CPR Mountain Division “Kicking Yahk Pass”(April 29 2020)

Well, it's been a while since was had a chance to work on my layout. Finally started a new job in Nov on a 6 month contract in construction of new headquarters for Imperial Oil(Exxon) here in Calgary. Lots of walking which has not left me with much energy to stand around working on my layout lol(gettin older). Anyways, started working on an additional spur for a mine and tunnels on the one end of my layout.

 Purchased a "handy pak" of 1 1/2"foamboard(2'x 4') from Home Depot to start. I also stocked up on another bottle white glue.

   With my trusty soldering gun converted to hot wire duty, I started carving out and adding supports for the new mine area. I recessed the area by 1 1/2" to accomodate the spur track off the Main, which also inclosed the lower main loop as a tunnel. 

 Here are a few pics showing the latests modifications

Happy new year to you! signing off for 2015

Albertstrains,

This is the first I have seen your layout build topic.  You have made great progress.  I like your method of building track risers out of foam.  Also, I am glad you got a new job even though it does tire you out.  Thanks for sharing.

Here hopefully are the pics

liking it so far

Here is a recent video update. Yes I've finally had the time now to work on the layout again now that I'm unemployed. Test running trains (MTH at this time) and workin out some bugs. 

Nice. Do you have room for that turntable?

Hi George

 The Atlas TT and 2 roundhouse kit bases are on the layout. I will try show them in the next video

Al

Hi Al,

I will soon beginning a new layout. Though it will be set in freelanced California, much of the scenery will be based on my visits to the Canadian Rockies. Neat to see someone else doing a similar layout! 

 I've been busy on my layout, de-cluttering, organizing things I haven't had the time to do til now.

 I have wanted to have a place for the small coal mine spur on the top level and have decided to move it the the opposite side of the layout...lol. This will require partially covering the top of the 2 track siding on the main level. This will allow me add more bang for my buck.

 I have cut 2" strips of foamboard at 5 1/2 and 7 1/2" widths , build the upper mine addition.

 Here are some pics showing the progress

Al

 Ok, I've been busy on the layout(feels great) and have the upper mine area ready for more mountain elevation now that there is a good solid base.

   I also cut out an access by the station area and am planning a river gorge area where the arch bridge(s) are.

 I am going to cut out the plywood where the ravine will be to add another 4" of depth.

Looks great --- please keep pics/updates coming

Your layout is actually making me think that Lionel Fastrack is / could be an option down the road

  Been workin on detailing a few MTH buildings and scrath-building CPR style telegraph poles. I went to Micheals a putchase the materials which were pretty cheap, even in CDN dollars(under $25).

 5   3/16" x 36" wood dowels

1   bag of match sticks

1   small container of beads

   I can give more instructions how I did it, let me know

Al

 Well this weekend I decided to cut in my river/waterfall gorge in my benchwork.

   Al

Hey Al; looking good. That gorge is going to be great. Nice use of those arch bridges to make it happen. Overall I really like your track plan and your use of foamboard for all elevated track. And it should be nice and quiet. I need to bring my VL Bigboy over soon so we can make sure your clearances are adequate. It will find any tight spots for sure!

Rod

 Did some painting of the carved rock. Still much more to do but I need to build a mountain now

Al

 Just showed up at my door today! Another CNR locomotive. 3rd Rail U2g 4-8-4

Al

 Here's one more for now...next, start on the "mountain"

Al

Decided to work on my Lionel Coal Tower 

I was busy during this past weekend re-locating my main grade so I could add another line to complete a full loop on the main level.

   Here is a quick vid of the new line

 Al

Looking good Al!  Keep the updates coming.

 I've been busy working on detailing a few structures and repairing/modifying a recent ebay purchase that was damaged in shipping(3rd Rail CN U2g). 

Al

  Here is a quick vid showing my new MTH CNR 6069 Set. Also MTH CPR F7s hauling the "Dominion"

Al

 A few more Vids of the F7s and an MTH FM Trainmaster. I am still in the process of converting the 3rd Rail CNR U2g to PS2. Should have it going in the next couple of days, I hope.

