Looks like my last post here was Wednesday.
Thursday I started off by hitting Menards for some of that 11% action. Been writing my shopping list for three weeks, waiting to cash in. I did some pretty good damage too. Came home with spray primer for the grain elevators, caulk for gap filling and a nice new gun, and another !000' spool of cat5 so I can start wiring signals. Geez, the price has shot up on that stuff. The last spool I bought was $75. This one was $93. I also ordered a bunch of sheet goods and some 2" pipe for delivery.
When I got home, my wife and I sifted ballast for a while, then later I worked on spreading it on the Newport scene.
Saturday we got up early and went outside to wait for the delivery. While we waited, we decided to have a fire. I may have gotten a little carried away, as I singed most of the hair off both arms, but the damage didn't end there...
![20180519_103141 20180519_103141](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367748/fodoid/79283631142367733/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/20180519_103141.jpg)
That pile of stuff at the far left by the rocks, are the old panels of shingles that were on the gables on the front of the house. I tried to break them up and get them in the fire, but had limited success. This decision would come back to haunt me.
![20180519_105035 20180519_105035](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367749/fodoid/79283631142367734/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/20180519_105035.jpg)
Flaming debris repeatedly spilled out of the pit, and at one point one of the wheels caught fire, and melted.
![20180519_103149 20180519_103149](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367750/fodoid/79283631142367735/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/20180519_103149.jpg)
My Menards delivery finally showed up around 10:30. The same guy has been delivering to me for the last 19 years, since I started building the house. On many occasions he has come in to see the layout, but not this time.
![20180519_105449 20180519_105449](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367751/fodoid/79283631142367736/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/20180519_105449.jpg)
My wife and I then transferred that bundle to my sheet goods rack in the shop.
![IMG_8477 IMG_8477](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367752/fodoid/79283631142367737/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8477.JPG)
This can is my ballast bin. Now I have to fill it up!
![IMG_8478 IMG_8478](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367753/fodoid/79283631142367738/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8478.JPG)
A lot of prep work goes into this layout. It was nice having the ballast sifted, so I could just run up to the garage, and scoop a bucket full, and bring it down.
![IMG_8472 IMG_8472](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367754/fodoid/79283631142367739/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8472.JPG)
This is the last section in the entire scene that needs ballast. It's also the hardest to reach, but I can still get it.
![IMG_8473 IMG_8473](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367755/fodoid/79283631142367740/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8473.JPG)
This scene just needs a few things, and it's done. Something on the backdrop, a few building flats for the industries, and a little greenery. That's it!
![IMG_8474 IMG_8474](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367756/fodoid/79283631142367741/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8474.JPG)
![IMG_8475 IMG_8475](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367757/fodoid/79283631142367742/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8475.JPG)
![IMG_8476 IMG_8476](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367758/fodoid/79283631142367743/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8476.JPG)
This morning, I went to put on my shoe on, and all the toes on my left foot were covered with dried blood. Upon further inspection, I discovered this nail sticking through the bottom of my shoe. My wife cleaned me up, and exposed the source of the leak, a nasty slice on the bottom of my big toe. I'll spare you those pictures. The good news is I can't feel it. The bad news is I couldn't feel it. The nail came from that pile of old siding, not exactly a model railroading injury, but kind of related. Doctor tomorrow, will cut into my train time, and assess the damage.![rolleyes](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/static/images/graemlins/icon_rolleyes.gif)
![:[](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/static/images/graemlins/icon_frown.gif)
![IMG_8479 IMG_8479](https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/12129987997660671/filePointer/79283631142367759/fodoid/79283631142367744/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/IMG_8479.JPG)