Early October Update

Work on the layout for October has been steady so far. The early portion of the month required alot of work travel so time has been very limited. This past week / weekend though was incredibelby busy and I want to take a few minutes and show you.

Trackwork & Scenery
Let it be known that on October 12, 2014 the color pink no longer has a grip on the layout.... Meaning we are now diving into scenery.

Focusing right now on the section between Bay Yard and the helix entrance as this is the most prominent point when you enter the room. My last post discussed replacing a Walthers curved turnout with a Peco Code 83, well to complete the project the east yard lead was connected back to the mainline.

Completed east yard lead to the left - mainline center - passing siding right

A large bag of Sculptamold has been hanging around the house for a few months and I am finally glad to tear into it and begin the scenery process. Initial thoughts so far - easy to work with, cleans up easy, and lets you get hands on literally when putting it in place. Working the material I started from the helix entrance and worked back to the yard where I will need to continue working on later this week. Enjoy the photos of the progress. My hope is to get down a base layer of earth colored latex paint this week.

New Peco switch where the lead and main diverge.

Sweeping curve into helix with slight super-elevation.

Same curve looking west now towards switch.

1st Annual Texas Western Train Show
This past weekend the Texas Western Model Railroad Club held their first annual train show at the Forest Hill Convention Center southeast of Fort Worth, TX. I felt it was a great success and focused on getting back to the roots of model railroading as the show was not overwhelming, but right sized and a win for the Fort Worth side of the town having a show in early October versus later towards the holidays.

Grandpa, Tug, and I went down to the show and all three of us had a great time spending around three hours there. The mix of vendors selling new and consignment items was plenty and just about anything HO or N scale wise in the stores now you could find. As the flyer says there was not an ounce of open space but getting around was very manageable even with a stroller.

Flyer from the show - it did not disappoint. 

Free parking. $6 admission, and help to find the local layouts - Helpful and Friendly staff.

Tug and I bringing up the rear on the Choo-Choo Express - yes that is a Michigan Interstate polo.

Nice setup by the North Texas Garden Railway Club - G Scale club in the Metroplex, definitely a hit with Tug. 

Layout additions from the show - 4 Walthers Ortners (WC-SSAM scheme) and 1 Athearn LPG tankcar with all 5 having kadee #5's and light weathering.

Anyone more interested in the club, I have provided a link to their site: http://twmrc.org/WP/

**Disclaimer Opinion on this train show is solely my own and not persuaded by any monetary gift**

Everyone have a great month - stay tuned for next weeks "Mid October Update"

GM