 Layout wise, I'm happy with the current track plan and need to wire all the turnouts to the AIU. 

   Then, hopefully back to some scenery...

Al

The F-7's are nice! One of my favorite color schemes.  The layout is build is moving along. The gorge/valley change will look good.

  Here are a few pics of projects I'm working on.

   I decided to paint the scratch built CPR caboose, built from Evergreen styrene and pvc pipe(roof). Still more details to add on.

   I have also repaired the 3rd Rail CNR U2g. This entailed resoldering tender handrails(and removing incorrect piping from tender sides). Also, I figured I would rework the valve hanger assembly to closer resemble the prototype. It still has a glitch in the upgraded PS2 I installed from another loco, but that's another story.

 Al

Al, the CP box car coupled to the caboose, did you letter that one yourself ? I don't know of any manufacturer doing a car with that CP lettering scheme. 

Canadian 

     Pacific

         Railway

 Hello Arthur, yes I ended up repainting a few Atlas 40' boxcars with the gothic "Stepped" lettering. They are my favorite, but nobody has produced these in single or 6 car sets.

   I used CDS lettering after spraying them with red oxide primer

 Al

 Just finished re-assembling an MTH Crossing Tower, after re-painting. Lots of detail that's hidden comes out after the detailing. Also, working to get this DCS issue resolved now, with the CN Northern. 

 Hopefully, get back on track with layout building. I will be cutting out another access location, as well, so I can get where I need to be when it's scenary time.

Al

A few short vids....

Very nice Albert!  Isn't it encouraging when you get trains running proving your plan worked!

  Mark, it's always important to be able to run a train, no matter what stage of construction a person is at. 

   Life has a funny way of throwing curve balls at you and it's nice to know one can retreat to the basement for train Runnin therapy, when needed.

 Last year was tough and I had the layout in a mess(more of a mess lol). No trains were able to run and it was overwhelming at times, where I just didn't have the energy or time to get things goin again.

 No matter how big or small your layout is, make sure at the end of your work session, you can RUN A TRAIN(if possible)

 That's my soapbox speech for now

 Have Fun! This is a Great hobby

Al

 Well, I'm happy to say I just started a new full time job this week, so not much happening on my RR till today.

 I am starting on the TT and roundhouse and and starting with the Roundhouse construction, combining 2 Atlas kits.

   Took about an hour or so to unpackage all of the parts ALL wrapped in plastic(potential rust issues?)

   Anyways, I have started by painting the 2 main colours I have chosen(see pics)

 Gotta go and start Masking parts and paint, so I can hopefully start construction

   Thanx for looking!

Al

 Just finished up painting the base colours for the Roundhouse. Ran out of paint for the bricks, so I went with good Ole red primer(pretty much exact match). All windows, doors, gutters a roof are painted flat black.

   I will probably paint the mortar lines on the walls(since I've gone this far).

 Al

Al, looks great!!  Good colors!!  I am always cramped for space, so I can see myself using my car hood as a table.  Good thing I drive a 2004, won't mind if I put a blemish on it!

  Yet another update on the Roundhouse build. I have applied the mortar treatment to all the walls and have started to cement together the stall floors. I am going to glue only the front and back section for now, in one stall modules.

 I am using vice grips to clamp the joints flush together after applying cement.

Al

  I have been busy working my 1st week at the new job, so layout work has been somewhat delayed, mainly the Roundhouse construction. While still in progress, I decided to run trains(since I was out of glue and paint).

 It was time to run one of my Selkirks, so I have posted a few vids of #5931, pulling a time freight along the recently revised lower mainline.

Al

 Roundhouse finally done(for now), with only lights to install.

   Al

 I have been doing some wiring, mainly an MTH terminal board and Fastrack controllers.

   Another, older short clip showing the backside of the layout on the new main. Notice the "clickety clack" after the engine passes.

