'm inspired by the hiking pics...but they're distracting me from my trains 

Quote from: PRR Modeler on July 15, 2026, 06:35:10 PMLooks very good John.

Thanks Curt...it's funny how my focus levels work.

I'm all in and lose track of time...then I don't even see the TWO layouts in my office for months at a time. 

It's a hobby not a job, I guess. 

Miss seeing the guys. Thanks for checking in.

Alright...you're just getting it all squared away at once...see you on the flip side. Hang in there Tom - we're all thinking of you.

Quote from: ReadingBob on July 15, 2026, 02:14:12 PMWowzer, John! That looks incredible. 

Thanks Bob...how is it that two recently retired guys who share this hobby and live, literally, 8 minutes away from each other haven't hung out? Need to catch up with you and the SBGs soon.

The pics probably don't look much different, but the track is down and feeders soldered, module 'caps' with LED lighting complete as of 5 mins ago...just now starting to mock up possible elevations, building placement, etc.  Still need to install the backdrop in the smaller (side) module...BTW, that's N scale "Little Switzerland" next door. 

Good Morning, 

Hope all are well. I've been 'distracted' from the hobby, but I'm suddenly back in -  just in time to get a good dose of momentum prior to the National Narrow Gauge Convention in early Sept (in Minneapolis). Hope to see some of you there.

I just contacted some of the craftsman kit re-sellers to see if they wanted to help me convert some of my stock of unbuilt kits for cash to re-invest elsewhere in the hobby  ...hopefully, that works out for all parties involved. I'm really not interested in listing, shipping, negotiating, etc them individually on eBay or elsewhere, I'm just looking for a quick and painful (?) move forward.

I'll post some layout photos soon as I am primarily doing infrastructure-ish stuff like lighting. I did lay track and connect ONE set of feeders and those incredible Blackstone steamers run beautifully right out of the dusty box on the dirty rails...they are so forgiving, which is perfect for me and my style of tracklaying, wiring & 1/87 civil engineering 

Have a great day!

I don't like the word "aneurysm" either...glad it's not a big problem. 

good luck with the rest. Hope to catch up soon.

Time to get back to work  

Love it Mike...I keep circling back...any pics that show the entire layout?

Afternoon all...

just checking in upon arriving home from a weeklong family trip to Lake Lure, NC (outside Asheville)...happy to be back and it's time to get back to the trains. 

Bob, those Viking cruises are the best...we're definitely (maybe) pondering another one in 2027.

We've still got September in Minnesota for the Narrow Gauge convention (yes I said "we"...that's a first...I'm NOT bringing her with me to the vendor room - my activities there will be hard to explain) and Italy and Malta in October, with probably a few short RV trips mixed in this year...my first year of retirement has been great for travel, but I hoped I'd have more clarity on my modeling direction...oh well, it's a hobby - no stress.

Hope all are well...I've been absent.

I DO need to make some room and I've got some amazing built-up craftsman structures I'd like to sell to a good home...I'm still pondering, but if anyone might be interested in helping me sell them online - I'd be a very grateful and generous business partner. Send me a message if interested and nearby.

Have a great day...John

Afternoon Gents,

Beautiful day outside and it's blown by quickly. 

I've actually got the N layout running and will likely hop back to the HOn3 for tracklaying soon. Been productive after a few days away in the RV.

I haven't checked in as often as in the past - but I am enjoying the builds.

Looks good Dr Jeff....nice job on the coved corners. Photo backdrops are a revelation, imo. I'm going to order another one today for my HOn3 shadow box layout. I was able to salvage much of the ones I used on my short-lived previous layout, but I'm one short...I used Train Junkies. They have a great selection and my interaction with the boss was great-he would shoot me proofs and customize as needed... Shockingly inexpensive too.

I've certainly heard lots of great things about Trackside Scenery too...I believe ACL Tom used them for his extensive layout. 

Great stuff...I'm glad this thread got a bump.

Hang in there Dave...we're all thinking of you. Best wishes!

Got a few hours in today...3rd and final shadowbox module for the HO layout is essentially finished and ready for paint. Last night I assembled the "pedestal" for the upcoming N scale layout, so I'll paint both of them sometime this week if I can get to it. Once that module is in place, I can start slapping down the HOn3 track and get some trains running 

Beautiful day in Central FL