nice progress!

Looking very good (as usual) … but next time you should not let us wait so long before you show us some pics . I especially like the main building of the chemical supplier – absolutely great job! BTW, what did you use for the windows of that structure?

Looking good Gary. It's been a while but you have kept busy. I'm looking forward to more inspiration.
Charlie

Just found this thread, verrrrry nice!

Looking great, Gary. I noticed what you are using for the support walls for those building flats in the first pic. Those should be strong enough to resist warping! How much of the layout has "finished" scenery now versus how much is still "bare plywood?"

Gus, Mister Nutbar, thanks for the kind words. It is nice to hear that my progress photos are missed.

Kevin, thanks, hope things are going well for you.

Kurt, the ARA Resources building turned out pretty good. For the windows, I used some from City Classics modular wall sections, cut down to a smaller size.

Thanks Charlie. What have you been up to lately?

Tyson, thanks for finding this thread, and thanks for the compliment.

Russ, the inner cores are 3/4" plywood glued and screwed together with 2"x4" internal bracing. The structures certainly end up being heavy, but for me, they greatly simplify the construction. The long walls can be built without any kind of support.... use 3M spray glue to stick them to the plywood. The ARA Resources building and Grocer's Supply were built this way too. Also, the Chase Bank and MetroBank buildings featured earlier in this thread have plywood cores too.

Gary S Wrote:Thanks Charlie. What have you been up to lately?

Gary, thanks for asking. I have been doing a lot of chores around the house, and preparing for a party that we had on September 10th.
I will detail the party in my layout thread when I have a minute. I'm remodeling a kitchen for my SIL right now as well as working on some shelves to store the older HO toy trains that I have collected over the years. The SIL kitchen was a rope in job.
I'll put an update up soon I promise. I have been keeping up with big blue when I can, I just haven't done much except try to keep Ralph up with some PC stuff.
Charlie

Glad to hear from you, Gary.

Well done as usual Gary!

when are we going to see some updates

Thanks for asking

I've got quite alot done since I last updated this. The past couple of months have been spent plaaning, testing, and doing operating sessions... have a few folks who have been coming over regularly to run trains. It has been distracting me from Big blue unfortunately. I'll take some photos this weekend and post them.

Gary S Wrote:Thanks for asking

I've got quite alot done since I last updated this. The past couple of months have been spent plaaning, testing, and doing operating sessions... have a few folks who have been coming over regularly to run trains. It has been distracting me from Big blue unfortunately. I'll take some photos this weekend and post them.

Nice try! We know your real distraction has been the Houston Texans. You guys had a good season despite the injuries. Now it's time to return to the layout

Kevin, that is somewhat true. I have very much enjoyed the Texans this year, an interesting season for sure.

I did make good progress on the pipeyard, got a little bit of greenery put in, and the four big buildings along the north wall are started.

In the next few hours, will be putting up some progress photos...

First, a neighbor who is a carpenter built 2 "chest of drawers" for my train cars. One is situated under the BNSF interchange, the other is under the UP interchange. In addition, I added two more cabinets with shelves, plus a workbench and an "entertainment shelf". All of this makes the room more comfortable and i have room to safely store over 500 cars!

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Acquired some new locos: An Atlas GP40 and a Kato SD40-2 with sound in BNSF paint. These will be used to pull a tank train going to Seabrook.
Next set is a Kato SD38 and an Atlas GP38 with sound, both UP. These will be used for the UP train that runs on ATG tracks to Dixie Yard.

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Some of my old locos got a facelift into Almeda Terminal and Gulf colors. First set is two P2K GP30s, one with sound. The rear unit is in ATG colors. Second are some Geeps with a couple in ATG colors. Third is a CF7 in yellowbonnet with ATG on the side ala the LAJ.

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...better portraits of the two ATG Geeps... 235 is an Atlas Trainman GP39. 415 is an Atlas GP40 with sound. Aaron devised the paint scheme based on the D&H and painted and weathered 235.

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