Al

 New job has been super busy and when I finally get home, with the intention of "workin" on the layout, it just hasn't been happening as much as I'd like to. Extending the wiring on Fastrak switch controllers is a PITA as it involves workin under the layout. Not much fun with all the surprises in gettin older(you know)...anyways, I thought it would be fun to run some CP steam around the layout . Just to relax and imagine 12 of the new CPR Lionel box cars, in trains all over the layout. Enjoy!

 Al

Nice Al! Coming along really nicely!

Rod

  Busy at work, but I found some time to run a my CP P2e Mike. Painting a 4 bay hopper and 8000 gal tank car into CP 50's colors(black). Just a short video of the Mike on the point of the Dominion.

Al

  Quick update, been busy at the new job so not much energy to work on the layout but acquiring some additional GN power.

  Lastest addition, an MTH R2. Here is a short vid of the break in runs

Al

Albert, it's a hobby. You do what you feel like when you feel like it.

It's coming along. Thanks for updating when you can.

What's the latest, Al?  I understand if you are too busy at work and other obligations.

 Reality can play havoc with train time for sure.

 New job is going well and life is somewhat returning to normal.

 I have had time to rework the east yard and get rid of some of the reverse S curves on the ladder. Also, worked on bridges

Here is a quick vid

Al

Al,

Glad to see life is getting back to normal.  The layout is looking very good!  Two very nice locomotives!!  How do you like working with the Woodland Scenics risers and the white Styrofoam?  I take it that is what you are using.

   Hello Mark,

   No Woodlands Scenic here. I couldn't afford it...lol. I used 3" 4' x 8' Styrofoam from Home Depot that I cut into various widths for risers and grades.

It has been great to work with, as I have re-arranged the track on numerous occasions, re-locating grades etc.

  I think I'm finally getting to where I'm happy with the track plan and getting ideas for mountain placement etc. I will be purchasing another 4x8 sheet of Styrofoam for mountain construction

 Al

albertstrains posted:

   Hello Mark,

   No Woodlands Scenic here. I couldn't afford it...lol. I used 3" 4' x 8' Styrofoam from Home Depot that I cut into various widths for risers and grades.

It has been great to work with, as I have re-arranged the track on numerous occasions, re-locating grades etc.

  I think I'm finally getting to where I'm happy with the track plan and getting ideas for mountain placement etc. I will be purchasing another 4x8 sheet of Styrofoam for mountain construction

 Al

Albert

How did you cut the Styrofoam to set the grade?

Hello Keith

 If you check some of the earlier posts in this thread, I go thru how I laid out the grades and curves. I have a BlackBerry so it's a real pain to figure out how to re-post the earlier pics of the layout..lol

Al

albertstrains posted:

   Hello Mark,

   No Woodlands Scenic here. I couldn't afford it...lol. I used 3" 4' x 8' Styrofoam from Home Depot that I cut into various widths for risers and grades.

It has been great to work with, as I have re-arranged the track on numerous occasions, re-locating grades etc.

  I think I'm finally getting to where I'm happy with the track plan and getting ideas for mountain placement etc. I will be purchasing another 4x8 sheet of Styrofoam for mountain construction

 Al

Al,

My assessment on WS as well!  I'll look back through your topic as I forgot the beginning!  lol  Thank you for the tips!

Mark, not a problem I've done a few times in the past as well lol. If you have access to a table saw and are safely able to do it yourself(and a good shop vac), you can easily build your grades and curves for cheap $$

Al

Al,

I see back on Dec 31st a guy named Mark Boyce wrote this,

"This is the first I have seen your layout build topic.  You have made great progress.  I like your method of building track risers out of foam.  Also, I am glad you got a new job even though it does tire you out.  Thanks for sharing."

After reviewing what he was referring to, I agree with Mark!  I like your method a lot.  I have a shop vac, but need a table saw as I plan to build a new 12 x 12 layout next year.

