a picture a day....

A little refreshment after a game of sandlot baseball.

Great photos everyone! Sorry I dont have a lot of time so thats it for now! LOL

Early in the morning just as the sun clears Holston Mountain, a crew at 'Baker' Company, 796th ROB, gets Army loco 5069 ready for switching....

FOR TODAY:  

THE FIRST SIP OF JOE:  During the very early hours of the morning as the first rays of sun begin to scatter... brakeman Harvey Smoot rides the footboard  of number 97 as it inches backwards toward its' train.   Once the train is connected to the locomotive, Harvey looks forward to he and the rest of the crew taking a short coffee brake just across the street at Twilla's Lunch & Breakfast Room.   Experience of working this switch job over the years, Harvey knows at this early hour, Twilla has just put on the first pot of coffee of the day.  Twilla's coffee is arguably the finest in Patsburg ...   " Ahhhh! Nector of the gods!"  These same words emanate from Harvey's lips each morning upon his first sip.  Hearing these words always amuses Twilla,  as her eyes twinkle she breaks out with a half smile while shaking her head from side to side.  Harvey's first sip has become a morning ritual for both Harvey and Twilla, not to mention the rest of the crew who also finds entertainment value as they look on.  

Now that number 97 is connected to its' train the crew will dash to Twilla's for a cup of that FINE coffee before embarking on the day's switching orders.  

While Harvey and the boys are at Twilla’s for their morning coffee break, the White Tailed Deer family is bedding down after grazing all night along the quiet tracks. They are used to the noise of the trains during the day and don’t seem to notice them.

Hey p51, very cool. Something about the black and white makes it look so real.

@Curt Henion posted:

Hey p51, very cool. Something about the black and white makes it look so real.

Thanks. I love b/w...

Lee - once again fabulous photos and videos!!  The black and white really gives your layout a definitive sense of 'place in time.'

Curt -  nice segue from 'First Sip of  Joe'  to your the deer grazing in your nice photo!

Let’s roll today, everyone great pictures, all fun to review, also great videos. Have a great week all. Happy Railroading Everyone

Hey leapinlarry, great pictures and video. Fantastic layout. Curt

FOR TODAY:  "Travel by Pullman!"

Larry, Patrick, both excellent shots (as always for each of you)!

My wife is a knitter and she said, “I would like a yarn shop on your layout”. Well, I figured that was the least I could do since she donated the bedroom to the cause. The yarn shop is built out of foamboard and the stucco finish is sand mixed in acrylic beige paint. The tile roof is plastic drinking straws. She is sitting on the porch with her two cats. Oh, and I should mention, she is a Mustang Girl.

Curt - you will now have to make a sign for the yarn store.  What name does the CEO want? 

I made one using card stock paper laminated together with a couple pieces of thin braided wire hot melt glued into the overhang.   

Yes, that is why I built the roof with a step in it for a sign in front. I like your sign and your idea. I did this sign on my locomotive repair shop, but I want the yarn shop sign a little more colorful. The name of my wife’s knitting business is Left Hand Creations (she is left handed). Thanks for the idea.

Curt nice hand lettering on the ATSF sign. I do not have a color printer in operating condition so mine had to be black and white - although I could have colored in where needed. What I really wanted to do was print the sign with a 3D printer, This fall I may be able to get access to a printer to try some ideas.

Left Hand Creations with a ball of yarn with knitting needles sticking through might be fun.

This sign is printed the same way and glued to the plastic sign.  Full Circle is the name of my son's coffee shop in the Grand Rapids area. He provided the graphic. Black letters on white background did not look as good. His first franchise in Champaign IL.  

FOR TODAY:  Action at the junction on Wednesday morning .... a train load of pulpwood makes its' way through Butler Junction.

Patrick, your focus on detail is incredible. Curt