Thank you guys...I'm celebrating my 58th by going back to Jiu Jitsu next week   and, not coincidentally, upgrading my health insurance first of the year.

Nothing new on the layout...but I am thinking about it a LOT.

Good Morning Jim and all who follow

My layout looms behind me, taunting me as ever, as I have been a neglectful worker. Lots of real-world stuff going on including some legit negotiation to sell my share of the practice (aka RETIREMENT  )...I've got to believe that will have a significant effect on my ability to justify hours working on the layout. 

Hope today is a good day for all of you.

John

Thanks guys...I'm on board

anybody familiar with these? I'm about to pull the trigger and buy a bunch. My layout is being built to be movable for the inevitable relocation...The benchwork is modular and I've historically used terminal strips between sections to avoid chopping up all of my wiring  - these seem infinitely easier. I guess I'd still use suitcase connectors to bring the track feeders to the bus lines, but that wiring wouldn't be disrupted as it would all be contained within it's own module. 

I've never come across these and was wondering if any of you used them...


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Morning All

I promise that I'll eventually post some NNGC photos, life has been busy.

I had big plans for train time but we're hosting the two grandkids this weekend, so that will be pretty overwhelming as one is 1 5 month old happy little blob and the other is a 2yo tornado...it's the greatest but nothing to be underestimated.

I'm still very busy modeling (in my head) so, hopefully, that will translate to the layout  next. I'm negotiating a retirement buyout- so the modeling future is bright.

Have a good Friday for those working stiffs like me who still celebrate them.

Rick,

Be careful in Forks...I was there about 15 or so years ago - at the height of the "vampire problem". My daughter, now 30, 

firmly on the side of the werewolves. It was my first trip to the Pacific Northwest and I just loved the gnarly Pacific Coast scenery...(looked like a layout)

Quote from: Rick on September 11, 2025, 09:10:33 AM

Quote from: deemery on September 11, 2025, 09:04:52 AMAnother nice early fall day.  Later today I'll head to Concord for the NMRA NER convention.  I'll register, catch a couple of mini clinics, and see what's happenin'.  Tomorrow I'll be there all day, my first of 2 clinics starts at 0800 (so an early start for me tomorrow morning...) 

dave

Dave, good morning and have fun at the convention.
Take lots of pictures.
I'm surprised there weren't any pictures posted here from the Narrow Gauge Convention.

the NNGC layout tour was really great...there weren't as many overall layouts as some past conventions, but there were some truly spectacular ones...I'll get around to posting some pics. I generally just snap shots of "ideas" I want to steal (I meant "that I'm inspired by"  ) because, in the past I've traveled with John S. and Jaime who, generally, take and post an entire layout overview - so I just selfishly look for my own things. Anyway, I've got some good shots I can share...there were a handful of layouts that have been profiled in various magazines like Gary Hoover's, Richard Rand's, Pete Smith's, Bob Lenz' and others. Really great modeling.

Morning Raymo...I'm hoping to "work from home" today   if my phone doesn't blow up and spend some layout time. I've got a concrete next step that I want to proceed with on the layout and I know that I just need to break the seal with all of my stored post-NNGC motivation and I could actually get a lot done quickly...I just have to get the ball rolling.

Regardless...happy Friday to those of you who don't have a week of Saturdays.

John

Looks great Tom!

Also back from the NNGC with a nice haul of loot...as always. Now I need to build something.

Always good to run into Dr Jeff. Some really amazing layouts in the St Louis area. I only attended 2 clinics as I ran into a bout of sciatica suddenly and sitting still for an hour at a time didn't make me happy - luckily I got in many laps around the vendor room.

My annual burst of post-NNGC enthusiasm is running high, so I hope to at least have a plan of action today.

Have a good Sunday.

Great stuff Dave!

Tom, 

The marker lights are fantastic and now, the "Squealer"?...that is some next level stuff (as always). Can't wait to check it out.

John

I'm all over the place, musically (anything but the real twangy s**tkicker country or silly Death Metal ). Yesterday, my workout soundtrack was primarily Soundgarden and Metallica...but I spent most of the day driving around to the Grateful Dead. As a teen, I'd go to CBGB's Sunday punk matinee and I've seen the Ramones a dozen times, starting in 9th Grade - so I still have a very soft spot for that stuff, especially Dropkick Murphys and the Clash. But then again, I love Brandi Carlisle and Sarah Mclachlan. I guess I can't be contained 

but, if I HAVE TO pick an all-time favorite, I always come back to Led Zeppelin- who will always be the varsity, notably the drums at the beginning of "When the Levee Breaks", which I could listen to over and over. 

Morning All,

I'm planning to work from home today and devote a couple of hours to the layout. We'll see if it works out as planned...Basically, a month until the NNGC in St. Louis and I'd like to get there on a wave of layout progress (makes the shopping more enjoyable).

Anyone else going?

John

Love a good sawmill...I'm here for it!

John