Thank you for sharing!!

albertstrains posted:

Hi George

 The Atlas TT and 2 roundhouse kit bases are on the layout. I will try show them in the next video

Al

Looking good  I love my atlas turntable and round houses 

   I have done very little with my layout, other than tweaking the grades and re-aligning track.

   My main project has been the coaling tower, which mostly finished now. Here are a few vids and pics of some trains

Al

Al,

In the second video, the CP reefer just ahead of the THB boxcar, did you letter that yourself ?

Haven't seen that car done by any of the manufactures, maybe one I missed ?

The coal tower looks great!  I think your grades work well!  Thanks for the update!

albertstrains posted:

Hi Arthur the TH&B box is an Atlas model. Hello Mark thank you! Al

Al, not the THB boxcar, got that, who's car is the CP reefer coupled in front of the THB boxcar ?

Thanks.

Hi Arthur

  Do you mean this one? I did up this Atlas reefer with CDS transfers

Al

albertstrains posted:

Hi Arthur

  Do you mean this one? I did up this Atlas reefer with CDS transfers

Al

Al,

  Yes, that's the one. I didn't think any of the major manufactures made that car, very nice. Thank you.

Art         

 I have a few more freight cars that I will be repainting. They are waiting for decals or transfers to be ordered before I start.

   Here is another quick vid of 3rd Rails latest P2g Mike, pulling freight up and down the grades....

Al

Al, looks great!  But the question is, "Does the cat approve??"

Al, that is a great looking locomotive. If it wasn't for 3rd Rail, authentic Canadian steam would be just about nonexistent. On a Canadian note, thanks to Beth Marshall at Public Delivery Track, she tipped me off that Golden Gate Depot had an eight car "The Canadian" passenger car set available. Had been searching for this passenger set, thought they were all gone, warehouse find, UPS delivered today.    

Arthur

 Nice score finding those! I'm looking for a set a well, hopefully some overdue $$ owing to me will show up soon. How much was the set?

Al

Al

The set was $2,000.00 plus shipping. Fortunately they take PayPal, so PayPal credit gives me six months to pay it off, my 2017 train budget was just about exhausted but this was a must.           I guess you are aware of the Canadian Toy Train Association ?   http://www.canadiantoytrains.org/

Art         

Finally purchased a new Samsung  phone and decided to take a few videos and pics of recent rail action on the layout.

   I have installed the roundhouse tracks with power but threw a belt on Atlas TT motor.....arrrgh. So that will be my next project.

  I am having to run additional  feeders to the station tracks as I'm losing TMCC signal, which can be annoying.

   Other than that I still have 8 more switches to wire up under the layout. I keep putting that off tho. Lol

Al9Running 

Al,

Very nice photos and video.  Yes I have heard the Atlas belts can be a problem.  Looks like Morris the Cat isn't phased by the trains.

   Well tonite i decided to run some trains and blow off some steam from another crazy day at work...lol

 I havent ran my Weaver G5a #1200 in a while, so......on the tracks it went and coupled up to an MTH set of passenger cars. Only able to pull 4 cars up the grade, which i think is pretty good.

   It is a great running and looking loco for sure.

    Kali is my resident smoke inspector

   Here are few vids of the action

Al 

I have been working on repainting some 90s vintage Lionel NYC heavyweight cars into CPR. 

  Money has been tight even though I have been fortunate enough to be working full time but with adult kids living at home and my daughter going to university.....its been a struggle. 

I haven't been able to purchase the GGD heavyweight cars yet so in the meantime ......here is my progress 

al 

 Well I did manage to apply transfers to the baggage car last night. 

  Hopefully I will finish the rest up tonite....

Al

Looks really nice.

 This weekend was all about painting and lettering the 4 car passenger set and prepping a bunch of freight cars for lettering to CPR.

   These have been on my to do list for a while so i decided to get at it.

     The  passenger cars were lettered with Black Cat decals and the freight cars will get CDS dry transfers

Al

Both groups of cars look great Al!!

Great looking heavyweight passenger cars, I like the look more than the MTH cars.

