Well, with the short hood front, the engineer arrives on the scene of the accident first. I suppose that there is a benefit after all. 
Andy Clarke said:
David, you just want to keep the mystery goingā¦ hehehe
The short line around here, has a policy that, when running multiple units, you always run with a short hood forwardā¦ Most shortlines, however have smaller/shorterr trains, which usually can be stopped in a shorter distanceā¦
Having the visibility could also allow for the crew to be able to āābraceāā for the contact, or, as in past years, jump from the train before impactā¦
There are many arguements, either wayā¦
However, my comment was only meant to tease Matt, not start an arguementā¦
Andy, I know., I am just kidding. As a steam nut, its customary for my locomotives to have their largest part in front of the cab, and a tender behindā¦ah, a tenderā¦ahā¦yea.
Steve, is that like the old time pilot answer to the question about how far a twin engine aircraft can fly on one engine? āAll the way to the crash site.ā
Itās hard to believe that it has been one year since I broke ground. I figured I would be much farther along by now. I completely underestimated the work it takes. lol.
I was going to start a new thread, but this one has so many pictures already.
I started on the fence.
This is where I was going to put the grain elevator. Iām going to move it to where Iām standing taking this picture. I just want a small co-op style that can service 4-5 grain cars, max.
More fence work and this is where the new grain elevator will be. Iām pretty sure Iāll have enough room.
Slowly coming together.
While going through my shed looking for some stain I ran across a can of flex seal. So, I sprayed the wood down. Even though it was treated lumber, I figured it wouldnāt hurt. And Iād had a couple pbrās by then so I sound like a good idea. lol.
Hereās the crap I used. The previous ownerās of the house had left it in there and I never threw it out.
Progress!!!
Time to install some cement board. I doubled up on the pieces.
Starting to get dark, but kept working. Last pic before they wouldnāt show up.
The next day I woke up and felt like hauling dirtā¦said no one ever. lol. But I did start doing some back fill.
Starting to come together.
Ha! I have good news for you, Mattā¦I am the president and treasurer of the I-Thought-Iād-Be-Further-Along-By-Now Club. We are always accepting new members!
Ā Ā Ā ....and I'd be happy to put you in touch with the I-Underestimated-The-Work-This-Would-Take Subcommittee chairman if you like.
Amazing progress. My back is hurting just looking at your pictures .
Nice progress, Mattā¦
coming by for Ops??? 2-3 Mayā¦
Donāt feel bad, I am 13 years into my 5 year plan, and I figure I only have about 12 years to go till its done.
Andy Clarke said:
Nice progress, Mattā¦
coming by for Ops??? 2-3 Mayā¦
Wait your inviting cousin Matt but you wonāt invite your own son?
lol John, I think I need more of a support group.
Thanks Mike. My original plan was to have my backdrop as tall as yourās, but with the possibility of not living here forever, wellā¦, I didnāt see a point to haul in that much dirt. lol.
Thanks Andy! Yep, Iām hoping to be there Saturday. I hope. Depends on work.
David, I think Iām on your schedule. lol.
Uh Oh cousin. I didnāt mean to start any family drama. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
David Russell said:
Andy Clarke said:
Nice progress, Mattā¦
coming by for Ops??? 2-3 Mayā¦
Wait your inviting cousin Matt but you wonāt invite your own son?
newp, sonā¦ Once ya moved out, you were gone foreverā¦ This house is staying an āāempty nestāāā¦ (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Looks good Matt. The fire pit will be nice to have for winter running.
Thanks Shawn! I hope to get time to replace the concrete with same stones that I built the railroad with. My wife doesnāt like the fire pit there, but I think I may leave it and put a small patio around it.
I did make a trip to lowes and picked up more supplies for the railroad. Too bad the weather isnāt cooperating. I think we are in monsoon season here in southern Illinois. lol.
Railroad is looking good. Keep it up!
John Passaro said:
ā¦and Iād be happy to put you in touch with the I-Underestimated-The-Work-This-Would-Take Subcommittee chairman if you like.
I had a meeting with this fellow Saturday morning. He told me that I could vacuum up all my ballast, level my outdoor track, clean the ballast and then put it all back with plenty of time left to do some tree trimming and mulch the gardens. Didnāt happen. I shouldnāt be surprised.
Thanks Daktah!
I got some good work done yesterday.
Started planting posts. lol.
Cement Board going on next.
Still A LOT to get done. But I feel as I made some good progress. I might take a day off work this week and finish building the fence part. That way all I will have to do is haul in dirt. For the first time I actually feel like I might get the structure part done in the near future. lol.
Looks real good Matt. That base will last for years . Are you thinking of what to use as ballast ?
Wow, great job Matt.
There are great looking RRās here on this forum. Had to glance at a few more. Mikeās looks great too.
āI got some work done this weekendā is an understatement!
You better be careful about thinking, oh, I might take a day off work this week to work on the railroad. That kind of thing could be dangerous!
Thanks Mike. Iām not sure on the ballast, but I like the color of the granite dustā¦or whatever itās called. Iāve not seen the chicken grit in person yet. Iāve just seen your pictures/videos. Iām not sure I can even get the granite dust, although Iāve not really checked around. The chicken grit I know I can get.
Thanks Joe!
Lol, thanks John. Yeah, thatās 5 or 6 hours of work on this past sunday. Iām lucky if I get one day a week to work on the railroad. I have a couple days I have to burn, so I need to check the weather and pick a couple good ones. But, Iād much rather stay home and work then actually go to work. But then there would be no train money. lol.
Matt Russell said:
Thanks Mike. Iām not sure on the ballast, but I like the color of the granite dustā¦or whatever itās called. Iāve not seen the chicken grit in person yet. Iāve just seen your pictures/videos. Iām not sure I can even get the granite dust, although Iāve not really checked around. The chicken grit I know I can get.
Matt, I prefer chicken grit if itās the red and grey kind we get around here. The āgranite dustā is what we call here crusher fines. Itās all decomposed/crushed granite whether itās crusher fines or chicken grit. Just donāt get the chicken grit that has the OYSTER shells in itā¦you will be very sorry!
The reason I would prefer the chicken grit is that it makes a beautiful contrast in color and in size to the wonderful grey roadbed youāve laid down. The crusher fines wonāt show as well, I donāt think.
The disadvantage of chicken grit (decomposed granite not oyster shells) is that itās very expensive compared to crusher fines which you can get for a couple of bucks per five gallon bucket in any landscape rock place. Buy enough chicken grit and, no matter how great it looks, you wonāt be taking many days off work!
Be sure you let us know what you decide.