No more Shed...

As stated in my last post the shed that I was going to convert into a workshop/layout are has been converted back to a garden shed. The cost to convert it to a usable space is not in the cards right now and I would rather use the funds to build modules or finish projects. I am a little disappointed but I am moving my painting stuff to the garage along with my Free-mo modules, I will be able to setup most of my modules and work on them during the year.

I am also looking at refocusing my Free-mo modules into focusing on the more iconic section of Bend, which makes more since in the long run of trying to model Bend. I will post a new plan for my modules in the near future.

A review of my goals

As part of my goals for myself is to do a better job setting and keeping goals. So far I have been doing okay this year, but I still have more I would have liked to complete that probably will not all get done.

The unplanned remodel of the the house still has my free time wrapped up, even though the project is done, the task of getting everything back to where it goes is just beginning. There is some good news in my model railroading world. My wife has decided to move her studio from downstairs to upstairs and has allowed me to have a area to work on projects. By now I would have thought my shed would be well on its way, but the needed upgrades are cost prohibitive. We have decided to convert it back into a gardening and storage shed ans I will be setting up my modules in the garage. This will allow me space to work and run on my modules when the time and weather permits. My wife has also made a comment about me being able to build a shelf layout in the spare room. No promises, but I may have a home layout to work on in 2016.

So as for goals in 2015

1) Finish that house, so close yet so far away (project 1 when I get my workbench back together)
2) Finish Had's McCulloch Chain Saw Shop (project 2 when I get my workbench back together)
3) Finish ground throw pulls on Madras Modules  (Done for now, may convert to tortoise)
4) Basic Scenery completed on Madras Modules (Basic scenery on one module has been completed, the other two I have the base coast down and need to finalize building locations.)

I will post a year in Review at the end of December along with a list of goals for 2016.

Madras layout published in MRH

An article based on some posts on the MRH site along with some information from the blog has been complied into an all inclusive article and is in this months MRH magazine. you can check it out by click the link!

http://mrhpub.com/2015-10-oct/port/files/220.html

Cabeese

It has been well over a year since I have had a module that I can take pictures on. I use to be a pretty active on the Weekend Photo Fun on a few forums, but without something to take pictures on my participation has been minimal. With the scenery well on its way on my Madras modules I know again have a place to display my work. My next project will be to paint a backdrop so I can take pictures instead of using Photoshop.

My 100th Post

It has taken me a little over Five years, moving twice and a bunch of projects, but I have finally made it to 100 posts. I probably should have made this post awhile ago, but I wanted something new to show instead of just making a post about a post. So here is my update, I have started the static grass on part of my Madras switching module. I have the base coat of static grass down, now i will start adding other things like sage brush and trees. I also need to finish up the track with ballast and weathering. My final project will be to complete and install the rest of the oil distributor, but that is not a huge priority right now.

Base Coat

After giving the top of the module a coating of Sculptamold I decided to do some basic track weathering. I used artist oils and Gouache to paint and weather the rail. Once everything had dried I painted the top of the module with some brown paint from the 'oops' section at Home Depot. With the paint still wet I spread dirt over the top of the module and also some Highball N scale ballast for the parking lot area. I then worked more dirt and ballast spraying the dry spot with water and covering it with a 50:50 mix of water and Matte Medium. I have some more photos in the Projects in Progress page that show some more details of the work.

Gearing up for scenery

I have gone back over and completed some troubleshooting on the trackwork and everything is working to the standard I expect.  I decided to start working on the scenery on the 4' section, but before I got to far along I wanted to finish the track work. I spent a couple hours placing ties in the gaps left over from laying the track and filling in the tie ends on ties that were cut for feeders. Once that was all completed I spray painted the track and ties Camouflage Brown. With the paint dry my next step will be to figure out the final location of the structures and then cover the rest of the ground in Sculptamold. Once the Sculptamold is dry I can start adding dirt and begin building up my layers of scenery. As with all prototype projects I find it best to work from pictures. I spent sometime printing out photos of the area so I have a feel for what I am trying to achieve.