Overland SD70M-2 Arrives

Well after a year of waiting this fine brass artwork arrived. This is CN 8000...one of thirtyfive made. I have spent the day running it in and after 5 hours she runs like a finely tuned timepiece. Some of the unique features of this run is that it comes with a digitrax decoder installed and has front and rear ditch lights.

This shot is taken beside the starboard coal mine in the cut. The view really shows off the topside.

The second shot taken from track level shows off the running gear and details around the cab, steps, anticlimber and plow.

The shot from the rear shows off the fans and grill work. They did a great job on the paint. Thanks to my supplier for the excellent wrapping/shipping job as everything arrived in perfect condition.

Finishing the raised backdrop/Industrial complex

So today was a great day to finish the project. I went down to the layout room this morning and put the scenery material on the upper surfaces of the slide in backdrop. I glued the buildings in and added bushes. Then over to the wall I went and painted the backdrop using the 3" brush technique using black and medium yellow to create the green hills. Then I built the SAFEWAY sign so the building had an owner. Then Lela came downstairs and helped me lift this puppy into place. I temporarly placed the mirror into the lower track passageway to see the effect. Stepped back and took some photos.

I guess I will get back in there and do some bits with bragdon powders and scenic the end part.The next stage will to work the other areas along that wall and keep adding toward the foreground.

Working on the new backdrop

My good wife Lela and I were working hard in the garage building this framework with 2x4 and particle board to create a raised area in front of the backdrop for my building flats. Wanted some dimension to the space to give it a busy city look and to elevate the area for better scenic effect. My friend Fred Adams was nice enough to cut the sizes we needed on his table saw. Followed by some G&Ts to celebrate.

The next picture shows the structure in place along the wall.

Next I put the buildings in place to see if I liked the effect.

The foreground building was brought in from a different location just to see what the height difference would look like.

Then I took it all down and I applied strips of plastic covered cardboard to create a corrugated metal look.

After spraying it with aluminum and some light weathering with cam green and sand, I put in the celluclay mixed with water and white glue. Took an artist painting knife and shaped it. It takes along time to dry so it is easy to work on.

Then I added diluted white glue and dirt. Then misted it with water.

Then I added a light application of earth coloured grout and misted it again.

The next stage I added the woodland scenics ground foam with the mixed blend and burnt grass

The next step was to add bushes to the lower level of the cliff using several real and artificial methods.

I then put the buildings back on to see the effect. Next I will do some detailing on the upper surfaces around the buildings and track and add signs.

Tank Train on the LVN

While I was working on the LVN today I put together a tank train. I usually mix them in a consist but not today. This was a unit train... for the first time.... and had it circling the layout

The FNG -CHEO Hospital Raffle

Over the summer the Friday Night Gang including myself went to work to build an n scale coffeetable layout. We sold 3,000 raffle tickets on this layout and it was a great deal of fun for all of us. I highly recommend a visit to this forum thread as there are over 300 pictures and discussion on the build.

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17503

Here is an overview shot to wet your appetite