Nachoman's 2012 resolution challenge.

[nachoman]

It took me awhile to decide what I want to do for this challenge. I wanted to choose something that I had been putting off and that I simply just need to "jump into" and get done. For this project, I want to get ground cover from one corner of my layout to the other, and throughout my entire town. After that is done, most of my layout will have scenery. To complete this, I will need to:

1) make and install one tunnel portal;
2) finish some rockwork;
3) Build/kitbash one more structure for my town - a hotel;
4) add a few details to buildings, and glue them in place;
5) add ground cover and details.

It's a lot of work and I am unlikely to get it all done by april first, but I feel I need to set the bar a little high otherwise my town will probably sit there for one more year with little change.

[nachoman]

Here is the hill in one corner of my layout that needs ground cover.

   

And here is the other corner and a test-fit of a tunnel portal I finished today:

   

I plan on building a hotel on the flat area to the left of the large company store. I may place a small park in the flat area above the tunnel. The area to the right of the tunnel portal will have a wooden retaining wall up to where it meets the metal siding along the edge of the slag dump.

[Catt]

I've been working ??? on my home N scale layout for over 12 years now,and I still have not run a train on it.I'm hoping our little challenge will be the push to get it to train running status.( but I ain't gonna hold my breath)

[nachoman]

I havent made Doctor Wayne type progress yet, but haven't forgotten about the challenge, either.

First, I made the tunnel portal and retaining wall and glued them into place. I have to touch up the scenery around them.

   

I also have been working on some final rock work around the other end of the tunnels.

   

I also started building an awning for the front of my company store that I built for a previous challenge a few years ago. It will be covered with tissue paper to simulate canvas.

   

And finally, I bought two of these life-like hotels that I will bash together to make a hotel for my town. The kits were only about 10 bucks a piece, and look adequate for my kitbashing purposes.

   

[Tyson Rayles]

Nice progress Kevin!

[doctorwayne]

I like the way your railroad looks to be dug and blasted through the scenery, Kevin, and hadn't realised how much progress you've made even before you started this Challenge.

Another option you might want to try for your awnings is aluminum foil. I've seen it used to good effect for canvas "winter curtains" between a steam loco and its tender.

Wayne

[nachoman]

   

The awning is completed and glued to the building.

[Tyson Rayles]

Awesome awning !

[nachoman]

The basic shape of my hotel is coming together. I'm starting to wonder if I bit of more than I can chew with this challenge!

[Tyson Rayles]

That's going to be a massive hotel, the rooms there will probably be outta my price range !

"I'm starting to wonder if I bit of more than I can chew with this challenge!"

Kevin it's only a hobby, if you get it done so be it, if you don't so be it. Challenge's aren't always a good thing for everybody. Sometimes in an effort to get the challenge completed on time too many compromises are made and the end product doesn't measure up. Or you get so stressed out after the challenge is over you walk away from the hobby for a prolonged period. Don't sweat it, relax have a good time and make sure the end product is the one you want and that you get there without burning yourself out.

[nachoman]

I'm gettin' there on the tunnel portal. All I have left to do here is install some kind of flat black tunnel liner and ballast.

[Tyson Rayles]

The portal looks great Kevin!

[doctorwayne]

I'm gettin' there on the tunnel portal. All I have left to do here is install some kind of flat black tunnel liner and ballast.

A piece of black construction paper works well. If you have easy access to the tunnel's interior, you can staple or glue it in place. Otherwise, cut it to size and then roll it up, slip it through the portal, and let it unroll (like an upside-down "U"). Adjust as necessary.



I have to control the photo angle on mine, though, as the mountain over it is not yet closed over:




Wayne

[Ralph]

That's all taking shape very nicely Kevin!!!!
Ralph

[nachoman]

Havent given up yet! I've got some rocks and groundcover on the "other corner" now.