Gotta' remember that once I discovered what real trains did (countless decades ago
), and that much of a railroad's "reason for being" could be replicated on a layout: Operation became one of the primary reasons I dabble with model trains. (I like the challenges of switching.) So, it comes as no surprise that any layout I design has SOME form of operation designed-in. As mentioned, the beauty (to me) of urban industrial switching is that DENSITY is almost required. Thus, it is FAR easier to cram a bunch in a small space than it is to reflect the openess of, say in your case, the Kansas prairie. Nature of the urban beast, I reckon'.John:
Thank you kindly! In the past, I had a lot of fun with the KC&G theme, and though it will not play the major role it played there at the last on my HO tri-level layout, I look forward to the flexibilty of its roster and seeing it come to life in S scale.
HOWEVER... a KC&G project is NOT on my workbench at this time.
Nope, I'm still slicing and dicing an AM S-12 into a DS-4-4-1000 to become Frisco's #241. I'm about finished with the body modifications. Alas, though, I just discovered I'm out of 400 grit sandpaper... so I won't be able to finish my sanding procedure (320 grit to remove unwanted cast-on detail, followed by 400 grit, followed by 600 grit) on my body modifications until I pick some up tomorrow while out and about. No biggie.
Here's a couple of progress pics I took a couple of hours ago. First up is a close up.
And here's a pic with an S-12 project for comparison in regards to the body modifications needed to turn an S-12 into a DS-4-4-1000.
Very soon it will be time to start drilling holes, adding detail parts, and fabricating handrails.
Andre