If you want outside braced CP boxcars you have to do it yourself, I'm a bit surprised Atlas hasn't done the outside braced boxcars for the CP.

Al, your railroad is doing the CPR proud !   You have an excellent stud of motive power, too !

Remember the days when Canadian Pacific described itself as the world's greatest transportation company? They had the railroad, an airline and steam ships, plus a string of hotels. 

  I like the look of the Lionel Heavyweight cars better than the MTH ones as well, Arthur. Unfortunately, these cars did not have the interiors, so I opted to install "blinds" on the windows which helps in hiding this fact. I would like to find some diaphrams to install on the cars, but probably too expensive if available.

   Better scenario would be to find some later version Lionel cars with interiors and diaphrams lol.

  Mark, I wish I was around back then to have seen things back in steam days.....oh well.

 My next project is repainting an MTH Royal Hudson(Im on a roll lol)

 Mark / Arthur

Thank you for the comments. There are a lot of CP and CN steam era cars that have NOT been done, other than by Weaver, which are nearly impossible find now. It seems that buying other roadnames and re-decorating is the cheap way to go for me.

   I am hoping to purchase either a K-line 18" CPR passenger set or 6 of the new Lionel CPR Box cars

Al

Al,

I would have liked to see the steam days too.  Born in 1956 was just a little late for the B&O and other Western Pennsylvania railroads.

Funny thing about being so old that steamers were commonplace . . .all we wanted to see were diesels! 

Steamers? Bleah! a dime a dozen! 

Yep, that's how it was for a train watching kid in the early fifties in Canada. I recall trying to get around one stopped at the station before it started moving. Got a shower of cinders in my hair for my trouble. I actually had hair! 

How things change! 

It was 1960 for me.....but lots of excursion steam in Toronto when I grew up there. 

    I didn't have a chance to see CNR  # 6218 run but was on the 2nd trip of 6060 after its return to service and had the chance to ride behind her on a few more trips after that.

   As for CPR steam #1057, #136 and #1201 were just a stone's throw away from the CN roundhouse just east at CPs John Street roundhouse.

   I would hang around on weekends at the both facilities and learned as much as I could 

   #1201, I had  the great pleasure of crawling inside its boiler with a pneumatic needle gun for a few hours while it was under going restoration for operation.

   Also outside in storage were #5361 and recently departed Royal  Hudson #2839(off to the USA for fantrip service 

  Good times and great memories....

Al

 I  managed to apply transfers on one of the gondolas tonite. Not a visually spectacular car but will certainly add to the theme of my layout.

  Here is a before pic of the Royal Hudson that is getting the new makeover......already have part of tender lettering removed.

Al

Like the gon, as you say not a spectacular looking car but another CP car not available from the manufactures. 

Hello Arthur

  I  see you have received your Lionel CPR box cars and are installing Kadees but you didnt post a pic of what they look like! lol Please post a pic when you have a chance to. 

Al

albertstrains posted:

Hello Arthur

  I  see you have received your Lionel CPR box cars and are installing Kadees but you didnt post a pic of what they look like! lol Please post a pic when you have a chance to. 

Al

Here are some shots of the new grain cars . . .

Packaging . . .

Out of the box . . .

And with Kadees and weathered a bit . . .

Hello Arthur

  I  see you have received your Lionel CPR box cars and are installing Kadees but you didnt post a pic of what they look like! lol Please post a pic when you have a chance to. 

Al

albertstrains posted:

Hello Arthur

  I  see you have received your Lionel CPR box cars and are installing Kadees but you didnt post a pic of what they look like! lol Please post a pic when you have a chance to. 

Al

Sorry, Albert. I thought you meant me. Didn't know Arthur had received these cars.

Terry Danks posted:

albertstrains posted:

Hello Arthur

  I  see you have received your Lionel CPR box cars and are installing Kadees but you didnt post a pic of what they look like! lol Please post a pic when you have a chance to. 

Al

Sorry, Albert. I thought you meant me. Didn't know Arthur had received these cars.

