Nice to see you have placed a countdown to the National Convention.
The DÜRR outside slowed down after the National Road Trip came through here. Same conditions here; fall weather is setting in, and it’s good to be back in garden weather here too.
You guys broom your driveway gravel down there?
Huh. I guess I’ve been neglecting that facet of home upkeep.
OMG - you mean you don’t sweep Cliff. The HMO must have you in their sights!
Actually, I’ve got just under 1/2 mile of driveway, most of it shared with other houses so it sees quite a bit of traffic. Only takes a few weeks to corrugate up, then it falls apart after the next rainfall. I learned quickly that maintenance with a drag broom was the least pain option.
Cheers
N
Free or cheap wood is just fine with me. I just recently scored a pile of 2x4, enough to build a small lean too next to the house for garage crap and hopefully enough leftovers for railroad repurposing.
Since you’re closing up your build season I have room to breathe and get my butt going again! 
Tag, you’re it. 
Craig said “Now I’m ready to push forward with the next section” in his build thread and has been reported is 100% responsible for the update pic below.
Oh I see what you did there. Thanks. 
I did mention to my wife and a few others I’d like to have. The railroad fully operational by the end of summer…
You’re welcome. 
Keep saying it Craig, it’ll happen!
Cheers
N
Remember, Craig, you will have an operating railroad long before I make a model in something other than 1:24-ish PLAYMOBIL scale and based on anything beyond, “Dude, wonder what I can do with this stuff?”
Eric
Eric,
That may be true but you and your kids will have a lifetime of memories made together. For some reason I just can’t quite get to that part with my hobby. But I’m trying harder to involve the kids in projects that they are interested in. My 9 yld has a big interest in cars and we have a 95 Chevy truck sitting in our yard that needs some elbow grease and wrenching on so I’m hoping I can get all three interested and helping ( and learning basic car maintenance.
2 Likes
I’ve set myself a target of having a continuous loop in place by the end of June. There are 2 public holidays before then that I’m going to try and use. After that I really have to move indoors.
I need to get a move on if the layout is going to be anything but bare track for next Feb. I wish I was as far ahead as you for buildings etc.
Cheers
N
1 Like
Eric - what Craig said. Your family’s involvement is beyond priceless and a joy to watch…
Cheers
N
1 Like
I really don’t have that many buildings started I mean completed. Shh 
I just started another building. Oops. 
Beginning of winter proper now, first storm of the season due this week - we may actually see some snow here at sea level (don’t get jealous now Eric ).
Last weekend we had a blinder so I managed to get the next section of road bed finished.
Backing up a bit, some roadbed alignment from a few weeks ago.
And got it finished this weekend, I snuck 2 coats of stain on after these pics were taken.
Somewhat interesting - I made the decision to paint the ties rather than print some. I ended up doing the rails as well as AL was a bit hard on the eye for me. Here’s a comparison from the back, L to R:
Brass turnout 18 mths old, stored inside, brass turnout outside for 18 mths
two pieces of Al track with painted ties, then a bit of second hand Peco G45 I got a week or two back.
Really interesting how the Peco nickel silver has got a natural brown hue in some places - I quite like it.
More updates as weather permits.
Cheers
N
4 Likes
If it’s raining down there, it must mean good weather up here…
I think layout progress on my end might stall for a bit as I work on surrounding landscaping projects in the yard. I mean it’s part of the overall plan, so I guess it’s kinda related right?
I’ve only been adding bracing underneath my layout recently. Probably overkill in terms of length, but what the heck it was free wood.
2 Likes
Good move Craig. Sagging benchwork is what I am / was most afraid of. Or more to the point - dodgy track work coming from a wonky base.
Cheers
N
Me too! I obviously haven’t done it all yet but I can definitely see and feel the difference between the non braced sections and the braced sections. With you cementing the posts in the ground your probably off to a better start anyways, but I had to do it this way at least for the backyard due to the septic drain field. This way it’s considered “temporary”.
Probably could have ripped the 2x6’s in half and been a little further along, but probably better to have the bracing after last year
It’s 2x4 and yes I considered ripping it into 1x2 but figured I’d go overkill.
Mid winter milestone - Houston, we have a loop! 
Filmed this at last light on Monday after installing the final turnout. Sorry for the length, I’ve only got a Climax running at the mo. Flat out it’s 8 mins around.
There’s a big gark in the track at 1:50 where a rock panel blew over, otherwise it all seemed to go pretty well.
Cheers
N
6 Likes