Are you two getting married (to each other)? 
Maybe. I am man enough to admit I have a model RR crush on Neil’s rock work!!!
I can relate…
Best,
Captain Overthink
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Really looking great Neal and one thing will be true is that while it might be over thought or over built I am almost positive no one regrets over building anything. But half thought out and thrown together surely invites regret. This is built with a lot of good engineering and will serve you well for a long time methinks.
Lol, I was reflecting on the angst I went through extending the post spacing to 1.5m, AND reducing the sides to 6x1’s at the same time (150 x 25 is just too hard to say…)
All because I’m running out of free stuff.
OMG, what could go wrong. What if it sags, what about the knots, what if I can’t repair in place, whatif, whatif…
After a while I just got on with it… 
Cheers
N
if it sags, you nail a queen’s post under it and use a stiff wire to tighten.
like in (real) railroad cars.
If it sags , turn it upside down and tell everyone the superintendent of the constitution company read the plans upside down
Some progress this week. I only just realised that there’s only a few weeks left of daylight saving which means the end of doing stuff after work. Best I make use of it…
Early birthday present from my wife was 50 slightly used posts from a local vineyard.
Enough to finish all of the benchwork (currently planned that is 
). What more can a train guy ask… 
Cheers
N
To add to Devon’s comments about over building, I’m realizing that I understand built the first part of my layout. I’m pondering how far I was to tear it down and start over vs try and add more supports. I got 3 steps ahead of myself and didn’t get a few critical things done first that are now doable but just more difficult.
I hear your pain. It’s the rework part that bugs me the most. So far it’s all gone well apart from one 6 x 2 that has slowly twisted and warped over the last 6 mths. No particular reason as far as I can tell as everything around it is fine - just a crap piece of wood…
Just don’t need any more of those. Good luck with the straightening - post pics.
Cheers
N
Its interesting having you folks south of the equator as participants on here. I have to reread and do a double take on a few of your comments. Your “season” is winding down as I am looking forward to getting started. Its just hard to remember that there are places where the exact opposite is going on.
You ask my wife what one of my biggest pet peeves is and it is doing something twice. Or getting something done just to realize the next step can’t happen because of something being in the way or won’t fit. On my kitchen remodel I laid the counter down and fastened it. Cut the hole for the sink, and realized there was ZERO chance of getting the sink mounted. Its an under mount sink and there was no way to get it in there. So had to lift the entire counter top back up, flip it over, mount the sink and put it in place. . .well even that wasn’t gonna work, the sink was resting on the cabinet and wouldn’t allow the top to lay flat. Lift it out again and shave down the offending part of the cabinet. Frustrating to say the least.
Just glad I realized all of this before I poured the epoxy.
Sounds just about how I build signs. Make a plan, then forget the plan and forge ahead, oops, fix, good!
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And I never know what to post on photo threads as it’s autumn in spring, and mid summer for the winter threads. Lol… 
Cheers
N
I usually add a few more ‘opps’ cycles, just to mix it up.
Mine after oops is throw away and start again, only to make a mistake next step in the process
With the cost of modern sign substrates. I don’t have that option unless it is really FUBAR. Bondo, paint pens, and caulk get a workout in my shop!
Nobody will complain if you post on the currently active (Northern hemisphere) thread. Fall pics on a spring thread ware just fine!
After spending all afternoon yesterday on my belly in the dirt I really envy you guys that were smart enough to build elevated. It would have been easy for me 20 years ago to turn right out into the yard on benches rather than turning left and going up the hill on the ground. I almost added an elevated section about 10 years ago - bought the track and had a plan made but never executed.
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I learned that lesson really quick with the first on ground layout. I knew after a few seasons I didn’t want round 2 layout to be on the ground at all but a minimum of at least knee high.
But building an elevated layout has it’s own set of problems and solutions. One of mine was buying lumber at the peak of lumber prices during Covid lockdowns. Oops. It’s gone down since then but its still pricey to build an elevated layout for sure. I’m tempted at times to use regular non-pressure treated fir to see how it lasts long term.
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