 

Terry, Albert did mean you, I didn't install Kadees on my CP car, he got us mixed up with all the replies being posted. Good to see the Canadian railway interest.

  Hello Terry / Arthur

  Sorry about that Guys! I got my wires crossed somewhere Lol.

  Terry - Nice job on the cars!

     I am hoping to purchase atleast 6 of these for my layout.

Al

 I have a few days  off from work and I have been working on repainting the Royal Hudson . Alot of details needed to be removed first. With that done the painting could begin. I did add some brass channel to fill in behind  the cab steps.

 Decaling will tomorrows fun!

  Here are a few pics of the progress 

Al

 I have a few days  off from work and I have been working on repainting the Royal Hudson . Alot of details needed to be removed first. With that done the painting could begin. I did add some brass channel to fill in behind  the cab steps.

    Another detail I will be adding is a back wall to the cab. The big opening at the back is a big distraction to me so I will be filling it in.

 Decaling will tomorrows fun!

  Here are a few pics of the progress 

Al

albertstrains posted:

 I have a few days  off from work and I have been working on repainting the Royal Hudson . Alot of details needed to be removed first. With that done the painting could begin. I did add some brass channel to fill in behind  the cab steps.

 Decaling will tomorrows fun!

  Here are a few pics of the progress 

Al

Albert, who's Hudson, MTH ?

Hello Arthur 

   Yes its an MTH one. I have had this one in previous videos. It was the BC rail version.

Al

  I managed to get the Engineers side decaled today

   Here are a few pics from today

Ali

Looking good !

 Here is an update of what has been happening.....mainly painting and lettering rolling stock that have been on my to do list. Apparently  now is the time lol. Royal Hudson is just about complete but working on the cab windows.

  Here are a few pics 

Al

Albert,

    Great job on the steel CP reefers. Are the unlettered wood reefers and boxcars be CP also ?

 Hello Arthur

Yes they will be all CP. I am doing one 40'  wood Reefer in passenger service livery (maroon). I am waiting for decals for my 3 outside braced box cars and need to find two more sets of decals or transfers for my gondolas.

   The CP reefers were the latest ones from MTH but came decorated for CN.

    The colour was too light of grey for my liking so I painted them up in CPR.

   They are supposed to be 8 hatch reefers as well but oh well.....

Al

Here are a few recent vids of the outshopped MTH Royal Hudson and various CPR freight cars . 

Al

   Recent update, I have made some bridge abutments from mdf and have most of the custom bridges in place now with solid footings. Not too exciting but necessary ....

Al

Nice texture on the stone piers. Very exciting...it's a detail that will make the whole scene in that area.

The bridges look great on those abutments!  Great progress!

  Thanks for all the comments on the abutments..looks like I will be making more for the remaining bridges.

    I picked up a bunch of Weaver telegraph poles off day 'bay and they just showed up today at my door. I was going to scratch build these but I can't make them look this good and would probably drive myself nuts trying to lol

  These are a dead ringer for the ones I remember seeing along the mainlines during my youth.

  I will be painting/detailing these as well 

  Al

 I have managed to detail 30 telegraph poles thus far. insulators painted white for the most part. I will be painting some insulators with Tamiya clear green for some variety.

  Here is a pic of the "bouquet" as of tonite 

Al

Al, looks like purple is ok too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-5-rar...90-1900/122749110165

 Hello Arthur

    I have included a few pics of my small insulator collection.

   Yes, the purple ones are pretty!

Al

Finally had a chance to run some trains. Here is a quick vid of 2816 on passenger duty....

Al 

Congratulations on your train running!!  They look great moving along on your layout!!

  Making mountain's, hot gluing supports and getting things messy. Here are  few pics.....in progress  lol

Foam mountains don't look like much at first, but when finished can look great!  Are you going to cover them with sculptamold or another product?

Hello Mark

   I have more foam to install before I start fill cracks etc with yellow expanding foam insulation(spray can).

     I will see how that looks before I start going at it with the hot wire cutter. 

