Weekend Update (31st Mar 2023)

[Admin]

Please update us on the progress you have made on your MRR projects this week (commencing: 31st Mar 2023).

This weekly thread is to post little snippets about your layout/project progress.
This is not be a substitute for your layout build thread, but just a mini update on what you got done for the week.

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So, fellow nSn'ers, what have you been up to this week?

[Pencil]

Been slammed with work the last month or so, but did manage to get the final layer of resin on my lake. I tried using some gloss medium to make ripples - unfortunately, hundreds of little bubbles formed as it was drying. Fortunately, it peeled off the resin nicely. I picked up some 'triple-thick gloss glaze' - maybe that will work a little better


Curtis

[jhn_plsn]

Baby steps, but I am getting there. The main plus siding are glued down and a cluster of turnouts assembled and ready for the flextrack.

I am a bit torn on including a small cement business with a dome. I am concerned about the impact on the lumber yard. Now that write this I think it best to include as it is very recognizable, even for the non-railroad fan. The third photo has the image on the backdrop of the domed cement industry. I am thinking it would be placed where the blue exacto knife is on the benchwork.

"Model Railroading if fun" leaves out all the work to make it fun. That said, the work can be meditative.


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[jhn_plsn]

So decided to invert the image and it looks better in the space. Plus is car capacity improves a bit and more room for supporting bits like, roads, trees, structures, and such. So back to the workbench to build another turnout.
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[jhn_plsn]

Good progress on my branchline. Maybe I should just call it Fontana. These industries are located along interstate 10 in Fontana Ca. just west of UP's West Colton yard. The plan may look like a bit of a puzzle but is not. It is long so I can have space to move cuts of cars rather than one at a time. Turnouts and coupling/uncoupling areas are placed carefully for reliable operations. We'll see how that goes when a rookie shows up.

I think this will be a fun spot to run a local from the yard, work it, and return to the yard. Maybe twice a session with different work on the am vs the pm job.

The paint can represents the dome at the cement company.

Time for wiring! Ugh.

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[howaboutme]

Testing some clearances. These portals are tight!

[jhn_plsn]

I was able to get Fontana wired up with about 30 feeders minus the 10 frogs which will stay dead for now. Once the track is painted I will add the ground throws and test with the DCC. I did have two shorts caused by tie gaps on the turnouts which weren't to difficult to find and correct.

Model Railroading is Rewarding, once you get the hard work done. Oh, my back, kneck, knees, etc....

[Lake]

MP Switching Blue Diamond. Got it looking just right!