The Grizzly & Dilapidated Ry.

[Jerry]

Looking good.  Nice little loco .

Keep up the great work Kyle.

Jerry

[kyle creel]

Thanx Curt, and thanx Jerry;

  Today (Friday) I started on re-doing the valance to 'follow' the benchwork around the layout.  I got the 2 most troublesome spots done and that actually brought the valance around to a good stopping point. 

  I really should and will install the rest of the backdrop next and then the last light fixture.  The light fixture will be mounted to the ceiling above the middle of the 'connecting section' of the layout.  I installed the light fixture above the section on the other side of the room where Dilapidated and the sector plate are yesterday. 

  So, now it's off to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to purchase the final piece of black 3/16" foam core board that will finish the last 96" of valance.  I have 1 piece that's 30" long leftover; so at least I won't have to buy a 'big-'ol-giant 60x40 sheet that I have to cut down to fit in my Camry.

  I think I'm probably done for today, even though it only took about an hour and a half to do what I've just done. Climbing up and down a short 2 step 'step ladder' about 9 or 10 times and running screws through 'L' brackets into the ceiling and the foam core in the same  operation causes the old 30% heart functioning "ticker" to tell me when I've done enough.  I'd like to be around to 'play with my trains.

  SO, I'll let ya'll look at some shots of the old and new look valance and see if it oughtta stay .......

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Before..................................


After.....................


Thanx again for all the feedback, and suggestions.........see ya................

[friscomike]

Howdy Kyle,

The layout is progressing well, congrats!  I like the consolidation, nice work.

Have fun,
mike

[PRR Modeler]

I love your scenery Kyle.

[ACL1504]

Kyle,

Nice valance and shadow box look. Very nicely done sir.

Tom

[Michael Hohn]

Kyle,

The valence does the job in showing off your layout.

Mike

[Larry C]

Kyle your layout is coming along so well!! Love the loco on the sector plate and the valance really
does a nice job of focusing the light onto the layout. This layout is going to look stellar.

Also from one old fart to another, I've realized that when I take my time modeling I not only do a much better job but also it becomes more enjoyable; at least for me.

[kyle creel]

Thanx MIke, thanx Curt, thanx Tom, thanx Michael, and thanx Larry C.;

  Thanx for all the kind words re: the layouts progress, it is coming along pretty well.  Mike, thanx for the compliment on #5 - she's a worker.....Curt- the scenery is my favorite part....Tom and Michael- the valance is really going to look 'swell' once it's all finished, thanx for noticing and commenting....Larry C.- I think the valance does indeed focus the light more on the layout. 

  Today (Saturday) I finished 'farting around' with the lighting, and now I'm ready to install the backdrop material.  I hope Mark and I might take a crack at it tomorrow after breakfast.  I went to Home Depot and got the material today, so installing it is going to happen next.

  This evening I 'mocked up' Dilapidated; by adding PHARTZ & SCHMELLING GAS CO., a platform for the depot, the water tank, re positioned the 2 bldgs.- HEI-MOES' CHINESE FOOD & SALOON, and 'THE WATERING HOLE'-which is still a paper thingy that looks 'kinda' like a small bldg.

  Next I 'mocked up' the well site for the PFLATUGEN GAS EXPLORATION CO.  I hope it all comes out looking alright- I'm sure I'll hear ya'lls' insights and offerings; which are always welcomed and needed.

  Ya'll stay tuned, thanx for stoppin' by..............

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Dilapidated..................



The Pflatugen Gas Well....................


That's all for now.......see ya...............

[PRR Modeler]

Your layout is really coming along Kyle. I noticed the curtain on one side. Is there a possibility of expansion in the future there?

[Larry C]

Kyle your layout is coming along nicely and I really like the elevated track; gives it some character.
Keep'er going.

[Philip]

Gonna be a stunner. I think like Larry, doing things in increments makes for a better concise model!

[kyle creel]

Thanx Curt, thanx Larry C., and thanx Phillip;

  Thanx Curt-alas, there's no more expansion.  This was my doing.  Originally, it was to continue across the entire side (in question) of the room.  However I just couldn't shake the thought that it would eventually 'take over' the room by it's sheer presence.  It is a spare room it's true, but I snore abhorrently, and so that Patrice can get her proper amount of rest (she had a stroke in 2023) I usually sleep in the room under discussion.  It's funny all my grandpartnts on both side of the family had the same issue and so slept in seperate rooms.  After almost 35 years of marriage we both have adjusted (she snores also) and usually however, do take our naps together.

  Thanx Larry, I always wanted a spur that went up grade to a mine somehow.  the grade is 4% and isn't terribly long so there you have it.

  Thanx Phillip-'increments' is all I got these days.  Although I must say since going on the 'OMAD' way of eating; (One Meal A Day) usually a salad w/ some type of meat (non processed) brisket, roasted skinless chicken, tuna etc. I have lost 15 lbs. in less than a month.  I also don't eat after 8PM and I've given up soft drinks, sweet tea, and other sugary drinks.  I put zero calorie orange flavoring in some unsweetened tea, or just water and I don't miss them at all.  I do however allow myself one treat- 2-3 tblspns. of PETER PAN SMOOTH peanut butter for a snack...I've loved it since the 60's after school.  I have a lot more energy and am able to work on the layout or on little things around the house.  Patrice loves it, and is very supportive...I'm 5'10-1/2" and was up to 258 lbs. @ our last checkup with our MD. on March 14th; today (Sunday Apr. 6th) I weighed in @ 243 lbs.  here at the house on our digital scale.

  Today I installed the backdrop material.  It's not as 'smoothe' as I would like (I did it by myself) but I think the sky, clouds and scenery will make any 'wrinkles' or 'waves' practically unnoticeable.....I only get to post 5 shots at a time so I'll do several posts to get them all in........

  Thanx again for the support and 'look-sees'........................

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Here's the backdrop...........................


Now some horizon.........................

[kyle creel]

OK- let's get on with the rest of the shots.................

Here's some land features added in................


That's it for now, thanx again and ya'll come back now y'hear................

[friscomike]

Howdy Kyle, it's looking great.  Persist!  Have fun, mike

[kyle creel]

Thanx Mike;

  I got up this morning(Monday)and fixed the seam between the new section of backdrop I installed yesterday and the old section. I thought it would look OK last night; but this morning, it just wasn't going to cut it.  So I grabbed my razor knife and made a smooth straight cut through both layers.  I tried to super glue the two sections one on top of the other and 'roll them flat'; when I installed the new section.  That's what created the seam.  The lights only made it worse (in my opinion) so I had to 'fix it.  So when I finished the cut, I removed the two layers, pushed the two sections together...they matched.  I stapled them down, and filled the little 'trough' from where the super glue took a little bit of vinyl with it when I pulled the top layer off; and let it dry.

  Next, while that project dried, I went about starting another cloud bank, and adding some more land forms on the rest of the new section.  I also worked a little on the cloud bank from yesterday.

  When the seam was dry I painted in the sky and added another 'rock pillar'.  Now there are three; 2 in the backdrop and one in 3-D.  The seam really did practically disappear.  The part that is still a bit noticeable is far enough down so as to be covered up by 3-D scenery, and the little bit above it in the rest of the 'pillar' will be camouflaged by details added in with the pastels when I finish working on it later.  The portion in the sky is no longer very visible at all. 

  So, all in all it was a very productive morning....hope it looks OK.......

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

The SEAM...................

The FIX....................

The whole thing............


All for now.....keep those cards 'n letters coming.............................