    Yes the foam looks pretty lame at this stage of the game.  Most important is to ensure clearances in the tunnels and build in access as I go along.

   Al

Al, I have used the spray foam myself.  Yes until you get farther along with cutting and shaping, the mountains can look very 'abstract'! (How do you like that word to make it look like you and I know what we are doing?)  LOL. Carry on; it will look great!

  Greetings All

    Finally had time to get back to working on the layout. The "canyon" line I have had envisioned for some time. 

  Figured I better get at it. Here are some pics of the work

Al

That's a deep canyon, Al!  What kind of bridge are you going to have holding up the track!

is the cat the construction inspector?

          Very nice Al !!     looking good !

 The "canyon" is approx. 18" railhead to bottom. I have envisioned scratchbuilding a wooden trestle but it wouldn't look right with the Mainline CP locos I will be running(my opionion lol).

  I am looking at using another Lionel # 231 truss bridge(upside down this time) to give it that heavy

mainline look at this time. If I can muster up some energy after work I will continue on my quest...

  Mark, I was checking out your layout thread and I have an idea for your track plan

 Al

albertstrains posted:

 Just finished up painting the base colours for the Roundhouse. Ran out of paint for the bricks, so I went with good Ole red primer(pretty much exact match). All windows, doors, gutters a roof are painted flat black.

   I will probably paint the mortar lines on the walls(since I've gone this far).

 Al

That is one cool work bench.  

Albert,

This is the first time I saw your layout.  You are doing a fine job.  I'm amazed that you are able to cut all that styrofoam without major static electricity issues.  It really is looking good.  

albertstrains posted:

 The "canyon" is approx. 18" railhead to bottom. I have envisioned scratchbuilding a wooden trestle but it wouldn't look right with the Mainline CP locos I will be running(my opionion lol).

  I am looking at using another Lionel # 231 truss bridge(upside down this time) to give it that heavy

mainline look at this time. If I can muster up some energy after work I will continue on my quest...

  Mark, I was checking out your layout thread and I have an idea for your track plan

 Al

I agree, most all of us like spindly trestles for an application like this, but the heavier truss would be better for your mainline trains!

 I know about getting home and feeling too tired to do anything.  Both my dad and father-in-law retired lass than a year older than I am now.  As I recall, they didn't get a lot accomplished after work at my age either!  

I am all ears for any suggestions you may have!  Whoops!  You may say, 'scrap it all and do something totally different!'  Ha ha!

albertstrains posted:

  Greetings All

    Finally had time to get back to working on the layout. The "canyon" line I have had envisioned for some time. 

  Figured I better get at it. Here are some pics of the work

Al

Al- very nice layout. First time I've seen your thread in a while. That open cell styrofoam can make quite a mess.
I like your helper too!

Bob

Kali is the Project Manager/Tunnel inspector. We have disagreements on whose layout it is at times but work things out.lol

 Ive been dealing with RA the past few years and it has really taken the wind out of my sails plus a crazy job that leaves me more or less kaput to fo much else....oh well could be worse right?

    I enjoy even just spending time just doing some "imagineering" with my fuzzy friends in close company

Mark i will try email you

Thank you for all the high 5s lol

Al

M

RA - Me too!  In fact that is what got me rethinking the access holes on the layout.  

Let's just retire right now and play with trains full time!  :-)

Thanks, I'll watch for the email.  No rush; take care of your work and yourself!!

albertstrains posted:

Kali is the Project Manager/Tunnel inspector. We have disagreements on whose layout it is at times but work things out.lol

 Ive been dealing with RA the past few years and it has really taken the wind out of my sails plus a crazy job that leaves me more or less kaput to fo much else....oh well could be worse right?

    I enjoy even just spending time just doing some "imagineering" with my fuzzy friends in close company

Mark i will try email you

Thank you for all the high 5s lol

Al

 

M

Al- we have a "Cali" too...small world. So far she hasn't found the layout but she camps out under the Christmas tree each year. Sorry about the RA, its gotta suck for sure.