Dave,
Awesome !!!, The creek/river bottom looks so great, it's almost a shame to cover it with water. Love the detail on the tapered columns supporting the elevated deck girder bridge. Also the shot looking into the arch with the static grass is wonderful. Great job blending the colors, weathering the stone work and the rock faces. The weathering on the Water Tower is first class. Super work !
Victor, Before going the grease the tops of the rails, I'd consider one other option. When I paint track with Rustoleum camouflage spray paints, I use the blue shop towels, cut them in rectangles and wrap them around a 3/4 inch thick scrap pine block, then I keep some acetone nearby, to get the towels damp and wipe down the tops of the rails. I understand I do my track painting in the garage, so the acetone vapors might be a concern if you're in the house in winter time. You could try the same process but substitute 91% rubbing alcohol and follow up with Goo Gone but if you do it every couple of feet the paint won't have time to dry. Reason for the wood block is it keeps the towels from wrapping over the edge of the rails and taking the paint off the sides. Using the block of wood, will leave a "sharp" edge, pleasing to the eye.
Bob, thanks for the comments on the Tortoise project. In retrospect, it was fun, challenging, and absolutely worth it. It was gratifying that after cutting and pasting the wiring diagram to reflect my slightly different configuration with two switch stations, and LEDs at both panels, that it worked as intended on the first try. Just had to reverse one LED.
Got the window frames test fitted, primed and painted today while it was 50 degrees. Working on trying to tie up the many other "loose ends" on the station. It's coming together.
